Illinois · Hiking · Near Goreville

Cedar Lake

4.0 mi
round trip
647 ft
climb
645 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Cedar Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Cedar Lake, 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 Lake is a 4-mile out-and-back hike in the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is rated moderate, with a total climb of about 650 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.6 miles in, where the grade reaches 15%. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Anna run to highs around 71°F in April and 73°F in October, while July highs average about 90°F. The trail is on natural surface, and horses are allowed. The River to River Segment 6 - Giant City to Alto Pass lies about a mile away, and the Little Cedar Loop and Wolf Den Hollow Loop are each within about a mile and a half. Climbers can find Moon Rock about 2 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Horse Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 5.4 mi from the trail

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Cedar Lake

    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, 9.5 mi away at 640 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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