Illinois · Rock climbing · Simpson · Near Goreville

The Roost

7 routes
V4 – V12
Bouldering
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Roost, The open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Roost, 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 Roost is a bouldering area in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with Oriole Boulder just 0.1 mile away and The Promised Land about 1.4 miles off. The area has seven bouldering routes, all rated on the V scale from V4 to V12. The hardest is Year of the Renegade at V12, first climbed by Jason Kehl. Eternal Sunshine is V8, and Ring of Fire is V10-. 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. July and August average highs in the upper 80s. Nearby, Zion Church Rd and Cove Hollow Trail are both about a mile away. Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs is roughly 3.8 miles off, and Bay Creek offers canoeing about 2.6 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Garnier

    Campground

    Campground · 2.1 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 The Roost

    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 (7)