Shawnee NF Multi-Day Hikes
Welcome to the multi-day hikes page. In response to frequent and numerous requests to longer hike ideas, the Shawnee National Forest, The River to River Trail Society, The Friends of the Shawnee and Shawnee Trail Conservancy 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 | Avenza Maps QR_Codes |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Horse Gap Loop |  | This loop is a total hike of approximately 20 miles and would be ideal for a 2-3 day weekend hike. The hike is designed to start from the new Benham Ridge trailhead, and the information in this brochure is based on hiking clockwise from this point.  |  |
| Download 11x17 Brochure One_Horse_Gap_Loop_Brochure | No Folding Line Version One_Horse_Gap_Loop_Brochure_NoLine | ||
| Lusk Creek Loop |  | The 25.5-mile Lusk Creek Loop (LCL) is characterized by multiple creek crossings and the wooded slopes and valleys of one of Illinois' most pristine waterways. It features historical evidence of past use, rock formations, wilderness solitude, abundant wildlife, scenic views, and a section of the 158-mile River to River Trail. Plan for two to three days to backpack the loop. |  |
| Download 11x17 Brochure Lusk Creek Loop_Brochure | No Folding Line Version Lusk Creek Loop_Brochure_NoLine | ||
| Bald Knob-Clear Springs_Loop |  | This loop is a total hike of approximately 15 miles and would be ideal for a 2-3 day weekend hike. You can start this hike from the McCann Springs or the Godwin (east/west) trailheads. The directions in this brochure are based on starting at the Godwin East trailhead on Bald Knob Cross road. |  |
| Download 11x17 Brochure BaldKnob-ClearSprings_Loop_Brochure | No Folding Line Version BaldKnob-ClearSprings_Loop_Brochure_NoLine | ||
| Trigg Tower, Jackson Hollow, Millstone Lake and Sand Cave Loop |  | This loop is a total hike of approximately 23 miles and would be ideal for a 2-3 day weekend hike. The hike is designed to start from the East Trigg Tower trailhead and the information in this brochure is based on this. |  |
| Download 11x17 Brochure TriggSandCaveMultiDayHike_Brochure | No Folding Line Version TriggSandCaveMultiDayHike_Brochure_NoLine | ||
| Garden of the Gods - Buzzard Point Loop |  | This loop is a total hike of approximately 15 miles and would be ideal for a 2-3 day weekend hike. The hike is designed to start from the Back Packers parking lot at Garden of the Gods and proceed clockwise. The information in this brochure is based on this route. |  |
| Download 11x17 Brochure Garden of the Gods - Buzzard Roost Loop Brochure | No Folding Line Version Garden of the Gods - Buzzard Roost Loop Brochure_NoLine | ||
| High Knob and Pounds Hollow Loop |  | This loop is a total hike of approximately 17 miles and would be ideal for a 2-3 day weekend hike. The hike is designed to start from the High Knob trailhead and proceed clockwise. The information in this brochure is based on this route. An alternative is also identified that can add 2 miles if a longer hike is desired. |  |
| Download 11x17 Brochure High Knob - Pounds Hollow Loop Brochure | No Folding Line Version High Knob - Pounds Hollow Loop Brochure-NoLine | ||
| Download the Multi-Day Bundle of All Six 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 Multi-Day Hikes
The Trail Society would also like to thank those that assisted in the effort to create these resources.