Hi,
I'm looking for opinions on good places to hammock camp in far southern Illinois (Shawnee National Forest region). Next trip will probably be sometime in the spring, 2 or 3 nights at most. Took my first hammock camping trip to Trail of Tears State Forest near Anna in Sept. Very nice place, by the way. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Indian point trail is awesome. Just hung there few weeks ago.
Oh man, I used to live in Murphysboro. This brings back memories. We used to hike in a place called the Little Grand Canyon. From what I remember, it would be a great place to hike, but I don't know if camping is allowed there. I haven't been down that way for years, so who knows what it looks like now.
Okay, I guess I wasn't any help. Just wanted to say thanks for stirring up memories!
"The trees were like lace where the star-beams could chase, each leaf was a jewel agleam.
The soft white hush lapped the Northland and wrapped us round in a crystalline dream."
Robert Service
Thank you both for your responses. I'll check out Indian Point Trail. I don't believe camping is allowed at Little Grand Canyon, but it is a very nice hike.
Giant City has great places to hang, as well as Fern Clyffe for State parks with long trails and car camping. Garden of the Gods, Lusk Creek, Bell Smith Springs and Max Creek are all good. I've heard about Camp Cadiz and been meaning to check that one out.
Here is where I hung at Indian Point. The orange circle. Beautiful view
That is an awesome view, one of the best in So IL I think. Some forum members and I hung there a few months ago, all the view spots were taken but we hung a little down the trail on goat slopes among the rocks and had our fire in a cave, was pretty cool. One of the good things about Indian Point is how short the loop is if you don't want to hike a distance.
If you follow the 001 River to River line west on that map a few miles you'll hit two fantastic hanging spots with equally great views.image.jpgimage.jpg
How far down the river to river trail are you talking? I'm always open for new spots. Jackson falls is my favorite
Nice pic! I drove down that road once to the creek but didn't have time to walk around. Are there good spots to hang near the falls? That's really close to Bell Smith Springs:
IMG_5815.jpgIMG_5565.jpg
I marked the good hanging spots with views with the X on the left side of the the map for Garden of the Gods map:
IMG_67912.jpg
Yes you can hang anywhere at Jackson falls. I was just at bell smith springs Friday but I didn't think you could camp there???
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