Back Country Horsemen of IL - Shawnee

06/22/2026

Thanks ladies for all your work - 3 days of cutting and clearing trees. Trails 106A, 106B, 177, 446 War Bluff. Great job to Andrea, Pam, Cheri and Pam. 👍👌

06/09/2026

We had a very successful work day on June 6 - National Trails Day!
Thanks to all our volunteers who worked. We trimmed the trail going to Indian Kitchen and naturalization work. Beautiful day to be in the forest!
Thanks to Alyssa for the cool swag and beverages!

05/28/2026

We are partnering with the Forest Service for a trail stewardship work day on June 6 - National Trails Day. Come out and support your public lands. We will be focusing on essential trail maintenance and naturalization in Lusk Creek Wilderness. We will meet at Indian Kitchen trailhead at 9 am and work till noon.

To register for the event, clink on the link below.

Hope to see you there!!

Ready to get outside and support your public lands on June 6th? Join us for a morning of hands-on trail stewardship in the beautiful Lusk Creek Wilderness! We're partnering with the Back Country Horsemen of IL - Shawnee for a volunteer workday at the Indian Kitchen Trailhead, focusing on essential trail maintenance and naturalization.

🕛 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Indian Kitchen Trailhead, Lusk Creek Wilderness
✅ No experience is required. Tools and instruction will be provided. Come ready to learn new skills, make a visible impact, and enjoy time outside with fellow trail stewards.

Learn more about the event and how to register 👉 https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/shawnee/events/trail-stewardship-workday-national-trails-day

05/12/2026

Another good pack day Monday on the Indian Kitchen trail. 10 volunteers and 17 equines plus Forest Service personnel. We put 7,380 lbs of rock on the trail. Thanks to all who worked and provided animals. And thanks to Lucy for the yummy chocolate cake.

05/07/2026

Forest Service is hosting a herbicide application training on Saturday May 9 from 9-12. You can attend by registering and going to Hidden Springs Ranger station or there is an option to attend virtually.

Join the Shawnee National Forest for our annual herbicide applicator training this Saturday! This training will provide volunteers with the skills and knowledge needed to apply herbicide to control invasive species during scheduled Non-Native Invasive Species Removal Workdays.

📍May 9 at the Hidden Springs Ranger Station from 9am-12pm
🗓 The certificate is good for one calendar year
ℹ️ You must be at least 18 years of age
💻 Volunteers can attend either in-person or virtually

For details on registration, please visit our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/shawnee/events/herbicide-applicator-training-volunteers

05/06/2026

📹
We made the WSIL news!!
Thanks for the awesome video.

A group of volunteers are picking up debris and cleaning off trails in the Shawnee National Forest.

05/05/2026

Thanks to Swinford Media Group for the great article on Back Country Horsemen of IL !!!!

We appreciate the coverage! Like and follow our group.
🐎🐎🌳🌳

A group of volunteers is putting in the work to keep trails across the Shawnee National Forest in good shape. Back Country Horsemen of Illinois has been clearing fallen trees, hauling gravel by pack animals and making upgrades at trailheads in places like Garden of the Gods, Lusk Creek Wilderness and the River to River Trail.

“As Chairman of Back Country Horsemen of Illinois, I enjoy working with our members, partners and staff to maintain the trails, sites and beauty of the forest,” said Cricket Simons. “My group likes the challenges of working in the wilderness areas - using primitive tools such as crosscut saws versus chainsaws and pack animals versus tractors.”

The work also includes replacing hitching posts, improving tie-lines and handing out reusable trash bags to encourage visitors to clean up after themselves.

Volunteers say turnout has been strong, with people showing up to give back and keep the forest in good condition for hikers, horseback riders and other visitors.

“We have a great turnout on our workdays, it’s fun to work with others who share a passion to give back to the forest, so all users can enjoy a well-managed trail system and forest,” Simons said.

Forest Service officials say anyone interested in helping can sign up for upcoming workdays or contact local offices for more information.

04/23/2026

12 volunteers and 22 equines joined 3 Forest Service personnel today to move 9,180 pounds of rock to the turnpikes on the trail to Indian Kitchen. Jerrie and Kris from Little Lusk Campground delivered lunch - scrumptious ham sliders, veggie and fruit trays, chips, cheesecake and cold drinks.
Mel stopped in too with cold beverages for all of us.
Thanks to Bear Branch Campground for sending two pack horses to help haul rock. It was a beautiful, fun and productive pack day.

04/19/2026

Next Pack Day:
Wednesday April 22 - 9:00 at Indian Kitchen Trailhead

More work to be done! We will need pack animals, lead horses, and ground crew at the rock pile and destination end. The trip out and back is getting longer. So more wait time for the ground crew. Bring loppers/hand tools and do some clipping!
Lots of volunteer opportunities.
Contact Cricket at 309-826-8114 with questions. Let us know if you can join us.