Illinois · Hiking

Beaver Trail

Beaver TrailPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
12.0 mi
round trip
1,475 ft
climb
609 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Caution today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 9 h ago

Is Beaver Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Beaver Trail, 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.

Beaver Trail is a 12-mile out-and-back hike in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. The route rises from about 450 feet to a high point of 609 feet, with a total elevation gain of 1,475 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 2.2 miles in, where the grade reaches 13%. The trail is rated hard and is managed by the Forest Service. Horses are allowed on the trail, which has a natural surface. Bikes are not. The trip takes about 4.5 hours, and the trail is open year-round. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 75°F and October highs around 69°F, with July and August climbing to about 86°F. The trail sits right alongside other routes. USFS Trail #187 and the A: Main Area climbing area are each about 0.1 mile away, and the Pine Ridge-Pounds Hollow campground is 0.6 mile away. Pounds Ridge, another hike, is 0.9 mile away.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Beaver Trail

    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.

    1. Jan

      41° / 22°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      46° / 25°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      56° / 33°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      68° / 43°

      11 wet

    5. May

      75° / 53°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      83° / 62°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 65°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      86° / 63°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      80° / 55°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      69° / 43°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      56° / 33°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      45° / 26°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Rosiclare 5nw, IL, 12.8 mi away at 400 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.