Springtime in the Shawnee National Forest

 Join us April 11 – April 14, 2024 (think hikes, the Snake Road, and wildflowers)

If you have never experienced the wonder of Southern Illinois, this is the opportunity for you! We are looking forward to hiking and exploring southern Illinois in the Shawnee National Forest over this long spring weekend. Hikes will include the infamous Snake Road, which should be loaded with wildflowers (and a few snakes just waking from hibernation) at the ecologically rich LaRue Pine Hills. In addition, the group will have a day of exploring the Cache River area wetlands, plus a hike through the awesome trails and bluffs at Giant City State Park. This is an amazing area with granite cliffs and outcroppings that offer magnificent views. More hikes are likely to be added to this list. The leaders will offer both moderate, and more strenuous hike choices. 

Participants will be staying at the woodsy TOUCH OF NATURE (Southern Illinois University) Environmental Education Center, which is in/near Giant City State Park. You will be checked into one of their rustic lodges which have enough rooms so that everyone will have their own room with washroom and showers in room. What’s best is they will be supplying all our meals Friday through breakfast Sunday, along with a pack lunch supplied each day. Thursday night we are on our own and may dine at Giant City Lodge. (If you are a meat eater, I must suggest the Fried Chicken, which is amazing.)

Estimated cost at this time is $450.00 per person (with 3 meals Friday, Saturday, and Sunday breakfast, plus 3 nights lodging).

More info to follow once folks are registered. For further details:

Paul Saindon (paul@pauls.us) or Ed Max (hortusmax@gmail.com) (630) 209-3005

Sign up here.