Lusk Creek Canyon

Lusk Creek Canyon
Lusk Creek Canyon
Lusk Creek Canyon is located in Illinois
Lusk Creek Canyon
Map of Illinois
LocationPope County, Illinois
Nearest cityEddyville
Coordinates37°31′08″N 88°32′24″W / 37.51889°N 88.54000°W / 37.51889; -88.54000
Area906 acres (367 ha)
Designated1980

Lusk Creek Canyon is the name of a 906 acres (367 ha) canyon located within the Lusk Creek Wilderness Area of the Shawnee National Forest in Pope County, Illinois. The area is a large gorge formed by the erosion of Pennsylvanian sandstone around a large horseshoe bend in the creek. It contains plants such as fan leafed clubmoss, cinnamon fern, royal fern as well as ten endangered or threatened plant species.[1] It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1980.[2]

  1. ^ Mohlenbrock, Robert H. (April 30, 2006). This Land: A Guide to Eastern National Forests. University of California Press. p. 79.
  2. ^ "National Natural Landmark: Lusk Creek Canyon". National Park Service. Retrieved 15 December 2012.