10 Short Hiking Trails in Southern Illinois for Cold Weather Hikes

Are you looking for short hiking trails in Southern Illinois for cold weather hikes?

Winter is here for a while, and it will eventually get really cold, as it always does in Southern Illinois. That doesn’t mean you have to quit hiking. It means you just need to choose some shorter trails to still enjoy the outdoors while limiting your exposure to cold weather.

In this guide, I’ll show you 10 different short hiking trails in Southern Illinois for cold weather hiking that have cool stuff to see along the way.

Be Safe on Short Hiking Trails in Southern Illinois for Cold Weather

Just because I’m listing a bunch of short hiking trails in Southern Illinois for cold weather doesn’t mean you don’t need to worry about your safety.

Winter and cold weather bring extra safety hazards and risks in Southern Illinois that we don’t get during any other season. For example, hiking in cold weather increases your chances of getting frostbite and hypothermia. It’s important to take steps to prevent any safety concerns that you may be faced with while on the trail.

The most safety hazard preventative advice I can give you is to plan your hike, watch your step, put safety first, and tell someone where you’re going before you leave. These steps alone will help ensure your safety on the trail. Leave the Shawnee with great memories, not terrible injuries.

Here are 10 Short Hiking Trails in Southern Illinois for Cold Weather Hikes

Now that we have got the safety part out of the way, we can get on with my 10 picks for short hiking trails in Southern Illinois for cold weather hiking adventures.

1 – Lake Murphysboro Loop

This is a 2-mile loop hiking trail with low elevation gain. We enjoyed the pretty views of Lake Murphysboro, the rolling hills scenery of Southern Illinois, and a nice walk in the woods.

This trail is near the campground at Lake Murphysboro. Use this Google Maps Link to reach the start of the trail from Murphysboro, Illinois. There are parking spaces available at the trailhead.

Be careful of the wooden staircase along the trail, especially if hiking in wintry precipitation or rain. Ice and heavy snowfall could cause this area to be impassable or closed.

When visiting this area, we also love eating pizza at Martel’s Pizza and getting ice cream from Small Town Scoop.

2 – Harmony Trail at Crab Orchard Refuge

This loop hiking trail is less than a mile in length with very little elevation gain. You’ll see pretty views of Crab Orchard Lake, old homesite areas, and enjoy a nice walk in the woods.

This trail is located near the Crab Orchard Visitor Center. Use this Google Maps Link to reach the trailhead from Marion, Illinois. There is plenty of parking available.

You’ll need a Refuge Sticker on your vehicle to park at the trailhead. You can get one at the Crab Orchard Visitor Center.

When in the Marion area, you have to check out Waltz Pizza for some great pizza and more.

3 – Chautauqua Bottoms Nature Trail

This loop hiking trail is under a mile in length and has very little elevation gain. You’ll enjoy a well-managed, diverse woodland area with hardwoods and even a swamp. It’s close to town and an easy walk in the woods.

This trail is very close to Southern Illinois University. Use this Google Maps Link to get to the trailhead from Carbondale, Illinois. There are plenty of parking spaces.

You can add another mile of trail if you want a longer hike. Some parts of the trail may have wooded bridges, which could be slick after rain or wintry conditions.

While in Carbondale, you should check out Dale’s Burger Shack for the best smash burgers around.

4 – Quetil Trail and Cliff View Park

This trail is a flat 2.6-mile out-and-back hike with very little elevation gain. You’ll see amazing bluffs, old signs from the past, and you can even drive to a beautiful scenic overlook above the trail, where you can see the Bald Knob Cross from.

This trail is owned by the Village of Alto Pass. Use this Google Maps Link to get to the trailhead from Alto Pass. There are plenty of parking spaces at and near the trailhead.

Try to stay on the trail when visiting this area. The forest around the trail to your right is mostly private.

For a great place to eat nearby, I’d have to recommend The Iron Whisk in nearby Coben, Illinois. They only serve breakfast and brunch, but if you haven’t eaten there yet, you’re really missing out.

5 – Giant City Nature Trail

This 1-mile loop trail is fairly easy but does have some rolling hills along it. You’ll see balancing rocks, bluffage, old carvings, and stuff around every corner.

