Little Grand Canyon in Shawnee National Forest is my favorite hike in southern Illinois thus far. While it might not seem like much at the beginning of the trail, the Little Grand Canyon in Illinois is a must and a hike you won’t soon forget.
Need to Know – Little Grand Canyon – Illinois
LOCATION: Shawnee National Forest, near to both towns of Etherton (about 15 minutes away) and Pomona (about 20 minutes away). We stayed in Carbondale.
TRAIL LENGTH: This trail is a 3.6-mile loop. You can break it up into a section to just do the overlook, but the 3-mile loop is what makes this trail so amazing.
DIFFICULTY: Moderate to strenuous, depending on your fitness level.
MOST POPULAR TIME TO VISIT: April + October are the most beautiful because of spring wildflowers and fall color. But generally, spring and fall are peak seasons for Shawnee National Forest.
JUST A HEADS UP: Much of the Little Grand Canyon trail involves stepping down and then back up through the canyon. This canyon has a series of cascades that run through it, especially in the spring that create algae and, therefore, slick surfaces. Be sure to watch your step and take your time.
AS A HIKING PARENT: I wouldn’t do this trail with a kid carrier just because it can be quite slick.
Our Experience Hiking Little Grand Canyon, Illinois
We did very little research on this trail when we decided to take it. My dad and I are both lovers of canyons, so we were instantly intrigued by the name, but we’ve been let down by trails dubbed ‘Grand Canyon of…’ before. So, we started this Little Grand Canyon loop trail by going up the hill first. As we reached the first mile, we were discussing how we were a bit disappointed in what the trail looked like. Eventually we got to the end of the upper section of the trail and there was an overlook of the Big Muddy River. From there, the trail starts to snake back toward the way we came, but going downhill, descending into the canyon.
This box canyon isn’t exceptionally wide, but it cuts down at a decent angle. The same stream that created this sandstone canyon still exists at a moderate trickle/flow, depending on rain levels. We crossed over the stream several times on this trail since the trail is basically the path of the stream. We had to step down over cascades which flow heavier during wet seasons, although some of the cascades are a slightly more permanent fixture.
The formation of the canyon is so beautiful and unique. Every corner we turned my dad and I kept exclaiming, ‘Wow!’ Don’t be fooled by my photos, it doesn’t photograph nearly as stunning as it is in person.
At the bottom of the canyon, we followed the path that goes beside a creek that flows into the Big Muddy. If you’re around in times of lots of rain, bear in mind that this section will be pretty muddy! Then, suddenly we came back to the other side of the box canyon and this time, we got to go back up! Going back up wasn’t quite as much of a challenge because we could better judge what was ahead of us than when we stepped down into the unknown of the canyon.
Like I said at the beginning of this post, this trail was a bit of a slow burn as far as excitement and beauty go. If you are patient, though, it’s so worth it. Little Grand Canyon ended up being my very favorite trail of the trip. If you only have time for one hike in Shawnee National Park as you pass by, you should make it this one. It’s really incredible.
Gear You Might Need for the Little Grand Canyon, Illinois
I love to let my readers know what kinds of hiking gear would be helpful while taking on specific trails and destinations. Here’s what I would recommend for hiking the Little Grand Canyon in Illinois.
Where to Stay Near Here
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