Illinois · Rock climbing · Simpson · Near Goreville

The Basement

8 routes
5.10 – 5.13c
Sport · Trad
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is The Basement open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name The Basement, 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 Basement is a climbing area in Shawnee National Forest's Hidden Springs Ranger District in southern Illinois, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing areas, with South Canyon, The Ranch and Belleville - Space Cowboy Wall all about 0.1 mile away. The climbing here is sport-based, with a mix of sport and one trad route. Eight routes are listed, ranging from 5.10- to 5.13c. The hardest, Obed Simulater C., is a 5.13c sport climb, and A Year with You is the one trad route, a 5.10-. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dixon Springs show October highs around 71°F and April highs around 70°F, while July highs average 88°F. Middle Falls and North Bluff are hikes about half a mile away. Redbud Campground - Bell Smith Springs is about 2.3 miles off for an overnight base.

Around this trail

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

    Primitive Campsite Jackson Falls

    Campground

    Campground · 0.6 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 Basement

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

Routes (8)