The Shawnee was designated in August 1933 as the Illini and Shawnee Purchase
Units. President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed it the Shawnee National
Forest in September 1939.
Most of the Forest consists of land obtained in the 1930s that was
over farmed, and land on which people could no longer make a living.
In the 1930s & 40s, the Civilian Conservation Corps planted much of
this land to pine trees to prevent erosion and restore the soil.
The Forest consists of more than 268,400 acres and four Ranger
Districts: Murphysboro, Jonesboro, Elizabethtown and Vienna.
It has portions of six rivers and creeks that are recommended
for inclusion in National Wild and Scenic River System: Bay Creek, Big Creek,
Big Grand Pierre Creek, Big Muddy River, Hutchins Creek and Lusk Creek.
The Forest protects at least seven federally listed threatened and
endangered species, 33 or more species listed as regionally sensitive, and
over 114 Forest listed species of plants and animals.
The 1,700-acre Cave Valley/Cedar Creek area is a non-game-bird management area,
including the endangered Swainson’s Warbler.
The Forest has 81 natural areas, including 10 Research Natural Areas.
Its seven designated Wilderness areas are Bald Knob, Burden
Falls, Garden of the Gods, Panther Den, Bay Creek, Clear Springs and Lust
Creek. Ripple Hollow is conditionally recommended for Wilderness study.
Oil and gas leasing is permitted on about 90% of federally
owned minerals.
The Elizabethtown and Vienna Ranger Districts have fluorspar
deposits, the only known deposits in the United States. Fluorspar is classified,
as having "compelling domestic significance." It is important for national
security and to the aluminum, steel, chemical and other industries.
The Forest has a system of 338 miles of equestrian/hiking
trails, 454 campsites at 16 designated campgrounds, and 27 designated picnic
areas. Recreation opportunities range from primitive dispersed (make-your-own)
campsites and trails to developed campgrounds with beaches, showers and
electricity.
For additional
information on the Shawnee National Forest, call 1-800-699-6637
Illinois Department of Natural Resources --
dnr.state.il.us
Shawnee National Forest --
www.fs.fed.us/r9/shawnee
