10 Winter Shawnee National Forest Day Trips to Do in 2026

Are you looking for winter Shawnee National Forest day trips to hike in 2026?

I’ve created a list of some great winter day trips in and around the Shawnee National Forest for you to try in 2026. These hikes should last for the whole day, ranging from 4 to 7 miles in length. Since it’s winter, I’ve tried to avoid trails with major creek crossings and obstacles that could be covered by snow.

I hope you enjoy these 10 great winter Shawnee National Forest day trips listed below.

Winter Shawnee National Forest Day Trips – Safety Tips

Winter Shawnee National Forest day trips can be a lot of fun as long as you hike them with safety in mind.

With winter comes fewer bugs, rarely any snakes, and you can see more in the forest. However, it also means unique hazards are present that are usually not present during the winter months. It’s important for you to be aware of the potential hazards so that you can stay safe on your hikes.

Be sure you layer up properly to avoid things like frostbite and hypothermia. Understand that rocks, waterfall areas, creeks, and overlooks will be very slick. The biggest cause of death in the Shawnee National Forest is from falling, so please be careful around the edges this winter.

Try not to hike alone in the winter months. Be sure to tell someone where you are going before you go. Create a plan and remember not to start when you start to lose daylight, and you will need to turn back.

The best way to avoid any hazard while enjoying the Shawnee National Forest in the winter is to use common sense, look out for each other, and watch your step.

Winter Shawnee National Forest Day Trips

Enjoy these 10 winter Shawnee National Forest day trips to hike in 2026 and beyond.

1: Snake Road Hike (6 miles, out and back)

Snake Road is a gravel road located in LaRue Pine Hills Research Natural Area near Wolf Lake, Illinois.

It features a relatively flat surface with views of swampland, large bluffs, and a very dense forest. It gets its name because snakes migrate here twice a year. While you might see a snake basking in the sun, it’s unlikely that you will see them during the colder winter months.

Check out this Google Maps Link to reach the north trailhead (more parking spaces) and this Google Maps Link to reach the south trailhead (fewer parking spaces).

Starting at the north or south trailhead, simply hike the road from gate to gate. The gate is open during the winter, and vehicle traffic may be present.

Check out my free trail guide for hiking LaRue Pine Hills Snake Road.

2: Suchman Road Hike (7.5 miles, out and back)

Suchman Road is an out and back trail that leads to Suchman Road from Kinkaid Lake, located near Ava, Illinois.

This area features scenic views of the Kinkaid Lake, interesting bluffs and natural shelters, evidence of nearby caves and sinkholes, and even an old settlement more towards the start of Suchman Road.

Use the Google Maps Link to reach the area where you will park. There is room for a few vehicles, but there is a larger parking lot across the highway if you need more room.

Start hiking from the smaller parking area, keeping the lake to your right. We hiked all the way to Suchman Road, where the old school/church was, and then turned around and hiked back from there.

Check out my video of this hike on YouTube.

3: Little Cedar Spillway Hike (6 miles, out and back)

Little Cedar Spillway is an out-and-back hike that takes you to Little Cedar Lake Spillway, located near Pomona, Illinois.

This hike does require some creek crossings, but it should be easy if there isn’t a lot of water present. You’ll see bluffs, rolling hill environments, and scenic views of the lake and spillway. There are even some interesting old homesites out there.

Use the Google Maps Link to reach the trailhead on Boat Dock Road. There is enough room to park around 4-6 vehicles.

Take the trail on the side of the parking area until you reach the road going to the spillway. Turn left and take the road to the spillway. We turned around and hiked back after the spillway.

Check out one of my videos of us hiking to the Spillway on YouTube.

4: Iron Mountain Hike (6 miles, out and back)

Iron Mountain is the site of the Kaolin Mine, which was the clay used to make most of the world-famous Anna Pottery located near Jonesboro, Illinois.

This out-and-back hike features mainly a nice walk in the woods. You can see evidence of the Kaolin Pit Mine that used to exist in this area. The trailhead is really nice with places to sit and even fish.

Use this Google Maps Link to reach the Iron Mountain Trailhead. There is plenty of room for parking.

Take the trail up past the trailhead to a T. Go right and hike to the end, and then hike back to the other end, and then hike back to the T to go back. Please avoid private property where it is marked.

Check out my free trail guide for hiking Iron Mountain.

5. Tunnel Hill State Trail Hike (45 miles, point to point)

Tunnel Hill State Trail is a 45-mile rail trail located in multiple towns and counties throughout Southern Illinois.

The trail features many access points and out-and-back or point-to-point hiking opportunities. There are no major hills, creeks to cross, or major obstacles. The most scenic route is between Karnak and Tunnel Hill, with the 500+ foot tunnel, several trestles, bluffage, and scenic sights included.

Check out this Custom Google Map to see where all the trailheads and points of interest are on the trail. There is plenty of parking at each trailhead.

