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Shawnee National Forest – Mississippi Bluffs
Jackson, Williamson, Union, Alexander, and Pulaski Counties, IL | 107,000 Acres
Type: Natural Area
Owned by: US Forest Service
Our role: Given the importance of the wetlands and forests in the southernmost part of Illinois, HeartLands Conservancy acquired 200+ acres of wetlands, swamps, and upland forests. These critical lands were later transferred to the US Forest Service for incorporation into the Shawnee National Forest’s Mississippi Bluffs district. Funding for the acquisitions was provided by the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation and Grand Victoria Foundation.
Hours: Varies by location
Location & Directions
The Mississippi Bluffs division of the Shawnee National Forest is located on the western side of the forest in Jackson, Williamson, Union, Alexander, and Pulaski Counties.
For more information, visit the Shawnee National Forest website.
Trails & Facilities
The Shawnee National Forest includes many miles of trails and activities. Download maps and brocused from the US Forest Service here.
Wildlife & Habitat
The Mississippi Bluffs division of the Shawnee National Forest is home to more than 500 species of wildlife, living in a range of habitats, from massive bluffs to cypress swamps. The district’s most notable feature is the LaRue-Pine Hills/Otter Pond Research Natural Area, a site of exceptional biodiversity.
Depending on the season, you may be able to see a variety of wildlife. This area is known as a herpetology hot spot. The protected “Snake Road” (LaRue Road) sees a twice-yearly migration of snakes and other reptiles moving between their bluffside hibernating spots and the floodplain wetlands. Species include the timber rattlesnake, copperheads, water moccasins, mud snakes, and many species of non-venomous snakes, turtles, lizards, and frogs.
As a part of the Mississippi flyway, you may see a variety of birds, such as barred owls, pileated woodpeckers, and wild turkeys.
Mammals such as minks, otters, badgers, bats, and gray foxes are found throughout the area. Sometimes a black bear passes through on its way to habitat in Missouri or Kentucky.
Regulations
Varies by location. Please visit the US Forest Service website for more information.
Overview
Shawnee National Forest – Mississippi Bluffs (Western Side)
The western Mississippi Bluffs District of the Shawnee National Forest includes many special places for recreation and wildlife viewing, including LaRue Pine Hills, Oakwood Bottoms, Pomona Natural Bridge, and Little Grand Canyon. This area is a critical spot for wildlife, including the timber rattlesnake, pileated woodpeckers, and American minks.
Once quite prominent in the state, Minks have declined in Illinois due to loss of wetlands and floodplain forests. Over time, these critical wetland habitats have been lost to deforestation and development. Protected and restored floodplain forests are helping to restore the habitat they need to thrive.
By conserving this rare and ecologically rich landscape, we’re not only protecting habitat—we’re ensuring that future generations can connect with the floodplains of the Mississippi River and the wildlife it sustains.
If you would like to find out more about how to create a new public conservation area and conserve wildlife habitat, feel free to call Anna McAtee at (618) 566-4451 ex 23 or email her at an*********@*******************cy.org.
You may find information on our Land Conservation page and Ways to Give page helpful, too.