When you hear someone say “Garden of the Gods,” your mind most likely reels an image loop of the rocky Colorado paradise. But have you ever heard of the Garden of the Gods that resides in the Midwest? That’s right; there is a beautiful, rocky haven in southeast Illinois. I am consistently shocked at the astounding number of people who live in Illinois or a surrounding state that haven’t heard of this utopia. In fact, I shared photos of our adventures on a Facebook travel page that I’m apart of, and several Illinois residents commented on my post, flabbergasted that such a place exists near their hometown. Just five hours south of Chicago lie these western-vibe trails that yearn for hiking boots to step along their paths. Midwesterners, let me show you what’s in your backyard!
Winding through twisty roads lined with tall trees to the recreational area, excitement was building. Hearts pounding and anticipation growing, we pulled into the parking area, leashed our dogs and embarked on the Garden of the Gods Trail that wound through Shawnee National Forest. We were immediately greeted with massive boulders and towering rocks that we had to squint from the sun to see the tops of. The sun was blazing directly overhead as we climbed up the rocks, squeezed through tight passageways between boulders, and snapped photos of the Garden.
Hiking through the trail, we were graced with incredible views. Not only grandiose sandstone outcroppings but a hilly stretch of dense trees as far as we could see. Rocky cliffs jutted over the valley below. Emerald green moss webbed the rocks; hills traced the horizon in jagged, uneven strokes. The sun-exposed trail occasionally gave way to a canopy of shade trees, allowing us to absorb our surroundings without the barrier of sunglasses. The views were surreal, and I definitely think part of its luster stemmed from its location. Most people don’t think towering rock formations or even significant hills reside in the Midwest.
Whenever we select our next adventure, we always research what’s around the area. Nine times out of ten, something equally as beautiful is right around the corner. In this case, Ferne Clyffe State Park was just minutes away from Garden of the Gods, so why wouldn’t we stop by and explore?
My favorite part of this state park was wandering through the enchanted forest of tall, towering trees that revealed a rocky overlook at its finish line. The unique trees created one of the rarest backdrops to our hiking adventure. Further delving into the park, we stumbled upon rocky cliffs, wildflowers and even a waterfall.
Such places as these attract visitors, but only if they know of their existence. Spreading the joy of these “hidden” gems that sprinkle our slice of the country is so important. Nature is meant to be explored. I will admit that sometimes I selfishly stumble upon a hidden waterfall or sunken nook in a park that I want to keep secret, but the truth is, sharing the wealth is crucial. Sharing our adventures so that others can enjoy them too is an important part to keeping the art of outdoor living alive. Keep it a secret while you’re there so that you can soak in the solitude and bask in the gratitude of finding such a breathtaking spot, and then share the wealth. We all share the same beautiful planet; let’s all enjoy it together!
Happy hiking!
Wonder. Wander. Repeat. 