Illinois · Hiking

Observation Trail

Observation TrailPhoto: Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D., Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)
0.4 mi
loop
23 ft
climb
834 ft
high point
Loop
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Observation Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Observation Trail is a short, easy loop in Shawnee National Forest's Hidden Springs Ranger District in southern Illinois, about 0.44 miles long and roughly 23 feet of elevation gain. The trail is a flat, low-elevation outing, with the high point at 834 feet and the low at 764 feet, and it makes a quick stop for anyone already exploring the surrounding area. 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, while July and August average about 86°F. That station sits about 434 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the trail run a little cooler. The trail is managed by the Forest Service, and the route is closed to bikes and horses. The trip takes about half an hour, so it works well as a short addition to a longer day. Pharoah Campground -Garden Of The Gods and the R-R Garden of the Gods Loop are both about 0.3 miles away, and Indian Pt Gog is a similar distance. Little Eagle Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 4.3 miles off.

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

    Best time to visit Observation 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, 9.1 mi away at 400 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

R-R Garden of the Gods LoopPhoto: Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D., Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

R-R Garden of the Gods Loop

Next door

8.86-mile out-and-back out-and-back in Illinois with 851 ft gain.

Indian Pt GogPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Indian Pt Gog

Next door

3.36-mile loop trail in Illinois with 345 ft elevation gain.

West Bluff TrailPhoto: Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D., Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

West Bluff Trail

Next door

0.82-mile out-and-back hike in Illinois with 116 ft of elevation gain.

HIKE

Adt - Illinois (South) - J - Seg 2

~7 min drive

A 117-mile point-to-point trail across southern Illinois.

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

Grand Trail

~7 min drive

3.25-mile out-and-back hike in Illinois with 432 ft gain.

Hart CreekPhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Hart Creek

~8 min drive

5.14-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 395 ft elevation gain.

N a TrailPhoto: Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D., Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

N a Trail

Next door

1.75-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 268 ft gain.

Pounds RidgePhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Pounds Ridge

~8 min drive

3.63-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 622 ft gain and 691 ft loss.

HIKE

County Line Trail

~4 min drive

County Line Trail is a 3.47-mile loop in Illinois.

Lower TrailPhoto: Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D., Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Lower Trail

Next door

1.48-mile out-and-back trail in Illinois with 196 ft gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors