🌤 Weather at Ferne Clyffe State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37–79 °F | 65–90 °F | 37–84 °F | 25–50 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Anna 2 NNE, 15 mi away, elevation 640 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🪨 Trusted Guide to Southern Illinois’ Hidden Canyons – Updated 2025
Waterfalls and Shelter Caves in the Shawnee Hills
Tucked into the densely forested hills of Johnson County near Goreville, Ferne Clyffe State Park spreads across 2,430 acres of rugged Shawnee Hills terrain where water-carved sandstone creates a landscape of narrow gorges, dripping rock overhangs, and seasonal waterfalls. The park’s centerpiece is a 100-foot intermittent waterfall at the head of Big Rocky Hollow — a spectacular cascade best experienced after heavy rain. Add the massive Hawks Cave shelter bluff and miles of trails through old-growth forest, and Ferne Clyffe delivers an experience more reminiscent of the Appalachians than the Illinois flatlands most visitors expect.
Big Rocky Hollow & Waterfall
The Big Rocky Hollow Trail follows a narrow canyon into the heart of the park, ending at the 100-foot waterfall that plunges over a sandstone ledge into a mossy amphitheater. After sustained rainfall, the falls are truly spectacular — a curtain of water framed by ferns, mosses, and overhanging rock. In drier months, the falls reduce to a delicate veil, but the canyon itself remains beautiful year-round.
Hawks Cave & More
- Hawks Cave: One of Illinois’ largest shelter bluffs — a 150-foot-long rock overhang that served as shelter for indigenous peoples and is now a popular picnic spot
- Cedar Bluff Trail: Ridge-top hike with panoramic views of the surrounding forest canopy
- Happy Hollow Trail: Gentle walk through wildflower-rich bottomland forest
- Ferne Clyffe Lake: 16-acre lake stocked for bass and bluegill fishing
- Rock Climbing: Sandstone bluffs offer climbing routes for experienced climbers
Practical Tips
- From Marion (20 miles): Take I-57 to Exit 40, then IL-37 South to Goreville
- Entry fee: Free (Illinois state parks are free)
- Camping: Electric and primitive sites available — reservations recommended for weekends
- Visit after rain to see the waterfall at its most dramatic — but trails can be slippery
- Trails are rocky and uneven — sturdy hiking boots recommended
- The park is part of the Shawnee National Forest region — combine with Garden of the Gods (30 miles east) for a spectacular weekend
- Spring wildflower season (April-May) is extraordinary in the sheltered hollows
Explore More Illinois State Parks
Ferne Clyffe State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Illinois. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Illinois guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
Ferne Clyffe State Park — 2,430 acres in the Shawnee Hills — features a spectacular natural rock shelter (100 feet wide, 50 feet high), waterfalls, and diverse canyon habitats. The park’s name comes from the ferns that drape the moist cliff faces — over 50 fern species grow in the Shawnee Hills, the highest diversity in Illinois. The rock shelter — used by Native Americans for 10,000+ years — was created by erosion of softer sandstone beneath a resistant caprock. The moist microclimate of the shelter and surrounding canyons supports plants typically found 300+ miles to the south — including southern maidenhair fern, walking fern, and ebony spleenwort. Timber rattlesnakes den in the rocky bluffs. Eastern phoebes nest under the rock overhangs.
Nearby Attractions
Giant City State Park — 10 miles east — features massive sandstone “streets” and a beloved CCC lodge restaurant. Shawnee National Forest surrounds the park. Carbondale and SIU provide dining and culture. Bald Knob Cross of Peace offers panoramic views. Pomona Natural Bridge is a rare geological formation. Little Grand Canyon (Shawnee NF) provides dramatic canyon hiking. Alto Pass and the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail offer vineyard tours.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Giant City State Park (a short drive away) or Peabody River State Fish and Wildlife Area (within about an hour’s drive).
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Ferne Clyffe State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in Illinois state parks and on trails as long as they are leashed at all times.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash required at all times; state code caps leash length at 10 feet
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are prohibited in areas posted 'NO PETS', reserved for beach areas, concession areas and crowded campground/picnic areas (e.g. no dogs on the beach at Illinois Beach State Park)
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed in campground cabins
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Leash rule exceptions for hunting dogs, field trials and dog training areas; pets must not be left unattended
Are dogs allowed at Ferne Clyffe State Park?
Pets are allowed in Illinois state parks and on trails as long as they are leashed at all times. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via dnr.illinois.gov. More: Illinois state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Ferne Clyffe State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
