Illinois · Hiking · Near Goreville

Dutchman

DutchmanPhoto: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
3.0 mi
round trip
542 ft
climb
614 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 16 h ago

Is Dutchman open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Dutchman is a 3-mile out-and-back hike in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, on private land. The trail rises from about 425 feet to about 614 feet, with a total climb of 542 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 1.4 miles in, where the grade reaches 12%. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show October highs around 71°F with lows near 46°F, and May highs around 77°F. July and August average highs in the upper 80s. The trail is rated hard. Horses are allowed, and the surface is mixed. Bikes are not. The River to River Segment 4 - U.S. 45 to Ferne Clyffe and Little Cache are both within about a mile and a half. Round Bluff Nature Preserve Trail is about 4 miles away, and Dutchman Creek offers canoeing about 4 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Turkey Ridge Tent Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 4.3 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Water Fall

    Attraction

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Dutchman

    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, 14.2 mi away at 527 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

River to River Segment 4 - U.S. 45 to Ferne ClyffePhoto: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

River to River Segment 4 - U.S. 45 to Ferne Clyffe

~1 min drive

2.7-mile point-to-point trail connecting U.S. 45 to Ferne Clyffe State Park.

Cove Hollow TrailPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Cove Hollow Trail

~20 min drive

3.78-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 343 ft elevation gain.

Cedar CreekPhoto: lovebycycle, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Cedar Creek

~11 min drive

7.96-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 609 ft elevation gain follows Cedar Creek.

Round Bluff Nature Preserve TrailPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Round Bluff Nature Preserve Trail

~7 min drive

1.00-mile loop trail in Illinois with 250 ft elevation gain and loss.

HIKE

Max Creek Trail

~9 min drive

5.36-mile out-and-back hike in Illinois with 233 ft gain

HIKE

Panther Den

~20 min drive

2.92-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 387 ft elevation gain

Lake TrailPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lake Trail

~7 min drive

0.90-mile loop trail in Illinois with 374 ft of elevation gain.

HIKE

Little Black Slough Trail

~15 min drive

7.3-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 1,392 ft elevation gain

Big Rocky Hollow TrailPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Big Rocky Hollow Trail

~7 min drive

0.38-mile point-to-point trail in Illinois with 12 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Zion Church Rd

~18 min drive

4.89-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 350 ft elevation gain.