The Complete Ferne Clyffe State Park Trail Guide

Parking and Trailhead: 37.5310, -89.0021

The Big Buck Creek Trail connects with the Cedar Bluff and Bobcat Loop trails. You can also connect to Bork’s Falls and High Ridge Trail if you want a longer hike.

Big Rocky Hollow Trail takes you to the same waterfall as Waterfall Trail does from the campsite. If you’re not camping, we suggest using this trail instead as there is much more parking. The same parking area is used for Big Rocky Hollow, Hawk’s Cave, Rebman, and Goreville Boy Scout Trails. It also provides access to climbing areas.

Trailhead and Parking: Hillside Picnic Shelter (37.5412, -88.9814) OR Ferne Clyffe Lake (37.5348, -88.9758)

The Blackjack Oak Trail connects the lake and Hillside Picnic Shelter. There are also two access access points from Deer Ridge Campground. This trail goes over bluffs and close to cliff edges, which provides amazing views.

Parking and Trailhead: Bobcat Loop Trail does not have its own parking. You can connect to it from either the Bork’s Waterfall trailhead, Big Buck Creek trailhead, or Cedar Bluff trailhead.

Trailhead and Parking: 37.5416, -89.0219

Bork’s Waterfall is in the annex section of Ferne Clyffe State Park. Parking and trailhead is on Regent Lane. To get to the trailhead, you’ll have to drive over the top of the waterfall itself- which is quite an experience! The waterfall here is ~30 feet tall, and when we visited was rushing pretty good. The trail will take you down to the base of the waterfall, but if you don’t mind breaking the rules there are also several shortcuts that will get you there faster.

Trailhead & Parking: 37.5162, -89.0237

The Cedar Bluff Access Trail is used by rock climbers to access designated climbing and rappelling areas in the annex section of Ferne Clyffe State Park.

Trailhead and Parking: 37.5162, -89.0237

Cedar Bluff is a great trail if you’re looking for a view. The trail will take you to a vista atop Cedar Bluff. Some folks turn around here, and others continue on until the trail descends the bluff and connects with Bobcat Loop Trail. From Bobcat Loop, you can continue on to Bork’s Falls and High Ridge if you want a long hike.

Trailhead and Parking: 37.5446, -88.9759

Ferne Clyffe Lake Trail circles around the shores of the lake. It’s popular with fishermen, since only bank fishing is allowed in the park. The start of the path is open grass near the lake parking area, but quickly turns into woods. The majority of the trail takes you through the woods a few feet from the lake’s edge.Bobcat Loop Trail

The Goreville Boy Scout Trail connects Ferne Clyffe State Park to the town of Goreville. There is a parking lot with room for a few cars at the city end of the trail. This gravel trail is pretty even, but is a steady uphill walk the whole way (if you start from the park end).

Trailhead: Accessible from equestrian campground at 37.5296, -88.9844

This equestrian trail is accessible from the equestrian campground. Some of the trail overlaps with the Happy Hollow Trail and the River to River Trail, so it is shared with hikers and horseback riders. This trail is closed to horses from November 1 to April 30 every year.

Trailhead and Parking: 37.5377, -88.9832

Depending on the time of year, there can be a few small waterfalls along the Happy Hollow Trail. There are also a handful of interesting rock formations, such as alligator rock, a natural bridge, and some small arches. The Happy Hollow Horse Trail overlaps with the Happy Hollow Trail.

Parking and Trailhead: 37.5416, -89.0219 or join up the trail midway at 37.5494, -88.9790

High Ridge Trail is open to both hikers and horseback riders. It splits off from Big Buck Creek Trail along a woodland ridge.

Hawk’s Cave Trail takes you through the woods to one of the largest rock shelters in Illinois. Depending on the time of year, you may see a small waterfall or two also.

Rebman Trail is named for Emma Rebman, the owner of Ferne Clyffe who sold the property to the state. There is a plaque dedicated to her along the trail and two small waterfalls along the trail, depending on rainfall. This trail also serves as access for rock climbers to the Rebman walls.

Parking and Trailhead: Lakeview Shelter- 37.5318, -88.9789

Round Bluff Nature Preserve is an Illinois designated Nature Preserve withing Ferne Clyffe State Park. Starting from Lakeview Shelter, this loop trail will take you through the preserve and around the namesake round bluffs.

Trailhead and Parking: 37.5394, -88.9774

The trailhead and small parking lot for Waterfall Trail is inside Deer Ridge Campground. This trail takes you over the tops of bluffs and then down to see the 100 foot intermittent waterfall. If you’re not camping, you’ll find more parking near the Big Rocky Hollow trailhead, which also leads to the same waterfall. There are also climbing walls accessible from both the Waterfall Trail and Big Rocky Hollow.