Bald Knob Wilderness
Bald Knob Wilderness is a 5,800-acre wilderness area in Union County, Illinois. It rises from about 397 to 960 ft. The nearest town is Alto Pass, 1.8 miles away in a straight line.
Bald Knob Wilderness map
Bald Knob Wilderness boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Agency fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
County and local burn bans may also apply on private, state, or county land nearby. On federal land, follow the land manager's order; off it, follow the strictest county or local rule that applies. When both touch your trip, obey both.
Common questions
- The maximum group size at Bald Knob Wilderness is 10.
- Alto Pass, IL is the nearest town, 1.8 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance).
- The highest ground in Bald Knob Wilderness is about 960 ft, and its lowest about 397 ft (USGS 3DEP elevation model).
Who manages Bald Knob Wilderness
| Agency | Acres | Permit | Group size | Stay limit | Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Service | 5,800 | Not on record | 10 | Not on record | Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District, 618-833-8576 |
Getting to Bald Knob Wilderness
- Alto Pass, IL is the nearest town, 1.8 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance). (US Census places, accessed 2026-09-30)
Trailheads at Bald Knob Wilderness
- Bald Knob South (inside the boundary, 399 ft), at 37.5322, -89.3450
- Godwin Trailhead-East (0.08 mi outside the boundary, 820 ft), at 37.5689, -89.3614
Trailhead locations: Forest Service recreation sites layer , accessed 2026-09-30. Elevations from USGS 3DEP.
Public lands next to Bald Knob Wilderness
- National forestBald Knob Wilderness lies inside Shawnee National Forest.
- Wilderness areaBald Knob Wilderness borders Clear Springs Wilderness.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
Other wilderness areas in Illinois
- wilderness.net (accessed 2026-09-30)
- prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com (accessed 2026-09-30)
- www2.census.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)
- apps.fs.usda.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)
The sentences on this page are generated by software from the sourced records above, not written by hand. How this content is made.