Youth Campground
Campground
Campground · 0.7 mi from the trail
Illinois · Rock climbing · Makanda · Near Goreville
Merit Badge
- 5.4
- grade
- Sport Bolted
- style
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- best months
Is Merit Badge open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Merit Badge, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).
Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area temporarily closed due to road work
Agency closure covering Shawnee National Forest · USFS · Shawnee National Forest
Boil Water Order at Pharaoh Campground at Garden of the Gods
Agency closure covering Shawnee National Forest · USFS · Shawnee National Forest
McClure Road Closed
Agency closure covering Shawnee National Forest · USFS · Shawnee National Forest
Lane reduction on bridge near IL Iron Furnace
Agency alert covering Shawnee National Forest · USFS · Shawnee National Forest
Failing Culvert on Oakwood Bottoms Road FSR # 786
Agency alert covering Shawnee National Forest · USFS · Shawnee National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Shawnee National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
One of 12 routes catalogued at Gill Roof, this climb sits near the lower end of the crag's 5.3 to 5.8 range.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after If it rains
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors
More in Goreville
A: Gill RoofRock climbing · Next doorPhoto: Kbh3rd, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- C: Amphitheater BouldersRock climbing · Next doorPhoto: Kbh3rd, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
- Devils Standtable AreaRock climbing · Next doorPhoto: Kbh3rd, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Shawnee SolitaireRock climbing · ~15 min drivePhoto: Mrostrichman, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- Pomona Bottoms / potentialRock climbing · ~15 min drivePhoto: Mrostrichman, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
- B: The AmpitheaterRock climbing · Next door
- D: Sloper SlabRock climbing · Next door
- A: Devils StandtableRock climbing · Next door
- F: Gill WallRock climbing · Next door
- C: Park BoulderingRock climbing · ~3 min drive
Best time to visit Merit Badge
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.
Jan
45° / 25°
9 wet
Feb
50° / 29°
8 wet
Mar
61° / 37°
10 wet
Apr
71° / 46°
11 wet
May
79° / 56°
12 wet
Jun
87° / 65°
9 wet
Jul
90° / 69°
8 wet
Aug
89° / 67°
7 wet
Sep
83° / 59°
7 wet
Oct
73° / 48°
9 wet
Nov
59° / 37°
10 wet
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.
Photo of the crag
