10 Shawnee Forest Loop Hiking Trails to do in 2026

Are you looking for Shawnee Forest Loop Hiking Trails to hike this upcoming hiking season?

Start the new year off right by choosing some of the best loop hiking trails the Shawnee National Forest has to offer. These trails feature amazing bluffs, rock formations, scenic overlooks, and more.

In this guide, I’ll share 10 of my favorite Shawnee Forest loop hiking trails for you to enjoy the whole year.

Hike Safely on Shawnee Forest Loop Hiking Trails

Before we get into the Shawnee Forest loop hiking trails, we need to address something important.

Safety!

It’s essential to prioritize safety while enjoying the Shawnee National Forest. The number one cause of injury and death in Shawnee National Forest are from falls. The number one way you can stay safe in Shawnee National Forest is to watch where you step next.

Use common sense and watch where you step, and you’ll enjoy a safe and entertaining visit anywhere you go hiking in the Shawnee National Forest.

Enjoy these Amazing Shawnee Forest Loop Hiking Trails

Here are 10 of my favorite Shawnee Forest loop hiking trails for you to enjoy the next time you visit Southern Illinois.

1: Garden of the Gods Observation Trail (Less than 1-Mile)

Garden of the Gods Observation Trail is likely the most popular trail in the Shawnee National Forest.

Now, don’t let that scare you from visiting. Sure, there are a lot of people there on the weekends, but you’ll see so many great things on your first visit. You should visit it at least once, but I would recommend weekdays during the colder months as the less crowded days to visit.

On this trail, you’ll see amazing scenic overlooks, interesting rock formations, and enjoy an easy-to-hike trail that features many handicap-friendly sections when hiked clockwise.

For directions and information about the Garden of the Gods Observation Trail, I welcome you to check out my Trail Guide for this area.

2: Indian Point Trail (2 Miles)

Indian Point Trail is also located in the Garden of the Gods, and it’s a great trail to visit if you like your hiking to be a little more rugged.

This trail is a little longer than the Observation Trail. It’s nestled into the Garden of the Gods Wilderness Area. This means you can hike this trail day and night and even do an overnight backpacking trip there.

On this trail, you’ll enjoy amazing scenic overlooks of the wilderness, fun natural cave shelters, and amazing bluff lines.

For more information and directions to Indian Point, check out my Trail Guide for this area.

3: Little Grand Canyon Trail (3.5 Miles)

Little Grand Canyon is pretty much like the Garden of the Gods on the west side of the Shawnee National Forest.

This is another trail that gets a lot of visitors on the weekends. However, I don’t blame them because it’s such an amazing trail to hike. It’s a bit of a workout because it’s hilly, and since you have to hike up and down a waterfall cascade, you definitely want to use caution when visiting.

At Little Grand Canyon, you’ll see amazing scenic overlooks of the Big Muddy River bottoms, unique rock formations, and waterfalls if we’ve had enough rain.

For directions and more information, check out my Trail Guide for Little Grand Canyon.

4: High Knob Trail (1-Mile)

High Knob isn’t just an amazing overlook; there is a wonderful loop hiking trail there, as well.

High Knob is a loop trail that goes around the base of the main High Knob bluff. The trail is for hikers only. This trail is a bit rugged, with a few areas that require some rock scrambling.

You’ll see an amazing overlook at the top (where my wife and I got married), a cool loop trail with interesting shelters and rock formations, and a quiet trail that you usually get all to yourself.

To learn more about this area and get directions, check out my Trail Guide for the High Knob area.

5: 049 Loop Trail (6 to 10 Miles)

Trail 049 is one of my favorite loop hiking trails in the entire Shawnee National Forest.

This loop can be around 6 miles or 10. If you add Trail 001T to it, you’ll make it about 10 miles. It’s a great hike if you’re looking for something longer and more rugged.

On this hike, you’ll see amazing bluffs, waterfalls, Millstone Lake, and even Jackson Falls.

