How a Shawnee National Forest Formation at Bell Smith Springs is Inspirational in Southern Illinois

Located in Illinois, in the Shawnee National Forest is Bell Smith Springs. It is one of the most visited scenic areas in all of Southern Illinois and for good reason.
Blessed with many geological wonders and formations, Bell Smith is home to beautiful cascades and waterfalls. It is also home to Devils Backbone, which is solid sandstone that has separated from the bluff near it.
Bell Smith Springs is also home to popular swimming holes and to the largest natural bridge / natural arch in Illinois and the Midwest.

[@Manzetti1953]

Been here many, many times. And my other 1/2 and I cannot walk any longer. Seeing your video takes me back to those times that we made these treks. Memories come out of my mind in leaps and bounds of hiking, of camping, of friends & family. Thanks for sharing your video.😃

[@MarksofCuriosity]

It is a beautiful place! I'm glad I can bring some of those memories back. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@illinoisan]

One of my favorite places. We observed the 2017 solar eclipse there. I like to camp at Red Bud in the summer and swim and hike all through there.

[@OldGoatintheWoods]

Great video showcasing that area of Bell Smith Springs! Tried kayaking from Millstone Lake to Bell Smith Springs recently. I would have made it too if it wasn't for a large tree that had fallen directly across Bay Creek.

[@MarksofCuriosity]

Very Cool! I've wondered how far you can go up from the lake. It's is a beautiful area. Thanks for watching!

[@exploringtheancients7240]

Very beautiful place!

[@MarksofCuriosity]

It really is!

[@MarkThomas-e6n]

Me and my cousins played here as kids back in the day
It connected to my family's property

[@MarksofCuriosity]

Very cool!

[@TheCort1971]

thank you. i do so miss home.

[@MarksofCuriosity]

My Pleasure! It's a great place to explore. Thanks for watching!

[@ecmarks438]

Thanks for taking me along on a lovely walk. Quite a lovely place to enjoy nature. ❤

[@MarksofCuriosity]

It sure is and my pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@albertconstantine5432]

Another perfect experience. Thank you for sharing. Such great content and commentary.

[@MarksofCuriosity]

My pleasure! Thanks for the kind words 😃

[@stephenburns3678]

Look forward to the next one.
Thank you.

[@MarksofCuriosity]

Thanks

[@CrowBrosRacing]

Nice video. I really need to get back to Bell Smith, probably been a decade. Is the "ladder" still there?

[@MarksofCuriosity]

Thank you! It’s a beautiful place and I do believe the ladder is still on the bluff going to the top of the bridge

[@laurencefidhburn1845]

Will go fishing there again soon.

[@MarksofCuriosity]

Sounds fun! Thanks for watching

[@wildchildcarvings8482]

My daughter loves that first part you came to at the beginning. Theres a rope in the tree and shell swing all day and splash 😂

[@MarksofCuriosity]

It’s definitely a great place to create memories! Have swung a couple times myself on that rope 👍

[@wildchildcarvings8482]

@@MarksofCuriosity we were just down there a couple weeks ago. Had to go back to reality though. Thanks for the video

[@wildchildcarvings8482]

@@MarksofCuriosity if you ever need a good Airbnb to stay at with a great host, there's a little place called Becks Hideaway over near the chocolate factory, near Golconda. Very nice house with a pond to go fishing in and nice screened in area

[@MarksofCuriosity]

@@wildchildcarvings8482 Thanks for the tip. That’s a beautiful area on that side 👍

[@AndrewGrey22]

What is that rock? Limestone? Nice vid.

[@MarksofCuriosity]

All the rock in the video is sandstone. Thank you 👍

[@leslietaylor4458]

The green algea... AKA Slicker Snot

[@MarksofCuriosity]

It sure can be lol