BEDH_St_Louis-28

Distance: 3.0-mile loop

Approximate hiking time: 2 hours

Difficulty: More challenging due to steep climbs and slippery rocks

Best season: Fall through spring

Park hours: Open 24 hours

Other trail users: None

Canine compatibility: Leashed dogs permitted

Fees and permits: None

Maps: USGS Gorham

Trail contacts: Shawnee National Forest, 50 Hwy. 145 South, Harrisburg, IL 62946; (618) 253-7114

Special considerations: Ticks, mosquitoes, and poison ivy are common during warmer months. Rocks along the trail can be quite slippery following wet weather.

Finding the trailhead: From St. Louis take I-55 South to I-255 East toward Illinois. Cross the Jefferson Barracks Bridge into Illinois and continue 5 miles to the IL 3 exit. Take IL 3 South for 73 miles through Columbia, Waterloo, Red Bud, Ruma, Ellis Grove, and Chester. Turn left onto Town Creek Road and travel 6.6 miles to Hickory Ridge Road. Turn right onto Hickory Ridge Road and continue 4 miles to a four-way stop; turn right to stay on Hickory Ridge Road. Drive 2.3 miles and turn right onto Little Grand Canyon Road. Follow Little Grand Canyon Road until it dead-ends in the parking area. The trailhead is located at the southwest corner of the parking area. GPS: N37 40.842 / W89 23.719

The Hike

A National Natural Landmark, the Little Grand Canyon is a small but dramatic part of the 280,000-acre Shawnee National Forest. Located in Jackson County, Illinois, the deep box canyon has been slowly eroding over time to expose its majestic bluffs.

Visitors to the Little Grand Canyon area will witness typical southern Illinois landscapes. Rich oak and hickory forests tower above sycamore and beech trees. Just south of Little Grand Canyon is a place known as “snake road.” Each year the road is closed to accommodate several species of snakes, including timber rattlesnakes, western cottonmouths, and the endangered green water snake, as they migrate to and from their winter hibernation spots.

The Little Grand Canyon Trail begins with a roller coaster–like ridge descent to a scenic overlook. Hikers can stop, enjoy the view, and either return to the parking lot or continue into the canyon below.

The trailhead is located at the southwest corner of the parking area, just to the right (west) of the outhouses. Begin hiking southwest on the obvious gravel-and-dirt trail. Follow the trail as it traverses Viney Ridge through a thick forest of maple, oak, sassafras, beach, and tulip trees.

Pass several wooden benches before reaching a large scenic overlook on Chalk Bluff at 1.2 miles. Here you have a good view of the Big Muddy River to the west. At this point, the trail curves to the right (southeast) and begins to gradually descend the ridge. At 1.4 miles the trail grows noticeable steeper and you enter the moss-covered sandstone canyon. Carefully descend, alternating between following the trail and the natural drainage. Look closely and you will notice that steps have been etched into the rock in several areas—a work project completed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s.

At 1.8 miles reach the bottom of the canyon and begin following the trail, now marked with white diamonds, to the east. Cross a small creek at 2.1 miles and continue east, passing tall bluffs. At 2.4 miles the trail curves to right (south) and enters another slippery sandstone drainage. Follow the drainage, again using caution and looking for steps as you pass over several small, seasonal waterfalls.

At the top of the drainage, turn left (east) and ascend the moderately steep trail back to the parking area.

Miles and Directions

0.0From the trailhead turn left and begin hiking southwest along Viney Ridge.

1.2Come to the scenic overlook at Chalk Bluff.

1.4Descend the slippery sandstone canyon.

1.8Reach the bottom of the canyon and begin hiking east.

2.1Cross a small creek and continue hiking east.

2.4Come to the second sandstone canyon and carefully ascend, hiking south. At the top of the drainage, turn left (east) onto the obvious dirt trail.

3.0Return to the parking area.