St. Louis, MO: Little Grand Canyon Hike

St. Louis, MO: Little Grand Canyon

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Distance: 2.8 miles

This Shawnee National Forest hike loops 2.8 miles and drops 350 feet through a water-carved slot into Illinois' Little Grand Canyon. Sure footing and a sense of adventure required.

Ted Villaire">Water Slide
Ted Villaire">Cliffs
Ted Villaire">Big Views

Trip Description
Waypoints

LGC001

Location: 37.6805725, -89.3947906

There are restrooms and several grill-equipped picnic sites near the trailhead. This mapped route follows the trail north from the right side of the parking area, closest to the entrance.

LGC002

Location: 37.6857452, -89.3963089

An observation platform near mile 0.4 offers a bird's eye view of the Grand Canyon. Ravines plunge downward along both sides of the steep trail as it begins a more treacherous descent.

LGC003

Location: 37.6854505, -89.3971038

The trail takes on a water-slide-like appearance as it continues toward the bottom of the canyon. Though the sandstone surface is slick along the edge of a small stream-place each foot carefully-look for hand-carved steps guiding and easing your descent.

LGC004

Location: 37.686809, -89.396975

A stream runs along the flat canyon floor and sheer, eroded cliffs rise 120-feet along each side. Ferns and shrubs cling to the cliff faces above lush bottomland-only a few yards wide near the box canyon's eastern terminus.

LGC005

Location: 37.6877556, -89.3985901

Stands of maple, sweet gum, birch, and box elder-and some towering beech and sycamore-grow in these bottomland woods. During spring, look for wildflowers such as bluebells, Dutchman's-breeches, and white trillium.

LGC006

Location: 37.6883278, -89.399353

Stepping stones lead across the stream near mile 0.75. If the trail is flooded--likely in springtime--follow the cliffs on your left hand side until another wall of cliffs is visible on your right. Head toward the right-hand cliffs, crossing the trail and turning west. If possible, avoid this bushwhack detour that'll bring you in close contact with thick poison ivy and snakes that hibernate in the cliff's contours.

LGC007

Location: 37.6854166, -89.405086

Before reaching the Big Muddy River, the trail turns sharply uphill into this solid rock ravine. Use the hand-carved steps in the sandstone surface to ease your way uphill. Take it slow, watch your footing and enjoy your solid rock surroundings and the waterfalls from canyon shelves.

LGC008

Location: 37.6845284, -89.4052505

Follow the route to the right where the canyon splits.

LGC009

Location: 37.6835136, -89.4055023

Turn right again as you emerge from the canyon. The trail continues along the edge of steep wooded bluff before turning south again for a flat stretch above the Big Muddy River.

LGC010

Location: 37.6865034, -89.4062018

Take in the spectacular views of the Big Muddy River valley from atop the Chalk Bluffs. Look west for a glimpse of Fountain Bluff, an enormous wooded mound that bulges from the floodplain 4.5 miles away.

LGC011

Location: 37.6810608, -89.4061279

After a 0.3-mile respite from the climb, you'll turn up this ridge. The hillsides drop precipitously on both sides of the trail. If maple and oak leaves have fallen, you'll continue to catch glimpses of far off hills.

Water Slide

Location: 37.685421, -89.3971405

The trail into the Grand Canyon looks like a water slide in some places. ©Ted Villaire

Cliffs

Location: 37.6868248, -89.3969498

Towering sandstone cliffs flank the Shawnee's Grand Canyon. Watch for cliff swallows swooping among the trees and returning to nests tucked into the cliffs. © Ted Villaire

Grand Canyon

Location: 37.6853371, -89.4050827

Waterfalls and steep canyon walls lead the way uphill and out of the Grand Canyon. © Ted Villaire

Big Views

Location: 37.6865387, -89.4061966

Looking west from atop the Chalk Bluffs. © Ted Villaire

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From Hickory Ridge, this 2.8-mile loop descends toward the edge of the Grand Canyon—a 0.75-mile river-carved, sandstone slot in Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest. The hike starts on a paved path, but after passing the observation platform near mile 0.4, the route turns sharply downhill into a sandstone slot on the canyon’s south side. Steps are carved directly into the soft rock: Take your time on and place your feet carefully to avoid slipping on the moss-covered surfaces.

The floor of the Grand Canyon—only 200 yards across at its widest point—is on the Big Muddy River’s floodplain and is a flat, lush and sometimes flooded bottomland forest. Watch for white diamond blazes marking the path through the canyon if the stream is flooded. The trail turns uphill through another slot-like ravine near mile 1.2, but mellows near an overlook atop the Chalk Bluffs. You’ll climb another 100 feet to the top of Viney Ridge and wind along it’s spine toward the parking area.

Though migratory songbirds and lush ferns find shelter in the pock-marked cliffs, so do several species of poisonous snake and poison ivy. Stay alert and stick to the trail to lessen the risks. This area is also prone to flash flooding, so pay attention to forecasts pre-hike.

-Mapped by Ted Villaire

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