Illinois · Hiking · Near Goreville

Max Creek

4.8 mi
round trip
647 ft
climb
678 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Caution today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 4 h ago

Is Max Creek open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Max Creek is a moderate, out-and-back hike of about 4.8 miles in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. The trail runs on natural surface and reaches a high point of 678 feet, with a total elevation gain of 647 feet for the full round trip. The route is open year-round and takes about two hours to complete. The steepest stretch comes at about 2 miles, where the grade reaches 10 percent. The trail is managed by the Forest Service and allows horses. Bikes are not permitted. The nearby Max Creek Trail starts about 0.3 miles away, and Cedar Creek is roughly 1.7 miles off. For paddling, Dutchman Creek is about 5.8 miles away, and Lake Of Egypt - Buck Ridge Camping Area is about 7.4 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Raganeau

    Campground

    Campground · 4.5 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Subway

    Fast food

    Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Water Fall

    Attraction

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Max Creek

    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, 9.3 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

River to River Segment 4 - U.S. 45 to Ferne ClyffePhoto: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

River to River Segment 4 - U.S. 45 to Ferne Clyffe

~9 min drive

2.7-mile point-to-point trail connecting U.S. 45 to Ferne Clyffe State Park.

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

Cove Hollow Trail

~12 min drive

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

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

Millstone Lake

~14 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

~13 min drive

5.81-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 653 ft of elevation gain.

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

Jackson Falls

~14 min drive

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

Cedar CreekPhoto: lovebycycle, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Cedar Creek

~3 min drive

7.96-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 609 ft elevation gain follows Cedar Creek.

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

Millstone Bluff Trail

~13 min drive

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

HIKE

Max Creek Trail

Next door

5.36-mile out-and-back hike in Illinois with 233 ft gain

DutchmanPhoto: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Dutchman

~8 min drive

3.00-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 147 ft gain.

RanchPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Ranch

~15 min drive

0.78-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 95 ft of elevation gain.