Shawnee National Forest opened campgrounds, restrooms this week

HARRISBURG - On Thursday, June 11, the Shawnee National Forest opened some campgrounds and restrooms.

For a full list of open areas and other up-to-date information, visit the Shawnee National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/shawnee or Facebook, at /www.facebook.com/shawneenatlforest

"We are excited to get visitors back onto the forest recreating; however, we would remind visitors to continue to follow CDC health and safety guidelines and practice good social distancing while recreating on your Shawnee National Forest" said new Acting Forest Supervisor Robert West.

Open campgrounds as of June 11, 2020:

<b>Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District</b>

Johnson Creek Campground, Jackson County

Pine Hills Campground, Union County

<b>Hidden Springs Ranger District </b>

Camp Cadiz Campground, Hardin County

Pharaoh Campground at Garden of the Gods, Saline County

Tower Rock Campground, Hardin County

<b>Recreation sites with open restrooms are at:</b>

Little Grand Canyon

Lincoln Memorial Park

Bell Smith Springs

Rim Rock

Pounds Hollow Beach

Iron Furnace

Visitors are asked to stay as local as possible when choosing a site to visit and to pack out everything they bring in, especially trash. Visitors are also urged to take the precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with local health and safety guidance. For tips from the CDC on preventing illnesses like the coronavirus, go to: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html.

Responsible recreation will help expand access to facilities, services and other opportunities. Certain services may still be unavailable, so visitors are asked to plan accordingly and to remain flexible.

Contact information for the Shawnee National Forest is online at www.fs.usda.gov/shawnee.