Illinois · Hiking

Thacker Hollow

11.9 mi
round trip
1,597 ft
climb
679 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Thacker Hollow open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Thacker Hollow is a hard hike in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, managed by the Forest Service. The route is about 12 miles long, with a one-way climb of 604 feet from a starting point at around 477 feet to a high of about 680 feet. The trail is a natural-surface out-and-back, and the steepest section comes at about 4.6 miles, with a grade of about 13%. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not, so plan on hoofing it or packing a horse if you're riding. For comfortable weather, aim for spring or fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Rosiclare put May highs around 75°F and October highs near 69°F, while July and August average about 86°F. Several other trails sit within a few tenths of a mile, including Memorial and Initial Tree. Pounds Ridge is about 0.4 miles away, and Pine Ridge-Pounds Hollow campground is about 2 miles off.

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

    Best time to visit Thacker Hollow

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