Illinois · Hiking · Bald Knob Wilderness · Near Goreville

Bald Knob

3.3 mi
round trip
1,255 ft
climb
984 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Bald Knob open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Bald Knob, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Shawnee National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Bald Knob is a 3.3-mile out-and-back hike in the Bald Knob Wilderness of Shawnee National Forest, within the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District in southern Illinois. The trail is a natural-surface route, and the Forest Service manages the land. The climb is steep, with a 26% grade about a quarter mile in and a total of 1,255 feet gained over the course of the hike. Because the trip is out and back, that gain is also the loss on the way down. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Anna show October highs around 73°F and April highs around 71°F, while July averages a high near 90°F. Bald Knob West is just 0.1 mile away, and Ranbarger Hollow is about 2 miles off. Climbers can find F: Bouldering and A: Quetil Trail Bluff about 2.2 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Trail of Tears Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 4.6 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Havisham Bourbon Bar

    Bar

    On your way back · 2 mi
  • If it rains

    Cobden Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 5 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Goreville
  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Bald Knob

    Best months: March–May 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.

    1. Jan

      45° / 25°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      50° / 29°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      61° / 37°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      71° / 46°

      11 wet

    5. May

      79° / 56°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      87° / 65°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      90° / 69°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      89° / 67°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 59°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      73° / 48°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      59° / 37°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      48° / 30°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Anna 2 Nne, IL, 7.9 mi away at 640 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.