Illinois Trails

Burden Falls Road offers a wonderful experience in the Shawnee National Forest. The highlight of the trail is Burden Falls. The road itself has golf ball-sized gravel mixed in with numerous potholes, making for an easy drive. The only real obstacle is the Burden Creek crossing. Depending on the water level, the creek crossing may be impassable. The eastern half features private property on either side of the road, with the last mile or so consisting of pavement, and the road ends at the junction of State Highway 145. No obvious camping locations exist along the route.

Burden Falls has a parking area right off the road, and a short hike leads to two waterfalls and some fantastic scenery. Cliffs, large boulders, and water pools, in addition to the waterfalls, make for a great area to explore! Burden Falls is a must-see in the area.

Bell Smith Springs Road offers access to hiking, cliffs, water, and stunning scenery. The road itself is composed of golf ball-sized and smaller gravel, with the western end consisting of pavement. Beware of potholes and puddles along the track. There are a couple of parking areas offering close access to the hiking trails down to Bay Creek. There is also access to more hiking via Bell Smith Scenic Area - 849. Red Bud Campground is nearby, offering primitive camping.

Cliffs are scattered throughout the area, along with several areas to cool off in water pools, engage in cliff jumping, and climb boulders, making the location a popular one. According to a pamphlet obtained from the Vienna Ranger Station, there are seven miles of interconnected hiking trails providing access to a variety of rock formations, including Devil's Backbone, Boulder Falls, and a natural rock bridge, to name a few. Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area offers a little bit of everything, making it a great spot to visit.

While the name of this Forest Road might be Glen Street, it isn't much of a street, but rather a pleasant drive through the Shawnee National Forest with a cool place to visit. Jackson Falls is the highlight of the trail. For the most part, the road is gravel with rocks smaller than golf balls. Expect potholes, washboarding, and puddles if it has rained recently. There are a few areas with exposed rock beds and a couple of creek crossings. Past Jackson Falls, there are several campsites available for both ground tents and vehicle-mounted tents. The trail gets a bit rougher past the falls, but nothing difficult. There is private property mixed in with the National Forest on the northern end.

The water flowing over Jackson Falls is dependent on the amount of rainfall the area has received. Please keep this in mind when scheduling your visit. There are trails on either side of the falls; however, there is no direct path to the pool at the base. According to a pamphlet picked up at the Vienna, IL Ranger Station, a 3.25-mile round-trip hike on Trail 49 can access the bottom of the falls. The cliffs are 30 feet or so high from the top of the falls to the pool below. The trail from the parking lot is a quick, easy hike along the creek. Large boulders and small pools offer plenty to explore in the immediate area.

This place is a must-visit if you are in the area.