Are you looking for some easy Southern Illinois hikes with a lot of cool stuff to see?

You and about a hundred thousand others! I get this question all the time. So, I thought to myself, “Why not make an article about it?” since I maintain this daily blog.

That’s what this article is today! A guide with 35 easy Southern Illinois hikes.

There are tons of other easier trails not included in this article. However, I wanted to keep the trails listed here as ones with a lot to see. A lot of the other hikes are just a walk in the woods.

But you want to see stuff. I know my people! And that’s what I’m giving you in this article.

Easy Southern Illinois Hikes in the Shawnee National Forest

Let’s take a look at ten easy Southern Illinois hikes that are in the boundary of the Shawnee National Forest.

I’ve started with trails on the west side, and the last ones are concentrated on the east side.

Check out the links for each trail description to find directions and more about the trail.

Snake Road

Snake Road is about a 2.5-mile easy gravel road from a gate to a gate that features swamps and bluffs. Two times a year (March and September), the gates are closed and locked while snakes migrate across the road. Foot traffic is allowed all year long. If you want to see snakes (no handling or harming!), bluffs, and swamps, check out Snake Road.

Miles: A little over 2.5

Type: Out and Back

Difficulty: Easy (gravel road, small hills)

 

Quetil Trail

The Shawnee National Forest doesn’t manage the Quetil Trail, but I had nowhere to put it in the easy Southern Illinois hike, so I left it in this category. This very easy trail is a candidate for being a rail trail for foot and bicycle use. It’s located in Alto Pass. Be sure to check out the town for all sorts of tourism fun. You’ll see old signs of railroad history, bluffs, exciting things in the forest (respect private property), and even an area where people rock climb (it’s allowed).

Miles: 2.6

Type: Out and Back

Difficulty: Easy

 

Pomona Natural Bridge

Pomona Natural Bridge is a very short and easy hike featuring an iconic natural bridge you can walk across. During wetter conditions (please be safe), waterfalls are present in this area. There is a trail that you can take to access the bottom of the arch, too. This is a lovely hiking trail, but the gravel road gets washed out. Just drive slowly down the road, and you should be fine.

Miles: 0.3 of a mile

Type: Loop

Difficulty: Easy (slightly steep hill down and coming back up)

 

Sand Cave

Sand Cave is a trail worth checking out. It will take you to one of the deepest natural cave shelters in the Midwest. It might even be the deepest cave shelter in the United States. I have no evidence of that, however. This is one of the best easy Southern Illinois hikes I could recommend.

Miles: 1.2

Type: Out and Back

Difficulty: Easy (some of the beginning trail has large mud holes from illegal off-road vehicle damage)

 

Millstone Bluff

Millstone Bluff is one of the most easy Southern Illinois hikes that lead to many incredible things to see. This is a former Native American site. It was also a quarry at the time, and they produced millstones. Hiking here will grant you access to petroglyphs, a Native American cemetery, old dwellings where these ancient people once lived, and a Stonefort. There are also signs from the previous quarry. You don’t want to miss this spot.

Miles: 0.9 of a mile

Type: Loop

Difficulty: Easy (There is a hill going up the bluff)

 

Bear Branch Loop

Bear Branch is one of those easy Southern Illinois hikes that few people (aside from equestrians) know about, but it’s right in the open. You can see a lot on this hike. You’ll see an old-school foundation with a covered well. You’ll likely encounter horseback riders (here are some safety tips about that). During wetter conditions, there are beautiful creek cascades and smaller waterfalls. It’s a nice loop to hike.

Miles: 4.5

Type: Loop

Difficulty: Easy to moderate (creek crossings required)

 

Rocky Top Quick Access

Rocky Top at One Horse Gap is a unique scenic overlook site. It’s excellent during fall colors and winter viewing. Getting to it from Benham Hill Trailhead is moderate and takes a while. But you can drive down a Forest Road (drive carefully) and get to a trail for it that will take you right to it and back in less than a mile. You can also reach the Gap easily, too. Lucky for you, I’ve written a free guide with GPS coordinates to these beautiful spots.

Miles: Less than 1

Type: Out and Back

Difficulty: Easy

 

Garden of the Gods Observation Trail

Garden of the Gods Observation Trail is the most visited spot in the Shawnee National Forest. It’s also probably one of the most easy Southern Illinois hikes to mention. There is so much to see on this hike. Everyone should visit this trail at least once. It will make you fall in love with Southern Illinois and the Shawnee. There are many rock formations and scenic overlooks on most of this trail.

Miles: Less than 1

Type: Loop

Difficulty: Easy

 

Rim Rock Upper Loop

The upper trail for Rim Rock and short but sweet. On this trail, you’ll see plenty of scenic overlook opportunities and an excellent viewing platform (where the old stairs used to be). There is also a Native American Stonefort present along this trail. There are signs around the trail telling you what you will see and the history of its ancient use.

