Rim Rock National Recreation Trail is one of the few official hiking trails in Shawnee National Forest and it’s a great spot to get outside! It’s a true gem of the area and a great spot to head to if you’re in the Tristate area. Here’s what to expect on your next visit!
The Trail
The trail is located in southern Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest. The day-use trail has a parking and picnic area and several well-maintained hiking trails in the area. A big draw for the trail are the cliffs and escarpments that make this area so unique.
The cliffs are several hundred feet tall and there are even a few areas that are surrounded by large cracks. It makes kind of “rock islands” that you can explore the top and bottom and even squeeze through to see where a crack may lead you.
You can also walk to the Pounds Hollow Lake and campground. The trail has several side areas you can explore. Boulders are scattered around and you could spend all day scrambling the rocks!
The Ox Lot Cave
The Ox Lot Cave is the main point of interest on this trail. It’s located under a small outcrop of cliffs. The cave housed cattle and ox that helped move trees out of the gorge towards the Ohio River for shipping. There is a small spring at the back of the cave that trickles out water and pens used to be there that housed the animals.
You can hike the top of the cliffs and the bottom of the gorge in about one hour.
The cliffs are 100-200 feet tall. Remember, rock climbing is prohibited in this eco-area.
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