Your national forests and grasslands are 193 million acres of vast, scenic beauty waiting for you to discover. Over 3 million acres of land located in 22 National Recreation Areas managed by the Forest Service is preserved for recreational activities like hiking, boating, fishing and swimming, while highlighting natural, cultural and scenic resources. Visitors who choose to recreate on these public lands find 162,984 miles of trails, over 30,000 recreation sites, over 400,000 miles of streams and 3 million acres of lakes, 127 alpine ski areas, 338,000 heritage sites, and specially designated sites that include 36.7 million acres of designated wilderness areas, 130 wild and scenic rivers, 15 monuments, and one preserve. And remember, “It’s All Yours.”
Displaying 5126 - 5150 of 22716Burden Fall Wilderness
Burden Falls Wilderness is located in Pope County. The Wilderness is located adjacent to Bay Creek Wilderness and is in a stone's throw of Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area.Burden Falls Wilderness is comprised of a central hardwood ecosytem with some pine plantations. Trails for hiking and equestrian use will take you by some indications of past use by people including homestead, fruit trees, cemeteries and…
Little Cache Lake #1 (Bowman Lake)
This 21-acre lake is located off of Bowman Bottoms Road in Johnson County, north of Vienna, IL. The lake is shallow and the species present include bluegill, largemouth bass, redear, channel catfish and crappie. Access to the site includes gravel road surfaces. The boat launch is located on the upper end of the lake and to reach the main body of the lake requires paddling or trolling a narrow…
Whoopie Cat Lake
Relax and enjoy the seclusion of this picturesque lake.
Lake Tecumseh
This is a very shallow lake (approximately 4 feet or less). It was constructed for flood control purposes. Water levels fluctuate widely and sport fish population are marginal.
Dutchman Lake
This 118 acre lake is not far from main highways and the small town of Vienna, IL. where stores and gas stations are available for food, gas and live bait. Dutchman Lake is also easily accessible from exit 14 on Interstate 24.
Gravel boat launch. Shoreline fishing available. Boat motor limit:10hp
Fish species include: Bass, Catfish, Panfish;
One Horse Gap Lake
Named after the nearby One Horse Gap rock formation, this 26-acre lake is a favorite during hot summer days for a cool dip and for primitive camping and horseback riding throughout the year.
One Horse Gap Brochure/map
Cedar Lake
The shores of this 1,750-acre lake is lined with forests and colorful bluffs. National forest land encompasses the south end of the lake and provides one of the most tranquil water settings in the Shawnee National Forest.
The clear blue waters beckon all types of water activities with fishing, kayaking, paddling and swimming (north end only) being the most popular. During the winter and spring is a great time of…
Garden of the Gods Wilderness
Garden Of The Gods Wilderness is located in Saline, Pope, and Hardin Counties. The wilderness features an outstanding scenic views along with very unusual rock formations. Trails for hiking and equestrian use will take you by some indications of past use by people including homestead, fruit trees, cemeteries and abandoned roads. Being adjacent to the Garden of the Gods Observation Site, this wilderness is the most…
Lusk Creek Canoe/Kayak Access
Float one of the most scenic creeks in southern Illinois. Lusk Creek Canoe/Kayak access is located just minutes from Eddyville, IL and offers easy access for recreating on beautiful Lusk Creek. The site features a walk-down launch path, spaceous parking lot and information board with detailed map.
Due to its ecological significance the Shawnee National Forest designated…
Underground Railroad: Cultural Landscape
The American Missionary Association (AMA) was founded in Albany, New York on September 3, 1846 as an Eastern nonsectarian benevolent society that advocated radical abolitionist principles. Among its founding members included those who aided in the defense of the Amistad captives in 1839. The AMA helped put the abolishment of slavery onto the national political agenda.
Although it was a national association, the AMA…
Bay Creek Wilderness
Bay Creek Wilderness is located in Pope County. The Wilderness is located adjacent to Burden Falls Wilderness and is in a stone's throw of Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area. Bay Creek Wilderness is comprised of a central hardwood ecosystem with some pine plantations. Contained in the Wilderness is the Bay Creek Wild and Scenic River Study Corridor. Trails for hiking and equestrian use will take you by some…
Underground Railroad: People of Miller Grove
The Miller Family
The community of free African Americans in Pope County, Illinois came to be known as Miller Grove, presumably named for one of four families that settled the area.
In 1844, the Miller family helped establish a small community of rural dispersed farmsteads. Harrison Miller - the founder and patriarch of the town - brought his wife Lucinda and their three children from a Tennessee plantation to the…
Pennant Bar Openlands
One of the most expansive managed openland areas in the Shawnee, Pennant Bar Ranch is several hundred acres of grasses, shrubs and lowlands. It has several fishing ponds and offers opportunities for hunting and trapping.
