Illinois · Hiking

Cemetery-Gap

1.9 mi
round trip
146 ft
climb
571 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Cemetery-Gap open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Cemetery-Gap, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

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

Cemetery-Gap is an easy hike of about 1.9 miles in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is natural-surfaced and rated easy, with a total climb of about 146 feet and a steepest grade of about 6% near the start. The route is an out-and-back that reaches a high point of about 571 feet, with the low point at about 504 feet. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Rosiclare show May highs around 75°F and October highs around 69°F, while July and August average about 86°F. Several other trails sit within half a mile, including One Horse Gap Lake, West Camp and Collier Cemetery. For paddling, Lusk Creek is about 5.5 miles away.

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

    Best time to visit Cemetery-Gap

    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, 3.6 mi away at 400 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.