BACKPACKING GARDEN OF THE GODS // 35 Miles Through Shawnee National Forest - ft. Beyond the Campfire

Hello everyone! Back in December, I had the opportunity to travel 3.5hrs west to the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois, to embark on a 35mile backpacking trip with a new friend. I was joined by Chad from the channel “Beyond the Campfire”. We started our trek at the Lusk Creek Wilderness Area parking lot, and made our east along the River to River Trail, passing through One Horse Gap, the town of Herod, and finishing at the Garden of the Gods Wilderness Area. It was an amazing trip with great weather, wonderful trail conditions, unique geology, and good company. I can’t recommended Shawnee National Forest enough!! Thanks for watching, and God Bless!
Please like, comment, and subscribe if you enjoyed and support this content!!
Please click below to check out Chad’s channel!!
/ @beyondthecampfire
Link to my Gear List:
• 2020 Sheltowee Trace T...

[@philiprussell3492]

I am pretty late to the party but I want to sincerely thank you for putting this into the world. Reverence is not something usually associated with adventurers seen online but I think it's something all naturalists feel, even if they are reluctant to talk about it. You've captured an echo of the magic to be experienced by being quiet in the presence of nature. Thank you.

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Wow, this is one of the kindest and most articulate comments I have received from a viewer to date. Thank you so much for taking the time to watch my video and letting me know how it impacted you. I'm glad to hear that others in the world share the same sentiment regarding our time in wild places. Hope to see you tune in to some more of my adventures on my channel, I have a feeling you would like them :)

[@JM-oi8pt]

Will be doing this exact trip in the middle of May. Parking at Garden of the gods and getting a shuttle to Lust Creek. Super excited! Thank you for sharing and providing a preview.

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

I hope you have a fabulous time! I bet the tree canopy will be vibrant with new life and lots of wildflowers to adorn your steps. Thanks for watching!

[@matthewlambert8789]

I was just here this week, did the 24-mile hike, and seen over 20 snakes 1 being a timber rattle snake 🐍.. One of the most peaceful moments i had in illinois

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Sounds like you had a great time! I returned to Shawnee to do the entire river to river trail as a thru hike and almost stepped on a rattler on the second to last day, it was terrifying! Link to the video is below if you’re interested in watching! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXbTc2dma8iAabs

[@matthewlambert8789]

@BluegrassBackcountry absolutely it's a beautiful place to just absorb nature and all its beauty I'll definitely watch your video

[@KathysOutdoorAdventures]

Another well-done video Sam.

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Thanks very much, Kathy! Means so much!!

[@TheMountainMatt]

Great video to wake up to first thing in the morn👍🏼... best work to date Sam!

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Thanks so much, Matt!! This was definitely a labor of love- it means so much that others noticed that quality difference!

[@wazoologist]

Thank you for showing the amazing countryside and your time there. Always enjoy your peaceful hiking videos.

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Thank you so very much for those kind words!! I work really hard to capture the areas I visit so others can enjoy the footage and get inspired to get out, themselves. I really appreciate you watching, and hope you subscribe and stay tuned for more!

[@Smokeybeesnatural]

Well done sir! The narrative was spot on!

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Thanks brother! Hope you can go there sometime- it’s really awesome

[@beyondthecampfire]

Wow! Maybe I'm a bit biased, but I think this your most well-crafted video yet. The extra work you put into it is very noticeable. The narration hits the right balance of information, observation, and personal thoughts. It's also very relaxing. Actually, it reminds me of the video you sent me the other day. The shot selection is really creative, with a great combination of close-ups and wide angle shots. I love the rack focus shots, such as the one of the icicles near the beginning, and the one of the sweetgum leaf. I can't remember seeing those type of shots in your past videos, but they are well-done here! I also like the panning shots, with my favorite being the one at camp around 22:50. Something else I've never noticed before: your camera lens makes everything look very textured. I'm always trying for that look in my videos, but my phone camera just won't do it for me. It's funny how easy it is to forget some of the things I didn't get shots of during the trip, such as the icicle with the root in it, or the house with all the cats, haha. I was pleasantly surprised by some of the things I didn't remember. And you really nailed the things I do remember. You captured the moods of the crisp beginning morning, the otherworldly rock features, and the relaxing evenings at camp. I love the part where you talk about transforming an unassuming patch of woods into a warm and comforting home for the night. That's exactly what it's like. I could go on, and I'm sure I'll think of more things to say. Oh, like the great John Muir quote at the end. I downloaded one of his books for my last trip but didn't get a chance to start it. I'm really looking forward to it now. Anyway, I appreciate the multiple shout-outs you gave me, and I appreciate you capturing this trip so well. I like it more than my own video! I'll be watching it again for sure!