It is centrally located and only 15 minutes from I-24 (exit 16-Vienna).
Wilderness Areas
The seven wilderness areas offer primitive backcountry recreation in non-motorized areas of the forest. Totaling about 10% of the forest, or 30,000 acres, the wildernesses contain some of the most beautiful but rugged and remote areas of the forest. No permits are required to enter or camp in designated wilderness, but there are special restriction for these areas (see below).
Obtaining detailed trail maps is highly…
Trigg Observation Tower
Between 1930 and 1950 8,000 lookouts, of which 2000 remain, were constructed nation-wide. Of these, 600 are in active use for fire detection. Trigg Lookout Tower is the only remaining of the 16 fire lookouts constructed on the Shawnee National Forest. Originally built in 1934 as a 60 ft. wood structure, it was replaced in 1938-39 with a 100-foot-tall steel tower. In 1973, the upper 50 ft of the steel frame was…
Alum Cove Natural Bridge Recreation Area
Outstanding among the many natural features of the Ozark Natural Forest is the huge stone arch that forms a natural bridge at Alum Cove National Recreation Trail. The natural arch is all that remains of what was a quartz sandstone cave. The arch is 130 feet long and 20 feet wide. The weathering process of wind, rain and ice formed the opening between the arch and the rock overhang.
The Alum Cove Natural Bridge…
Barkshed Recreation Area
4/7/25: Closed until further notice due to flooding.
Barkshed is a primitive camp near a clear mountain stream. It was the old "Barkshed Forest Camp" and was the show-off place for visitors to the forest. The picnic pavilion at the top of the hill was used for many such events.
Campground and Day-Use Area Rules
Bayou Bluff Point of Interest
Located near the Illinois Bayou, the area exhibits picturesque bluffs and breathtaking scenery.
Effective October 2021, Bayou Bluff became a Point of Interest. The fees are suspended for camping and day use and is now open all year. Upper loop is closed to camping and will be eliminated completely. Use of the vault toilet, large pavilion, three shelters, and a small pavilion will remain. The…
Bear Creek Lake Recreation Area
The 625-acre Bear Creek Lake Recreation Area has 30 miles of shore line and offers the following recreational opportunities: camping, picnicking, swimming, canoeing, fishing and hiking. Sitting atop Crowley’s Ridge, the recreation area offers three campgrounds, two picnic areas, a mile-long nature trail, a swim beach and a handicap-accessible fishing pier which all provide visitors a variety of recreational…
Blanchard Springs Recreation Area
The Blanchard Springs Recreation Area offers a rich outdoor experience. Stroll on the paved trail to where Blanchard Springs gushes as a waterfall from the hillside. Swim in the clear waters of the North Sylamore Creek. Hike into the Ozark woods for an hour or a weekend. Try your luck catching rainbow trout from Mirror Lake, an accessible facility.…
Brock Creek Lake Recreation Area
Brock Creek Recreation Area is located near the 35-acre Brock Creek Lake. Primitive campground: pack-it-in, pack-it-out trash. No trash services. No water available. No reservations. Sites available on a first-come/first-based only.
Brock Creek Lake Recreation Area Guide…
Brock Creek
The Brock Creek Trail is a multi-use trail system located on the Big Piney Ranger District in the beautiful Ozark National Forest. The trail system consists of two major loops and many interconnecting loops. The combined loops provide over 42 miles of trails for dirt bikers, Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) riders, and horseback riders. The trails meander through majestic oak/hickory forests and occasional areas of pine.…
Cove Lake Recreation Area
A 160-acre mountain lake near Magazine Mountain - the highest point in Arkansas with an elevation of 2,753 feet provides a great summer get-away for many. Concession services include boat rentals,cabins, miniature golf course, and food service from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Camp trailers allowed but no special facilities are available. Boat launching ramp. 36 family campsite units. 24 family picnic units. Bathhouse…
East Fork Wilderness
The East Fork Wilderness takes its name from the East Fork of the Illinois Bayou, which bisects the wilderness from the northeast to southwest. The Area encompasses 10,777 acres along the southern edge of the Boston Mountains. East Fork's terrain is characterized by flat or gently rounded ridges separated by hollows with very steep slopes of sheer rock walls. The elevation ranges from 800- 1,600 ft. The most unique…
Fairview Trailhead
This area is situated on Arkansas 7 which is noted as one of the 10 most scenic highways in the United States. Gorgeous fall colors can be seen in October and November. Dogwood and Redbud blossoms are abundant in early spring. Trailhead access to the Ozark Highlands Trail.