20 Shawnee National Forest: Panther Den Trail

A short stroll in the Shawnee National Forest, Panther Den Trail provides easy access to one of the area’s most interesting rock formations.

Distance: 2.0 miles out and back

Approximate hiking time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy due to length and relatively flat terrain

Best season: Fall through spring

Park hours: 24-hour trail access

Other trail users: Equestrians

Canine compatibility: Leashed dogs permitted

Fees and permits: None

Maps: USGS Lick Creek

Trail contacts: Shawnee National Forest, 50 Hwy. 145 South, Harrisburg, IL 62946; (618) 253-7114

Special considerations: Poison ivy and ticks are common in warmer months.

Finding the trailhead: From St. Louis take I-64 East for 78 miles to I-57 South. Follow I-57 South for 38.5 miles to exit 54B for IL 13 West toward Carbondale. Drive 15 miles into the city of Carbondale. Turn left onto Giant City Road and continue for 7 miles to Grassy Road. Turn left onto Grassy Road and drive 3 miles before turning right onto Rocky Comfort Road. Follow Rocky Comfort Road (staying right at 1.9 miles at the Y) for 4.1 miles to Panthers Den Road. Turn left and drive 1.5 miles to Panthers Den Lane. Turn left again and drive 0.6 mile down the gravel road to the parking area and trailhead on the right. GPS: N37 34.782 / W89 5.295

The Hike

In 1990 the U.S. Congress designated southern Illinois’s Panther Den as a wilderness area. Panther Den Wilderness Area totals 1,195 acres. The Shawnee National Forest manages 1,081 acres of the area; the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge manages the remaining acres.

Although the 160-mile River-to-River Trail that runs through Panther Den Wilderness Area receives the most recognition, the several trails that support and branch off the River-to-River Trail offer some amazing opportunities. Hikers choosing Panther Den Trail will traverse an area once believed to have been a large waterway, which over time created a “hiker’s playground.”

Panther Den Trail is a quick out-and-back hike that leaves plenty of time to explore a remarkable maze of 70-foot-high cliffs. Huge blocks have split off from these cliffs to create a network of crevices, passageways, and cavelike “rooms.”

From the parking area, locate the information kiosk and trailhead. Begin hiking northeast on the obvious dirt trail, which is marked with white diamonds. At 0.3 mile a trail branches to the right; continue on Panther Den Trail (Forest Service Trail 371). Soon after, you will pass a fire ring/camping area on the left (west).

At 0.4 mile cross the creek and continue hiking northeast. At 0.7 mile cross the creek again and enter Panther Den Wilderness Area. Just after entering the wilderness area, come to a fork in the trail and bear left (northeast).

Reach Panther Den at 1.0 mile; explore the many spur trails that lead through the labyrinth of rocks and cliffs. When you are through exploring, return to the trailhead via the same route.

Miles and Directions

0.0From the trailhead hike northeast on the obvious dirt trail.

0.3A spur trail forks to the right; continue straight (northeast) to stay on the main trail.

0.4 Cross a creek and continue hiking northeast.

0.7Enter Panther Den Wilderness Area and bear left (northeast) at the fork.

1.0Reach Panther Den. After exploring the area, retrace your steps to the trailhead.

2.0Return to the parking area.