Shawnee Hills Trail Races
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Event Overview
The Shawnee Hills Trail Races take place in the scenic environment of Southern Illinois. Based at Camp Ondessonk in Ozark, the event utilizes the trail systems within the Shawnee National Forest. The course travels through the Shawnee Hills Natural Division, taking participants through sandstone canyon systems, oak-hickory forests, and pine groves.
The event offers four distinct distances to accommodate different experience levels:
- 100 miles
- 100 kilometers
- 50 kilometers
- Half Marathon
Course Features
The routes connect several natural landmarks including Jackson Hollow and the Bay Creek Reservoir. Participants pass multiple waterfalls, such as Jackson Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Cedar Falls, and Pakentuck Falls, which is recognized as the tallest free-falling waterfall in Illinois. The terrain also includes technical sections and views from Salomon's Ridge.
Venue and Amenities
Camp Ondessonk serves as the home base for the weekend. The venue provides various lodging options, including rustic open-air tree houses that offer a roofed sleeping area without doors or screens. For those preferring modern amenities, a limited number of climate-controlled guest rooms with private bathrooms and WiFi are available. Traditional tent camping sites are also provided on the grounds. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
