Illinois · Hiking

North Gap Trail

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

Is North Gap Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name North Gap Trail, 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 Gap Trail is a 1.9-mile out-and-back hike in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. The trail rises from 389 feet to 749 feet, with a total elevation gain and loss of 698 feet over the round trip, and its steepest stretch comes about halfway in at 16%. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is natural-surfaced. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Rosiclare show October highs around 69°F with lows near 43°F, and May highs around 75°F with lows near 53°F. That station sits about 350 feet lower than the trail's high point, so expect temperatures up top to run cooler. The trail makes an easy pairing with other hikes in the area. Bill Hill and Hogg Cemetery Trail are each about 0.3 miles away, and Harts Hollow is about 0.4 miles away. Pharoah Campground -Garden Of The Gods is about 6 miles away for an overnight stay.

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

    Best time to visit North Gap Trail

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