Walk Through 3,300 Acres Of Rock Formations At Illinois’ Garden Of The Gods Wilderness
At the opposite end of the state from Chicago and most of the Land of Lincoln’s other popular attractions, there is a recreational area in Herod, Illinois that is famous for its rock formations. While most of the state is flat, this region features some unique natural attractions you’ll have to see to believe.
Trails, campsites, and extraordinary views abound at this immaculate park. Scroll on for more details.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
Situated in southern Illinois, the Garden of the Gods Wilderness is the most spectacular section of the Shawnee National Forest.
Spanning 3,318 acres, this world of rock formations features about 5.5 miles of interconnecting trails. They allow hikers to explore these structures that have been chiseled by wind over the course of 300 million years.
These sandstone rocks are truly a sight to see. The trails are ideal for hiking, biking, and even horseback riding, all of which are brilliant ways to explore these rock formations.
From the campsites and some points along your hikes, you'll get to see the amazing bluff tops. Some of these formations drop 100 feet down and can even be climbed with the right equipment.
Many love this area so much, they choose to camp in this region of the forest. It is $10 to camp at Garden of the Gods where sites typically have fire pits, picnic tables, and toilets on-site.
If you want to experience the unique natural attractions of the Shawnee National Forest, there's no better way to do it than by visiting the Garden of the Gods.
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
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