Illinois · Hiking

Illinois - Ozark

3.1 mi
round trip
744 ft
climb
611 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Illinois - Ozark open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Illinois - Ozark is an out-and-back hike of about 3.1 miles in the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. The trail reaches a high point of about 611 feet, climbing roughly 744 feet from its low point of about 399 feet, and it is rated hard. The climb is steepest near the start, around mile 0.83, with a grade of about 13 percent. The trail surface is natural, and the route is open to horses but not to bikes, according to the Forest Service trail records. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, put October highs around 71°F with lows near 46°F, and April highs around 69°F with lows near 47°F. That station sits about 275 feet lower than the trail's high point, so expect it to run a little cooler up top. The trip takes about 1.5 hours and is open year-round. Within about 10 miles you'll find Old Channel for canoeing, HORSE CREEK for another hike, Horseshoe Lake for fishing, and Cape LaCroix Creek across the Missouri line.

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

    Best time to visit Illinois - Ozark

    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

      43° / 26°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      48° / 30°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      58° / 37°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      69° / 47°

      12 wet

    5. May

      78° / 57°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      87° / 66°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 69°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      88° / 66°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 58°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      71° / 46°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      57° / 37°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      46° / 30°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cape Girardeau Muni Ap, MO, 12.2 mi away at 336 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.