Illinois · Hiking · Near Goreville

West Cedar Lake Trail

West Cedar Lake TrailPhoto: lovebycycle, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.0 mi
round trip
277 ft
climb
521 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is West Cedar Lake Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name West Cedar Lake Trail, 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.

West Cedar Lake Trail is a 2-mile out-and-back hike in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from about 433 feet to about 521 feet, with a total elevation gain of 277 feet over the round trip. The climb is gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 0.16 miles in, and the trail is rated easy. The route is on natural surface, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not. The trail is open year-round, and the trip takes about an hour. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dixon Springs show October highs around 71°F with lows near 46°F, and May highs around 77°F. Double Bridge is about 0.7 miles away and Phantom Canyon Trail about 1.2 miles. Climbers can find The Roost and Oriole Boulder roughly 3.4 miles off, and paddlers can reach Bay Creek about 5.6 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Raganeau

    Campground

    Campground · 1.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Subway

    Fast food

    Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Water Fall

    Attraction

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit West Cedar Lake Trail

    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

      43° / 25°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      49° / 29°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      59° / 37°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      70° / 46°

      10 wet

    5. May

      77° / 56°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      85° / 63°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 66°

      7 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 65°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 57°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      71° / 46°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      57° / 37°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      46° / 29°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dixon Springs Agric Ctr, IL, 7.7 mi away at 527 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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