Illinois · Hiking

Mt. Pleasant

1.2 mi
round trip
238 ft
climb
534 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Mt. Pleasant open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Mt. Pleasant is an easy, short hike in Shawnee National Forest, within the Hidden Springs Ranger District in southern Illinois. The trail is about 1.2 miles long and rises roughly 238 feet from the start to a high point of about 534 feet, making it a gentle out-and-back that takes about half a day to complete. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Rosiclare show May highs around 75°F and October highs near 69°F, with September and October the driest stretch of the year. The trail is open year-round and carries a natural surface. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. Leisure City is about a mile away and Simmons is about 1.7 miles off. Paddlers can find Lusk Creek about 5 miles away, and Pharoah Campground - Garden Of The Gods lies roughly 9 miles from the trail.

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

    Best time to visit Mt. Pleasant

    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, 2.6 mi away at 400 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.