Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is a stunning rock wonderland in the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. Giant stone shapes rise above a sea of forest, making it feel like a place from a storybook.
It is famous for Camel Rock and other stone formations shaped by wind and water over 320 million years. Families love the easy Observation Trail where you can stand on the rocks and see forest stretching to the horizon.
Amazing Rocks
The rocks have fun names like Camel Rock, Anvil Rock, and Devil's Smokestack. Wind, rain, and time slowly carved them into shapes that look like animals and towers.
Forest Views
From the top you can see miles of the Shawnee National Forest spreading in every direction. The view is most beautiful in fall when the trees turn orange, red, and gold.
Easy Family Trail
The Observation Trail is a short, paved loop that is easy for little legs to walk. Grown-ups should hold hands with kids near the cliff edges, since there are no fences.