Illinois · Hiking

Vick Hill

2.9 mi
round trip
586 ft
climb
818 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Vick Hill open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Vick Hill is a 2.9-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 rises from about 629 feet to a high point of 818 feet, with a total elevation gain of 586 feet over the round trip. The climb is steepest at about 1.4 miles, where the grade reaches 12 percent. The route is rated hard, and the trail surface is natural. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. The hike is open year-round, and the estimated time is about 1.5 hours. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons. 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. Nearby options include the Vick Hill Spur, about a mile away, and Dogwood Flats and Horse Creek, each within about 1.6 miles. Paddlers can find Dutch Creek roughly 9 miles off.

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

    Best time to visit Vick Hill

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

Route details

Distance
2.9 mi round trip
Climbing
About 586 ft
Summit
765 ft
Difficulty
Hard
Time
About 1 hour

Season

Season: Year-round.

Questions about this route

How long is the Vick Hill on Vick Hill?

About 2.9 mi round trip.

How much elevation gain is on the Vick Hill?

About 586 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Vick Hill?

It is rated hard.

How long does the Vick Hill take?

About 1 hour round trip.

When is the best time for the Vick Hill?

Year-round.

Conditions and forecast on Vick Hill

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.