Illinois · Hiking · Near Goreville

Pine Knob Trail

2.8 mi
round trip
513 ft
climb
816 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Pine Knob Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Pine Knob Trail is a 2.8-mile out-and-back hike in the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is rated hard, with a total climb of about 513 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 1.1 miles in, where the grade reaches 11%. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Anna run to highs around 71°F in April and 73°F in October, while July highs average about 90°F. The trail is on natural surface, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not. Within a few miles you'll find the Illinois Ozark/hard Times hike about 1.2 miles away, North Ripple Hollow at 3.1 miles, and the Dutch Creek canoeing route at 3.7 miles. Dogwood Flats is about 4 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Trail of Tears Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 6.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Dixie's BBQ

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 5 mi
  • If it rains

    Cobden Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 11 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Pine Knob Trail

    Best months: March–May 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

      45° / 25°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      50° / 29°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      61° / 37°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      71° / 46°

      11 wet

    5. May

      79° / 56°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      87° / 65°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      90° / 69°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      89° / 67°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 59°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      73° / 48°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      59° / 37°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      48° / 30°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Anna 2 Nne, IL, 7.8 mi away at 640 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.