loader from loading.io

19. Shawnee National Forest, Illinois, Off Most People’s Radar

Locals Know Best

Release Date: 04/27/2021

33: Leavenworth, Washington, Christmas Town Year-Round show art 33: Leavenworth, Washington, Christmas Town Year-Round

Locals Know Best

Today, on the , I’ll be speaking with Tom Potter about all of his favorite outdoor adventures in a town you may know as one of the most picturesque Alpine-style villages in the United States, Leavenworth, Washington! I’m very excited for this episode because Leavenworth has always been in the back of my mind as an excellent fit for this podcast, and even more so for one of our holiday episodes. Leavenworth is not only incredibly jam-packed with outdoor activities, it boasts tons of holiday cheer to boot! We will, of course, talk a bit about the holiday season and how it affects and...

info_outline 32: Portland, Maine, The Way Life Should Be show art 32: Portland, Maine, The Way Life Should Be

Locals Know Best

Today, on , I’ll be speaking with Kristan Vermeulen about how to make the most of a day outdoors in Portland, Maine. Join Kristan and me as we visit Portland, Maine, during both the off and on-season, eating tons of tasty treats along the way! Activities we discuss in this episode include hitting the water in multiple vessel options, skiing, dog sledding, oyster shucking, hiking, and more! About Kristan Vermeulen Kristan is originally from Maryland and was a Director of Public Relations for the Department of Defense for six years while living there. However, a full-time job...

info_outline 31: Hiking Above the Clouds in Mount Rainier National Park show art 31: Hiking Above the Clouds in Mount Rainier National Park

Locals Know Best

Today, on , I’ll be speaking with Michelle Stelly about how to make the most of a weekend at Mount Rainier National Park! , Michelle and I will first discuss Washington’s three beautiful national parks. Then, we’ll backpack, hike, and snowshoe throughout all four seasons in Mount Rainier National Park, as well as touch on a few of the surrounding areas. We’ll be sure to see tons of epic waterfalls, lakes, and fire lookouts along the way, and of course, also have plenty of opportunities to view the incredible Mount Rainier! About Michelle Stelly Michelle runs The Wandering Queen,...

info_outline 30: Alexandria, Virginia, a Nice Mixture of Old and New show art 30: Alexandria, Virginia, a Nice Mixture of Old and New

Locals Know Best

Today, I'll be speaking with Cecilia and Scott Fix about how to spend a fantastic day outdoors in Alexandria, Virginia. Join Cecilia, Scott, and me as we start off our day, waking up in a spooky spot. Then we continue adventuring outdoors via boating the Potomac and geocaching. All while also appreciating old architecture, waterfront parks, art installations, Cherry Blossoms, and all of the best eating and drinking Alexandria has to offer along the way. About Cecilia and Scott Fix Scott and Cecilia are a travel blogging married couple who travel both locally and internationally. They...

info_outline 29: Kenai, Alaska, You've Entered the Real Alaska show art 29: Kenai, Alaska, You've Entered the Real Alaska

Locals Know Best

Today, on , I’ll be speaking with Jon Taylor about how to make the most of an outdoorsy trip throughout the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska. is sure to put you under the spell of the north. Join Jon and me as we enjoy the Kenai peninsula as an adventure-loving local would! Our discussion is chock full of outdoor experiences, including sea kayaking, flying ourselves to epic fishing locations, hiking, and fat tire biking the beach! Also, as you would expect, there’s tons of mountain, glacier, bear, and Alaskan National Park chat along the way! About Jon Taylor Jon is a pilot, traveler,...

info_outline 28: That Cabin Cozy Feel in Flagstaff, Arizona show art 28: That Cabin Cozy Feel in Flagstaff, Arizona

