Hawk's Cave is a short trail, probably a little less than a mile loop, about the same as the waterfall trail. When you park in the lot, instead of hiking straight onto the waterfall trail, veer left and go across the stepping stones. That trail will split into three, Hawk's Cave trail is on the far left.
The trail itself will Y a little ways into it, but it's a loop, you can't get lost. Your only decision is really if you want to go uphill before or after exploring the cave (haha. We chose before in which case you go right.)
You won't see the cave coming until your nearly in it. That's the beauty of it. This massive cave site so perfectly in the rock face that your just walking along minding your own business wondering when this cave will appear and Bam! Your in it. It's massive. It doesn't go back too terribly far, but it is move cave than overhang. There's a lot of big stones that have fallen laying around that you can climb on and have fun with, just be careful, play at your own risk. I don't have the slightest clue where the nearest hospital is or how long it would take them to get to you.
There's a smaller cave as you leave Hawk's Cave, I could see it from the trail (which is really pretty at that point) but we didn't go back to it, simply because I was doing a photo shoot at the time and light is never on our side.
Walking back down you'll cross a cute little footbridge crossing a stream. The kids loved it, and had it been a little warmer, I'm sure would have been in it.
You go back down the hill you walked up, then meet back up at the main trail. You should still have plenty of energy to go and see the waterfall. :)
Take rt 37 to Goreville, and follow it through town. Just outside of town you'll see the sign for Fern Clyffe. If you want more to see, Tunnel Hill State Trail isn't far!
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