High Knob Lookout: Shawnee National Forest Vista

High Knob Lookout is a scenic destination within the Shawnee National Forest, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of Southern Illinois. Once the site of a fire lookout tower staffed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the early days of the Shawnee National Forest, the area still retains concrete footings from the original tower. The lookout provides a trailhead for five miles of interconnecting trails that wind through the surrounding landscape. Hikers can explore forty-foot cliffs, clear creeks, and a vibrant deciduous forest. The area is open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., providing ample opportunity for daytime exploration. To reach High Knob Lookout, take Highway 145 south from Harrisburg for five miles, then Highway 34 south for ten miles. Turn east onto Karbers Ridge Road for four miles, then north onto High Knob Road for two miles, and finally east onto Knob Hill Lane for half a mile to the lookout.