Shawnee National Forest: Pounds Hollow Recreation Area, Cave-In-Rock, Garden of the Gods, and more

April 2024, 5 nights

We visited Shawnee National Forest in 2022 and loved it. We were passing through on that trip, and did not have much time to explore, so we returned with our camper this trip. You can find more information via the 2022 link above, and there are more photos of the area in the Shawnee Forest Facebook album.

Above: View from the road around the campground looking up toward the first loop
Below: Campground registration board

Pine Ridge Campground in Pounds Hollow Recreation Area

According to the website this campground has 35 sites, which are all first come, first serve. There are actually four loops in the campground with sites numbered as high as 76. The very first loop on the right was closed in April; however, the other three loops were open. This campground has fresh water at the entrance and a couple of pit toilets in two of the loops. There is no dump station, no flush toilets (except in the picnic and beach area), and no showers. The cost is $10 per night/$5 senior rate.

Campsite 43 in Pounds Hollow Recreation Area - Pine Ridge Campground

The first loop on the left has sites with electricity. We arrived on a Tuesday, and there were only three campers in this loop. Site 41 (or first choice) was taken, so we chose site 43.  Site 43 is the most secluded site in this section with trees on all sides. The campsite is mostly flat; we had to use one leveling block under each tire on the driver's side.

Above: looking at campsite 43 from site 42 in Pine Ridge Campground
Below: campsite 37 in Pounds Hollow Recreation Area/Pine Ridge Campground

We liked most of the campsites in this campground, and I am sharing a few more photos here. The two end campsites in the primitive loop (no power) straight ahead when entering the campground area are great sites. Unfortunately, I did not get any photos of those.

Above: campsite 40
Below: campsite 41

There was quite a bit of pollen, many tent worms, and many bees during our stay in April. We did not have any mosquitoes, and the flies were not too bad. It was quiet during most of our stay. The only somewhat noisy day was our last night, which was Saturday. Overall, we loved this campground and would definitely stay here again.

Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest Illinois

Recreation 

We visited Garden of the Gods again, and enjoyed it just as much as we had the first time. 

Indian Point Trail at Garden of the Gods in Illinois

Shawnee National Forest: Cabins, Garden of the Gods, Rim Rock Trail, Pounds Hollow Recreation Area

August 2022, Weekend, 2-nights

Shawnee Forest Cabin #2
Amazing view from the hot tub!

Shawnee Forest Cabins, two-night stay in cabin #2

When reserving a cabin at Shawnee Forest Cabins, you need to pay 50% down, and the balance is due two weeks before the stay. We wanted to make sure we were going to be able to visit before we made our reservation, and the only cabin available when we made our reservation was cabin #2. This is a great place to stay; however, I would not suggest this cabin, if you have another choice. This is the least private cabin, and the yard is the sunniest. We did not use our picnic table because of the heat from the sun and the lack of privacy. If you have never been here before, it is difficult to discern how the cabins are laid out. I have included a labeled screenshot above from google maps to assist with planning. The cabin numbers are located on the front of each building, and are visible when you get directly in front of each one.

Shawnee Forest Cabin #2

The view from the hot tub was amazing, and many things were provided with the rental: towels and amenities for bathing, kitchen supplies, charcoal grill, and firewood. We brought charcoal, starter, and a lighter (a lighter is one thing we were surprised not to see provided) to use with the charcoal grill. We also brought coffee to use with the provided coffee pot. Although dish soap had been provided, there was no kitchen cloth or towel when we arrived. We received an email to check on us the first morning, and when I answered that, I mentioned that I was surprised we did not have kitchen cloths. These were apparently supposed to have been provided, as someone brought me the supplies within an hour.

Shawnee Forest Cabin #2
Bottom photo shows cabin 2 fire pit and table, and cabin 1 beyond