Garden of the Gods is the crown jewel of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois! It contains impressive cliffs, some hiking, the entrance to thousands of acres of wilderness area, and all in rural Illinois! Here’s what to expect on your next visit.
- Garden of the Gods Recreation Area Official Site
- Shawnee National Forest Official Site
- USDA Info Sheet
The Garden
The Garden of the Gods is truly a special and unique area. The cliff formations are fun to see and you can explore as much of the area as you can get to! The path through the cliffs is only about 0.5 miles long but there are also a few trails that travel down into the wilderness if you want more mileage.
The Pharaoh Campground is near the cliff which offers first-come-first-serve spots for $10. You can also camp below the cliffs in the wilderness. The River to River Trail runs through here and the Indian Point Trail is near. There are several options for wilderness camping or improved camping. My plan next time visiting is to get a camp spot and enjoy the evening on the cliffs for a sunset. I bet the views are gorgeous!
The trail is officially a quarter mile long but if you explore some of the cliff areas and walk around you can go farther!