Illinois · Rock climbing · Stonefort · Near Goreville

The Forge

7 routes
V1 – V8
Bouldering
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Forge, The open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Forge, The, 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.

The Forge is a climbing area in the Burden Falls Wilderness, part of the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. The Forest Service manages the land. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show October highs around 71°F with lows near 46°F, and May highs around 77°F. That station sits a few hundred feet lower than the wilderness, so temperatures up high run a little cooler. North Bay Creek is the closest nearby hike, about 0.8 miles away. Bell Smith Springs and Redbud Campground - Bell Smith Springs are both about 2.6 miles off. Main Pool, another climbing area, is about 4 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Teal Pond Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 1.5 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Big Blue's BBQ

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 11 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit The Forge

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

Routes (7)