Big Rocky Hollow Trail Guide

The Big Rocky Hollow Trail is also considered the “main waterfall” trail at Ferne Clyffe State Park near Goreville, Illinois.

This is an easy trail located within the state park that features multiple waterfalls, bluffs, additional hiking opportunities, and more.

The following guide provides all the information you need to visit the Big Rocky Hollow Trail at Ferne Clyffe State Park in Southern Illinois.

 

Big Rocky Hollow Trail Overview

Basic information about the Big Rocky Hollow Trail at Ferne Clyffe State Park.

• Location: Goreville, Illinois (Johnson County)
• Difficulty: Easy, Out-and-back
• Distance: 0.8-mile
• Estimated Time: 15-30 minutes
• Trail Type: Dirt with some wooden decking
• Elevation Gain: 44 feet, very little
• Best Time to Visit: Spring, Summer, Fall, after heavy rain
• Pet-Friendly: Pets are fine on a leash
• Kid-Friendly: Yes
• ADA-Friendly: Yes. However, there are a few steps to the observation deck towards the end and the main waterfall. Even if one cannot climb the steps, one can still see the waterfall.
• Permit Required: No

 

How to Get to the Big Rocky Hollow Trail

The address for Ferne Clyffe State Park is Highway 37, south of Goreville, Illinois, village limits. The GPS coordinates for the parking lot for the Big Rocky Hollow Trail are  37.542729, -88.980371 (37°32’33.8″N 88°58’49.3″W).

To get to the Big Rocky Hollow Trail from Marion, Illinois: Take W Main St to IL-37 S/S Court St. Follow IL-37 S to State Pk Rd in Johnson County. Drive to State Pk Rd in Goreville. Alternatively, you can use this Google Maps link and change the directions from Marion to wherever you will be starting your trip.

Once you turn into the park, drive (15 MPH speed limit) until you get to the T-intersection. After making sure you can safely do so, turn left and go down the hill, passing Fene Clyffe Lake on your left, until you get to a fork in the road. Go right at the fork and drive to the end of the road, where parking for the trail is available. The trail starts at the end of the road past the turn-around loop on the road.

There are multiple parking spots in this area, which should accommodate several dozen cars. There are also handicap spots provided. However, there are no bus parking areas.

Some public transportation services, including the Shawnee Mass Transit District, Uber, and cab services, may be available in the area. Bart Lane Shuttle Services may also be available for shuttling to this trailhead, as well as guided hiking services.

 

Big Rocky Hollow Trail Information

The Big Rocky Hollow Trail is likely the most popular trail at Ferne Clyffe State Park, and thousands visit it each year, especially when the area is wet.

The trail surface is about 90% dirt, and the path is very wide. Some portions of the trail cross very small creeks. Stepping stones are provided if you don’t want to get your shoes wet. 10% of the trail is wooden decking. There is a bridge over a larger creek right before the wooden deck. The bridge has a few stairs on it. Past the wooden deck is a rocky surface where the waterfall feeds down.

There are many things to see along this short hike. At the start, you will notice very scenic creeks to your right and left. You’ll also notice very tall bluffs and even a bonus waterfall to your right, but getting to it will require a creek crossing without stepping stones. There are big rocks and boulders along the way, too. At the end, the trail past the wooden deck is the main attraction – the tall waterfall with a natural cave shelter behind it. On a very wet day, there will be a few additional waterfalls to the right of the main waterfalls. There are a few benches to sit down and rest at the end of the trail.

The waterfalls are very rainfall-dependent. If the area is dry or in a drought, there will be no running water on the falls. It’s still beautiful to see without water, though. If you want to see it at its best, visit right after a heavy rain event.

Please use caution where the waterfall is, as there are large, jagged rocks just past the wooden deck. Some people attempt to climb the waterfall or take a user trail to get behind it. Please use caution, as this is not a designated trail, and doing so is at your own risk and expense if you get hurt.

While there are no trail markers along the Big Rocky Hollow Trail, it is still very easy to follow. A few trails off the main trail to your right will take you to the campground and the Blackjack Oak Trail. A trail to your left is user-made, and the park asks that you do not use it. There are signs along the trail asking you to stay on designated trails only.

 

Wildlife and Natural Elements

Common wildlife encounters on the trail include birds, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, turkeys, deer, and amphibians. You may encounter snakes on or around the trail, including the venomous copperhead. Rare wildlife encounters could include bobcats, coyotes, and foxes.

Numerous plants and native wildflowers grow along this trail. Please feel free to view them and even take inventory for something like iNaturalist. However, you are asked not to pick or collect any of them.

Mushrooms also grow rapidly throughout this trail. Many of these mushrooms are very photogenic and neat to see. However, some are poisonous and could harm humans and pets if consumed.

Please practice Leave No Trace when hiking the Big Rocky Hollow Trail and leave the area better than you found it. If you find litter, please take it with you and throw it away in the trashcan provided in the parking area.

