Illinois · Hiking · Bald Knob Wilderness · Near Goreville

Lyerla Chapel

3.1 mi
round trip
475 ft
climb
734 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Lyerla Chapel open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Lyerla Chapel is a 3.1-mile out-and-back hike in Illinois's Shawnee National Forest, inside the Bald Knob Wilderness and the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land. The trail gains about 475 feet in total, with a steady climb to a high point of 734 feet and the steepest stretch at about 11% grade near mile 1.3. The route is rated hard, and the trail surface is natural. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs around 71°F in April to 73°F in October. Summer highs reach the low 90s. The trip takes about 1.5 hours. Spring House Trail lies half a mile away, and Lead Mine and Hutchins Creek are each about 0.9 miles off. For overnight stays, Pine Hills Campground is about 5.2 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Pine Hills Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 5.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Havisham Bourbon Bar

    Bar

    On your way back · 3 mi
  • If it rains

    Cobden Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 7 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Lyerla Chapel

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

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