Photographs of Shawnee National Forest

Deep in the heart of southern Illinois lies the Shawnee National Forest. Sandstone canyons abound in this region as remnants of an ancient sea that once covered the midwestern United States. These canyons are remote and one can find solitude hiking within, flanked by the steep canyon walls while huge boulders lie strewn across the canyon floors. After heavy rains, the canyons yield the beauty of their seasonal waterfalls and in autumn the fall foliage can be glorious.

Woodland Creek in Autumn in Shawnee National Forest 1

Woodland Creek in Autumn in Shawnee National Forest 1

Borks Waterfall in Shawnee National Forest 6

Borks Waterfall in Shawnee National Forest 6

Canyon Creek in Autumn in Shawnee National Forest

Canyon Creek in Autumn in Shawnee National Forest

Woodland Creek in Autumn in Shawnee National Forest 2

Woodland Creek in Autumn in Shawnee National Forest 2

Tree Roots in Shawnee National Forest 1

Tree Roots in Shawnee National Forest 1

Autumn View Over Jackson Hollow in Shawnee National Forest 2

Autumn View Over Jackson Hollow in Shawnee National Forest 2

Ghost Dance Canyon 1 in Shawnee National Forest

Ghost Dance Canyon 1 in Shawnee National Forest

Dixon Spring in Shawnee National Forest

Dixon Spring in Shawnee National Forest

Autumn Creek in Shawnee National Forest

Autumn Creek in Shawnee National Forest

Cascade on Hills Branch Creek in Shawnee National Forest

Cascade on Hills Branch Creek in Shawnee National Forest

Autumn View Over Jackson Hollow in Shawnee National Forest 1

Autumn View Over Jackson Hollow in Shawnee National Forest 1

Jackson Falls in Shawnee National Forest 1

Jackson Falls in Shawnee National Forest 1

Woodland Creek in Autumn in Shawnee National Forest 3

Woodland Creek in Autumn in Shawnee National Forest 3

Borks Waterfall in Shawnee National Forest 1

Borks Waterfall in Shawnee National Forest 1

Tree Roots in Shawnee National Forest 2

Tree Roots in Shawnee National Forest 2

Woodland Creek in Autumn in Shawnee National Forest 4

Woodland Creek in Autumn in Shawnee National Forest 4

Boulders and Creek at Dixon Spring in Shawnee National Forest

Boulders and Creek at Dixon Spring in Shawnee National Forest

Hills Branch Creek 1 in Shawnee National Forest

Hills Branch Creek 1 in Shawnee National Forest

Autumn Woodland in Shawnee National Forest 1

Autumn Woodland in Shawnee National Forest 1

Tree Among Sandstone Boulders at Dixon Spring in Shawnee National Forest

Tree Among Sandstone Boulders at Dixon Spring in Shawnee National Forest

Sandstone Valley at Dixon Spring 1 in Shawnee National Forest

Sandstone Valley at Dixon Spring 1 in Shawnee National Forest

Woodland Creek in Autumn in Shawnee National Forest 6

Woodland Creek in Autumn in Shawnee National Forest 6

Downstream From Dixon Spring in Shawnee National Forest

Downstream From Dixon Spring in Shawnee National Forest

Autumn Woodland in Shawnee National Forest 2

Autumn Woodland in Shawnee National Forest 2

Hills Branch Creek 2 in Shawnee National Forest

Hills Branch Creek 2 in Shawnee National Forest

Woodland Creek in Autumn in Shawnee National Forest 5

Woodland Creek in Autumn in Shawnee National Forest 5

Jackson Falls in Shawnee National Forest 2

Jackson Falls in Shawnee National Forest 2

Ghost Dance Canyon 2 in Shawnee National Forest

Ghost Dance Canyon 2 in Shawnee National Forest

Hills Branch Creek 3 in Shawnee National Forest

Hills Branch Creek 3 in Shawnee National Forest

Borks Waterfall in Shawnee National Forest 4

Borks Waterfall in Shawnee National Forest 4

Sandstone Valley at Dixon Spring 2 in Shawnee National Forest

Sandstone Valley at Dixon Spring 2 in Shawnee National Forest