Miles: 1

Type: Loop

Difficulty: Easy

 

Pounds Hollow to Rim Rock

Starting at Pounds Hollow Beach, you can hike to the bottom of Rim Rock. Along this hike, you’ll see a beach (great for cooling off in the hot summer), signs of previous settlement and CCC use, Pounds Hollow Lake (kayaks are welcome), bluffs, scenic creeks, Ox-Lot Cave, a natural box spring, and a maze of rocks. This is one of those easy Southern Illinois hikes you don’t want to miss.

Miles: 2.5

Type: Out and Back

Difficulty: Easy

 

Easy Southern Illinois Hikes in the State Parks

State parks are your answer if you want easy Southern Illinois hikes with a lot to see.

There are a lot of incredible state parks in southern Illinois.

It’s probably safe to say that the state’s best state parks are down here.

I mean, we have the Shawnee and everything else.

Sorry, northern Illinois, but Southern Illinois is where it’s at.

 

Giant City Post Oak Trail

Post Oak Trail at Giant City State Park is an excellent option for an easy hike. It’s also ADA-compliant and a forest bathing site. There are nice scenic overlooks and access to the top of Devil’s Standtable rock formation. Please use caution around the edges of the trail. Giant City has done a lot of work making this trail accessible to people with disabilities. I applaud them for their efforts.

Miles: Less than a mile

Type: Loop

Difficulty: Easy (ADA-compliant)

 

Giant City Nature Trail

The Nature Trail at Giant City is an easy loop with a lot to see. You’ll see a beautiful and maintained hardwood forest. You’ll also see tall bluffs, natural cave shelters, and waterfalls if it is wet. There is also an area where a lot of old carvings are present. Some are from the CCC, who helped build the park. Others, including Civil War soldiers, are from even older periods during the 1800s. There is a cool balancing boulder that you walk under after you pass the “streets” with all the carvings.

Miles: 1

Type: Loop

Difficulty: Easy

 

Ferne Clyffe Lake Trail

The Lake Trail at Ferne Clyffe State Park is a beautiful experience. The park has recently maintained it to make it easier for hikers to use. I added this to the easy Southern Illinois hikes list because it’s a great trail to visit during fall colors. There is a diverse amount of trees around the lake that will make the colors pop during the fall. You can also fish in the lake on the bank. Boating of any kind or swimming is not allowed.

Miles: 1

Type: Loop

Difficulty: Easy

 

Ferne Clyffe Hawk’s Cave

Hawk’s Cave at Ferne Clyffe State Park is not only one of the most easy Southern Illinois hikes out there, but it also leads to one of the largest natural cave shelters in Illinois. Maybe even the largest, but I don’t have any available facts on that claim. Aside from the large Cave Shelter, there is plenty of bluffs and boulders to see, waterfalls when the area is wet, and a very scenic creek. I’ve also read about the former cave owners before it was a park called the Fern Cliff area because of all the ferns around it. I don’t know how accurate that is.

Miles: 1

Type: Loop

Difficulty: Easy

 

Ferne Clyffe Big Rocky Hollow

Big Rocky Hollow is best visited when wet. Ferne Clyffe State Park recently added support for crossing the water across the trail after heavy rain. The short trail features a very tall waterfall at the end of it. There are also smaller waterfalls along the way. You’ll find towering bluffs, cave shelters, and a scenic creek. This trail is even lovely when it’s dry if you don’t mind not seeing waterfalls. For your safety and the ecological conservation of the area, please remain on the designated trail.

Miles: Less than a mile

Type: Out and Back

Difficulty: Easy (May get wet if the area has had a lot of rain)

 

Heron Pond Trail

Heron Pond is a great trail to hike. It is of my favorite easy Southern Illinois hikes because it’s the trail that got me into hiking in the first place. There is a lot to see during a short and effortless distance. You’ll see swamps and can even walk into the middle of one on a boardwalk. You might see snakes during warmer weather. Bring a lot of bug spray! There are fantastic cypress trees out there. Even a large oak tree might be one of the most enormous trees in southern Illinois.

Miles: 1.5

Type: Out and Back with Loops

Difficulty: Easy

 

Mermet Lake Loop

Mermet Lake is an Illinois swamp with lake elements. The trail around the lake is a gravel road, but you could easily hike it. You could even bike it if you wanted to. A gravel or mountain bike would be ideal. Aside from beautiful views of the lake, this would be an excellent spot to birdwatch. You’ll see egrets, herons, and even bald eagles. You can also see snakes (no handling!) during certain times of the year. The lake allows small boats, kayaks, and fishing.

