We were wanting to see and enjoy the beginning of the fall colors. So, we decided to travel over to “Garden of the Gods”, a little over an hour’s drive for us, in Shawnee National Forest. We were about a week early, but the colors of the leaves were just starting to change. In about another week, the leaves will be in full color.
Garden of the Gods is one of the most visited parts of the Shawnee National Forest. Mainly because if the short 1/4-mile trail that is paved with flag stone and the beautiful views. This trail is an easy trail to walk on and offers viewing for miles around. If you feel like walking even more there are trails that go around the base of the Garden of the Gods. There are also miles of trails that are connected to every part of Shawnee Nation Forest.
(There are no guardrails around the trail, and you are free to climb to wherever you want on the rock formations at this time. However, there have been many falls and deaths that have happened here. If you decide to be adventurous, Please be careful!)
Even with us going on a school day and it being a much cooler day, there were still lots of people there to enjoy the views and the day. Keep reading below the video for more insights and pictures.
When you first get in the parking lot, they have a few signs that show you the paths. As you can see the paths are really nice to walk on. If you go to the right on the path around, there are some stairs and a tight place that you have to go through. Take the way around the left and it will get you to all the better viewing areas. We went to the right to be able to take in as much of the fall colors as we could. Many people that go there will go to the left, as it is the shortest way to the better views.
The rock formations in this area were part of a shallow seabed. As layers were added over time, there were some chemical reactions that formed the color lines in the rock that you can see now. Which is made up of mainly iron and rust.
This will just add to the natural colors that you will see here.
You will find that every were you look that it is so differently beautiful. It is a great place for people that like to take photos of nature. We enjoy going there for the views that Garden of the Gods has to offer.
Being able to see views like this and not having to travel to mountains in other states is a plus for us.
When there are views like these everywhere you look it is hard to remember that there is one view that is the most famous of them all. The Camel Rock is the one most people think of, when you hear Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest.
People take and share this view, I would say more than any.
Many people have had their picture taken standing on the camel’s back and head. While the view is beautiful and exhilarating, many people have gotten hurt trying to get there. If you do fall or get hurt, it will take a long time for help to get there as you will be many miles from the nearest hospital. Now that Cheryl and I have gotten older there are a few places that, when we were younger, we would have gone out on but now just said “let’s not do that”.
There is a picnic area where you can sit down and enjoy your lunch. They also offer a campground that is part of this area. There are also some cabins close by that you can stay in. You will want to bring plenty of food supplies if you are planning to stay or camp there. There are no restaurants close by, you would have to travel several miles to find one.
Garden of the Gods receives many visitors a year. There are also two other places in the area that are nice to walk around and hike at also. There are hiking trails connecting all three of them that you can hike and enjoy.
For more information about Garden of the Gods in Southern Illinois check out their website.
Nearby Places to Explore:
Garden of the Gods, Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois
Garden of the Gods is one of the most visited parts of the Shawnee National Forest. Mainly because if the short 1/4-mile trail that is paved with flag stone and the beautiful views. This trail is an easy trail to walk on and offers viewing for miles around.
Read our visit to and see our video on Garden of the Gods
Illinois Iron Furnace Historic Site in Southern Illinois
Illinois Iron Furnace Historic Site in Southern Illinois, a hidden gem in Shawnee National Forest with Civil War history, peaceful time and scenic surroundings.
Read our visit to Illinois Iron
Hiking Rim Rock National Recreation Trail & Pounds
Rim Rock and Pounds Hollow in Shawnee National Forest, Illinois. Discover scenic trails, rock formations, and tips for this popular southern Illinois hike.
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Indian Point Trail
Hike Indian Point Trail in Shawnee National Forest near Garden of the Gods. A scenic loop with cliffs, forest views, and overlooks.
Cave-in-Rock State Park Along the Ohio River
Cave-in-Rock State Park in Southern Illinois along the Ohio River Scenic Byway. Visit the famous cave, ferry crossing, scenic views, and hiking trails.
Historic Rose Hotel in Elizabethtown, Illinois
Stay at the Historic Rose Hotel in Elizabethtown, Illinois — the oldest operating hotel in Illinois overlooking the Ohio River near Shawnee National Forest.
As always, we would love to hear from you about your visit to the Garden of the Gods. Leave us a comment down below and share your story.
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