Garden of the Gods Recreation Area
River Pigs timber sale area active-use caution
Contractors have begun moving equipment onto the River Pigs timber sale area on the Shawnee National Forest, located off Buttermilk Hill Road in Jackson County.For your safety and the safety of crews working in the area, please be aware of increased traffic and active logging operations.• Watch…
Snake Road Temporarily Closed for Spring Movement
Forest Service Road No. 345, Snake Road, is temporarily closed beginning Friday, March 6 to ensure safe crossing for several species of snakes and amphibians during their bi-annual migration. Every spring, this 2.5-mile-long road is closed March through May to allow snakes and amphibians – some…
Failing Culvert on Oakwood Bottoms Road FSR # 786
Be aware there is a failing culvert on Oakwood Bottoms Road FSR # 786. The culvert is approximately 0.6 miles off of Route 3, just before the railroad tracks.The area has been barricaded off but vehicles can still proceed through. Please use caution in the area until repairs can be made or use…
Public Health and Safety Closure Within the V-Plow Timber Sale Area
This order aims to protect the public health and safety of users recreating on National Forest System (NFS) lands within Township 11S, Range 5E, Sections 21 & 22 of Pope County, Illinois, as depicted in Exhibit A of this Order.
09-08-25-03 Shawnee Wilderness and Watersheds
This order aims to protect the public health and safety of users recreating on National Forest System (NFS) lands by outlining restrictions in wilderness and watershed areas, including stock use.
09-08-25-02 Occupancy and Use
This order aims to protect the public health and safety of users recreating on National Forest System (NFS) lands by outlining conditions of occupancy and use.
09-08-25-04 Restrictions for the Use of Natural Areas
This order aims to protect the public health and safety of users recreating on National Forest System (NFS) lands by outlining restrictions in natural areas.
McClure Road Closed
McClure Road (Forest Service Road 772) is closed at the low-water crossing approximately 0.1 mile past the Forest Service boundary (0.8 mile from Little Kinkaid Road). We apologize for the inconvenience, but the road will remain closed to all vehicular traffic until a culvert can be replaced. …
Road Conditions
Current area road conditions can be found at the Illinois Department of Transportation.Roads Open to Motor VehiclesDownload our Motor Vehicle Use Maps for a list of which roads are open to motor vehicle access on the Shawnee National Forest.
Reporting Trail Conditions
Call (618) 658-1312 to report trail conditions, give feedback about the trails, and ask questions about the forest trail system.
Trail Segment Closed - Lincoln Memorial
The walking path at Lincoln Memorial Day-use site has been affected by heavy rainfall, which has caused soil erosion and subsidence at the spillway of the Lincoln Memorial pond. Because of the unstable soil, the loop portion of the walking path around the pond is temporarily closed.Hazard…
Narrow Bridge near IL Iron Furnace
Big Creek BridgeOrange road barrels have been placed on the shoulders of the Big Creek Bridge in Hardin County, Illinois (near the IL. Iron Furnace historic site). Both lanes across the bridge are narrow due to the placement of the traffic barrels. Narrow Bridge signs are in place in both…
Cave and Mine Closure Order
This order aims to protect the public health and safety of users recreating on National Forest System (NFS) lands by outlining cave and mine closures.
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 12:21AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Elevated conditions for wildfires are expected this afternoon, mainly between 12 PM and 7 PM CDT. Relative humidity values will fall to 25 to 35% this afternoon, and winds will be breezy from the south, sustained at 10 to 15 mph with gusts of 25 to 30 mph forecast. Vegetation is dry due to ongoing moderate to severe drought conditions over much of the region. Outdoor burning and activities that involve open sparks or flames are discouraged. Please report all wildfires to local law enforcement as soon as possible.
Overview
Garden of the Gods Recreation Area is located in the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois and is currently open year-round. The site features the popular quarter-mile Observation Trail with spectacular sandstone rock formations including Camel Rock, Table Rock, and Devil's Smokestack, plus panoramic views of the Garden of the Gods Wilderness. There is currently an active alert: water is temporarily unavailable at the recreation area, so bring your own water. The Pharaoh Campground offers 12 primitive campsites ($10/night, cash or check only) with fire grills, tables, and vault toilets. The picnic area and Observation Trail are open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The campground is open year-round. Cell phone coverage is spotty to non-existent. Overnight parking is allowed at the Backpacker's Parking Lot (Indian Point Trailhead) for wilderness access. Be aware of poison ivy and venomous snakes. No permit required for entering or camping in the Garden of the Gods Wilderness. Pets must be on leash.
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