Illinois · Hiking · Near Goreville

Dog Hollow Trail

11.6 mi
round trip
1,292 ft
climb
758 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Dog Hollow Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Dog Hollow Trail is an out-and-back route of about 11.6 miles in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, managed by the Forest Service. The climb is hard, with a total elevation gain of 369 feet, and the trail is a natural surface. The high point is 758 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 2.6 miles, with a grade of about 11 percent. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Rosiclare run from highs around 68°F in April to 69°F in October, with the station sitting about 358 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the trail run cooler. The trail is open year-round, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not. Hart's Bluff is about 0.4 miles away, and Blanchard Crossing and Lusk Creek Trail are each about a mile off. Redbud Campground - Bell Smith Springs is about 7.4 miles away for an overnight stay.

Around this trail

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

    Bear Branch Horse Resort

    Campground

    Campground · 3.7 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Big Blue's BBQ

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 17 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Dog Hollow 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, 8.7 mi away at 400 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.