10 Trails to See Fall Colors in Southern Illinois

We’re getting close to seeing more fall colors in Southern Illinois.

Southern Illinois is home to numerous great areas to see fall colors. Some places are easy to get to, while others demand a challenge but offer a really decent reward at the end. Best of all, even if fall colors aren’t the best some years, we’ll still have some pretty views to look at as the leaves change over.

In this guide, I’ll show you 10 great trails to see fall colors in Southern Illinois for you to check out this year.

Great Spots to See Fall Colors in Southern Illinois

Now that you understand the safety considerations, let’s move on to the spots where you can view fall colors in Southern Illinois.

1: Horseshoe Bluff

Horseshoe Bluff is difficult to reach due to its rugged terrain and the absence of officially maintained trails.

However, the fall colors are beautiful here. You get to see an old oxbow lake from what used to be part of the Big Muddy River. You’ll be up high viewing the fall colors over the Big Muddy bottoms and towards the Mississippi River.

Take Hagler Road (37°37’20.7″N 89°24’10.6″W) to the end and park. Then hike NW to the top of Horseshoe Bluff using a topo map or app (37°39’37.5″N 89°24’31.5″W).

Rattlesnakes occur in this area. It is also very remote and rugged. You likely have no kind of cell phone data in this area, so offline map apps are required.

2: Chalk Bluff

Chalk Bluff Overlook is located along the Little Grand Canyon trail and is considered moderate to reach due to rolling hills on the trail.

You’ll see the Big Muddy Bottoms and the Mississippi River area from this viewpoint, as well as Fountain Bluff. You’ll also see some of the other bluffs within this recreational area. It’s a very beautiful overlook to visit to see fall colors in Southern Illinois.

Go to Little Grand Canyon and start hiking the trail closest to the restroom  (clockwise). You’ll reach the overlook in around a mile or so. A sign and a safety divider are also present at the overlook.

Venomous snakes are present in this area. There is a user trail past the divider, but it can be very slick at times, and falling from that height will likely be deadly. The rest of the trail gets very technical soon after.

3: Pine Hills Road

These overlooks are very easy to access, aside from the steep gravel road that leads to them.

There are several scenic overlooks along Pine Hills Road above LaRue Pine Hills Snake Road. You can pull over at each of them to see a different scene of various fall colors in Southern Illinois. There is even one that features a selfie station, allowing you to take a safe selfie at the overlook.

To reach the start of Pine Hills Road (about an 8-mile stretch of gravel road), you can either start at the south end (37°30’17.3″N 89°25’30.4″W) or the north end (37°35’26.5″N 89°26’22.0″W).

Venomous snakes occur in this area. Please use caution around the edges of these cliffs as they are exceptionally higher above most overlooks in the region. You should avoid Pine Hills Road during wintry precipitation, as it will not be treated.

4: Cedar Bluff

Cedar Bluff is a great spot to see fall colors in Southern Illinois, as it’s usually very quiet and rarely crowded, but it is a moderately difficult hike.

Cedar Bluff is located on a remote property parcel within Ferne Clyffe State Park, which is not connected to the main park. This is also a popular climbing area, which might be ideal if you want to climb to see fall colors in Southern Illinois using rope gear. It has a beautiful overlook with great fall color opportunities.

To visit the overlook, drive to Cedar Bluff and park at either the Church or the Trailhead. Take the trail up until you see the top of the bluff to your left.

Copperheads occur in this area. The area is remote with practically no cell phone data. You could also reach this overlook by starting at Bork Falls if you wanted a longer hike to see the fall colors.

5: Wildcat Bluff

Wildcat Bluff is a very easy scenic overlook to get to for viewing the fall colors in Southern Illinois.

You’ll see the colors over a swampland belonging to the Cache River Watershed. It’s a quiet viewpoint that hardly ever gets visited by other people. The trail, out and back, is only about a mile long.

Drive to Wildcat Bluff and park. Hike to the kiosk sign on top of the bluffs and take the left trail past the gate. Hike until you reach the overlook.