Miles: 4.8

Type: Loop

Difficulty: Easy (Gravel road)

 

Tunnel Hill Trail

Tunnel Hill Trail, at its entire length, is around 55 miles long. However, starting at the Village of Tunnel Hill Trail and heading towards the tunnel, you can have an excellent five miles out and back with incredible views. On this hike (or bike ride if you prefer), you’ll see the old train tunnel and walk through it, and you can make it to Breeden Trestle, the longest trestle along the trail.

Miles: 5

Type: Out and Back

Difficulty: Easy (Crushed limestone bike/hike trail)

 

Fort Massac George Rogers Clark Discovery Trail

Another hiking or biking option (or skateboarding or rollerblading, even!) is at Fort Massac State Park. This happens to be the first state park ever created in the entire state of Illinois, too. That’s worth visiting alone to add it to your bucket list. The trail is nice because it’s all concrete, so it is easy for anyone, even ADA-compliance users. Check out Metropolis after you’re done – it’s the Home of Superman!

Miles: 3.9

Type: Out and Back

Difficulty: Easy (Concrete bike/hike trail)

 

Cave-in-Rock Trail

This is a short and easy hike on the Ohio River. You get beautiful views of the river. There are some overlooks up top and tall bluffs on the bottom. Oh yeah, I also forgot there is a large cave shelter that river pirates, bandits, murderers, and thieves used to hang out in. This is an excellent trail for easy access. If you visit while the Ohio River is above flood stage, the cave will not be accessible by foot because it’ll be underwater.

Miles: Less than a mile

Type: Out and Back

Difficulty: Easy (Does include stairs)

 

Easy Southern Illinois Hikes in the National Wildlife Refuges

There are a couple of great National Wildlife Refuges in southern Illinois.

And each of them has easy Southern Illinois hikes worth checking out.

Crab Orchard NWR requires a vehicle decal pass. Cypress Creek NWR does not require a fee.

 

Crab Orchard Harmony Trail

This little trail is located within the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. Along it, you can view beautiful pine and hardwood forests. You can also see signs from the previous settlement. Much of Southern Illinois’ public land was farmlands and homesites before the 1930s. The trail is very easy, and there are some excellent historical signs around the trailhead worth checking out. There are also native flora and plants grown at the trailhead.

Miles: Less than a mile

Type: Loop

Difficulty: Easy

 

Crab Orchard Woodland Trail

The Crab Orchard Woodland Trail is another great trail system in Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. The trail is a short and easy loop. It consists of hardwood and pine tree forests. There are also lovely scenes of the lake and fishing access from the shore. There is plenty of parking for this trail at the Old Visitor Center. If you can, check out the New Visitor Center by following the goose tracks on the road. It’s a lovely building. You can buy your permit decal and Crab Orchard merch there.

Miles: Less than a mile

Type: Loop

Difficulty: Easy

 

Crab Orchard Rocky Bluff Trail

This is a great trail to visit when wet (be safe about it!) because there are numerous waterfalls along it: some small ones and a few pretty big ones. There are also scenic creeks and a lot of bluffage. Enjoy natural shelters, too. Add the Wild Turkey trail to make it longer. Go in the spring to see all the daffodils in bloom.

Miles: 1.9

Type: Loop

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

 

Cypress Creek Cypress Pond Trail

This short trail leads to a pond in Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge. It would be an excellent trail for an easy hike through the refuge. It is also great for birding opportunities. While in this area, check out Lower Cache River for kayak access, see a huge tree in the swamp, and enjoy a short boardwalk trail for extra mileage.

Miles: Less than a mile

Type: Out and Back

Difficulty: Easy

 

Cypress Creek Hickory Bottoms Trail

This trail goes through a mature forest and swamp lands. It’s located in Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge. There is a main trail that goes to a system of other trails.

Miles: 1.1

Type: Out and Back with Loop

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

 

And that was 35 easy Southern Illinois hikes with a lot to see. There are many other great trails in the Shawnee National Forest to enjoy if you want to explore more. If you’ve enjoyed this article, please subscribe to my free monthly newsletter for more.

Please Support Hiking with Shawn

Alrighty folks, I hope you have enjoyed this content. I provide it for free and it takes a while to create. If you would be so kind enough to support my efforts, you can do so by sharing this post with others, especially on social media. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel to see my latest videos, shorts and live streams. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok for unique content that you will only find on those pages. You might also join my Southern Illinois Hiking & Outdoor Resources Group on Facebook, too!

You can also support me by becoming a Patreon Supporter for as little as $3/month and you can cancel anytime (no contracts or catches). Patreons get access to extra features, exclusive articles, sticker packs, gifts and more. Consider buying official Hiking with Shawn Merchandise as another way to support me. I spend a lot of money on Hiking with Shawn and because of extremely high public land permit fees, I make very little money in return so everything helps.

Thanks again for checking out another one of my articles and until next time, I’ll see you on the trail!