rim rock recreational area

JohntheFoneMan

If you like rocks and trees and cliffs, this is for you. Warning! Trail is moderately difficult below the the bluffs. Upper trail is paved and wheelchair accessible part of the way. In winter be wary of ice.

697vm

Rim Rock has pathways that are well laid out and in very good shape. The giant stones are amazing and it's not difficult to climb down to the ravine to see Ox Cave, which is a gorgeous rock formation. Be aware that if you venture past Ox Cave, you will be heading toward Pounds Hollow and away from the Rim Rock park area, in essence, leaving Rim Rock. So if you are at Ox Cave, you have to backtrack to stay at Rim Rock.

BarbaraS798

Really nice leisurely walk. Walk down to the stairway. Only hard part was coming out with all of those stairs, but everything else is nice and relaxing.

Piper87C

This a pretty short and not too difficult hike. We hiked from RimRock to Pounds Hollow and back. Some really nice rock formations. If you are in the area it is well worth a visit.

cubsrule2313

This was a nice easy hike and we went on a 90 degree day but once you're on the trail you don't realize it and especially once you reach the rocks you find it is about 70 degrees. This was one of our favorite sites to hike too. If it has been raining then I would recommend walking the pounds hollow trail if not then there isn't much to see but there is a nice waterfall to climb if dry.

kashiah2014

We hiked this nice little trail around 11a.m. and had lunch on a rock formation overlooking a stream. It was very nice, we will be back!

LloydH520

Officially listed as only a 1/2-mile trail, the opportunities for following rocky ledges and unused/underused paths to experience the sheer beauty of this location will make it seem like a much longer trail. Trails also connect to Pounds Hollow, if you are looking for an even longer hike.

CindyK48

This is a National Trail & it's a good one! There are stairs & a narrow stretch down stairs & through 2 rocks. Kids would love it! I know I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Nan16_12

I believe the Rim Rock trail is listed as a moderate hike. I have a knee that really does challenge me on slopes and I managed all the stairs and slopes pretty well, thanks in part to the planned trails with flagstone and wooden steps. Used a walking pole for extra stability. Some parts of the descent to the floor of the ravine were mucky and slick when I was there in early June. It was green and lush. I was there early on a Tuesday morning and didn't see anyone. The rock formations are unique for Illinois. It is kind of the opposite of Garden of the Gods, where you are up high looking from cliffs. While you have some bluffs here, the main feature, to me, is the floor of the ravine and Ox Lot Cave. Much more wooded than Garden of the Gods.

GoingNewPlaces

I was surprised to see that the top .8 mile of the trail was stone paved. Very kid friendly, even with a jogging stroller, if needed. I had my 9 year old with me and she loved the "fat man squeeze" and the trip to the bottom of the canyon. Beautiful place without too much hiking involved.

KathrynTheThird

Nice hike through a canyon. Easy hike but with some interesting features including stairs built into the side of the canyon with a fun climb out.

LindaJ841

Beautiful scenery. Oct. the best with the turning of the leaves.Nice trail to walk. Boulders, and bridge to walk across. Trees and birds to see and hear.

KarenW782

This place is amazing! The hike to the stairs to get to the valley is a pretty wooded walk. There is elevation so this may hard for older people or anyone with difficulties on stairs. When you get to the stairs that bring you to the valley, the walk at the base of the stairs is amazing. The rock formations are very cool. You feel like you stepped into history! Close to the bottom of the path to the valley is Ox-lot cave. (It's more like an overhang). There is a historic marker to explain the use of the cave. Watch for a spring where they got water in the past. Another hiker told us the water was good to drink but we wouldn't try it. In the valley there are quite a few trails. One takes you all the way to Pounds Hollow, a nearby swimming lake. Great place!

jlcarter1975

Great hiking and the area is beautiful. Great place to stop while visiting Garden of the Gods.

BRahlf

Spectacular rock formations. Trail leads from on top to down into a creek bed. Spend as little or as much time as you want.Beware of the outhouses!