Honey School Lookout (FR 656) in IL -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in Illinois

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Honey School Lookout (FR 656) in IL

Shawnee NF, Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District
483 ft
Maps
Overnight camping allowedRUTTED
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AT&TNONE
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A 2.1-mile stretch of gravel National Forest road in Alexander County, IL. The road serves Gilson Hills. The road is open seasonally, May 9 to December 9.

Shawnee National Forest, Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District allows dispersed camping here -- 14-day limit in any 28 days.

0.7 of the 2.1 miles in are maintained only for high-clearance vehicles. Mostly gravel, with 0.2 miles of dirt. Climbs 110 ft over 2.1 miles -- sustained grades near 20%, with pitches to 29%.

Private here -- the nearest through road is 2.0 miles off. Open country -- nothing named rises within 30 miles of here. Night skies measure Bortle 3 -- a dark rural sky. The nearest town, Scott City, is 9.3 mi off.

September normals 5982°F, 3.3″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.

Fire restrictions

Set by Shawnee National Forest, Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District. Stage 1 and 2 orders change within days -- check the current order before you build a fire.

fs.usda.gov
Sources checked August 2026Something wrong here?