Garden Of The Gods Hiking Trails Illinois
5.5 miles of interconnecting trails traverse the landscape of garden of the gods.
Garden of the gods hiking trails illinois. Photograph is of the east face with early morning light. This hiking destination has the best classic views in illinois by far. The trails that comprise the garden of the gods wilderness are poorly marked.
Backpackers can find loads of adventure living off the grid while hiking through some of illinois’ most beautiful public areas. This is a short hike (.25 mile loop), that you get to drive right up to. While most hikes through illinois take you past prairies, forests, and other midwest staples, there is a trail in the shawnee national forest that will make you feel like you’re in another world.
For active folks who love hiking, there are 21 miles of trails to explore in the garden of the gods. The hike is designed to start from the back packers parking lot at garden of the gods and proceed clockwise. The river to river trail starts at grand tower on the mississippi river and meanders across the southern tip of illinois all of the way over to elizabethtown on the ohio river covering 157 miles from end to end.
This goes for adults as well, but is even more important with kiddos. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. These boulders are giant and are over 300 million years old.
For sunrise, a great place to capture garden of the gods with pikes peak in the background is from the parking area up on mesa road that overlooks the park. Observation trail (garden of the gods), indian point trail, burden falls trail, and lusk creek wilderness area are breath taking, and there's many more that we did not explore. The hiking trail hiding in illinois that will transport you to another world.
Moreover, the map at the trailhead is confusing. Located in herod, illinois and contained within the shawnee national forest, the garden of the gods is one of the premier hiking spots in the midwest. Good views are from the central garden, gateway, susan g.