There's a 'Garden of the Gods' in the Midwest-and It Has Free Admission, Zero Crowds, and Stunning Views

"It's going to change your opinion about what Illinois is. You know, people think about skyscrapers up north in Chicago, and then assume the rest of the state is agriculture. There's so much more... Every corner you turn in our Garden of the Gods, there's something to look at and photograph."

"The landscape first took shape more than 320 million years ago, as wind and rain slowly eroded the forest's vast sedimentary rock deposits. This natural sculpting resulted in stunning sandstone formations that amaze visitors who flock to the site, which is free and open to the public year-round."

"Start the day early on the quarter-mile paved Observation Trail. You'll easily spot the area's landmarks, including Table Rock, Devil's Smokestack, and Camel Rock, the latter of which was featured on the back of an 'America the Beautiful' quarter in 2016. The vistas offer sweeping views of the forest, valleys, and bluffs below."

Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest, southern Illinois, rivals Colorado's famous counterpart with impressive sandstone rock formations created through 320 million years of wind and rain erosion. The site attracts fewer crowds than its western namesake while offering equally spectacular scenery. Open year-round and free to visit, the area features notable landmarks like Table Rock, Devil's Smokestack, and Camel Rock. Multiple hiking trails provide diverse experiences, including the quarter-mile paved Observation Trail for panoramic views and the Rim Rock Trail, which passes Native American stone walls and Ox-Lot Cave, a historic Underground Railroad site. Local guides emphasize the region's natural beauty challenges common misconceptions about Illinois.

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