Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest near Karbers Ridge in southern Illinois is an area of sandstone rock formations. They formed in the Carboniferous period about 300 million years ago, and wind and rain have carved them into hoodoos and shapes such as Camel Rock, Table Rock, Anvil Rock and Devil's Smokestack. The wilderness covers about 3,300 acres (1,340 hectares) and is considered the most visited in Illinois. Camel Rock appeared on a 2016 Illinois quarter in the America the Beautiful series.

The most popular route is the Observation Trail, a stone path of about a quarter mile (400 m) with steps and steep sections that passes the best-known formations; allow up to an hour and keep clear of the cliffs, because there is little fencing. The light is especially nice toward evening. The Indian Point Trail is a 1.6-mile (2.6 km) loop, and the River to River Trail offers longer hikes. According to the Forest Service, cell reception is unreliable. Pharaoh Campground has 12 first-come, first-served sites with water, toilets and fire grills and is open year-round.