Illinois · Rock climbing · Simpson · Near Goreville

Royal Arches Wall

21 routes
5.6 – 5.12c
Sport · Trad
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Royal Arches Wall open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Royal Arches Wall, 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.

Royal Arches Wall is a climbing 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 other climbing spots, with Snakes Roof, Dolphin Rock Hallway and Lovely Tower all about 0.1 mile away. The area has 21 routes, with 15 sport routes and 6 trad routes. Grades run from 5.6 up to 5.12c, so climbers of all levels will find something to work on. Easy Gully is a trad route at 5.6, and The Raconteur is a trad route at 5.12c. Sport climbers can try Deetle Dumps at 5.8 or Sunflower at 5.11b. 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. Middle Falls is a hike about 0.2 mile away, and North Bluff is about half a mile off. For an overnight stay, Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs is roughly 1.9 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Primitive Campsite Jackson Falls

    Campground

    Campground · 0.3 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 Royal Arches Wall

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

Routes (21)

ArchangelFA: Dave Kessler, Jeff Frizzel 20045.10aHunters ArrowFA: Jim Thurmond, Hunter Rafferty5.10aEbeeFA: Dave Kessler, Jeff Frizzel 20045.10b/cBlood BeetsFA: Jeff Frizzell and Sandy Morris5.11KetexFA: Jeff Frizzell 20045.11aNo DancersFA: Alan Carrier & Mark Oshinski 19885.11aSunflowerFA: Jeff Frizzel and Bill Rodgers5.11bBBDFA: Matt Queen, Jeff Frizzell5.11c/dThe VowFA: Kathy & Eric Ulner 19895.11dExpressionsFA: Eric Ulner 19895.12aMy Head is BrokeFA: Jeff Frizzell 20045.12aNo Dogs AllowedFA: Eric Ulner, Jim Thurmond 19895.12bKryptoniteFA: Jeff Frizzell 20055.12cThe RaconteurFA: Phillip Carrier '095.12cEasy Gully5.6SmidginFA: Adam Matthews 19875.6Pete's LeadFA: Pete5.7Tina's Soul Food KitchenFA: Tina Carpenter and Bill Rodgers 20045.7+Deetle DumpsFA: Dave Kessler, Jeff Frizzel 20045.8Heading Skills Or Hospital BillsFA: Dan Caldwell 19985.8The Meanest FlowerFA: Jeff Frizzell 20045.9