As we hope these pages prove, there’s no need to leave St. Louis—or even your back yard—to experience the natural world. But if you’re looking for something more rustic, we recommend a weekend trip to the Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest, about a 150-mile drive southeast into Illinois.
Formation
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The gods spent about 320 million years tending this garden. A great uplift exposed the sandstone bedrock to the elements, and centuries of erosion created the beautiful formations present today.
Hiking
Start with the easy Observation Trail, a quarter-mile loop of natural flagstone that leads to the bluffs and back. You can also access the River to River Trail, which spans 160 miles and offers streams, cliffs, hardwood forests, pine stands, rock overhangs, and many scenic vistas.
Camping
The Pharaoh Campground includes 12 sites available for a $10 fee. There are tables, grills, and toilets. For an even more wild experience, leave the recreation area for primitive camping in the wilderness. It’s free and allowed within the forest. Leave no trace.
Coordinates
Directions are available online. If you’re the sort of outdoors enthusiast who navigates using coordinates, the Garden is at 37 degrees 60 minutes north latitude and 88 degrees 38 minutes west longitude.
Fun word
A spire of rock resembling a totem pole, with a large knob on top, is sometimes called a tent rock or a fairy chimney, but we prefer the term “hoodoo,” a word also used in folk magic. You’ll also find the Camel Rock, Anvil Rock, and Devil’s Smokestack in the Garden of the Gods.
