Bald Knob Wilderness

Bald Knob Wilderness is a protected forested area in Union County with steep slopes, rocky bluffs, and V-shaped creek valleys. The terrain spans a large area within Shawnee National Forest with numerous trails for exploring.

The area was long used for farming before returning to forest starting in the 1930s. The Illinois Wilderness Act of 1990 officially protected this regenerated woodland for preservation.

The site preserves traces of early settlements, including old homesteads and cemeteries from pioneer times. These remains show how people once lived here before the land returned to forest.

The area is best explored on marked trails, and streams provide water sources for refilling along the way. Bring sturdy footwear, as paths go up and down steep, sometimes rocky slopes.

Hutchins Creek has carved an unusually wide, flat valley through the hillside landscape, making this waterway special in the region. The valley offers a rare flat area amid the otherwise hilly terrain.

Location: Illinois

Inception: 1990

GPS coordinates: 37.55060,-89.37750

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:45