This trail is located within Giant City State Park. To reach this trail from Carbondale, Illinois, use this Google Maps Link. There are a lot of parking spaces at the trailhead.

There are a few more great trails to add if you want more mileage, including Trillium, Arrowood, and Indian Creek trails. Stop by the Visitor Center to see if any events or challenges are going on.

Check out the Makanda Boardwalk for snacks and cool gifts.

6 – Hawks Cave Trail at Ferne Clyffe

This trail is around 1-mile in length, a loop, and has very little elevation. You’ll see one of the largest natural cave shelters in all of Illinois, waterfalls (rainfall dependent), and plenty of bluffage.

This trail is part of Ferne Clyffe State Park. Use this Google Maps Link to reach the trailhead from Goreville. Walk across the stepping stones in the creek, and the trail is the furthest on the left. There is plenty of parking.

If you want to add more miles to this hike, check out Big Rocky Hollow and the Rebman Trail for a few more miles.

If you want some really good pizza, go check out Whiffle Boy’s Pizza in Goreville after your hike.

7 – Heron Pond Nature Trail

This lollipop loop trail is around 2.6 miles in length with very little elevation. You’ll see a swamp and wetland environment, the wild and scenic Cache River, and even a very large cherry bark oak tree.

This trail is a part of the Cache River State Natural Area. Use this Google Maps Link to reach the trailhead from Vienna. There is plenty of parking.

Be sure to add the extra hike to the big oak tree if you’ve never seen it. It will add many 0.3 extra miles to your hike, if that. Be careful on the bridges and stepping stones if wet or covered in wintry precipitation, as they will be very slick.

Be sure to stop by Ned’s Shed when in Vienna for some really good burgers, sides, and shakes.

8 – Flatwoods Trail at Mermet Lake

This loop trail is right under 1-mile of hiking with very little elevation. It’s mainly a nice walk in the woods, but it also features swamp and wetland environments.

This trail is a part of Mermet Lake. Use this Google Maps Link to reach the trailhead from Metropolis. There are a lot of parking spaces at the trailhead.

If the lake is open, drive or walk around it for something extra to do. Just be careful, as the roads here will not be treated after snow or ice because they’re mainly gravel.

Be sure to check out the many great places to eat and shop in nearby Metropolis when visiting this area.

9 – Buffalo Rock Trail at Gum Springs

This is an easy out-and-back trail that’s around 1.5 miles in length with hardly any elevation gain. You’ll see a very scenic part of Cedar Creek to your left and amazing bluffage and waterfalls (rainfall dependent) to your right. You’ll eventually come to a shelter with a buffalo pictograph on it, but it has mostly faded away, unfortunately.

Use this Google Maps Link to reach this trail from Golconda. There are some parking spaces available at the trailhead.

You have to take backroads and black top highways to get to this trail. During wintry precipitation, the roads can be pretty slick. Use caution when traveling around this area.

Be sure to check out Diver Down in nearby Golconda. We love the pepperjack triangles, buffalo salad, and the Mushroom Swiss burger when we visit.

10 – Dixon Springs Trail System

Go hike the Oak Trail, Bluff Trail, and Pine Trail combination for a 2-mile lollipop loop with some elevation gain. You’ll see pine forests, oak forests, and plenty of bluffage.

Use this Google Maps Link to reach the trailhead. There are many parking spaces available at the start of the trail.

There are some creek crossings and rocky portions of this trail system. It’s sort of meant for advanced hikers who want a short but moderate hiking trail for their winter adventure. Please watch your step and use caution.

Head across the road from the park to the Chocolate Factory when visiting. They have really good ice cream and, of course, even better chocolate.

Final Thoughts About Short Winter Hikes

The short hiking trails in Southern Illinois for cold weather hiking above are only a small list. There are plenty of other great, shorter hiking trails throughout the region to find and experience. Just make sure you’re doing it in a safe manner.

If you enjoyed this list of hiking trips and you want to support me for publishing this article, consider becoming a Monthly Supporter for a few dollars a month, or give me a one-time donation if you’d rather do that.

You should also check out my free monthly newsletter for more hiking tips, reviews, and upcoming local events in the area. I also run a free discussion forum talking about hiking and backpacking all over the world, if you’d like to escape social media for a while.

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