Shawnee Group of the Sierra Club

LITTLE GRAND CANYON

Directions: Taking 20th street south in Murphysboro, IL. After crossing the bridge the road becomes Town Creek Road (CR 5).  Turn left onto Hickory Ridge Road 0.8 miles after the bridge. Follow this blacktop road about 6.2 miles where you will see Little Grand Canyon Road.  Turn right and travel 1.4 miles.  If the Shawnee NF sign is missing, a green road sign will say "little grand canyon lane".  Follow it to the parking lot.  If you are coming from Jonesboro, take IL Route 127 north to Etherton Road, turn left and travel 2.6 miles, turn left again and go 1.2 miles on Poplar Ridge Road, continue west on Hickory Ridge Road 2.3 miles, and finally turn right on Little Grand Canyon Road 1.4 miles to the parking lot. 

There are two trailheads at the parking lot. I suggest taking the one by the restrooms.  This is a 3.6 mile loop and is rugged for a short distance while ascending or descending the canyon.  As you hike along this backbone trail, note the deep ravines on both sides of the trail. Eventually, you will encounter Chalk Bluff Overlook for a spectacular view over the area.  Descend the canyon on the switchback trail.  At the bottom, look for a faint trail on your left near the canyon wall to continue through the open brush and back into the woods.  Now you will be able to look up at the canyon walls and rock formations. 

Soon you will encounter a confusing trail intersection -- go right.  At some point you will note the scenic, rock staircase opening to ascend the canyon.  Before doing so, go straight ahead and follow the dry creek bed to a large shelter bluff and on to a lovely narrow canyon/grotto. You can then ascend the canyon on a switchback trail to the top and yet another scenic view over the canyon.  The trail ends at the parking lot.  Picnic tables are available.  In the winter if there is a hard freeze, preceded by rain, you will be rewarded with several 300 -- 400 ft frozen waterfalls as you descend the canyon (taking the left trail as I suggested above). 

Two cautions are in order:  If there is a chance of heavy rain, don’t even think of getting into this canyon.  In the event of significant winter ice, the last drop to the bottom of the canyon is very risky.