 

What to Bring to the Big Rocky Hollow Trail

Wear comfortable hiking shoes or boots when visiting this trail. There are a few small creek crossings, and if they are really wet, your shoes or boots might get wet. Please keep this in mind.

The trail is wide. You can wear any sort of clothing when hiking this trail, but most hikers choose hiking-specific or exercise clothing. Please layer up when it’s colder and bring rain gear if needed. Many people wear swimsuits so they can play or wade in the water by the main waterfall when it’s hot and humid outside.

Please bring your own drinking water, as water spigots are not available at this location. If you plan to drink creek water or water from the waterfall, please use a filter.

Bring basic hiking gear when using this trail, such as the 10 hiking essentials if you need an idea of what to bring with you.

 

Safety Tips for the Trail

The following advice is meant to help keep you safe when hiking the Big Rocky Hollow Trail at Ferne Clyffe State Park.

• Cell service is not reliable in this area, especially within the canyon where the waterfall is.
• Check the weather before visiting. If any significant snow or ice has fallen, the park will close and lock the gate that takes you to this location. This area is also impacted annually by severe weather, such as tornadoes and flooding.
• The main cause of injury and death on this trail is from people falling off the top of the waterfall. The trail up to the top is not designated, and the park asks you not to use it for safety and ecological protection reasons. Other hazards include uneven terrain, flash flooding, severe weather, venomous copperhead snakes, poison ivy, ticks, and mosquitoes. Wear plenty of sunblock and bug spray when visiting this trail.
• For emergency medical situations, please call 911. The closest hospital is in Marion, Illinois. Goreville has a police and fire department. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office may also respond to calls to the park. The Park Office can be reached by calling 618-995-2411. Please call or text 998 if you feel like harming yourself because help is available.
• The trail is for day use only. Camping, fires, bikes, horses, and motor vehicles are prohibited. See the state park guidelines for more important regulations.

 

What to do near the Big Rocky Hollow Trail

Restrooms (vault toilets) are available in the parking lot area of this trail. However, there are no water sources or sinks available.

Numerous picnic areas, such as the Boat Rock Picnic Site, are located around this trail. Picnic areas include grills and picnic tables. Playgrounds and picnic shelters are also available within the park.

The park provides several different campground types, including modern (electrical hookup), primitive, youth group, backpacking, and equestrian sites. Visit the Explore More IL website to check site availability and reserve your site online. You can also walk in and reserve a site if it’s available. Camping on the trail or outside of designated campsites is prohibited.

Alternative local lodging is available in the area, including Cedar Rock Cabins and Shawnee Trails Lodging, which is closest to the state park.

When visiting Ferne Clyffe State Park, eating at Whiffle Boy’s Pizza is a must. It’s some of our favorite pizza in the area, and the staff are really nice people. Many R2R/ADT hikers and Trans Am cyclists love to stop and eat at this pizza place. The gas station also provides food and snack options, and there is a Dollar General store in Goreville.

If you wish to add more miles of hiking to your visit, enjoy some of the other trails at Ferne Clyffe State Park. I recommend Blackjack Oak, Hawks Cave, and Round Bluff Nature Preserve. You can also visit the nearby Tunnel Hill State Trail for hiking and biking on the 45-mile rail trail with a 500+ foot tunnel. If you want an adventure and another great waterfall, check out Bork Falls, which is in a remote section of the state park.

 

Maps and Resources for the Big Rocky Hollow Trail

To hike this trail using an app, I recommend All Trails, GAIA GPS, or Trail Forks. Please note that you’ll likely have to use offline features since cell phone data isn’t reliable in this area, especially in the canyon leading to the waterfall.

You can find a downloadable and printable PDF brochure of the trail on this page.

Please see the official website for this trail at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). IDNR is the agency responsible for managing this trail and Ferne Clyffe State Park.

You can find a GPX file for this hike on my Strava Page if you need one.

 

Final Thoughts on the Big Rocky Hollow Trail

Thank you for taking the time to check out my Big Rocky Hollow Trail Guide. I hope you have found the information useful for your visit. I definitely recommend visiting this trail, especially after a hard rain, as the waterfall is very rainfall-dependent.

Please feel free to leave a comment and ask me any additional questions you might have about this trail or Ferne Clyffe State Park in general. I’m here to help!

If you’d like to support me by providing this guide, you can make a small one-time donation or become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. A monthly supporter will also get you extra features and access to more cool stuff.

I also want to invite you to my hiking and backpacking forum (free) and to subscribe to my monthly newsletter (also free) to get more hiking tips, guides, and upcoming local events in and around the Shawnee National Forest.

And until next time, I’ll see you on the trail!

Watch the videos for this trail!

Below is a recent video that we filmed while enjoying this area.

Check out the trail gallery!

Enjoy these photos taken around this area!

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!