Charles Mound Hike
1,227 ft | Illinois
2 mi round trip
1 hr
Charles Mound Hike at a Glance
The Charles Mound hike is 2 mi round trip, about 1 hr of hiking.
| Summit elevation | 1,227 ft |
|---|---|
| Distance | 2 mi round trip |
| Hiking time | About 1 hr |
| Route last checked | October 25, 2026 |
Your time: about 40 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 50 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 380 kcal. No elevation gain is published for this route, so climbing time isn’t included.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 2 mi distance for this hike is verified (summitpost.org), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Charles Mound
Charles Mound is the highest point in Illinois, at 1,227 feet, on land managed by Private landowners (Charles Mound is on private property).
The Hike
The standard route is the Charles Mound Trail: 2 miles round trip, from Gate at the private lane off Charles Mound Road. Distance from summitpost.org.
Before You Go
- There is no charge to visit Charles Mound. (summitpost.org)
- Charles Mound is on private property, so public access is limited. (summitpost.org)
- Charles Mound is open to visitors only on the first weekend of June, July, August and September. (summitpost.org)
- Cars are not allowed on the landowners' lane. (summitpost.org)
- Pets are not allowed on the landowners' property. (summitpost.org)
- Visitors are not allowed after dark. (summitpost.org)
- Check Private landowners (Charles Mound is on private property) for current conditions, closures and rules before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to the top of Charles Mound?
The Charles Mound Trail is 2 miles round trip.
How tall is Charles Mound?
Charles Mound rises to 1,227 feet, the highest point in Illinois.
Where does the Charles Mound hike start?
It starts from Gate at the private lane off Charles Mound Road.
Do you need a permit or fee for Charles Mound?
There is no charge to visit Charles Mound.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Normal hiking conditions
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
Plan to reach the summit by this time to allow safe descent before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Summit Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Charles Mound Guide
Route last checked October 25, 2026.
- Verified against
- summitpost.org
- Distance
- summitpost.org
- Elevation
- OpenStreetMap (verify vs USGS benchmark)
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Peaks
Explore other mountains near Charles Mound. Great for peak-bagging or planning your next adventure.