Illinois · Hiking · Near Goreville

Clear Springs

5.5 mi
round trip
1,210 ft
climb
882 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Clear Springs open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Clear Springs is a hard hike in the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, about 2.7 miles from the town of Howardton. The trail is an out-and-back of about 5.5 miles, with a total climb of about 1,200 feet. The route starts at roughly 511 feet and reaches a high point of about 882 feet, with the steepest stretch at about 20% grade around the first mile. The trail is on natural surface, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not. The Forest Service manages the land. 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. Climbers will find T: Brown Recluse Boulder and N: Star Wars Boulder within a third of a mile. King Hollow and Inspiration Point are both about 2 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Turkey Bayou

    Campground

    Campground · 4.8 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Havisham Bourbon Bar

    Bar

    On your way back · 6 mi
  • If it rains

    Cobden Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 11 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Clear Springs

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

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

King HollowPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

King Hollow

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3.92-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 217 ft gain.

Inspiration PointPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Inspiration Point

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001M5Photo: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Little Grand CanyonPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Adt - Illinois (South) - J - Seg 3Photo: USDAgov, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

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White PinePhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Fernlands Nature TrailPhoto: Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D., Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

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~17 min drive

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River to River Segment 7 - Alto Pass to Devil's BackbonePhoto: USDAgov, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

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