Shawnee Forest Campground
Campground
Campground · 4.9 mi from the trail
Illinois · Hiking · Near Goreville
Heron Pond Trail
- 1.3 mi
- one way
- 34 ft
- climb
- 385 ft
- high point
- Point to point
- route
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- best months
Heron Pond Trail is a short, easy hike in Cache River State Natural Area in southern Illinois, managed by the State Department of Natural Resources. The trail is about 1.25 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 34 feet, and it runs from a low point of 344 feet to a high of 385 feet. The route is a point-to-point path, and the steepest stretch comes early on, at about 0.15 miles in, with a grade of 8 percent. 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 48°F, and April highs around 68°F. Summer highs typically reach the upper 80s. Bikes are not allowed on this trail. The closest neighbors are the LINKANGE tRAIL, about 0.7 miles away, and the Lookout Point Trail and Little Black Slough Trail, each about a mile off. Paddlers can find Dutchman Creek roughly 5 miles away.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after Ned's Shed
Fast food
On your way back · 4 miIf it rains Forman Depot Museum
Museum
On your way back · 4 mi
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors
More in GorevilleBest time to go · Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Best time to visit Heron Pond 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.
Jan
43° / 26°
10 wet
Feb
48° / 30°
9 wet
Mar
57° / 37°
10 wet
Apr
68° / 47°
10 wet
May
77° / 56°
11 wet
Jun
86° / 65°
9 wet
Jul
89° / 69°
8 wet
Aug
89° / 67°
7 wet
Sep
83° / 60°
7 wet
Oct
71° / 48°
8 wet
Nov
58° / 39°
9 wet
Dec
47° / 31°
10 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Grand Chain Dam 53, IL, 12.7 mi away at 385 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors
