U.S. Forest Service - Shawnee National Forest

U.S. Forest Service - Shawnee National Forest The U.S. Forest Service page is a combined effort of the National Forest Foundation and the USDA Forest Service. Administered by the U.S.D.A.
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The National Forest Foundation, chartered by Congress, engages Americans in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 193-million-acre National Forest System, administers private gifts of funds and land for the benefit of the National Forests. http://www.nationalforests.org/

The Forest Service manages a system of 155 national forests, 20 national gr

asslands, and 222 research and experimental forests, as well as other special areas, covering more than 192 million acres of public land. The Forest Service has evolved into a 30,000 employee agency that manages the national forests for a number of multiple uses, including recreation, timber, wilderness, minerals, water, grazing, fish, and wildlife. Forest Service, the Shawnee National Forest is one of 155 national forests nationwide. As the only national forest in Illinois, the Shawnee offers numerous avenues for connecting with the natural world through its 280,000 acres of varied landscape. Whether your interests lie more in outdoor recreational activities, such as hiking or camping, or include learning about the unique natural and cultural heritage of southern Illinois, the fields, forests and streams of the Shawnee welcome you. Within the Shawnee National Forest you will find a myriad of unique opportunities to connect with the natural world, including the following:
• Seven Congressionally-designated Wilderness Areas (over 10% of the Forest)
• Six candidate Wild and Scenic Rivers
• Four National Natural Landmarks
• Four heritage resource sites on the National Register of Historic Places
• 10 Research Natural Areas
• 58 ecological areas
• 2 geological areas
• 14 botanical areas
• 80 other designated Natural Areas considered important for botanical, ecological, geological or zoological reasons

The Shawnee National Forest is also the single largest publicly owned body of land in the state of Illinois. To discover more about the Shawnee National Forest, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/shawnee and follow Shawnee on Twitter at http://twitter.com/shawneenf and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/shawneenatlforest. National information about the U.S. Forest Service can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us.

Did you know? Our goal is to reforest more than 250 million trees on 1 million+ acres of national forest lands over the ...
05/06/2026

Did you know? Our goal is to reforest more than 250 million trees on 1 million+ acres of national forest lands over the next 5 years.

🚫 Due to more than 1 inch of rainfall in 24 hours, all trails in Lusk Creek Wilderness will be temporarily closed to equ...
05/06/2026

🚫 Due to more than 1 inch of rainfall in 24 hours, all trails in Lusk Creek Wilderness will be temporarily closed to equestrian use for a minimum of 24 hours, beginning today May 6, 2026. 🚫

In accordance with Forest Order 09-08-25-03, Shawnee Wilderness and Watersheds, the following acts are prohibited:
▪Entering or using Lusk Creek Wilderness while in possession of a horse or other saddle or pack animal when the area has received more than one inch of rainfall within a 24-hour time.

For more information on this temporary closure, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/shawnee/alerts/09-08-25-03-shawnee-wilderness-and-watersheds

For more information on trails status, you can also use the trails hotline phone number: (618) 658-1312, or email [email protected]

05/06/2026

Last Friday, a group of six ventured into the woods and collected tires, a television, numerous bagel bags and other random trash. The details of how they arrived are unknown, but the items have now been disposed of properly.

A big thanks to Illinois Master Naturalists and Thrive's Green Team for collaborating with the Friends of the Shawnee National Forest and the U.S. Forest Service - Shawnee National Forest to help maintain the health of the forest.

Do you want to be like Woodsy Owl and become a Trash Blaster? Join our team by registering at https://go.illinois.edu/TrashBlaster

We’re ready for fire season. The safety of firefighters and the public is always our first priority. This year, we’re br...
05/05/2026

We’re ready for fire season. The safety of firefighters and the public is always our first priority. This year, we’re bringing unmatched capacity to the interagency wildfire response system. With 28,000+ responders, 400+ aircraft and crews positioned nationwide, we’re prepared to respond quickly and reduce harm to people, homes and important natural resources.

Learn more about how we’ve prepared for the 2026 fire year: https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/priorities/wildfire-readiness-response

Trigg Tower on the Shawnee National Forest will temporarily close this month for necessary repairs. Weather permitting, ...
05/05/2026

Trigg Tower on the Shawnee National Forest will temporarily close this month for necessary repairs. Weather permitting, contractors will begin work May 11, temporarily closing the tower and parking area to visitors. Repairs are expected to take approximately one month, no more than 90 days.

Repairs include:
▪️replacing the fencing around the top of the observation platform
▪️replacing deck boards and stair treads
▪️ stabilizing the lower stairway
▪️ sandblasting and repainting the tower
▪️ other general maintenance work as needed

For visitor and contractor safety, please respect posted signage for closed areas around Trigg Tower while work is ongoing. For more information please visit our website, https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/shawnee/newsroom/releases/trigg-tower-temporarily-close-repairs

05/04/2026

May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and prevention starts long before fire season.

Across the country, the Forest Service is preparing crews, aircraft and equipment, while continuing year‑round work that reduces hazardous fuels and strengthens community protection.

Federal wildland firefighters train, plan and coordinate every day to be ready for whatever the season brings. Learn how agencies are preparing and how you can help prevent wildfires in your community. Every day, everywhere, for everyone — we’re ready. Learn more: https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/features/ready-wildfire (Forest Service photo by Andrew Avitt.)

🌻🌿 It’s National Wildflower Week! From mountain meadows to forest floors, wildflowers bring color, resilience and vital...
05/04/2026

🌻🌿 It’s National Wildflower Week!

From mountain meadows to forest floors, wildflowers bring color, resilience and vital habitat to public lands. These native blooms support pollinators, enrich ecosystems and remind us how vibrant healthy forests can be.

Share your favorite wildflower photos in the comments.

(Forest Service photo by Nick Seaton. Red columbine (𝘈𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴))

This weekend, we honor the bravery, sacrifice and unwavering commitment of the firefighters who gave their lives in serv...
05/02/2026

This weekend, we honor the bravery, sacrifice and unwavering commitment of the firefighters who gave their lives in service to their communities.

As we observe National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, we pause to remember these heroes and reflect on the enduring legacy they leave behind.

To all who continue the mission of protecting lives, property and our natural resources we thank you.

(Photo by Nicole Prorock, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation)

A lot has changed since 1962, but the joy of a family camping trip on national forests and grasslands remains the same.
04/29/2026

A lot has changed since 1962, but the joy of a family camping trip on national forests and grasslands remains the same.

Southern Illinois could see severe weather April 27. Please be weather aware, have a plan and multiple ways to receive a...
04/27/2026

Southern Illinois could see severe weather April 27. Please be weather aware, have a plan and multiple ways to receive alerts.

This Arbor Day, we honor our commitment to managing the nation’s forests. We plant trees, restore damaged landscapes and...
04/24/2026

This Arbor Day, we honor our commitment to managing the nation’s forests. We plant trees, restore damaged landscapes and work with communities to keep forests healthy and resilient. Every tree we care for supports clean air, clean water and thriving wildlife for generations to come.

(Forest Service photo by Kelly Martin.)

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50 Highway 145 South
Harrisburg, IL
62946

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+16182537114

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