Illinois · Hiking · Near Goreville

Kaolin Trail

1.4 mi
round trip
493 ft
climb
685 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Kaolin Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Kaolin Trail is a short, easy hike in Shawnee National Forest's Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District in southern Illinois, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is about 1.35 miles long and rises roughly 200 feet from its low point of 473 feet to a high of 685 feet, with the steepest stretch at about 0.27 miles in. The route is an out-and-back on gravel, and it is open year-round. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. The trip takes about half an hour, so it works well as a quick outing or a stop on the way to other spots in the area. 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. Iron Mountain is about half a mile away, and Clear Creek offers canoeing about 1.3 miles off. Fire Trail 12 and the Ozark Hills Trail are both within about 3 miles.

Around this trail

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

    Trail of Tears Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 3.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Dixie's BBQ

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 5 mi
  • If it rains

    Cobden Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 3 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Kaolin 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, 4.7 mi away at 640 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.