Southern Illinois really is a beautiful place, almost like a big playground for outdoor enthusiasts.

With the Shawnee National Forest in the backyard, it would be hard to not find a new exciting area to explore.

The forest holds anything a curious adventurer could ever want. Whether land, water or snakes, there are plenty of opportunities through Shawnee.

Backpacking, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking and camping are just a few of the different ways to get out and connect with the outdoors.

The Shawnee National Forest is spread across approximately 280,000 acres across 9 counties including Pope, Jackson, Union, Hardin, Alexander, Saline, Gallatin, Johnson and Massac.

There is almost 1300 miles of hiking trails throughout the forest, giving adventurers plenty of opportunities to connect with natural land formations and wildlife.

Trails range from short one-day hikes for beginners to longer treks for more experienced outdoorsmen.

Here are a few trails in the area that encompass everything Shawnee. For more information, visit the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/shawnee/home.

5. Garden of the Gods

The Garden of the Gods Observation Trail is one of the better-known areas for hiking in southern Illinois. The trail runs a quarter-mile, looping through massive sandstone rock formations carved out millions of years ago. If you’re looking for great views or a peaceful glance at a beautiful sunset, this is the place for you. Garden of the Gods is a perfect display of the Earth’s work over millions of years. It is approximately an hour drive from Carbondale, located in Herod.

4. Bell Smith Springs

Bell Smith Springs contains eight miles of hiker-only trails through large rock formations deep within the forest. Special features of Bell Smith Springs include beautiful clear streams, running through the sandstone formations. Bell Smith Springs is located in Ozark, about an hour from Carbondale.

3. Little Grand Canyon

Little Grand Canyon is a perfect example of how different environmental factors contributed in creating the region. The 3.6-mile loop starts at 700 feet above sea level and drops as low as 350 feet. Traveling through rocky creek beds, canyons and lush forest, the trip back up can cause the most problems for unsuspecting hikers. At one point, the trail rises 300 to 400 feet in a matter of a quarter mile. A little closer to home, Little Grand Canyon is only a 30-minute drive from Carbondale in Pomona.

2. Henry N. Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center

The Cache River State Natural Area is located in Cypress. The opportunities for discovery here are endless. The area covers a total of 14,489 acres. There are over 20 miles of trails ranging from easy to difficult. Some of the more eye-opening scenes include a cypress tree that is more than 1,000-years-old with a buttress circumference of 40 feet. Another tree is the state champion cherrybark oak tree located on the hiking trails.

1. River-to-River Trail

If you want to say you have experienced everything Shawnee, the River-to-River Trail is a must. The trail runs for approximately 160 miles, crossing through five of seven Shawnee National Forest Wilderness Areas. If backpacking is what you choose, this trip will take approximately two to three weeks. Hikers should be well prepared before taking on this giant. The name stems from the connection of two rivers – the Mississippi and the Ohio.