Illinois · Rock climbing · Makanda · Near Goreville

A: Gill Roof

A: Gill RoofPhoto: Kbh3rd, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
19 routes
5.3 – 5.8
Sport · Bouldering · Trad
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is A: Gill Roof open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name A: Gill Roof, 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.

A: Gill Roof is a climbing area in Giant City State Park, within the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. The land is managed by the State Department of Natural Resources, and the area sits among several other climbing spots, including B: The Ampitheater, C: Amphitheater Boulders and Devils Standtable Area, all about 0.1 mile away. The climbing here covers a range of styles. There are 19 routes in total, with sport climbing making up nine of them and bouldering seven. The grades run from about 5.3 to 5.8 on the YDS scale and from V2 to V9 on the V scale. Among the named routes are Gulley Cruiser (5.3, sport), Bittersweet (5.4, sport) and Scales of Iron (5.7, sport). Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Anna show October highs around 73°F with lows near 48°F, and April highs around 71°F. Summer is hot, with July highs averaging about 90°F. The Giant City Nature Trail is about 0.4 mile away, and the Red Cedar Trail is about 0.8 mile away. For paddling, Clear Creek is roughly 10 miles off.

Around this trail

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  • Sleep close

    Youth Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.7 mi from the trail

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

    Best time to visit A: Gill Roof

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

Routes (19)