Shawnee Group of the Sierra Club

Directions: Take 14th Street in Murphysboro north to Ava blacktop. Shortly before Ava, there is a sign for Sharp Rock Falls campground. At the "T" in the campground, go left.

Pass over a concrete culvert and continue past lot #44 to a place to park next to a tire on a rope. On your right there is a trail with a Forest Service sign. You will cross a creek twice on stepping stones. During leaf-off, notice the pretty cliff lines in this deep ravine. Just before descending to another creek-crossing, look to your left (note the Forest Service metal sign). It would seem that you are only looking at a narrow 15 ft wide gorge. However, upon walking into it, the gorge curves right and opens to a two tiered falls. If it is too wet to walk in the gorge, just climb up the left bank for a birds-eye view. This moderate hike is about 1.5 miles. Another entry point for this trailhead is to take Lone Oak road from Ava blacktop, and follow to Possum Road. The latter will take you to a forest service parking lot. Upon entering the trail, keep right whenever a trail junction occurs. Distance is approximately 2 miles to the falls.