Bear Branch Horse Resort
Campground
Campground · 2.2 mi from the trail
Illinois · Lake fishing · Near Goreville
Barger Lake
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- best months
Is Barger Lake open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Barger Lake, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).
Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area temporarily closed due to road work
Agency closure covering Shawnee National Forest · USFS · Shawnee National Forest
Boil Water Order at Pharaoh Campground at Garden of the Gods
Agency closure covering Shawnee National Forest · USFS · Shawnee National Forest
McClure Road Closed
Agency closure covering Shawnee National Forest · USFS · Shawnee National Forest
Lane reduction on bridge near IL Iron Furnace
Agency alert covering Shawnee National Forest · USFS · Shawnee National Forest
Failing Culvert on Oakwood Bottoms Road FSR # 786
Agency alert covering Shawnee National Forest · USFS · Shawnee National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Shawnee National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Barger Lake is a 6-acre lake in Illinois, at about 738 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after Big Blue's BBQ
Restaurant
On your way back · 16 miIf it rains
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors
More in Goreville- Zimmer CemeteryHiking0.4 mi
- Franks PondHiking0.5 mi
- Burden FallsWaterfall4.8 mi
- The ForgeRock climbing5.4 mi
- One Horse GapRock climbing5.7 mi
- Redbud Campground - Bell Smith SpringsCamping5.7 mi
- Bell Smith Natural BridgeNatural arch5.8 mi
- ONe Horse Gap LakeBoat launch6.5 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
- Teal PondLake fishing · ~8 min drive
- Millstone LakeLake fishing · ~15 min drive
- West Tract PondsLake fishing · ~16 min drive
- Turkey Farm PondLake fishing · ~16 min drive
- Forestry PondLake fishing · ~18 min drive
- Airstrip PondLake fishing · ~18 min drive
- Sheepbarn PondLake fishing · ~20 min drive
- Elam PondLake fishing · ~21 min drive
- Pennant Bar PondsLake fishing · ~23 min drive
- Eldorado ReservoirLake fishing · ~32 min drive
Best time to visit Barger Lake
Best months: March–June and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
43° / 25°
8 wet
Feb
49° / 29°
8 wet
Mar
59° / 37°
9 wet
Apr
70° / 46°
10 wet
May
77° / 56°
10 wet
Jun
85° / 63°
8 wet
Jul
88° / 66°
7 wet
Aug
87° / 65°
7 wet
Sep
82° / 57°
6 wet
Oct
71° / 46°
7 wet
Nov
57° / 37°
8 wet
Dec
46° / 29°
9 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dixon Springs Agric Ctr, IL, 9.7 mi away at 527 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
