Welcome to the day hikes page. In an effort to provide maps and information for shorter day hike ideas, the Shawnee National Forest; The River to River Trail Society; and The Friends of the Shawnee worked together to build these map resources and the associated brochures. The intent is that these maps would also serve as a small fund raiser for these organizations.

All the brochures and maps shown will be offered for sale in a couple of different ways. Although the maps will be available on line on this page for free, the digital geo-referenced pdf file suitable for use with the Avenza App will be for sale in the Avenza Map Store to support the River to River Trail Society. In addition, the Friends of Shawnee will be printing the maps on high quality water resistant paper and offering them for sale on their website and at the Shawnee Forest Service visitor centers.

The brochures in the following table are designed to be printed double sided on 11×17 paper and folder in quarters. Click on the images in the following table for higher quality images.

Hike Name	Map Preview	Description and Hike Profile
	Brochure Download	Avenza Map Store QR Code
Bell Smith Springs		Bell Smith Springs is one of the most beautiful recreation areas the Shawnee National Forest has to offer. It contains a series of clear, rocky streams and scenic canyons bordered by high sandstone cliffs and an abundance of vegetation unique to Illinois. The trail system consists of eight miles of interconnected trails featuring strange and wonderful rock formations, such as Devil’s Backbone, Boulder Falls and a natural rock bridge. Hiking this system of trails is a favorite activity because of the rock features, scenic overlooks, hidden springs and lush flora and fauna.
	Download 11×17 Brochure Bell_Smith_Brochure
War Bluff		War Bluff is a very nice 1.8 mile loop that gradually climbs and descends the hill to the bluff. Once you get to the top, you can go off trail and hike around the peak to explore the bluff, stone wall and climb to the top for the view. The now ruinous stone wall was built by members of the early “Late Woodland” culture, between 500 and 700 A.D, There are some carvings in the rock and a slot cave to search for and explore. These off trail adventures can add up to another mile to the trip.
	Download 11×17 Brochure War_Bluff_Brochure
High Knob		The High Knob loops start from the parking lot /picnic area at the end of Knob Hill Lane. Knob Hill Lane turns east off of High Knob Rd and goes through High Knob horse Camp before heading up to the top of the hill.
	Download 11×17 Brochure High_Knob_Brochure
Max Creek		Max Creek area is a great hiking area with a scenic 4 mile loop. The loop has 5-6 creek crossings and can be challenging in the spring when the water is up. It is a great winter hike when the water is low and it has been below freezing for several days because there is ice everywhere. Local lore would have it that the area around the place where the Trail crosses Max Creek is a Vortex. People hiking in this area have reported feelings of dizziness and disorientation. Others have reported seeing mysterious lights after darkness. Whatever the truth of these claims, Max Creek is a in a beautiful area.
	Download 11×17 Brochure Max_Creek_Brochure
Ripple Hollow		The Ripple Hollow area includes Forest Service Trails 227, 228, 231 and 235A. Utilizing these trails we have created 3 separate loop hikes that can be completed in a few hours depending on your hiking speed. Most of this area would just be considered a walk in the woods along the hills and valleys of the Shawnee.
	Download 11×17 Brochure Ripple_Hollow_Brochure
Godwin Trail		The Godwin Trail is the section of the River to River Trail from Bald Knob Road to Pine Hills Road. It travels through Bald Knob and Clear Springs Wildernesses. This brochure describes ways to use other trails to create two loops off the Godwin Trail starting at the east and west trailheads.
	Download 11×17 Brochure Godwin_Trail_Brochure
Horse Creek		The Horse Creek trail is on the west side of the Shawnee National Forest just south of Grapevine Trail Road between Tamms and McClure IL. The trail leaves the parking lot heading south along a ridge. After about 2 miles the trail goes left down to the valley floor. Then the trail turns back north, following the small stream, before climbing back out of the valley toward the road / parking lot. There are no other trails in the area to cause confusion so any exploring will have to be off trail.
	Download 11×17 Brochure Horse_Creek_Brochure
Download the One-Day Bundle of All Seven Maps

To purchase the paper maps, visit the Friends online store here https://squareup.com/store/friends-of-the-shawnee

To obtain the digital geo-referenced pdf maps that can utilize the GPS capabilities of your smart phone without relying on service, download the Avenza App to your phone. Search your phones app store for the Avenza App that looks like this. Once the app is downloaded access the map store and search for the following map: “Shawnee NF Day Hikes”

The Trail Society would also like to thank those that assisted in the effort to create these resources.