Illinois · Hiking

Grand Trail

Grand TrailPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
3.3 mi
round trip
600 ft
climb
656 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Grand Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Grand Trail is a 3.25-mile out-and-back hike in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from about 588 feet to a high point of 656 feet, with a total elevation gain of 600 feet over the course of the round trip. The climb is steepest near the start, with a grade of about 11% at 0.23 miles in. The trail is natural-surface and allows horses, but not bikes. It is rated hard, and the trip is estimated to take about 1.5 hours. 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, while July and August average about 86°F. The 34 Ranch Trail starts just 0.1 mile away, and the Chambers and Hart Creek hikes are within about a mile. Pharoah Campground -Garden Of The Gods is about 4.4 miles off.

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

    Best time to visit Grand 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, 5.8 mi away at 400 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.