Illinois · Rock climbing · Carbondale · Near Goreville

Main Amphitheater

7 routes
5.10 – 5.13a
Sport · Trad · Mixed
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Main Amphitheater open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Main Amphitheater is a climbing area in the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. It sits among a cluster of other climbing spots, with Moon Rock and The Dugout each about 0.1 mile away and Cove Hollow about 0.3 mile off. The area is best suited to climbers who want a mix of sport and trad routes, with a few mixed options, and the grade range runs from 5.10a up to 5.13a. 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 is similar at about 71°F by day and 46°F at night. July is the hottest month, with highs around 90°F. The routes here include both sport and trad options. Slimy Arches is a 5.10a trad climb, and Heingerous is a 5.12a mixed route. Sport climbers can try Legacy at 5.12c or Dune at 5.13a.

Around this trail

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

    Horse Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 6.7 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    McDonald's

    Fast food

    On your way back · 6 mi · Open after 6

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Main Amphitheater

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

Routes (7)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

Shawnee SolitairePhoto: Mrostrichman, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Shawnee Solitaire

~4 min drive

Shawnee Solitaire in Illinois has 6 bouldering routes across 5 grades.

Pomona Bottoms / potentialPhoto: Mrostrichman, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Pomona Bottoms / potential

~4 min drive

Pomona Bottoms / potential in Illinois has 8 climbing routes on 6 difficulty grades.

A: Gill RoofPhoto: Kbh3rd, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

A: Gill Roof

~11 min drive

19-route climbing area in Illinois with bouldering, sport, and trad options.

C: Amphitheater BouldersPhoto: Kbh3rd, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

C: Amphitheater Boulders

~11 min drive

7 bouldering routes with pads in Illinois.

Devils Standtable AreaPhoto: Kbh3rd, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Devils Standtable Area

~11 min drive

Devils Standtable Area is a climbing crag in Illinois with 2 routes.

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Cove Hollow

Next door

Cove Hollow in Illinois has 3 climbing routes with bouldering and sport options.

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Railroad Boulder

~9 min drive

Railroad Boulder in Illinois has 7 bouldering routes across 6 grades.

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A: Quetil Trail Bluff

~9 min drive

A: Quetil Trail Bluff in Illinois has 12 climbing routes across 8 grades, offering sport and trad options.

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Alto Pass

~9 min drive

Alto Pass in Illinois has 11 routes from 5.8 to 5.12a, offering bouldering, sport, top-rope, and trad.

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F: Bouldering

~9 min drive

5 bouldering routes in Illinois, 3 difficulty grades.