Illinois · Rock climbing · Alto Pass · Near Goreville

Railroad Boulder

7 routes
V1 – V4
Bouldering
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Railroad Boulder open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Railroad Boulder is a bouldering area in the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with Alto Pass and A: Quetil Trail Bluff each about 0.1 mile away, and F: Bouldering at the same distance. The Quetil Trail hike lies about 0.3 mile off. The area is a bouldering destination, with seven routes all rated on the V scale. The easiest are V1- and V1, and the hardest is V4. Among the named routes are Kitten's Claws at V1, Alto standard at V3-4 and Bane of Chris at V4. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Anna run from highs around 71°F in April to 73°F in October, while July highs average about 90°F. Pine Hills Campground is about 6.9 miles away, and Clear Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 4.2 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Trail of Tears Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 6.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Havisham Bourbon Bar

    Bar

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rains

    Cobden Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 4 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Railroad Boulder

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

Routes (7)