Mountain Project: Climbing Jackson Falls

Jackson falls has the largest number of climbing routes in Illinois. Located in a forest Canyon the 30-70 foot walls offer sloppers, various sized pockets, roofs, and slabs. Located in Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois the temperatures can get muggy but shade is abundant.

Getting There

From I24 turn North on highway 45 turn right (East) on Ozark road for about 4.5 miles. Turn left on Trigg Tower Road to the first farmhouse and turn right. The parking is about 2 miles down the dirt road just before crossing the creek.

The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Jackson Falls:

Chicken Shack 5.6 Sport, TR, 1 pitch Mr. Jimmy

Blue Spark 5.8 Sport, 1 pitch, 40 feet Spleef Peak

Unclaimed 5.9 Sport, 50 feet Hidden Peaks

Through the Smoke 5.9 Sport, 1 pitch, 40 feet Spleef Peak

Fine Nine 5.9+ Sport, 1 pitch, 55 feet Lovely Tower

Venom 5.10a Sport, 1 pitch Mr. Jimmy

Master Marley 5.10a Sport, 1 pitch, 40 feet Spleef Peak

Cheerio Bowl 5.10a Sport, 1 pitch, 50 feet Hidden Peaks

Flingin Hog 5.10c Sport, 1 pitch, 60 feet The Beaver Wall

Group Therapy 5.10c Sport, 1 pitch, 60 feet The Gallery

Into the Sun 5.10+ Sport, 1 pitch, 60 feet Railroad Area

Naked Blade 5.11a Trad, Sport, 1 pitch, 50 feet Hidden Peaks

Lasso the Vulture 5.11a Sport, 1 pitch, 45 feet The Ranch

Lovely Arete 5.11a Sport, 35 feet Lovely Tower

Everybody Needs Friends 5.12a Sport, 1 pitch, 65 feet The Beaver Wall

Velvet Green 5.12a Sport, 40 feet Lovely Tower

Detox Mountain 5.12a Sport, 1 pitch, 50 feet Hidden Peaks

Who Need's Friends 5.12a PG13 Trad, 1 pitch, 65 feet The Beaver Wall

Hidden Treasures 5.12a Sport, 40 feet Lovely Tower

Red Corvette 5.13a Sport, 1 pitch, 65 feet The Beaver Wall

Featured Route For Jackson Falls

This is a long time area climber Jon Hein on Into the Sun.

Into the Sun 5.10+ IL : Jackson Falls : Railroad Area

This is a really cool and reletively long pockety line. With a neat undercling-y and pocket-y crux right near the top, it is really fun. Maybe a little hard for the grade but uber cool. ...[more] Browse More Classics in IL

Photos of Jackson Falls

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Jackson Falls	Massive Boulder(s) abound. This is the Battle Axe...	Jackson Falls in winter. Feb. '09.
Frozen falls near the Dog Walk area. Feb. '09.	The falls from the top. Feb. '09.	Climbing at Jackson Falls.
Jackson Falls, not sure what route...	Yosemite Slab	SteveZ and I at Jackson Falls, February 09, a rare...