Oct 27, 2016 — Panther Den is a delightful little feature within Shawnee National Forest. I did the full Panther Den Wilderness Loop since it wasn't much of an undertaking, but I was a little annoyed to find that the loop actually was pretty flat and boring and at times a little overgrown. The actual Panther Den rock formations were only a short hike from the trailhead (see map). Nonethless, it was a nice hike through southern Illinois forest. The loop improved significantly along its western side, where the trail paralleled a creek and some nice sandstone cliffs. The trail also actually doesn't seem to officially lead to the Panther Den rock formations, but they become obvious when you hike near them. A side trail continues toward the actual rocks, which were really interesting. Fun crevasses lead through the most enjoyable sections.
Please consider helping me out if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so all site fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing these trip reports is unpaid. You can also hire me as a web developer. I really appreciate it!
If you find my site helpful, please help me replace my many broken cameras, fund my website fees (hosting, APIs, security), or just support my countless hours of work. I pay for all expenses myself, and all trip reports I post are unpaid and unsponsored, so any support is really appreciated!
If using PayPal, please select their option for "Sending to a friend" so they don't take out fees, thank you.
My site is free to use, but consider sending me a few bucks to help keep it running. Thanks in advance!