Mount Vernon, IL: Garden of the Gods Hike

Mount Vernon, IL: Garden of the Gods

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Distance: 4.6 miles

Loop past 230-million-year-old sandstone and into a moss-coated canyon on this 4.6-miler that follows a low-traffic trail in Garden of the Gods Wilderness Area.

Cliff Walls
Arch
Overhang

Trip Description
Waypoints

GOG001

Location: 37.605507, -88.3849454

The trail begins at the north side of the lower parking lot area. Take a few minutes to study the map kiosk before turning downhill on the northbound trail.

GOG002

Location: 37.6077466, -88.3852351

After passing a small, rocky outcropping (Anvil Rock), continue straight on Trail 108K at the 3-way junction. Fifty yards later, turn left onto Trail 108D at another T-junction.

GOG003

Location: 37.6056047, -88.3877134

The trail surface gets rockier as you descend about 100 feet from the ridge. Turn right onto Trail 108C at the T-junction and wind beneath stands of elm, maple, and oak.

GOG004

Location: 37.6094704, -88.3915558

Turn left on Trail 001A at this T-junction near mile 0.8. You'll crest a small hill before dropping almost 200 feet to the bottom of Rocky Branch Hollow.

GOG005

Location: 37.6127951, -88.3980989

Near the canyon floor, sandstone cliffs line both sides of the trail: their heavily layered surface looks like a stack of pancakes viewed from the side.

GOG006

Location: 37.6082226, -88.397305

You'll rock-hop across the creek before these two branches of Eagle Creek converge. Turn left on Trail 152B at the T-junction ahead.

GOG007

Location: 37.6029953, -88.3905029

The rugged relief smooths as you climb gradually out of the canyon. Follow Trail 001 straight through the 4-way junction toward High Knob.

GOG008

Location: 37.6023578, -88.3843768

Turn left at the T-junction to continue this loop toward some of the park's towering sandstone cliffs. You'll cross the park road at mile 2.6 up ahead. If you want to shave about 2 miles from this route, you can follow the road north to the parking area where this loop began.

GOG009

Location: 37.6011762, -88.3782184

The trail passes between the park road and gray sandstone cliffs towering 150 feet above. Big cracks and tiny canyons invite off-trail exploration. The 20-foot natural arch is a great photo op.

GOG010

Location: 37.6027828, -88.3763677

Turn left on Trail 108J at the T-junction, skirt a rock overhang and, in the springtime, follow the sound of a small seasonal waterfall that drops 30 feet from a crack in the cliff.

GOG011

Location: 37.6049538, -88.3788681

Bear right at the junction with the campground access trail.

GOG012

Location: 37.6105004, -88.3804286

Turn left at T-junction with Trail 001A and follow the shady path around a branch of the Little Eagle Creek. It's about 0.4 mile to the end of the loop and the short uphill to the trailhead.

Cliff Walls

Location: 37.6128311, -88.3978806

Ferns and mosses decorate the cliffs on the trail through the bottom of Rocky Branch Hollow.

Eagle Creek

Location: 37.6113588, -88.3983243

Hike alongside Eagle Creek and occasionally pass garage-sized boulders that have tumbled from the cliffs above.

Arch

Location: 37.6011847, -88.3781004

This 20-foot natural arch is a great spot for a photo.

Overhang

Location: 37.6027828, -88.3762658

Duck under this rock overhang, one of many interesting formations in the surrounding stone.

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The Shawnee National Forest’s Garden of the Gods Wilderness Area draws crowds with its Observation Trail. Although you should include that 0.25-mile loop on your agenda, avoid the crowds and explore the 3,300-acre wilderness on this 4.6-mile loop that dips into forested canyons, skirts rugged cliffs, and peeks at an impressive arch carved into the 230-million-year-old sandstone.

This trail begins on the north side of the lower parking area and heads into the woods, passing Anvil Rock. You’ll turn west and within half a mile begin passing low, rough-textured sandstone formations alongside the path. The trail drops further into a verdant, sheer-sided canyon—ferns and mosses cling to the sides of the cliffs and cave-like overhangs—before beginning a mostly gradual climb out of Rocky Branch Hollow. Merge onto River to River Trail at mile 2.75. Cross the park road and walk alongside steep cliffs below the campground (allow extra time to expore off-trail cracks and canyons) before turning north and rounding a forested hillside to complete the loop.

Though spring rains add seasonal waterfalls to bottomland and cliff sections of this trail, autumn is also a great time to visit this area: fall colors and ripe persimmons line the trails.

-Mapped by Ted Villaire

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