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Observation Trail

Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
 4.4 (17)
  1. Areas
  2. IL
  3. …Southern Illinois
  4. Garden of the Gods Wilderness
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“An accessible path to the most prominent viewpoints of the Garden of the Gods. ”

Ryan Georgi
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Map Key

0.5

Miles

0.8

KM

Loop

867' 264 m

High

799' 243 m

Low

122' 37 m

Up

119' 36 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

17%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Views · Wildlife

Description

A short, quarter mile loop highlighting the unusual rock formations and dramatic cliffs of the Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest, easily accessible by the general public. Bring your camera and your kids, and backpackers along the River to River Trail should plan on making a visit, but the area can be crowded due to its ease of access.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Shawnee National Forest Office

Shared By:

Ryan Georgi with improvements by Kristina Gilday
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 17 votes

#1

in Garden of the Gods Wilderness

#629

Overall
  4.4 from 17 votes
5 Star
53%
4 Star
35%
3 Star
12%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Garden of the Gods Wil…

#3

in Illinois

#629

Overall
10 Views Last Month
1,500 Since Oct 10, 2016
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
47%
13%
40%
0%
0%
0%
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Photos

Another one of the vista points off the Garden of the Gods observation trail looking out on what was once an inland sea.
Oct 10, 2016 near Rosiclare, IL
Looking out into the Garden of the Gods wilderness area.
Oct 10, 2016 near Rosiclare, IL
Some of the bizarrely shaped rock cliffs visible from the Garden of the Gods observation trail.
Oct 10, 2016 near Rosiclare, IL
Rocks and trees.
Oct 28, 2016 near Rosiclare, IL
View from the Observation Trail.
Oct 28, 2016 near Rosiclare, IL
Garden of the Gods view.
Mar 2, 2018 near Rosiclare, IL

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Mar 13, 2023
Bruce Mueller
Jul 4, 2021
Rick Ihnat
1mi
Jun 29, 2021
Charity Smith
May 28, 2021
Andy Markevicus
0.5mi
Nov 8, 2020
Scott Smith
0.8mi — 1h 04m
Oct 7, 2020
Kristina Gilday
Jul 29, 2020
K S
Jul 20, 2020
Jack A

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