Illinois · Hiking · Near Goreville

Zion Church Rd

4.9 mi
round trip
402 ft
climb
682 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Zion Church Rd open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Zion Church Rd, 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.

Zion Church Rd is a 4.9-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 is rated moderate, with a total elevation gain of 88 feet, and the route is natural-surfaced. The trail is open to horses, and bikes are not allowed. The climb is gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 2.2 miles, where the grade reaches 4%. The start sits at 676 feet, and the high point is 682 feet. 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. The River to River Trail lies about 0.7 miles away, and the Roost climbing area and Cedar Falls Trail are each about a mile off. Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs is about 3.6 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Lalamont

    Campground

    Campground · 1.7 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 Zion Church Rd

    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, 5.9 mi away at 527 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.