Wolf Den Hollow Trail Guide

The Wolf Den Hollow Trail is a lightly trafficked, moderate 4-mile lollipop loop hiking trail near Cedar Lake in the Shawnee National Forest.

In this guide, I’ll show you everything you need to know about hiking the Wolf Den Hollow Trail in the Shawnee National Forest.

If you find this guide to be helpful, consider leaving me a small one-time tip for taking the time to create it and release it for free.

Wolf Den Hollow Trail Snapshot

Important trail information that you should know:

• Location: Cedar Lake, Illinois (Near Murphysboro)
• Trail Length: 4 miles
• Elevation Gain: 610 feet
• Type: Lollipop Loop
• Average Time: 2.5 to 3 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Pets Allowed: Yes (Leash Required)
• Restrooms: Yes (Boat Ramp)
• Parking: Yes (4-6 cars, more at boat ramp)
• Road Conditions: Paved (may be untreated in snow)
• Best Seasons: Late Fall, Winter, and Early Spring

PRO TIP: During the summer months, portions of the trail are significantly overgrown and hard to use.

Why the Wolf Den Hollow Trail is Worth Hiking

The Wolf Den Hollow Trail is a nice hiking trail with scenic views of Cedar Lake, large lines of bluffs, natural shelters, and rolling hills and ridgelines.

The trail is favored by hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers. The bluffs and rock formations alone make this trail very unique. There are also very pretty wildflowers that grow along the trail in the springtime.

Trail Map + Directions

You can also find this hiking trail on:

• All Trails
• Trail Forks

Please note that if you pay for All Trails using my link above, I’ll earn a commission.

To reach the Wolf Den Hollow Trail from Murphysboro, Illinois:

• Take Highway 127 south of Murphysboro for 9 miles.
• Turn left onto Boat Dock Road and drive 1-mile.
• The trailhead parking is on your right.
• The Wolf Den Hollow Trail starts across the road from where you park.

Use this Google Maps Link to reach this trail from Murphysboro, Illinois.

Keep in mind that this road may not be treated as well as others during wintry weather conditions. Seeing as the road is near a lake and creeks, during flooding conditions, the area may be impossible to access.

There is no permit required to hike this trail.

Cell phone reception can be spotty in this area.

What You’ll See on the Wolfden Hollow Trail

You can expect to see a lot of really interesting things along the Wolf Den Hollow Trail.

There is enough parking for around 4-6 vehicles at the trailhead. Additional parking can be found at the boat ramp area at the end of the road. Parking is free at both the trailhead and the boat ramp.

The Wolf Den Hollow Trail starts across the road from where you parked.

The first part of the trail is a simple hike in the woods on slight rolling hills. Once you reach the start of the loop, you’ll start to see more good stuff. We enjoy doing the loop counterclockwise, but this is totally up to you.

While hiking, you’ll see amazing bluffs, natural shelters, rock formations, views of Cedar Lake, scenic overlooks, barrens, and a beautiful forest full of rolling hills and ridgelines.

Be sure that you use an app such as All Trails (affiliate link). There are some signs to help you navigate through trail junctions. For the most part, the trail is used enough to make it fairly easy to follow, but parts of it can grow up in the summer, especially on the top of the bluffs and near the creeks.

This trail is appropriate for kids and pets as long as you watch them and consider their safety when you visit.

How Difficult is the Wolf Den Hollow Trail?

The Wolf Den Hollow Trail is a moderately difficult hiking trail.

Much of the trail consists of rolling hills and ridgelines that may give you some fatigue as you hike them. There are some spots that have rocky and rooted surfaces, and some of the rocks can be really slick and hard to walk on and around when wet. There are a few steeper sections that you’ll have to climb up on, but no rock scrambling or highly technical hiking will be required.

You can expect narrow dirt single-track paths that might be muddy during wet conditions.

When it’s really wet, there will be a few creek crossings. However, the creeks are very small, and, in most cases, you can simply step over them. If flooding is occurring, the area may be impossible to hike altogether.

Best Time to Hike the Wolf Den Hollow Trail

The best time to hike the Wolf Den Hollow Trail is during late fall, winter, and early spring, but you can visit the trail during any season you want to visit.

