Photographs of Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest southern Illinois

Garden of the Gods... in Illinois? Never heard of it? Most people are familiar with the Garden of the Gods in Colorado, but this one may not be as familiar. Located in the Shawnee National Forest of southern Illinois, Garden of the Gods Recreation Area is truly a unique place. The cliffs and rock formations are comprised of sandstone, created by sand deposits from the shores of an ancient sea which, over time, earth's forces have sculpted into this unique and beautiful scenery.

On my second visit to the area, I experienced its beauty in all its autumn splendor. I arrived late in the afternoon and it had been raining. As I made preparations to protect my gear from the inclement weather and head off on the trail, the rain suddenly stopped. Heading out on the Observation Trail I arrived at the bluffs as a mist began to rise from the valley. As it mingled with the fall colors in the forest below it provided great opportunities to photograph the beauty of the scene.

Rising Mist and Camel Rock 1 at Garden of the Gods

Rising Mist and Camel Rock 1 at Garden of the Gods

Pine On the Bluffs at Garden of the Gods 1

Pine On the Bluffs at Garden of the Gods 1

Autumn View at Garden of the Gods 1

Autumn View at Garden of the Gods 1

Winter View at Garden of the Gods 1

Winter View at Garden of the Gods 1

Autumn View of Camel Rock 2 at Garden of the Gods

Autumn View of Camel Rock 2 at Garden of the Gods

Autumn View at Garden of the Gods 3

Autumn View at Garden of the Gods 3

Stone Steps at Garden of the Gods 1

Stone Steps at Garden of the Gods 1

Tree In a Crag at Garden of the Gods 1

Tree In a Crag at Garden of the Gods 1

Winter View of Camel Rock at Garden of the Gods 1

Winter View of Camel Rock at Garden of the Gods 1

Winter View Over Garden of the Gods 1

Winter View Over Garden of the Gods 1

Pillar and Autumn Colors at Garden of the Gods

Pillar and Autumn Colors at Garden of the Gods

Winter View at Garden of the Gods 2

Winter View at Garden of the Gods 2

Winter View of Camel Rock at Garden of the Gods 2

Winter View of Camel Rock at Garden of the Gods 2

Garden of the Gods in Autumn 1

Garden of the Gods in Autumn 1

Autumn View of Camel Rock 1 at Garden of the Gods

Autumn View of Camel Rock 1 at Garden of the Gods

Tree In a Crag at Garden of the Gods 2

Tree In a Crag at Garden of the Gods 2

Garden of the Gods in Autumn 2

Garden of the Gods in Autumn 2

Winter View at Garden of the Gods 3

Winter View at Garden of the Gods 3

Garden of the Gods in Autumn 8

Garden of the Gods in Autumn 8

Winter Clouds Over Garden of the Gods

Winter Clouds Over Garden of the Gods

Autumn View at Garden of the Gods 4

Autumn View at Garden of the Gods 4

Above the Forest at Garden of the Gods 1

Above the Forest at Garden of the Gods 1

Garden of the Gods in Autumn 6

Garden of the Gods in Autumn 6

Rising Mist and Camel Rock 2 at Garden of the Gods

Rising Mist and Camel Rock 2 at Garden of the Gods

Weathered Cedar at Garden of the Gods

Weathered Cedar at Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods in Autumn 5

Garden of the Gods in Autumn 5

Garden of the Gods in Autumn 3

Garden of the Gods in Autumn 3

Winter View of Camel Rock at Garden of the Gods 3

Winter View of Camel Rock at Garden of the Gods 3

Autumn View at Garden of the Gods 2

Autumn View at Garden of the Gods 2

Above the Forest at Garden of the Gods 2

Above the Forest at Garden of the Gods 2

Garden of the Gods in Autumn 4

Garden of the Gods in Autumn 4

Pine Forest Among the Rocks at Garden of the Gods

Pine Forest Among the Rocks at Garden of the Gods

Winter View at Garden of the Gods 4

Winter View at Garden of the Gods 4

Garden of the Gods in Autumn 7

Garden of the Gods in Autumn 7

Winter View Over Garden of the Gods 2

Winter View Over Garden of the Gods 2

Pine On the Bluffs at Garden of the Gods 2

Pine On the Bluffs at Garden of the Gods 2

Stone Steps at Garden of the Gods 2

Stone Steps at Garden of the Gods 2