Illinois · Hiking · Near Goreville

Lake Glendale Trail

Lake Glendale TrailPhoto: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
3.1 mi
loop
21 ft
climb
435 ft
high point
Loop
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Lake Glendale Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Lake Glendale Trail is a 3.1-mile loop in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is a moderate hike with a total elevation gain of 21 feet, so it's a low-key outing rather than a climb. The route rises to 435 feet from a low point of 412 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 1.5 miles in, with a grade of 11 percent. The trail is surfaced with gravel, and the Forest Service records show it is not open to bikes or horses. It is a year-round route, and the closest parking is at the Oak Point - Lake Glendale campground, just 0.1 mile away. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dixon Springs show October highs around 71°F with lows near 46°F, and May highs around 77°F. July and August run hotter, with highs in the upper 80s. Other spots close by include the Summers Pass Lake Glendale #053 hike at 0.8 mile and the Cistern Loop #059 hike at 1 mile. The F: K Boulder climbing area is about 1.8 miles away, and paddlers can head to Bay Creek, roughly 4.3 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Goose Bay - Lake Glendale

    Campground

    Campground · < 0.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    McDonald's

    Fast food

    On your way back · 12 mi
  • If it rains

    Forman Depot Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 12 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Lake Glendale 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

      43° / 25°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      49° / 29°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      59° / 37°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      70° / 46°

      10 wet

    5. May

      77° / 56°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      85° / 63°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 66°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 65°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 57°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      71° / 46°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      57° / 37°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      46° / 29°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dixon Springs Agric Ctr, IL, 2 mi away at 527 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Summers Pass Lake Glendale #053Photo: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Summers Pass Lake Glendale #053

~1 min drive

1.78-mile out-and-back trail with 440 ft elevation gain and loss.

Millstone LakePhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Millstone Lake

~8 min drive

12.78-mile loop trail in Illinois with 894 ft elevation gain.

Jackson FallsPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Jackson Falls

~10 min drive

2.98-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 1,075 ft gain/loss

Cistern Loop #059Photo: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Cistern Loop #059

~2 min drive

0.86-mile loop trail in Illinois with 201 ft gain and 210 ft loss.

Bell Smith SpringsPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Bell Smith Springs

~13 min drive

Scenic out-and-back trail through sandstone bluffs and spring-fed streams in southern Illinois.

Cove Hollow TrailPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Cove Hollow Trail

~11 min drive

3.78-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 343 ft elevation gain.

Lower Bluff Lake Glendale #055Photo: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lower Bluff Lake Glendale #055

~2 min drive

1.3-mile out-and-back trail to Lower Bluff Lake in Illinois with 317 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

White

~8 min drive

Moderate 7.16-mile out-and-back trail through Illinois woodland.

HIKE

Zion Church Rd

~13 min drive

4.89-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 350 ft elevation gain.

Millstone Bluff TrailPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Millstone Bluff Trail

~7 min drive

0.56-mile lollipop trail in Illinois with 97 ft gain and 275 ft loss.