Illinois · Rock climbing · Makanda · Near Goreville

B: The Ampitheater

12 routes
5.6 – 5.13b
Sport · Trad
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is B: The Ampitheater open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name B: The Ampitheater, 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: The Ampitheater 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 C: Amphitheater Boulders, Devils Standtable Area and D: Sloper Slab, all within about a tenth of a mile. The routes here run from sport climbing at 5.6 up to 5.13b, with two trad routes in the mix. The hardest of the sport routes are Ellipse at 5.13a and Risk it for the Biscuit at 5.13b. County Line Divide is the easiest, at 5.6, and Dining With The Devil is 5.8-. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to climb. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Anna show October highs around 73°F and April highs around 71°F, while July averages reach about 90°F. The Giant City Nature Trail starts about 0.3 miles away, and the Red Cedar Trail is about 0.8 miles off. Paddlers can find Clear Creek about 10 miles away.

Around this trail

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  • Sleep close

    Youth Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.6 mi from the trail

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

    Best time to visit B: The Ampitheater

    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 (12)