Illinois · Hiking

Circle Rock

3.6 mi
round trip
638 ft
climb
823 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Circle Rock open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Circle Rock is a 3.6-mile out-and-back hike on natural trail in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. The trail climbs from a low of about 605 feet to a high of about 823 feet, with the steepest stretch around 1.5 miles in at about 8%, and the round trip totals about 638 feet of elevation gain and loss. The Forest Service manages the land. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Rosiclare show October highs near 69°F with lows around 43°F, and May highs near 75°F. The station sits several hundred feet lower than the high point, so temperatures on the top run a bit cooler. The hike is rated moderate, and it allows horses. Bikes are not permitted. The trip takes about 1.5 hours, and the trail is open year-round. Russell Cemetery and Snow Cone both lie about 0.1 mile away, and Thacker Ridge is about 0.2 mile off. Pharoah Campground - Garden Of The Gods is about 3.1 miles away. Little Eagle Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 3.1 miles away.

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

    Best time to visit Circle Rock

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