Shawnee National Forest

Welcome

Shawnee National Forest

The preshistoric Native American occupation of southern Illinois began about 10,000 years ago. Many of the village sites have been preserved and interpreted at several forest locations. Learn about people of the Mississippian culture (ca. 900-1450 A.D.) by visiting Millstone Bluff National Register site and walking a one-mile trail leading past a stone fort, cemetery, petroglyphys (rock carvings) and the village area.

The historic period in Illinois began with the Joliet-Marquette exploration of the area in 1673. One tragic episode during the period was the forced march of the Cherokee Nation people to western reservations in Oklahoma during the winter of 1838-1839. The "Nunna-da-ul-tsun-yi" or "the place where they cried" became known as the Trail of Tears because many Cherokee people perished from cold, hunger, and exhaustion during the journey. It is now designated as a National Historic Trail and extends across the Shawnee National Forest from the Ohio River to the Mississippi River.

American westward expansion during the 18th and 19th century brought pioneer farmers seeking homesteads and good, cheap land. Many farmed lands that were not sutiable for the cultivation of row crops and erosion soon destroyed the natural fertility of the land. In 1933 the federal government began acquiring the old, worn-out land that would be designated as the Shawnee National Forest.

Volunteer with the Shawnee National Forest and help to make a difference within your community and on your public lands!

Volunteers with many different skills are needed to assist with the various programs on the Shawnee National Forest. Volunteer opportunities vary in length, type of skill required, and even where they are located (outside on the trails or in the office at a desk). >>>Read More

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**New Interactive Map** of Recreational Sites Just Click on Your Area of Interest!

**New Areas of Interest GPS Coordinates Map**

Trying to Contact Us?

If attempting to contact our staff, please be aware that due to virus protection reasons, the Forest Service will block all e-mails at the SMTP mail gateway that are over a certain size or that contain certain attachment types. To see a list of attachment types that may cause e-mails to be blocked, as well as other e-mail limitations, click here.

Planning to Hunt the Shawnee National Forest?

Climate Change, Kids, and Forests: What's the Connection?

"Since being named Chief in January, I have spent time in Washington and have traveled around the country and have talked to many different people concerned in one way or another about forests. I have been struck by their hopes and fears, and three themes in particular have stood out. I will discuss these themes one by one and show how they are connected."

Current Items of Interest
Message from Shawnee National Forest to Hunters and Other Visitors Harrisburg, IL, November 13, 2009 – With the hunting season nearing, the Forest Service reminds all visitors, both hunters and non-hunters, about appropriate use of firewood and deer stands.
SHAWNEE NATIONAL FOREST VOLUNTEERS SPEND A BUSY WEEKEND ON FOREST PROJECTS Harrisburg, IL, October 26, 2009 – Forest Supervisor Allen Nicholas, and Mississippi Bluffs District Ranger Dan Lentz recognize the importance of the work done by volunteers on the Shawnee National Forest.
OAKWOOD BOTTOMS GREENTREE RESERVOIR UPDATE Harrisburg, IL, October 15, 2009 - Mississippi Bluffs District Ranger Dan Lentz announces that the annual flooding of Oakwood Bottoms Greentree Reservoir commenced during the week of October 5, 2009.
Shawnee Quarterly for October
SHAWNEE NATIONAL FOREST RELEASES MOTOR VEHICLE USE MAP Harrisburg, IL, March 23, 2009 – Today Forest Supervisor Allen Nicholas announced the publication and release of the Motor Vehicle Use Map for the Shawnee National Forest. >>>Read More - Maps - Hidden Springs Ranger District - Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District
RECREATION FEE INCREASES Harrisburg, IL, March 2, 2009 - Shawnee National Forest Supervisor, Allen Nicholas, announces an increase of fees for five Forest campgrounds.  This increase will become effective on March 15, 2009. >>>Read More
Order of the Forest Supervisor, Restriction of Horses or Other Saddle or Pack Animals to Designated and Interim Trails in the Eagle Creek, Big Grand Pierre Creek, Lusk Creek and Upper Bay Creek Watersheds on the Shawnee National Forest (Please allow for download time when viewing maps). Closure Order Map 1 Map 2 Map 3
DESIGNATED TRAIL USE ONLY IN FOUR WATERSHEDS Harrisburg, IL, January 22, 2007 –Today Forest Supervisor Allen Nicholas announced equestrian use will be limited to designated trails in the Eagle Creek, Big Grande Pierre, Lusk Creek and Upper Bay Creek watersheds in Gallatin, Hardin, Johnson, Pope and Saline counties of the Hidden Springs Ranger District.
Research Natural Areas Program Research Natural Areas (RNAs) are established by the USDA Forest Service as representative examples of minimally disturbed natural ecosystems.

Horse Camps on the Shawnee

Forest Road 345 is closed each year from March 15 to May 15 and again September 1 thru October 30 for the Snake Migration (by Mike Pingleton)
Also see our Snake Migration LaRue-Pine Hills Recreational Opportunity Guide and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources pages on Illinois Snakes for more information.

Other Recrational Opportunity Guides

 Virtual Tours

Please visit our Photo Tour of the forest.
East Side of the Forest | West Side of the Forest

Current Conditions:

The Shawnee National Forest is located in southern Illinois and is divided into two Ranger Districts Hidden Springs - located in Vienna and Mississippi Bluffs - located in Jonesboro .

News

Volunteer Vibe - Volume 1 Issue 3 - a quarterly newsletter made for the Shawnee Volunteers. Each newsletter will contain a feature trail, safety tips, Special Thanks section and Volunteer Opportunities. Also what is going on in and around the forest since the last newsletter. >>>Read More

Trails Maintenance Reports
The Trails Designation Project, Phase 1, Final Environmental Impact Statement presents an analysis of four alternatives for designating, constructing and maintaining a trail system within four watersheds on The Shawnee National Forest.