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Wow, man, I am truly blown away by your touching comments about this latest work of mine. It means so much that someone notices the difference in one’s viewing experience based on the amount of work put into it, so that’s a resounding success in my book to hear how much people enjoyed it. Maybe that’s why I love these little RX100 cameras so much- they give me the tracking focus and added texture to my shots that makes me feel like I’m “filming on a canvas” so to speak. I really appreciate you noticing those finer details. I definitely have a “spray and pray” mentality sometimes on filming my backpacking trips. I try to capture almost everything that catches my eye, and hope and pray it looks good afterwards haha. While some of them aren’t the most sharp or stabile, sometimes I keep the shots like the cats or the icicle root, in hopes that it adds some character to the production. It’s also very ironic to hear you say you like your video more than mine- I feel the exact same way about your Shawnee video! I’ve learned a ton of videography skills through watching your videos and picking your brain during our conversations, so thanks for being such an inspiring influence for me! I’ve already watched yours twice through now, and expect to revisit it frequently. I think that’s a cool element to friendship: to be fans of and supportive of one another’s work! Thanks again for accompanying me on this great adventure. Wouldn’t have been the same without you. Can’t wait for Tecumseh next month!

[@beyondthecampfire]

@@BluegrassBackcountry The little extra details are definitely noticeable! I think "spray and pray" is a good description for what I do too, haha. And then I immediately start kicking myself when I get home and think of all the shots I DIDN'T get. But you work with what you've got! That's funny that we both prefer each other's video, haha. Good thing we don't have to pick one, and we can always watch them both! It's very cool to see how our work feeds off each other. Thank you too! I might have called an Uber halfway through that second day if I had been solo on this one 😅 See you on the Tecumseh!

[@rogerevans4339]

Love it! “Thumbprint of God himself” comes at a point in the video that is spiritual. After joining you and Chad through the trails, campsites, and vistas, we walk into the Garden that is out-of-world and connected at the same time. The John Muir quote is moving! I am left awestruck and uplifted. The blend of your narration with your beautiful photography (that we have come to eagerly expect) adds to the peaceful spirit. This may be your best, yet... and that’s saying something! Such a beautiful place. Thanks for bringing it home to us in such a natural way. Keep on, keeping’ on. Let it shine!

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words, Senator! God was surely present along this trail, as He is wherever we trek. I am tickled pink to hear you think this is my best work so far- it was indeed a labor of love. Good Folks and family like you continue inspiring me to get out there and share the good Creation through the sights and sounds I document. Shine on and Please send more Toilet Paper 🧻

[@BackpackingWithJason]

Awesome area for backpacking fun!! That campsite around the 20 minute mark was awesome!! Incredibly beautiful out there and I really enjoyed the video Samuel 👍🏻👍🏻

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Thanks so much for watching, Jason! Shawnee and Garden of the Gods is an incredible place, it’s definitely worth the visit if you have not been there yet. That was one of the best campsites I’ve ever stayed at, the views were incredible at that overlook! Hope you’re doing well man!

[@leslieteague7885]

You took the words right out of my mouth and mind with feeling like you were in another place more like a planet . Unbelievable rock formations it’s as if they were dropped from the sky 😊. Another great video in the books !! Proud of you ! Love you !!

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Thanks so much Mom! This will always be one of my favorite trips- such a fun area and I had great company. I hope you can visit this place someday. Love you!

[@redshepherdoutdoors7201]

Since watching your hiking partner’s version of this trip, I’ve been eagerly awaiting your perspective. I must say you didn’t disappoint. It was fantastic! There’s nothing quite like the Shawnee. It really does make you forget you’re in Illinois. You should return during the fall color. Thru hiked the R2R trail with my wife in late fall last year and it was spectacular. I really enjoyed this. Well done, sir.

