U.S. Forest Service - Shawnee National Forest

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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 grasslands, 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.

The Bean Ridge Trash Blast scheduled for today, October 2, 2026 is canceled because of forecasted rain.
10/02/2026

The Bean Ridge Trash Blast scheduled for today, October 2, 2026 is canceled because of forecasted rain.

10/01/2026

We have Electric and Non-electric camp sites available. October 1st 2026 🍁

The forests we love now have a passport – and it’s live! The National Forests and Grasslands Passport covers all 154 nat...
09/30/2026

The forests we love now have a passport – and it’s live! The National Forests and Grasslands Passport covers all 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands. Every visit earns a unique collectible badge. Every badge is saved to your personal profile permanently. It’s a record of the places that matter most – and a reason to keep going back.
Join today and start collecting.
🔗 [Link to outerspatial.link/2hfwdu3ZC3b]

09/29/2026
Thank you to those who chose the Shawnee National Forest as their National Public Lands Day site!
09/28/2026

Thank you to those who chose the Shawnee National Forest as their National Public Lands Day site!

UPDATE: Beginning this week, work will begin on FSR 848, Bell Smith Springs Road, starting at the intersection with Hun...
09/27/2026

UPDATE: Beginning this week, work will begin on FSR 848, Bell Smith Springs Road, starting at the intersection with Hunting Branch Road out to Ozark Rd. Although the road will be open, expect periodic traffic stoppages as culvert work progresses. For everyone's safety, use caution in the area and consider using other recreation sites during this time. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/shawnee/recreation

Hunting Branch Road and Red Bud Campground will remain closed at this time.

The Shawnee National Forest had a busy year, with 45 employees and 8 additional personnel supporting wildland fire assig...
09/26/2026

The Shawnee National Forest had a busy year, with 45 employees and 8 additional personnel supporting wildland fire assignments across 18 states. Together, they responded to 51 incidents, including 12 equipment assignments involving engines and dozers. Currently, one engine is assisting in Oklahoma, with additional personnel deployed in Texas and Oregon.

Our ready reserve staff—employees whose primary roles are outside of fire—are a vital part of this mission. Their willingness to step up, take on fire duties, and provide support where needed demonstrates the strength, adaptability, and commitment of our entire workforce.

This combined effort highlights how the Shawnee National Forest contributes to national wildfire readiness by mobilizing not only our fire staff but also the broader forest team. We are proud to help meet the nation’s wildfire management needs.

09/25/2026
Stay prepared, not panicked. Pack a go bag with water, medication, important documents and a change of clothes so you ca...
09/25/2026

Stay prepared, not panicked.

Pack a go bag with water, medication, important documents and a change of clothes so you can move quickly during a wildfire evacuation.

Build your kit today and stay safe and ready.

The Shawnee National Forest recently partnered with the Backcountry Horsemen of Illinois to host a three-day crosscut sa...
09/24/2026

The Shawnee National Forest recently partnered with the Backcountry Horsemen of Illinois to host a three-day crosscut saw training for forest partners and volunteers. These hands-on sessions help equip volunteers with the technical skills they need to safely operate crosscut saws, maintain trails, and support our field crews.

From battling invasive species and preserving historic sites to maintaining trails and improving wildlife habitat—there are many ways to help care for our public lands.

Our volunteers play a vital role in creating better recreation opportunities for the public. Interested in volunteering? Visit our website for more information, https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/shawnee/working-with-us/volunteers.

Address

50 Highway 145 South
Harrisburg, IL
62946

Telephone

+16182537114

Website

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