• Home
  • Backpacking
    • Hoosier National Forest
    • Isle Royale National Park
    • Midwest >
      • Shawnee National Forest
      • Daniel Boone National Forest
      • Superior National Forest
      • Apostle Islands National Lake Shore
    • Alaska >
      • Lake Clark National Park
      • Chugach National Forest
    • Glacier National Park
    • Capitol Reef National Park
  • Kayaking
    • Hoosier NF
    • Isle Royale NP
    • Shawnee NF
    • Superior NF (BWCA)
    • Currituck NWR
  • Trail Foodies
  • The Blog
  • About Us
HOOSIER HIKING .COM
  • Home
  • Backpacking
    • Hoosier National Forest
    • Isle Royale National Park
    • Midwest >
      • Shawnee National Forest
      • Daniel Boone National Forest
      • Superior National Forest
      • Apostle Islands National Lake Shore
    • Alaska >
      • Lake Clark National Park
      • Chugach National Forest
    • Glacier National Park
    • Capitol Reef National Park
  • Kayaking
    • Hoosier NF
    • Isle Royale NP
    • Shawnee NF
    • Superior NF (BWCA)
    • Currituck NWR
  • Trail Foodies
  • The Blog
  • About Us

 

Title


Title
Key Features:
-Dafgdafadfg
-asfsffsf
-sdfwqdvsadv
​-sdvsddcerv dfdver

 Title

Shawnee National forest Bell Smith Spring trail flyer
Jackson Falls has been on our hiking list for quite a while, and today proved worthy of a return visit. Close to Camp Ondessonk, but well off the paved roads, this area takes a little white-knuckled driving traversing the washouts and potholes, but rewards hikers with a quite popular destination with many activities. Immediately off the parking area, you'll find campsite after campsite that clearly indicate this as a hot spot in peak season.

The beginning portion of the hike takes you along a small stream with rocky features, small waterfalls, and cool swimming holes. Be careful as you reach the top of the falls as the trail and creek take hikers right up to the top of the falls and the enormous drop to the turquoise pool below. This bright color is a real treat for the Midwest and gives Jackson Falls an almost tropical feel. From the top, hikers will continue on down the trail along a high rocky rim line with sweeping views over the valley floor below. Large high walled rock features make this area a climbers paradise and several areas are rigged for climbing and rappelling. It is clearly frequented and well-used by climbers.

​The descent to the valley floor is a bit treacherous and may not be suitable for the young, old, or injured. There is a series of boulder scrambles that acts as a makeshift rock ladder to reach the bottom of the trail. Dogs or small children may not be able to safely be assisted through this area. Continuing on, hikers will be treated to some maze-like passages and squeezes very common in the Shawnee National Forest areas. Hikers will essentially "double-back" along the valley floor to the falls an equal distance. There hikers will revel in a picturesque waterfall with turquoise pool to spend some time enjoying. Swimming would be appropriate in warmer weather, thus making this a popular site for campers. We happened upon 5 horseback riders at the falls, so this is clearly a popular destination for all avid outdoor enthusiasts. 

Link to top of page
Picture

​
​We hope you find ​what you're looking for...


Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • Backpacking
    • Hoosier National Forest
    • Isle Royale National Park
    • Midwest >
      • Shawnee National Forest
      • Daniel Boone National Forest
      • Superior National Forest
      • Apostle Islands National Lake Shore
    • Alaska >
      • Lake Clark National Park
      • Chugach National Forest
    • Glacier National Park
    • Capitol Reef National Park
  • Kayaking
    • Hoosier NF
    • Isle Royale NP
    • Shawnee NF
    • Superior NF (BWCA)
    • Currituck NWR
  • Trail Foodies
  • The Blog
  • About Us