Locals Know Best

Today, I'll be speaking with Sam To about how to make the most of an outdoorsy trip to Flagstaff, Arizona. Join Sam and me on a “choose your own level of adventure” summer day! Options range from hiking, biking, and swimming, to car touring and leisurely taking in Flagstaff’s beauty from up in the treetops. About Sam To Sam works on the COVID-19 response team for the state of Arizona in a position that is 100% remote from home, which she has found to be pretty fantastic! She lives with her husband, Will, her daughter, Lucy, and dog Pop. Lucy is 1-year-old and has already joined...

info_outline 27. The Natural Wonders of Western Los Angeles, California show art 27. The Natural Wonders of Western Los Angeles, California

Locals Know Best

Today, I’ll be speaking with Laura Grier about all of her favorite outdoor adventures throughout Western Los Angeles. We’ll primarily focus on the span along the coast between Marina del Rey and Malibu, including stops in Venice, Santa Monica, Culver City, and Topanga. And then, before wrapping it all up, we’ll also be taking a quick second-day trip over to Catalina Island! Join Laura and me as we paddle, bike, jeep, hike, wine taste, and even take an extra day island adventuring all in West LA! About Laura Grier Laura has lived in Venice Beach and Los Angeles for 20 years. Living...

info_outline 26. North Umpqua, Oregon, The Gateway to Crater Lake show art 26. North Umpqua, Oregon, The Gateway to Crater Lake

Locals Know Best

Today, I’ll be speaking with Sam Starns about all of her favorite outdoor adventures around the North Umpqua area, with notable stops in Roseburg, Oregon, and Crater Lake National Park.  Join Sam and me as we wake up and watch the sunrise in Crater Lake National Park. Then, we proceed with a packed day, full of paddling, hiking, exploring countless waterfalls, soaking in hot springs, fishing, and even mushroom foraging. Lastly, we wind down with a glass of wine in the “new Napa Valley” – Roseburg, Oregon. About Sam Starns Sam is an adventure elopement photographer who takes...

info_outline 25. Livingston, Montana, Where Cowboys and Artists Meet show art 25. Livingston, Montana, Where Cowboys and Artists Meet

Locals Know Best

Today, I’ll be speaking with Mel Harrison about all of her favorite outdoor adventures around Livingston, Montana. Join Mel and me as we spend a winter day cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snowshoeing, hiking, skiing, and ice skating all around Livingston, Montana. Then, in the end, we’ll also dive into a few summer-weather outdoorsy activities, including fishing, floating, and hiking, that can be enjoyed in the Livingston area! About Mel Harrison Mel is an expert on Montana and Yellowstone outdoor recreation and has spent years exploring both for work and pleasure. She and her...

info_outline 24. Northfield, Minnesota, A Quaint Little River Town show art 24. Northfield, Minnesota, A Quaint Little River Town

Locals Know Best

Today, I’ll be speaking with Kristen Glazer about how to make the most of a day outdoors in Northfield, Minnesota. Join Kristen and me as we spend a late summer / early fall day hiking, boating, and kayaking. Then, in the end, we’ll cover a few winter-weather outdoorsy activities, including skiing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing, that can be enjoyed in the Northfield area as well! About Kristen Glazer Kristen is a Minnesota-based travel writer. She is also the founder of Expedition Kristen, a website that is chock full of thoughtful itineraries to help readers plan their next day...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

Today, I’ll be speaking with Carol Hoffman about many of the incredible adventures possible in Shawnee National Forest country in Southern Illinois.

Join Carol and me as we zip through the canopy, ride horseback, hike, bike, spend time on the lake, rock climb, rappel and paint with Alpacas, all in Illinois’ only National Forest!

 

About Carol Hoffman

Carol is a birdwatcher, hiker, and all-around nature enthusiast.

She has been promoting the scenic beauty of Shawnee forest country for 25 years.

Learn more about Shawnee National Forest and Giant City State Park at SouthernmostIllinois.com or call their toll-free number for more information at 1-800-SEE-IT-HERE.

