Four hundred miles of trails spoil hikers in the Shawnee region. You could spend several weeks in silence on the 160-mile River to River Trail connecting the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, crossing five wilderness areas and several state parks. Bring a map for your all-day hike. If you want to overnight, backcountry gear is a must. For shorter treks, try one of these trails:
Located in the Burden Falls Wilderness near Eddyville, the 1-mile loop crosses bedrock to the falls, a series of upper and lower cascades (and one of Illinois’ largest). Explore the side trails to spot barred owls and other birds, and do some bouldering (climbing low rocks without ropes). Visit after a rain for the best waterfall views.
It’s one of the national forest’s most-visited spots, thanks to stop-in-your-tracks scenery—100-foot limestone bluffs formed into shapes like those of Camel, Mushroom and Anvil rocks. Stroll by rock slabs and surrounding valley overlooks on the Indian Point Trail, a 2-mile loop. Find the wilderness area near Herod.
Squeeze between massive sandstone walls on the 1-mile Giant City Nature Trail at this Makanda-area park; for a real challenge, try climbing the crevices. The 12-mile Red Cedar Hiking Trail loops through the woods, crossing a stream and accessing a waterfall for explorers looking for a full day trip or overnight backpack.
From the trailhead, it’s an easy quarter-mile trek to the top of seasonal falls, dependent on rain for flow. For more of a challenge, descend into the canyon to the base of the falls. The 3.25-mile loop follows a rocky path with plenty of roots through the national forest and towering sandstone bluffs.
This 3.6-mile loop near Murphysboro leads trekkers through bluffs and forest, then a scramble up a 365-foot rocky creek bed for a view of the Big Muddy and Mississippi rivers. Enjoy the quiet on this lightly trafficked route.
The almost 1-mile loop follows the rim of a rock escarpment. Interpretative signs share the area’s history as hikers pass the remains of a 1,500-year-old stone wall. Stairs lead to
Ox-Lot Cave, once a shelter used by Native Americans.
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