The Doors

The Doors 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 North Falls, Spleef Peak and Lovely Tower all about 0.1 mile away, and Middle Falls a similar distance off. The area has 21 routes, with 17 of them sport climbs and 4 trad. The grades run from 5.9- up to 5.14-, with the median at 5.11d. Southern Belle is the hardest route, a 5.14- sport climb first ascended by Brian Capps in March 2020. Morning Beers, a 5.9- trad route, was first climbed by Jim Thurmond and Lindsey Blake in 1987. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dixon Springs show May highs around 77°F and October highs around 71°F, while July and August average in the upper 80s. Redbud Campground at Bell Smith Springs is about 1.8 miles away, and North Bluff is about half a mile off.