SCENIC - UNDISTURBED - WILDERNESS
Shawnee Hills Trail Races is an entire weekend of outdoor and trail running FUN for not just the runners but their family and friends!
The event is held at Camp Ondessonk, Ozark, Illinois, on August 23-24, 2025. There will be miles and miles of great running through the beautiful Shawnee National Forest, and the totally rustic Camp O cabins. There is a 100 mile, 100k, 50k and Half Marathon option...plenty of fun for everyone!
Camp Ondessonk, in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest, will play host to the Shawnee Hills Trail Races. The runners will get to explore some of the most stunning and extraordinary rock formations and waterfalls that Shawnee National Forest is well known for, vegetation consists largely of oak-hickory, maple-beech, and pine forests. The course will take you deep into the sandstone canyon systems of Southern Illinois' Shawnee Hills Natural Division while traversing Jackson Hollow and the Bay Creek Reservoir and several waterfalls along the course including Pakentuck Falls (the tallest free-falling waterfall in Illinois), Jackson Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Cedar Falls along with some inspiring views from Salomon's Ridge.
We will have the rustic one star luxury of the Camp O tree houses for our overnight weekend accommodations. These kick ass tree houses give you the outdoor experience without the hassles of packing all your camping gear. Think open air sleeping with a roof over your head, no doors or screens to interrupt your enjoyment of all things outdoors. A sleeping bag, some clothes, a pair of running shoes are all you need to bring. If you still want to drag along the tent and sleep on the ground we can accommodate you too, and this year there are a very limited number of Hostel-style, climate-controlled guest rooms with private bathroom and free WiFi that sleeps 8 people. Visit Camp Ondessonk facility page to get the details and/or reserve a room.
Race photos provided by: Colson Photography
The event is held at Camp Ondessonk, Ozark, Illinois, on August 23-24, 2025. There will be miles and miles of great running through the beautiful Shawnee National Forest, and the totally rustic Camp O cabins. There is a 100 mile, 100k, 50k and Half Marathon option...plenty of fun for everyone!
Camp Ondessonk, in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest, will play host to the Shawnee Hills Trail Races. The runners will get to explore some of the most stunning and extraordinary rock formations and waterfalls that Shawnee National Forest is well known for, vegetation consists largely of oak-hickory, maple-beech, and pine forests. The course will take you deep into the sandstone canyon systems of Southern Illinois' Shawnee Hills Natural Division while traversing Jackson Hollow and the Bay Creek Reservoir and several waterfalls along the course including Pakentuck Falls (the tallest free-falling waterfall in Illinois), Jackson Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Cedar Falls along with some inspiring views from Salomon's Ridge.
We will have the rustic one star luxury of the Camp O tree houses for our overnight weekend accommodations. These kick ass tree houses give you the outdoor experience without the hassles of packing all your camping gear. Think open air sleeping with a roof over your head, no doors or screens to interrupt your enjoyment of all things outdoors. A sleeping bag, some clothes, a pair of running shoes are all you need to bring. If you still want to drag along the tent and sleep on the ground we can accommodate you too, and this year there are a very limited number of Hostel-style, climate-controlled guest rooms with private bathroom and free WiFi that sleeps 8 people. Visit Camp Ondessonk facility page to get the details and/or reserve a room.
Race photos provided by: Colson Photography
Race Photos
