Illinois · Hiking · Near Goreville

Cedar Creek

Cedar CreekPhoto: lovebycycle, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
8.0 mi
round trip
932 ft
climb
668 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 8 h ago

Is Cedar Creek open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Cedar Creek is a hard hike in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, about 8 miles long and roughly 369 feet of elevation gain one way. The trail is an out-and-back, with the high point at 668 feet and the low at 433 feet, and the steepest stretch comes within the first half mile, where the grade reaches about 10 percent. The route is on natural surface, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not. The trail is open year-round, and the trip takes about 3 hours. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show October highs around 71°F with lows near 46°F, and May highs around 77°F. July and August run hotter, with highs in the upper 80s. Cedar Lake Ranch Trail is less than a mile away, and Max Creek Trail is about 1.4 miles off. Oriole Boulder and The Roost, both climbing areas, sit about 4.5 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Raganeau

    Campground

    Campground · 3.0 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Subway

    Fast food

    Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Water Fall

    Attraction

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Cedar Creek

    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

      43° / 25°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      49° / 29°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      59° / 37°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      70° / 46°

      10 wet

    5. May

      77° / 56°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      85° / 63°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 66°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 65°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 57°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      71° / 46°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      57° / 37°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      46° / 29°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dixon Springs Agric Ctr, IL, 7.9 mi away at 527 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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HIKE

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