• In the spring, you can expect to see wildflowers blooming and critters waking up from hibernation.
• In the summer, the trail will have a lot of shade and become very green and vibrant for you’re the enjoy.
• In the fall, you can expect beautiful colors in the leaves and trees as the critters start to get into hibernation.
• In the winter, especially during leaf off, you’ll enjoy being able to see everything the area has to offer.

What to Bring on This Trail

When hiking the Wolf Den Hollow Trail, I recommend bringing the following gear:

• Plenty of water
• A snack
• Bug repellent and sunblock
• First aid kit
• The 10 essentials of hiking
• A comfortable backpack meant for hiking.

I recommend the following clothing when hiking the Wolf Den Hollow Trail:

• Hiking boots or shoes that are comfortable and broken in for outdoor use
• Extra layers and rain gear
• Hiking-specific clothing or fitness attire

Make sure you monitor the local weather to understand what type of clothing and gear you’ll need to bring based on the local conditions.

Safety Notes and Warnings

Keep in mind the rules for hiking this trail and follow safety guidance.

• Camping is prohibited after 14 consecutive days.
• Camping within 150 feet of the Cedar Lake shoreline is prohibited.
• Construction of a permanent structure is prohibited.
• Collecting or removing any snake species is prohibited.
• ATVs of any kind are prohibited.

Follow recommended safety guidelines:

• Use caution around cliff edges as falls will likely result in serious injuries or death.
• Be mindful of areas where flooding is occurring, especially flash flooding.
• Some areas may have poor signage, so keeping a backup map or hiking app is ideal.
• Watch for seasonal hazards and seasonal weather conditions.
• Venomous copperhead snakes occur in the Wolf Den Hollow Trail area.
• Ticks, mosquitoes, and biting flies occur in this area.
• Poison ivy and stinging nettle can be found in this area.
• Keep in mind that hunters will be using this area during firearm and non-firearm seasons.

The nearest hospitals are in Murphysboro and Carbondale. For emergencies, call 911.

Always watch where you’re hiking, put safety first, use common sense, and tell someone where you’re going before you go.

Photography Tips

The Wolf Den Hollow Trail is a great place to take photos and videos.

Some of the better viewpoints based on my experience include areas around the bluffs, near the shoreline, and on top of the bluffs. The leaf off season will give you the most views but vibrant colors in the summer and autumn colors in the fall also make for great shots. Golden hour and partly cloudy skies will be your best times and days for photography and filming.

Drones are welcome as long as you keep them away from wilderness areas.

Nearby Trails to Hike

There are other great hiking opportunities near the Wolf Den Hollow Trail that you should consider.

You can connect to the Cove Hollow Trail from the Wolf Den Hollow Trail if you want to make the hike longer and add more loops to your trip.

Pomona Natural Bridge is also very close to this trail if you want to add a shorter hike to your day adventure.

Who is the Wolf Den Hollow Trail Best For?

The Wolf Den Hollow Trail is best for a variety of different kinds of hiking and outdoor enthusiasts.

The trail might be considered too rugged for the absolute beginner who may not have the strength to hike tougher hikes. There are technical spots, rolling hills, and some obstacles when the area is wet. I wouldn’t recommend this trail to absolute beginners.

However, everyone else would likely enjoy what this trail has to offer, including day hikers, backpackers, families with hiking experience, pet walkers, wildflower lovers, and nature hikers.

What To Do Near the Wolf Den Hollow Trail

There are many great places to eat near the Wolf Den Hollow Trail, including Martel’s Pizza and 17th Street BBQ in Murphysboro. Check out Small Town Scoop over there for some great hand-dripped ice cream. You can also drive to Carbondale for more great places to eat for just about any culture out there.

For lodging, check out Airbnb options such as The Cottage at Rendleman Orchards, CornerStone Cabins, Skyline View Cabins, and the Havisham House. Camping is welcome at the Trail of Tears State Forest and Pine Hills. Murphysboro and Carbondale also offer many different hotels.

For shopping in the area, check out the many antiques, gifts, unique items, and more that are offered in Cobden, Murphysboro, Carbondale, and Makanda.

Please remember to stay, dine, and shop local as our local businesses depend on you, and it gives you something unique to try rather than patronizing chain stores that have the same old junk.

Final Verdict for the Wolf Den Hollow Trail

I love hiking the Wolf Den Hollow Trail at Cedar Lake in the Shawnee National Forest. We go at least once every season just to enjoy it. It has a lot of great bluffage that you know I like to see.

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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!