Illinois · Hiking

County Line Trail

3.5 mi
loop
144 ft
climb
632 ft
high point
Loop
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is County Line Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name County Line 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.

County Line Trail is a 3.5-mile moderate hike in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. The trail is rated moderate, with a total elevation gain of 144 feet and a total loss of 358 feet over the course of the route. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.4 miles in, where the grade reaches 8 percent. The trail is on natural surface and allows horses. Bikes are not permitted. 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 near 69°F, with September and October seeing the fewest wet days of the year. Grindstaff Trail and Lower Camp both lie within half a mile, and Rice Spur is about 0.7 miles away. Pharoah Campground -Garden Of The Gods is roughly 2.3 miles off.

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

    Best time to visit County Line 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

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

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