Illinois · Rock climbing · Simpson · Near Goreville

B. E.M.J. Wall

6 routes
5.4 – 5.12a
Trad · Sport · Top Rope
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is B. E.M.J. Wall open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name B. E.M.J. Wall, 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.

B.E.M.J. Wall is a climbing area in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of other climbing areas, including Beaver Wall Right, Mr. Jimmy and Beaver Wall, all within about a tenth of a mile. The North Bluff hike starts about 0.2 miles away. The area has six routes, ranging from trad at 5.4 on Screamery to the top-rope Thin Lizzy at 5.12a. Climbers can also find sport routes like Luscious Babes and Chimichonga, so there is something for both trad and sport styles. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dixon Springs show May highs around 77°F and October highs around 71°F, while July and August climb into the upper 80s. The station sits at nearly the same elevation as the wall, so those figures should hold across the area. For overnight stays, Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs is about 2.2 miles away. Middle Falls, a hike about 0.3 miles off, makes an easy add-on.

Around this trail

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

    Primitive Campsite Jackson Falls

    Campground

    Campground · 0.5 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 B. E.M.J. Wall

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

Routes (6)