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Thank you so much for those very kind words, and for your patience as it took me much longer to get my video out for this trip! I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed visiting Shawnee NF- I actually really desire to thru hike the R2R sometime soon, it’s the perfect distance and difficulty level. I might have to pick your brain on some things about it once I start planning it! I bet it would be amazing in the fall. Thanks again for tuning in!

[@Bigodog88travels]

Great video and narration. Shawnee is an amazing, beautiful place, with lots to offer. Definitely makes you forget that you are in Illinois. Garden of the Gods is amazing, no matter what time of the year, especially in the fall and after a snowfall. Always worth the visit. I love the history of how Gods was formed. Subbed.

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Thank you so much for watching, your kind words , and for subscribing!! The River to River Trail along the Shawnee is now one of my top destinations to thru hike, because I love the area so much. I would love to see peak fall foliage there, I bet it’s amazing. Thanks again for your support!

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

The water color is beautiful

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

It truly was!! Thanks for watching!!

[@edglass2765]

I got a little proud to see my maps from the Hiking Project used on your adventure. And I'm glad you enjoyed your time in the Shawnee. There's a lot more to see here thats not as popular but every bit as majestic for those who dont mind the work to get there. Nice job on the vid!

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Thanks so much for all the kind words!! Thank you so much for contributing to the maps on REI’s app, they were so helpful and really accurate!! I really hope to thru hike the River to River Trail in the next year or so, it seems like the perfect distance and the area is so diverse! Thanks again for watching and subscribing! Can’t wait for my next adventure at Shawnee!

[@TheKiltedAdventurer]

Very nice rocks and great views!

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Thanks so much for watching!! It was a wonderful trip!

[@davidoverley4034]

Fantastic journey best video yet. Your moderating skills really shined ! Beautiful scenery planned a trip there about a month ago had to cancel. Still next roadtrip along with Cave in Rock and drop boots on Trail of Tears . Great work Sam happy trails.

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Thank you so much for those kind words, David! This was most definitely the largest labor of love I’ve ever put into a video before, so it’s great to hear that positive feedback! I hope you can get to go there soon, because it is such a cool area, worth the trip for sure! I’ll have to put those other areas on my list as well. Thanks so much for watching!!

[@jasonwish-]

Wow Samuel! This was your best vid yet, loved it! You showcased the area beautifully and the narration was stellar! I have a feeling this is kinda how you plan to edit your Pine Mtn. video...I'm going to have to step up my game!

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Thank you so very much for these kind and encouraging words, Jason!! This trip video was my largest labor of love compared to any other video I’ve made, so it means so much that it positively reflected in your viewing experience! It was a great trip and a wonderful area! Yes I hope to make this the standard for my videos- it makes the memory of the trip that much more special to me and my family. Can’t wait to see your PMT video! Thanks again Jason!

[@TheAdventuringFoodie]

In what month did you take this trip? I’m thinking about doing a four night visit the first week of November.

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

We did this at the beginning of December, so I would expect temperatures/conditions to be similar if y’all did it in November! Thanks for watching!

[@adventureguy4119]

I’m so confused where do I pay and check in to camp! Someone help me out Iv never ever been to a national park before this trip planned

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Where are you looking to camp at? If it’s within the national forest boundary, it is free as you are so many feet off the trail. If you are camping at Pharoh campground at Garden of the Gods, there is a sign in box where you drop in your money. Hope this helps!

[@adventureguy4119]

@@BluegrassBackcountry yes it does, thank you!

[@bobbyhill6919]

Is camping anywhere allowed?

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

Dangit, Bobby! Of course it is! (I hope you got my reference, there 😉)

[@day-goneknights4464]

Overall, at this point, can't we all stop the superlatives. It's another Disneyland, just like Joshua tree and many other wonderlands Indeed they are amazing and fun. But let's be realistic, they are not formed by the rock cycle and tectonics and erosion. These places rocks that follow a pattern of shapes and models. These places are either 3d printed via a computer program or there are rock molds. Whomever it is, they put in an order to the cosmos factory for theme park rocks. So we are made on spot some are prefabricated. My superlatives remain only to try to describe how "gods miniature golf course park" is ripping us off by not providing 18 holes, a ball, a putter, a tiny pencil and a coke.

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

I definitely agree with you that there is a Creator involved in formations such as this. But I think He works through the processes we see in things like geology that result in the beautiful areas we get to enjoy like this one. I appreciate you tuning in to watch!