Illinois · Hiking · Clear Springs Wilderness · Near Goreville

Godwin

5.8 mi
round trip
842 ft
climb
821 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Godwin open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Godwin is a 5.8-mile out-and-back hike in the Clear Springs Wilderness, part of the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. The trail is managed by the Forest Service and runs on natural surface, and it is open year-round. The route starts at about 535 feet and climbs to a high point of 821 feet, with a total elevation gain of 842 feet for the round trip. The steepest stretch comes at about 1.5 miles in, where the grade reaches 19 percent. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Anna show October highs around 73°F with lows near 48°F, and April highs around 71°F. July and August average highs near 90°F. The hike sits among several other destinations. Bridgeman is less than a mile away, and Spring House Trail and Hutchins Creek are both within 2 miles. Pine Hills Campground, about 3.4 miles off, offers a place to stay.

Around this trail

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

    Pine Hills Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 3.4 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Havisham Bourbon Bar

    Bar

    On your way back · 5 mi
  • If it rains

    Cobden Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 8 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Godwin

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

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