Illinois · Hiking

Little Grand Canyon

Little Grand CanyonPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.2 mi
round trip
437 ft
climb
729 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Little Grand Canyon open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Little Grand Canyon, 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.

Little Grand Canyon is an easy out-and-back hike in Shawnee National Forest's Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District in southern Illinois, about 2.2 miles long with a total elevation gain of 437 feet. The trail starts at about 363 feet and reaches a high point of 729 feet, with the steepest stretch at about 0.5 miles in, where the grade reaches 16 percent. The climb is rolling, and the trail is mixed in surface. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Carbondale show October highs around 70°F with lows near 45°F, and May highs around 77°F. That station sits about 323 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. The hike is open year-round and takes about an hour. Bikes and horses are not allowed. Climbers will find Shawnee Solitaire about 4.6 miles away and Pomona Bottoms / potential about 4.7 miles away. Hikers can also try Clear Springs, about 5 miles off, or Fountain Bluff, about 5.8 miles away.

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

    Best time to visit Little Grand Canyon

    Best months: March–April 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

      42° / 25°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      47° / 28°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      57° / 36°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      68° / 45°

      12 wet

    5. May

      77° / 55°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      86° / 64°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 67°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 65°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      81° / 56°

      11 wet

    10. Oct

      70° / 45°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      56° / 35°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      46° / 28°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Carbondale Southern Il Ap, IL, 10.6 mi away at 406 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Little Grand CanyonPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Little Grand Canyon

Next door

3.64-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 1,255 ft elevation gain

Adt - Illinois (South) - J - Seg 3Photo: USDAgov, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Adt - Illinois (South) - J - Seg 3

~12 min drive

114.57-mile point-to-point trail in Illinois with 521 ft elevation gain.

Kinkaid Lake TrailPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Kinkaid Lake Trail

~12 min drive

29.44-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 3,607 ft elevation gain/loss.

Inspiration PointPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Inspiration Point

~12 min drive

0.82-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 235 ft elevation gain.

King HollowPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

King Hollow

~12 min drive

3.92-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 217 ft gain.

River to River Segment 7 - Alto Pass to Devil's BackbonePhoto: USDAgov, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

River to River Segment 7 - Alto Pass to Devil's Backbone

~12 min drive

21.12-mile point-to-point trail from Alto Pass to Devil's Backbone in Illinois

Fernlands Nature TrailPhoto: Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D., Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Fernlands Nature Trail

~13 min drive

0.88-mile out-and-back hike in Illinois with 112 ft elevation gain.

White PinePhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

White Pine

~17 min drive

5.82-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 471 ft gain.

001M5Photo: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

001M5

~13 min drive

Easy 2.78-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois.

HIKE

Oakwood Bottoms Pond Trail

~6 min drive

Easy 1.37-mile out-and-back pond trail in Illinois bottomlands.