To find out how to reach this trail and get more information about it, check out my Trail Guide for 049.

6: Panther Den Loop Trail (3 Miles)

Panther Den Wilderness is the smallest wilderness in the Shawnee National Forest, but it offers a lot to see.

The Panther Den Loop is entirely within the wilderness boundary. This means you can camp in this area overnight if you want to. It’s a nice loop, and while it is the smallest wilderness area, it’s also connected to other public lands.

While hiking along the Panther Den loop trail, you’ll see amazing tall bluffs, den-like shelter caves, and scenic creeks.

To find more information about getting and hiking this trail, check out my Visitor Guide for Panther Den Wilderness.

7: Mill Branch Loop Trail (2 Miles)

The Mill Branch Loop Trail is pretty much the hidden hiking gem of Bell Smith Springs.

No matter what blog I write, video I submit, or photo I upload, this trail is quiet every time I visit it. I’ve never seen more than a handful of people on this trail when I visit. It will be a lot busier in the summer, though.

Along this hike, you’ll see amazing scenic creeks, bluffs, and a very unique waterfall cascade naturally carved into the exposed rock along the trail.

For information about getting to this trail and hiking it, check out my Trail Guide for Mill Branch.

8: Pomona Natural Bridge Trail (Less than 1-Mile)

This is an easy loop trail that is very short but features a really nice aspect that you won’t want to miss.

Pomona Natural Bridge is located in a remote section of the Shawnee National Forest near Pomona, Illinois. The trail is easy but also moderately challenging due to a steep hill and slippery rock surfaces. However, it’s the kind of trail that you don’t want to miss.

On this short loop, you’ll see an amazing creek, potential waterfalls, and the large Pomona Natural Bridge, which has been famously photographed, even during the Black and White era of photography.

For information about this trail as well as directions, be sure to check out my Trail Guide for Pomona Natural Bridge.

9: Millstone Bluff Trail (1 Mile)

Millstone Bluff Trail is a hiking trail that everyone should visit to learn about the people who inhabited Southern Illinois long before we did.

Millstone Bluff is a fair easy loop trail. There is a hill to climb to reach the start of the loop, and it can be strenuous, but most hikers can manage it for the most part. Please note that this is a day-use only area.

On this loop, you’ll encounter various points of interest from an ancient Native American community, including a stone fort, cemetery, petroglyphs, and dwelling sites.

If you need directions or more information about what you will see on this trail, check out my Trail Guide for Millstone Bluff.

10: Lake Glendale Loop Trail (3 Miles)

Lake Glendale is probably the best campground in the Shawnee National Forest, and it has awesome trails to go with it.

The lake loop is generally easy to navigate. It is shared by both mountain bikers and hikers, so please share the trail with one another. Everyone should always yield to hikers.

For the most part, the lake loop is just a nice hike through the woods with some scenic views of Glendale Lake and the campground.

For more information about this loop and how to reach it, check out my Trail Guide for the Lake Glendale area.

Gear to Take on Shawnee Forest Loop Hiking Trails

When visiting the Shawnee Forest Loop hiking trails, be sure to bring plenty of hiking gear with you.

Your most important gear is your hiking shoes. You should wear durable, outdoor, and comfortable hiking shoes or boots. Ensure they’re well broken in for longer hiking trips to prevent blisters.

Wear comfortable, breathable outdoor clothing that wicks moisture. Stick to materials that use wool, synthetics, and always try to avoid cotton. Practice layering up when it’s colder.

Pack the 10 essential items for hiking in your backpack. Make sure you have plenty of drinking water. Bring a snack with you for fuel.

Be prepared for anything by bringing the right amount of hiking gear with you.

Final Thoughts About Shawnee Loop Hiking Trails

Now that you’ve seen some of my favorite Shawnee Forest loop hiking trails, it’s your turn to go hike them.

If I missed a few loop trails that you think deserve some recognition, please let me know what they are in the comments below so that other readers can see them, too.

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And until next time, I’ll see you on the trail!

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