Illinois · Hiking · Bald Knob Wilderness · Near Goreville

Lead Mine

2.1 mi
round trip
551 ft
climb
770 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Lead Mine open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Lead Mine, 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.

Lead Mine is an easy out-and-back hike of about 2 miles in the Bald Knob Wilderness, part of the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. The route rises to about 770 feet, with a total elevation gain of roughly 550 feet, and it is managed by the Forest Service. The climb is front-loaded, with the steepest stretch near the start at about 21%, so plan for a moderate effort in the first few tenths of a mile. The trail is natural-surface, and the Forest Service allows horses but not bikes. The trip takes about an hour and is open year-round. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Anna show highs around 71°F in April and 73°F in October, while July highs reach about 90°F. Several other trails start close by. Hutchins Creek is just 0.1 mile away and Spring House Trail is 0.4 mile away. Lyerla Chapel is about 0.9 mile off, and Pine Hills Campground, about 5 miles away, offers a place to stay.

Around this trail

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

    Pine Hills Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 5.3 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Havisham Bourbon Bar

    Bar

    On your way back · 4 mi
  • If it rains

    Cobden Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 8 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Lead Mine

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

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