Southern Illinois Has a Grand Canyon

On virtually everyone’s bucket list, the Grand Canyon is near the top. It’s truly stunning. But did you know that there is a Little Grand Canyon right here in Illinois? The canyon we are referring to is a box canyon within the Shawnee National Forest (Jackson County). Starting on the Little Grand Canyon trail, you end up right at the canyon. The walls are a steep grey sandstone, dotted with deep green ferns. Just like the Grand Canyon, it was carved by water over a period of many, many years. But unlike the Grand Canyon, it doesn’t take a full day to get to the floor of the canyon. And yes, do get to the floor and look up. It’s truly spectacular.