Illinois · Hiking

Lost Forty Trail

0.6 mi
round trip
71 ft
climb
458 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Lost Forty Trail is a short, easy hike in Pyramid State Recreation Area in southern Illinois, managed by the State Department of Natural Resources. The trail is about half a mile long and runs as an out-and-back, with the high point at about 458 feet and the low point at about 435 feet. The climb is gentle, with a total gain of 71 feet, and the steepest part comes within the first fifth of the route at about 5% grade. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Du Quoin put May highs around 76°F and September highs around 80°F, while July peaks near 87°F and January highs sit around 40°F. The Pyramid Trail lies about 0.4 miles away, and Galum Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 3.2 miles off.

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

    Best time to visit Lost Forty 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

      40° / 24°

      8 wet · 2 snow

    2. Feb

      46° / 28°

      7 wet · 2 snow

    3. Mar

      56° / 36°

      9 wet · 1 snow

    4. Apr

      68° / 46°

      10 wet

    5. May

      76° / 56°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      84° / 64°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      87° / 68°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      86° / 65°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      80° / 57°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      69° / 46°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      55° / 35°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      44° / 28°

      8 wet · 1 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Du Quoin 4 Se, IL, 12.8 mi away at 420 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors