The Shawnee National Forest
Information and Photos

The Shawnee National Forest is located mainly in southern Illinois. Explore the Shawnee National Forest and enjoy the largest, most diverse natural treasure in Illinois. Major highways lead to southern Illinois where you will find some of the most beautiful scenery in the Midwest. Drive the 70-mile Shawnee Hills on the Ohio National Scenic Byway and revel in its fall colors. Go birding, horseback riding, hunting, or fishing. Enjoy photography, hiking, bicycling, picnicking, and swimming. Try boating, canoeing, camping, mushroom hunting, berry picking, and more. Delight in the abundance of wildlife.

In contrast to the gently rolling farm lands to the north, the more than 270,000 acres of the Shawnee National Forest lie in the rough, unglaciated areas of southern Illinois known as the Ozark and Shawnee Hills. This area between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers boasts an unusual combination of five natural ecological divisions. Seldom anywhere else will you find such a diverse combination of vegetation, wildlife, and recreation opportunities.

Note: The above story was taken from the Shawnee National Forest Guide.

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