One Horse Gap in Illinois

Along a trail in the woods of southern Illinois, the pathway suddenly tightens. This is One Horse Gap, a natural corridor carved into the sandstone bedrock of Shawnee National Forest. The name hints at its dimensions. The passage is so constricted that, historically, it was said only a single horse could pass through at a time. The rock walls rise steeply on either side, creating a cool, shaded slot that feels more like a secret passage than an everyday hiking trail. The gap itself is part of a designated loop trail within the forest, allowing hikers to experience not only the narrow corrid...