After an emotional week of a conference in a city with thousands of people around, this trip to Shawnee National Forest was the perfect decompression for our minds and renewal for our tired spirits. The drive to Garden of the Gods State Recreation Area was quaint and calming. Once we got there we didn't quite know where to go or what to expect. There aren't any maps or much signage on the roads in the park, so be sure to print the maps you need in advance. We were not that good, being that we were coming from a conference and this was a stop on the way home. Fortunately, the park is not so remote that I couldn't get Internet on my phone. The signs once we got to the main parking lot let us know that the trail we were looking for was about a quarter of a mile. Since we didn't want to go very far, it seemed perfect. The Observation Trail is paved with flagstone and is fairly easy to walk. There were so many cool rock formations and colors in the rocks from the beginning for the trail to the end. The overlooks on the trail are all a bit like rock scrambling, but nothing treacherous unless you are really reckless (Don't be!). Evidently, this area of Illinois was a huge lake years ago and all of these rock formations were revealed as the water receded. I am so glad we stopped here on our way home to reconnect with the Earth and get our boots in the dirt. It was a fun stop and a area that I hope to go back to in the Fall when the trees are changing. I'm sure it will be stunning then as well. Please check out my YouTube video on Garden of the Gods and if you like what you see, please subscribe to the channel. |
AuthorAt Happy Trails Hiking, we encourage you to live the life you love and seek solace and adventure in America’s Parks and Public Lands. This website uses marketing and tracking technologies. Opting out of this will opt you out of all cookies, except for those needed to run the website. Note that some products may not work as well without tracking cookies. Opt Out of CookiesCategories
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