Venomous cottonmouth and copperhead occur in this area. This area will be buggy when it’s warm, so bring plenty of bug spray. This area is especially cool to see during leaf off with more overlook opportunities.

6: Blackjack Oak

Blackjack Oak Trail is a moderately difficult trail with multiple scenic overlooks for viewing fall colors in Southern Illinois.

This trail is within Ferne Clyffe State Park. The majority of the overlooks overlook Ferne Clyffe Lake and the Round Bluff Nature Preserve. In all honesty, this one is one of my favorite spots for observing fall colors because it’s usually very quiet.

To reach this trail, go to Ferne Clyffe State Park. Park at the Lake parking lot. Cross the road to reach the trailhead, then hike up the trail to the overlooks.

Copperhead occurs in this area, and the edges of these overlooks can be slick with a lot of trip hazards. Use caution in the area, especially when it’s really wet. If you follow the rest of the trail, it will eventually lead you down to the main waterfall and the main trail system.

7: Murray Bluff

Murray Bluff is another quiet, scenic overlook that doesn’t receive many visitors, but it is considered a rugged hike due to its hills and challenging conditions.

Aside from enjoying beautiful overlooks, there is much to appreciate at Murray Bluff. There are many rocks and bluffs with banding patterns that are worth exploring and examining. There is even an old Native American Stone Fort at this location, if you want to try to find it.

To get to Murray Bluff, drive to the start of the trail and park on the side of the road (37°36’48.7″N 88°37’25.4″W). Hike up the big hill and around the rocks to get to the top of the overlook (37°36’45.1″N 88°37’28.0″W).

Copperhead snakes occur in this area. Horseback riders may be present. Be sure to share the trail, and if you continue hiking forward, you’ll eventually reach the Burden Falls Wilderness.

8: Rocky Top

Rocky Top is a beautiful scenic overlook for viewing fall colors in Southern Illinois, and it’s quite easy to get to as well.

This overlook is along the River to River Trail in the One Horse Gap area. It’s one of several overlooks in the area, but it also features a high line for horseback riders who want to visit. There is also a picnic table present in case you would want to use it.

To reach Rocky Top, drive up Benham Ridge Road until you find a road to your right that lines up with Rocky Top (37°31’32.7″N 88°27’14.0″W). Park on the side of the road (not blocking the road) and take the easy trail to the overlook.

Venomous timber rattlesnakes and copperhead occur in this area. You can start at Benham Ridge Trailhead (huge gravel parking lot) and take the long way to Rocky Top if you want to hike around 10 miles. Try to visit One Horse Gap if you have never been there before, as it will make the hike more moderate.

9: Wilderness Overlook

The Wilderness Overlook within Garden of the Gods Wilderness is a moderately difficult hike, but it has a beautiful overlook that is usually very quiet.

This overlook is in the wilderness area of the Garden of the Gods. You can only access it on foot or on horseback, as vehicles with wheels are not permitted. It’s one of the prettiest scenic overlooks that you’ll see in the Shawnee National Forest.

To get there, go to the Hitching Post Trailhead and park. Cross the road and take the trail about 2 to 2.5 miles, and the overlook will be on your right.

Rattlesnakes and copperhead occur in this area. Please use caution around the edge of the overlook. This used to be known as Christmas Star Overlook in the past.

10: Cave-in-Rock

For the easiest-to-reach scenic overlook, I recommend visiting Cave-in-Rock State Park, which has one that you can see right from your vehicle.

This scenic overlook offers a stunning view of the Ohio River and the wooded areas of Kentucky. There are several parking lots available, and you can take a short walk to the overlooks. You could also see them from your car if you can’t get out and walk.

These are very easy to reach. Visit Cave-in-Rock State Park and drive the loop to reach the summit. You’ll see where the overlooks are once, you’re at the top.

This area is generally safe, but exercise caution around the edges. Be careful if getting close to the river as well, because the current will take you away if you fall in and get too far out. Be sure to visit the cave if you have never seen it.

Final Thoughts

There are many great spots to see fall colors in Southern Illinois.

You just need to ensure that safety is your top priority. Safety before selfies. Leave the Shawnee with great memories, not bad injuries.

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