Sign up for the Shawnee Challenge, it’s free and fun! It is a self-supported, complete at your own pace outdoor challenge to explore areas of the Shawnee National Forest. Experience different parts of the Shawnee National Forest in the ways you prefer: hiking, paddling, on horseback or mountain biking. This challenge is not a stroll in the park. It is for those looking to get off the beaten path, and reconnect with nature. Many of the locations have limited, or no services. Part of the challenge is to ‘pack it in and pack it out’ – a ‘leave no trace’ adventure.

Participants sign up for the challenge for free at https://staging-4ae2-ideacreative697027076.wpcomstaging.com/explore/ Earn points by checking into challenge locations to redeem a Shawnee Challenge sticker and sweepstakes entries for a quarterly drawing of a Shawnee apparel prize package. Your Challenge passport will be instantly delivered to your phone via text and email and is ready to use immediately! There is no app to download. Your pass can be saved to your phone’s home screen for easy one-tap access.

SAFETY: Hikers should watch their step and be alert of any hazards, snakes, downed trees, and cliffs. Mountain bikers should wear a helmet and ensure their bicycle is ready for rougher trails. Safety should always be a number one priority. Make sure you bring plenty of water and food and tell someone where you will be before you venture out.

PARTNERS: This challenge is brought to you by Hiking with Shawn and Southernmost Illinois Tourism. We would like to thank our partners at Shawnee National Forest, Friends of the Shawnee National Forest, Shawnee Mountain Bike Association, and others.

Timeline: This challenge passport will be good throughout 2023.  Points for visiting each location can only be earned once.  Redeem points throughout 2023, whenever you like.