Hiking the trail is very simple. Simply park at a trailhead and start hiking the way you want to go. You’ll also share the trail with runners, pet walkers, and cyclists.

Check out my free trail guide for Tunnel Hill State Trail.

6: Trail 001T Hike (4.5 miles, lollipop loop)

Trail 001T is a 4.5-mile lollipop loop trail in the Shawnee National Forest near Ozark, Illinois.

This trail features amazing bluffs, waterfalls when the area is wet, natural shelters, and some River to River Trail hiking. This is one of my favorite areas to hike in. It’s used by hikers and horseback riders, so be sure to share the trail.

Use the Google Maps Link to reach the trailhead. There is plenty of parking available. Try to park around the area for car parking so that you leave plenty of room for the equestrian trailers to be parked.

After you park at East Trigg Trailhead, cross the road and head down the River to River Trail. Look for the junction 001T on your left and take that trail. It will loop you back onto the River to River Trail eventually, and you’ll simply hike back to where you parked.

Check out my free guide for Trail 001T.

7: Crow Knob Hike (4.5 miles, lollipop loop)

Crow Knob is a very special area located in the Shawnee National Forest near Eddyville, Illinois.

Crow Knob features scenic overlooks, bluffage, and a lot of signs of old settlement. This area is the former location of Miller’s Grove, a free all-black farming community. It also played a role in the Underground Railroad, where slaves met for resupply to make their way into northern Illinois.

Use this Google Maps Link to get to the parking area, which is called The Honey Hole. There is plenty of parking. However, try to park in a way that makes it easy for horse trailers to get in and out, as it’s a popular equestrian parking lot, as well.

After you park, take FSR-1889 to Crow Knob, which will be the isolated bluffage on your left. There is a sign present. Stay on 1889 to finish the loop. There is a side trail to get to Miller’s Grove Cemetery that I recommend visiting, which makes the hike about 4.5-miles.

Check out one of my videos where we hike in this area.

8: Christmas Star Overlook Hike (6.2 miles, out and back)

Christmas Star Overlook is a trail in the Garden of the Gods Wilderness near Herod, Illinois.

Christmas Star Overlook is a beautiful and scenic overlook of the Garden of the Gods Wilderness. You can really see the shape of the hills for miles and miles. There is also plenty of bluffage and other stuff to see along the way. This is a hilly hike.

This Google Maps Link will get you to the Hitching Post trailhead. There is enough parking for many cars and horse trailers at the trailhead.

After you park, cross the road and go into the wilderness. Stay left when you meet the River to River Trail junction and hike for a few miles. You’ll see the overlooks. There is a smaller one and then a larger one. Turn around after that and hike back the way you came.

Check out my free trail guide for hiking this part of the Garden of the Gods Wilderness.

9: Beaver Trail Hike (6 miles, out and back)

Beaver Trail is located near Pounds Hollow in the Shawnee National Forest near Elizabethtown, Illinois.

The trail is very scenic with a lot to see on the hike. You’ll see amazing views of Pounds Lake, plenty of bluffage, old settlements, and more. You’ll also make your way towards the Camp Cadiz area along this trail.

Use the Google Maps Links to get to the area where you’ll park to access this trail. In the winter, the gate may be closed. You can park at the gate (just don’t block it) and hike past it, as foot traffic is always welcome.

To hike this trail, walk to the northeast side of Pounds Hollow Lake. There should be a trail to take you to the dam, where Beaver Trail actually starts. Take it, heading east to Karbers Ridge Road. You can turn around there or cross the road and take the old road to an extra section of the Beaver Trail and hike it until it ends at an old road. Then turn around and hike back.

Check out this video to see a cool A-Frame styled house we found hiking the Beaver Trail.

10: Dixon Springs 5K Hike (3.8 miles, out and back with loops)

The Dixon Springs 5K trail system is within Dixon Springs State Park near Golconda, Illinois.

This is where I train for trail running, and I enjoy mountain biking there as well. It’s full of bluffage, small creek crossings, scenic overlooks, and some of the best singletrack trails you can hike, run, and bike on in Southern Illinois.

Use the Google Maps Link to reach the trailhead for the start of this trail. There are plenty of parking spots in the area.

Go around the gate by the primitive camping signs and stay on the left trail until you get to a rocky climb up on your left (rib wrencher). Climb up that to cross the barrens area. Stay on that trail until you reach Razorback 052 and turn left there. Hike that loop until you get back to the trail you were on before that and then retrace your steps back to where you parked.

Check out my free guide for the GlenDixon area.

Final Thoughts About Winter Shawnee National Forest Day Trips

Remember, it’s winter time, and that comes with a lot of new hazards. Use your head, watch your next step, and always put safety first. You can safely enjoy winter hiking just like the majority of us do.

If you enjoyed this list of trails to hike this winter, consider supporting my efforts to write it up. For as little as $3 a month, you can support me by becoming a Patreon Member. If you don’t like it, you can easily cancel at any time.

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

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