Illinois · Hiking · Near Goreville

Millstone Lake

Millstone LakePhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
12.8 mi
loop
433 ft
climb
685 ft
high point
Loop
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Millstone Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Millstone Lake is a 12.8-mile loop hike in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from about 657 feet to a high point of 685 feet, with a total elevation gain of 433 feet. It is a hard route, and the steepest stretch comes early, at about 0.97 miles in, where the grade reaches 27%. The trail is natural-surface and allows horses, but bikes are not permitted. It is open year-round, and the nearest town is Dixon Springs, about 3 miles away. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dixon Springs show October highs around 71°F with lows near 46°F, and May highs around 77°F. That station sits about 158 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the higher ground run a little cooler. Several other destinations sit within a mile or so. Ranch and Bay Creek are hikes close by, Jackson Falls is about 0.9 miles away, and the climbing area The Gentleman's Grotto is about 1.3 miles off. Redbud Campground - Bell Smith Springs is about 3.2 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Primitive Campsite Jackson Falls

    Campground

    Campground · 2.0 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 Millstone Lake

    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, 2.9 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

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

Ranch

Next door

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

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

Jackson Falls

~2 min drive

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

Bell Smith SpringsPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Bell Smith Springs

~5 min drive

Scenic out-and-back trail through sandstone bluffs and spring-fed streams in southern Illinois.

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

Jackson Falls

~2 min drive

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

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

Cove Hollow Trail

~3 min drive

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

North Bay CreekPhoto: Joe K Gage, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

North Bay Creek

~9 min drive

4.00-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 273 ft gain and 352 ft loss.

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

Millstone Bluff Trail

~2 min drive

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

Lake Glendale TrailPhoto: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Lake Glendale Trail

~8 min drive

3.06-mile loop trail in Illinois with 940 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Bay Creek

~1 min drive

12.38-mile out-and-back creek-side hike in Illinois.

Lower Bluff Lake Glendale #055Photo: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lower Bluff Lake Glendale #055

~9 min drive

1.3-mile out-and-back trail to Lower Bluff Lake in Illinois with 317 ft elevation gain.