Illinois · Hiking

Clayton Hollow

8.1 mi
round trip
957 ft
climb
585 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Caution at last check

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 12 h ago

Is Clayton Hollow open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Clayton Hollow is an out-and-back hike in Illinois's Shawnee National Forest, within the Hidden Springs Ranger District. The trail runs about 8 miles one way, with a total elevation gain of 292 feet, and it is rated hard. The route starts at a low of about 439 feet and climbs to a high of 585 feet, with the steepest stretch at nearly 11% grade around mile 0.94. Horses are allowed, and the trail surface is natural. Bikes are not. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Rosiclare run to highs of about 68°F in April and 69°F in October, while July and August average highs near 86°F. The trail is open year-round. Pounds Ridge lies just 0.4 miles away, and Initial Tree and Thacker Hollow are each about 0.7 miles off. For an overnight stay, Pine Ridge-Pounds Hollow campground is about 1.8 miles away.

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

    Best time to visit Clayton Hollow

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