Illinois · Hiking

Memorial

1.9 mi
round trip
541 ft
climb
516 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Memorial open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Memorial is an easy, short hike in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, managed by the Forest Service. The route is about 1.9 miles long and rises roughly 100 feet from a low point of 405 feet to a high of 516 feet. The climb is gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 0.78 miles, where the grade reaches 9 percent. The trail is natural-surfaced and open year-round. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. The route makes an easy addition to a day spent exploring the surrounding area, and it sits close to several other hikes, including Thacker Hollow, Initial Tree and Pounds Ridge, all within half a mile. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Rosiclare show May highs around 75°F and October highs near 69°F, with July and August peaking in the mid-80s. The station sits about 116 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the higher ground run slightly cooler.

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

    Best time to visit Memorial

    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

      41° / 22°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      46° / 25°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      56° / 33°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      68° / 43°

      11 wet

    5. May

      75° / 53°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      83° / 62°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 65°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      86° / 63°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      80° / 55°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      69° / 43°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      56° / 33°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      45° / 26°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Rosiclare 5nw, IL, 11.1 mi away at 400 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.