Shawnee NF weather question

bleve · 11-04-2009, 07:52 AM

I might be able to get some time off in mid-Nov and I've been interested in visiting the Shawnee NF in southern IL for some time. I'm coming from MI and we're pretty much past decent camping weather and I'm worried it's getting to be the same farther south. Are the trees probably going to be pretty much bare? And what is the expected weather? We can handle around freezing no problem, but if you add in stronger winds and more frequent rain it's not worth it. Also, I haven't checked what the hunting seasons are in IL and how they apply to the Nat For. Any information is appreciated. Thanks

candy4legs · 11-04-2009, 12:00 PM

We're in MO not too far north of the Shawnee area...most of our trees have lost their leaves, but our forcast for the next week to week and a half is daytime highs around 60-65, nighttime lows near 40...breezy, sunny...don't know what it will be like after that, but generally, mid November has a pretty decent run of fall temps...and no promises on the rain, haven't been able to reliably predict that all year...the ground will be somewhat damp, just from the amount of rain that has fallen recently...

Guess I'm trying to say it should be fairly nice weather, if it stays dry...

bleve · 11-04-2009, 05:10 PM

That's interesting to know and will help us in our planning, thank you. It's interesting to hear that your lows will be our highs, I didn't think we'd be that far off.

rivherrat · 11-05-2009, 08:00 PM

Where are you camping at? We went in the end of June and it was the hottest week of summer. We got lost the first day and about did our horses in. We found a very nice couple and they have been there before and knew the trails and we went out with them.
Everyone says 34 campground is the one to go to.

gaitedhorse · 11-05-2009, 08:14 PM

Well Shawnee is in my back door! We are going there this weekend. As someone stated before our highs have been in the 60's and lows in the 40's. Rain has been extremely unpredictable this year.

If I was coming in from out of state I would stay at either Bear Branch or Little Lusk Creek. Bear Branch has a buffet on Friday and Saturday night and also a breakfast buffet. We stay there alot. We like their facilities. Have a good barn and also have picket lines already set up. The restaurant used to be a lot better but with the failing economy they went to buffet to keep it open. Bath houses are heated and air conditioned and they have several lovely cabins. Campsites are small and some unlevel but if you are on top of the hill everything is fairly level.
We have never stayed in Little Lusk but we have driven around it and it is a very nice facility that is fairly new. The draw back with Little Lusk is you are a little ways from the trail head.
Very beautiful scenery in So IL. We don't have leaves on the trees but the rocks are breathtaking without the leaves on the trees. If you go to either of those campgrounds you have to go to Secret Canyon. It is georgeous!
Hope that helps.

bleve · 11-06-2009, 07:52 AM

I'm not sure we're going to be able to make this trip happen but Shawnee has been on my list for a couple years now so any information is good for the future. As for where to camp, we're actually minimalist type campers. The fewer amenities the better (keeps us away from the RV crowd with a billion lights and radio blaring and generators going for hours). All we really need is a hand pump and a pit john and somewhere to have a fire. Showers are nice in the summer when it's hot but this time of year they're not that big a deal unless we were there a week. Being closer to the trails is also a definite bonus.

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11-04-2009, 07:52 AM
bleve Newborn Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: MI Posts: 25	Shawnee NF weather question I might be able to get some time off in mid-Nov and I've been interested in visiting the Shawnee NF in southern IL for some time. I'm coming from MI and we're pretty much past decent camping weather and I'm worried it's getting to be the same farther south. Are the trees probably going to be pretty much bare? And what is the expected weather? We can handle around freezing no problem, but if you add in stronger winds and more frequent rain it's not worth it. Also, I haven't checked what the hunting seasons are in IL and how they apply to the Nat For. Any information is appreciated. Thanks

11-04-2009, 12:00 PM
candy4legs Long Yearling Join Date: May 2009 Location: O'Fallon, MO Posts: 1,439	We're in MO not too far north of the Shawnee area...most of our trees have lost their leaves, but our forcast for the next week to week and a half is daytime highs around 60-65, nighttime lows near 40...breezy, sunny...don't know what it will be like after that, but generally, mid November has a pretty decent run of fall temps...and no promises on the rain, haven't been able to reliably predict that all year...the ground will be somewhat damp, just from the amount of rain that has fallen recently... Guess I'm trying to say it should be fairly nice weather, if it stays dry... __________________ VOTE FOR "DUSTY TRAILS HORSE RESCUE" DAILY IN THE PETFINDER SHELTER CHALLENGE! http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/c...faces?siteId=3

11-04-2009, 05:10 PM
bleve Newborn Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: MI Posts: 25	That's interesting to know and will help us in our planning, thank you. It's interesting to hear that your lows will be our highs, I didn't think we'd be that far off.

11-05-2009, 08:00 PM
rivherrat Weanling Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 255	Where are you camping at? We went in the end of June and it was the hottest week of summer. We got lost the first day and about did our horses in. We found a very nice couple and they have been there before and knew the trails and we went out with them. Everyone says 34 campground is the one to go to.

11-05-2009, 08:14 PM
gaitedhorse Newborn Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Marion KY Posts: 36	Well Shawnee is in my back door! We are going there this weekend. As someone stated before our highs have been in the 60's and lows in the 40's. Rain has been extremely unpredictable this year. If I was coming in from out of state I would stay at either Bear Branch or Little Lusk Creek. Bear Branch has a buffet on Friday and Saturday night and also a breakfast buffet. We stay there alot. We like their facilities. Have a good barn and also have picket lines already set up. The restaurant used to be a lot better but with the failing economy they went to buffet to keep it open. Bath houses are heated and air conditioned and they have several lovely cabins. Campsites are small and some unlevel but if you are on top of the hill everything is fairly level. We have never stayed in Little Lusk but we have driven around it and it is a very nice facility that is fairly new. The draw back with Little Lusk is you are a little ways from the trail head. Very beautiful scenery in So IL. We don't have leaves on the trees but the rocks are breathtaking without the leaves on the trees. If you go to either of those campgrounds you have to go to Secret Canyon. It is georgeous! Hope that helps.

11-06-2009, 07:52 AM
bleve Newborn Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: MI Posts: 25	I'm not sure we're going to be able to make this trip happen but Shawnee has been on my list for a couple years now so any information is good for the future. As for where to camp, we're actually minimalist type campers. The fewer amenities the better (keeps us away from the RV crowd with a billion lights and radio blaring and generators going for hours). All we really need is a hand pump and a pit john and somewhere to have a fire. Showers are nice in the summer when it's hot but this time of year they're not that big a deal unless we were there a week. Being closer to the trails is also a definite bonus.