Illinois · Hiking · Near Goreville

Cedar Lake Ranch Trail

Cedar Lake Ranch TrailPhoto: lovebycycle, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
1.7 mi
round trip
143 ft
climb
614 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Cedar Lake Ranch Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Cedar Lake Ranch Trail is an easy out-and-back hike in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, about 1.7 miles long. The route starts at roughly 605 feet and reaches a high point of 614 feet, with a total elevation gain of about 143 feet over the round trip. The trail is natural-surface and is open year round, with an estimated trip time of about half an hour. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dixon Springs put October highs around 71°F with lows near 46°F, while May runs about 77°F by day. The station sits a few hundred feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the route run a bit cooler. The trail is horse-friendly, and bikes are not allowed. Other hikes within a short drive include Cedar Creek, about 0.8 miles away, and Max Creek Trail at about 1.5 miles. Climbers can find The Roost and Oriole Boulder roughly 4.7 miles off, and paddlers will find Bay Creek about 6.6 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Raganeau

    Campground

    Campground · 2.8 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 Lake Ranch 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

      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, 8.5 mi away at 527 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Cedar CreekPhoto: lovebycycle, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Cedar Creek

~1 min drive

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Little CachePhoto: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Little Cache

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Cove Hollow TrailPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Millstone LakePhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Millstone Lake

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Jackson FallsPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Jackson Falls

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Jackson FallsPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Bell Smith SpringsPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Bell Smith Springs

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River to River Segment 4 - U.S. 45 to Ferne ClyffePhoto: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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~11 min drive

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Lake Glendale TrailPhoto: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Lake Glendale Trail

~17 min drive

3.06-mile loop trail in Illinois with 940 ft elevation gain.

North Bay CreekPhoto: Joe K Gage, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

North Bay Creek

~16 min drive

4.00-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 273 ft gain and 352 ft loss.