Illinois · Rock climbing · Simpson · Near Goreville

Railroad Rock Cliffline

16 routes
5.7 – 5.13b
Sport · Trad
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Caution today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 4 h ago

Is Railroad Rock Cliffline open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Railroad Rock Cliffline, 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 Rock Cliffline is a climbing area in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, about 0.1 mile from the Railroad Rock and North Canyon climbing areas. It sits among several other climbing spots and the North Bluff hike, making it a compact cluster of rock and trail. The area has 16 routes, with 10 sport routes and 6 trad routes. Grades run from 5.7 to 5.13, with the median at 5.10. Among the named routes are Procrastination (5.7, sport), Feeding the Rat (5.10-, trad) and Project (5.13, sport). Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 77°F and October highs around 71°F, while July and August average in the upper 80s. Redbud Campground - Bell Smith Springs is about 2 miles away, and Middle Falls is about 0.4 mile away. Paddlers can reach Lusk Creek, about 8 miles off, and Oak Point - Lake Glendale campground is about 7 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Primitive Campsite Jackson Falls

    Campground

    Campground · 0.5 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Subway

    Fast food

    Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Water Fall

    Attraction

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Railroad Rock Cliffline

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

Routes (16)