Illinois · Hiking · Near Goreville

Ranbarger Hollow

7.6 mi
round trip
684 ft
climb
795 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Caution today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is marginal · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 5 h ago

Is Ranbarger Hollow open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Ranbarger Hollow, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Shawnee National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Ranbarger Hollow is a hard hike in the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, about 4 miles from the town of Wolf Lake. The route is an out-and-back of roughly 7.6 miles, with a total climb of about 684 feet and a steepest stretch of about 8% at the 2-mile mark. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows horses, but not bikes. The climb starts at about 484 feet and reaches a high point of about 795 feet before returning to the starting elevation. 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. Bald Knob and Bald Knob West are both about 2 miles away, and Pine Hills Campground is about 2.9 miles off. Clear Creek, a canoeing route, is about 2.5 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Pine Hills Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 2.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Havisham Bourbon Bar

    Bar

    On your way back · 4 mi
  • If it rains

    Cobden Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 7 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Ranbarger Hollow

    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, 8.2 mi away at 640 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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