Illinois · Hiking · Garden of the Gods Wilderness

R-R Garden of the Gods Loop

R-R Garden of the Gods LoopPhoto: Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D., Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)
8.9 mi
round trip
1,458 ft
climb
733 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is R-R Garden of the Gods Loop open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name R-R Garden of the Gods Loop, 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.

The R-R Garden of the Gods Loop is a hard hike in the Garden of the Gods Wilderness, part of the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. The trail is an out-and-back of about 8.9 miles, with a total elevation gain of 1,458 feet. The high point is 733 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 2.9 miles in, where the grade reaches 17 percent. The route is on natural surface, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open year-round. Plan for about 3.5 hours on foot. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Rosiclare show May highs around 75°F and October highs near 69°F, with July and August peaking around 86°F. Pharoah Campground -Garden Of The Gods is about 0.6 miles away, and the Observation Trail and Lower Trail are both within half a mile. Little Eagle Creek, a canoeing spot, lies about 4.6 miles off.

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

    Best time to visit R-R Garden of the Gods Loop

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