Illinois · Hiking · Near Goreville

North Bear Branch

2.0 mi
round trip
200 ft
climb
805 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is North Bear Branch open right now?

Closure in the area

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

North Bear Branch is a short, easy hike in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, about 2 miles long with an elevation gain of about 150 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is a natural-surface out-and-back route that rises to about 805 feet before returning to roughly 713 feet. The climb is front-loaded, with the steepest section around 0.34 miles in. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show October highs around 71°F and lows near 46°F, while July highs reach about 88°F. The trail allows horses but not bikes. Two other hikes, Dutchman and River to River Loop, sit about half a mile away. Redbud Campground - Bell Smith Springs is about 4.3 miles off, and paddlers can find Lusk Creek about 3 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Bear Branch Horse Resort

    Campground

    Campground · 0.3 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Big Blue's BBQ

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 15 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit North Bear Branch

    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, 7.8 mi away at 527 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.