Illinois · Hiking · Near Goreville

Hawk's Cave Trail

Hawk's Cave TrailPhoto: Curtis Abert — CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
0.5 mi
loop
79 ft
climb
621 ft
high point
Loop
route
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Hawk's Cave Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Hawk's Cave Trail, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Shawnee National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Hawk's Cave Trail is a short, easy hike in Illinois, set within Ferne Clyffe State Park in the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest. The State Department of Natural Resources manages the land, and the trail is about half a mile long, with a total elevation gain of 79 feet. The route rises from about 559 feet to a high point of 621 feet, with the steepest stretch at about 0.22 miles in, where the grade reaches 11 percent. The trail also has a total loss of 151 feet, so it's a gentle up and down rather than a steady climb. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Anna run to highs around 71°F in April and 73°F in October, while July highs average about 90°F. Several other trails and climbing areas sit within a short distance. Rebman's Trail and Black Jack Oak Trail are each about 0.1 mile away, and Main Wall is a climbing area at a similar distance. Big Rocky Hollow Trail is about 0.4 mile off.

Around this trail

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

    Deer Ridge Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.4 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Water Fall

    Attraction

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Hawk's Cave Trail

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

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors