Illinois · Hiking · Bay Creek Wilderness · Near Goreville

Dog Leg

1.5 mi
round trip
199 ft
climb
715 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Dog Leg open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Dog Leg, 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 Leg is an easy, out-and-back hike of about 1.5 miles in the Bay Creek Wilderness, within the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. It is managed by the Forest Service and sits inside designated wilderness, so it is a short outing that fits easily into a longer day in this part of the forest. The trail is natural-surfaced and offers a gentle climb. The route rises from about 632 feet to a high point of 715 feet, with a total elevation gain of 199 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.17 miles in. The climb is mild, and the trail is open year-round. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. The trip takes about half an hour, and the nearest trail is Bay Creek Access, about 0.4 miles away, with Bolton about half a mile off. For overnight stays, Redbud Campground - Bell Smith Springs is about 3 miles away, and the climbing at The Forge is about 2.7 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Teal Pond Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 1.8 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Big Blue's BBQ

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 13 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Dog Leg

    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

      43° / 25°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      49° / 29°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      59° / 37°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      70° / 46°

      10 wet

    5. May

      77° / 56°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      85° / 63°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 66°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 65°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 57°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      71° / 46°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      57° / 37°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      46° / 29°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dixon Springs Agric Ctr, IL, 8 mi away at 527 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.