Illinois · Hiking

Rocky Top

1.0 mi
round trip
614 ft
climb
684 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Rocky Top open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Rocky Top, 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.

Rocky Top is a short, easy hike in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, about a mile from the Forest Service's land boundaries. The trail is an out-and-back, roughly a mile long, with a total climb of about 600 feet. The steepest stretch comes early on, around 0.05 miles in, with a grade of about 11 percent. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Rosiclare show October highs around 69°F with lows near 43°F, and May highs around 75°F. That station sits a few hundred feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the top run a little cooler. The trail is on natural surface, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not. Harts Hollow is about 0.4 miles away, and North Gap Trail and One Horse Gap are each about 0.6 miles off. For an overnight stay, Pharoah Campground -Garden Of The Gods is about 6.7 miles away.

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

    Best time to visit Rocky Top

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