 

What We Cover in this Episode

  • What makes the Shawnee National Forest area so different than the rest of the prairie state of Illinois.
  • Why the Giant City State Park area can give you the biggest bang for your buck when visiting this area.
  • The best and worst time of year to visit Shawnee National Forest, Illinois.
  • Why this area is “not an amusement park, where everything is safety checked. This is mother nature.”
  • Where to stay when visiting Shawnee National Forest and Giant City State Park, including an upscale boutique option.
  • The best places for coffee and pastries near Shawnee National Forest and Giant City State Park.
  • The best places to zip around in the canopy, ride horseback, bike, spend time on the lake, rock climb, and rappel.
  • The best meal to order for lunch at the rustic Giant City Lodge.
  • A not-to-be-missed Instagram worth lookout spot.
  • Why the visitor center is worth a stop.
  • The best trails to hike in Giant City State Park.
  • A Mother-Daughter run ranch where you can paint or do yoga with alpacas!
  • The best local wineries to wind down at after a long day outdoors.
  • The best spot for dinner in the Shawnee National Forest area.
  • The best Instagram locations in Shawnee National Forest.

Quotes

Carol: Within that area, you’ll find a lot of hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, outdoor opportunities… The topography is very different than the rest of the prairie state of Illinois. We have a lot of Rocky Bluffs, scenic overlooks, dense forests, so a lot of the opportunity is very different than the rest of the state.

Carol: Giant City [has] a lot of different opportunities very close together that can be easily reached in under 30 minutes. Whether you [want] to be up in the canopy of the trees, or on horseback, or on a lake, or hiking in the forest, it [has] all those opportunities right there together, easily accessible.

Giant City State Park is a treasure trove of outdoor recreation, breathtaking views, hiking among plants and animals, fishing, hunting, boating, kayaking, swimming, even rock climbing, and rappelling are options in Giant City State Park.

Carol: This is not an amusement park where everything is safety checked. This is mother nature. So you do have to take care and caution on your own, out on the trails.

Links to Places Mentioned in this Episode:

 

Where to stay when visiting Shawnee National Forest:

Carol: It depends… Do you want to stroll right on the trails in the park, or do you want to be in the small town and walk downtown?

In Giant City State Park option: Giant City State Park Cabins

Carol: Giant City State Park has 34 cabins in the park, three different styles of cabins to choose from. They range from the older, rustic, one-room cabins to a little bit more elite cabins that are out on the bluffs at the park.

The cabins are kind of rustic. There are no cooking facilities in them. You can grill out at picnic grounds, of course, in the park, but the lodge is walking distance and a great place to have a nice [breakfast, lunch, or dinner].

In Giant City State Park option: Giant City State Park Lodge

Carol: The lodge is a rustic, cabin-feel atmosphere, you know, high beam ceilings and a very rustic, outdoorsy feel. So that’s an experience in and of itself. It has a little gift shop and a lounge and sitting area to enjoy the park.

Downtown Anna option: Davie School Inn

Carol: If you wanted a more upscale option… in Anna, there is the very unique Davie School Inn that is right at the edge of [Giant City State Park],... and walking distance to downtown. [It’s] a renovated school transformed into a boutique inn.

Other Shawnee National Forest Cabin Rentals & Cabins Near Shawnee National Forest:

Check out listings for other Shawnee National Forest Cabins options on Airbnb.

Giant City State Park Camping: Little Grassy Lake Campground and Marina

 

Outdoor Adventures Mentioned in this Episode:

 

Shawnee National Forest Restaurants & Wineries Mentioned in this Episode:

 

Shawnee National Forest Instagram Photo Spots Mentioned in this Episode:

 

Thanks for Listening!

We love our listeners! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave me a comment below and let me know about your favorite part!

If you’ve been enjoying the show, please also consider leaving me a review in Apple Podcasts. It’s super easy; click here and go to “ratings and reviews.” I read and appreciate every single one! Each review helps new listeners find the podcast. Thank you!!

Follow Cinders Travels on Facebook or Locals Knows Best Podcast on Instagram for Locals Know Best updates.