Illinois · Rock climbing · Simpson · Near Goreville

Snakes Roof

8 routes
5.10b – 5.12d
Sport · Trad · Bouldering
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Snakes Roof open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Snakes Roof 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 and trails, with Lovely Tower, Royal Arches Wall and The Doors all about 0.1 mile away, and Middle Falls a similar distance off. The area has eight routes, six of them sport climbs with grades ranging from 5.10b to 5.12d. The hardest is Inner Pitbull at 5.12d, and the easiest is Who Let the Snakes Out at 5.10b. The Daddy's big snake/Anaconda traverse is a trad route at 5.10b/c. The climbing is concentrated in a small area, so it's easy to pair with other outings nearby. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dixon Springs show October highs around 71°F with lows near 46°F, and May highs around 77°F. July and August run hotter, with highs in the upper 80s. For an overnight stay, Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs is about 1.9 miles away. North Bluff is a hike about half a mile off.

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 Snakes Roof

    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 (8)