More than 270,000 acres (1100 km²) of Shawnee National Forest lie to the south of Harrisburg, drawing thousands of visitors annually to the Saline County area and the gateway community. The Shawnee National Forest offers much to see and do. The national forest has 1,250 miles (2,010 km) of roadways, some 150 miles (240 km) of streams and frequent waterfalls, numerous ponds and lakes as large as 2,700 acres (11 km²) (some with swimming beaches), 13 campgrounds, many picnicking sites, and seven wilderness areas where trails are designed for hiking and horseback riding.

Outdoor Activities

Hiking

There are many great places to hike among interesting rock formations, including Stone Face, south of Harrisburg on Illinois Route 34; Garden of the Gods and Bell Smith Springs, south of Harrisburg off US Route 45.

Bicycling

The Tunnel Hill State Trail is a rails-to-trails project that runs for 45 miles (72 km) from Harrisburg to Karnak, Illinois. It includes a stretch through an old railway tunnel and over a towering trestle.

Fishing

Saline County State Fish and Wildlife Area, east of Harrisburg off Illinois Route 13, is home to Glen O. Jones Lake.