HARRISBURG, IL – With warmer weather abounding, and summer soon around the corner, the Shawnee National Forest offers a multitude of great opportunities to connect with the natural world. Whether it is a day spent picnicking, fishing and swimming at Pounds Hollow Recreation Area, camping at Camp Cadiz or enjoying a day of hiking at Little Grand Canyon, Rim Rock or one of Forest’s many other trails, is truly something for every outdoor enthusiast on the Forest.
For those seeking an even better reason to get outside, the Shawnee National Forest is hosting its annual Fish Tales program June 3rd – 5th, 2013. The event will be offered at different lakes around the Forest each day, providing ample opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy some great fishing! Kids ages 8 – 12 are encouraged to attend as participants will learn how to fish while also having fun through arts and crafts and more. There is no charge to attend, and fishing gear will be provided. An adult must accompany children in attendance, and each family should bring a picnic lunch.
Fish Tales will take place from 9:00 a.m. – Noon each day at the following locations:
June 3rd: Pounds Hollow
June 4th: Lake Glendale
June 5th: Cedar Lake
Adding to the fishing fun is the Lake Glendale Fishing Derby, scheduled for Saturday, June 8th. Kids ages 5 through 15 are invited to attend the Fishing Derby with an accompanying adult. Admission to the derby is free, and the event will be held at the Lake Glendale Recreation Area’s Cardinal Bay from 7:30 a.m. until Noon. Lake Glendale Recreation Area is located East off Route 145, two miles north of Dixon Springs.
Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. and attendees will need to bring fishing equipment and bait. Derby’s activities include fishing, nature activities and various contests that result in prizes awarded to the participants. For additional information on the Lake Glendale Fishing Derby, contact the Hidden Springs Ranger District office at 618- 658-2111.
Along with the many fishing events offered in early June on the Forest, June 8th also marks Get Outdoors Day nationally, and in honor of the celebration, the Shawnee is encouraging visitation to our Nation’s public lands by offering free camping for the weekend. The Shawnee National Forest campgrounds included in the fee waiver are as follows: Garden of the Gods, Pounds Hollow, Camp Cadiz, Pine Hills, and Johnson Creek. Please note that concessionaire operated campgrounds are not included in the fee waiver.
Administered by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, the Shawnee National Forest is one of 155 national forests nationwide. As the only national forest in Illinois, the Shawnee offers numerous avenues for connecting with the natural world through its 280,000 acres of varied landscape. Whether your interests lie more in outdoor recreational activities, such as hiking or camping, or include learning about the unique natural and cultural heritage of southern Illinois, the fields, forests and streams of the Shawnee welcome you. To discover more about the Shawnee National Forest, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/shawnee and follow us on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/shawneenf. National information about the U.S. Forest Service can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/.
Shawnee National Forest hosts family-friendly fishing events, free camping weekend
