Popular Illinois Road Closed For Massive Annual Snake Migration

The Shawnee National Forest has announced the annual closure of a road known as Snake Road to allow for snakes and other reptiles and amphibians to cross.

If there is one thing in this world that terrifies me, it's snakes. That being said, I do understand that there are some benefits to keeping them around. However, if I were to see one in my yard, I would instinctively run away. Perhaps that is what drew me to this story. My fear of snakes made me naturally curious about a large number of snakes crossing one road in southern Illinois. This migration is so big that it actually closes down a road.

Snake Road in the Shawnee National Forest

Twice a year, the Shawnee National Forest closes Forest Service Road No. 345, also known as Snake Road. This is an effort to help ensure safe crossing for several species of snakes and amphibians during this critical time of migration. The fact that it is even known as Snake Road makes me want to avoid that road at all costs. However, that's not the case for many people. According to the USDA Forest Service:

Every spring, this 2.5-mile-long road is closed March through May to allow snakes and amphibians – some of them considered threatened and endangered in Illinois and the United States – to move from their winter habitat in the limestone bluffs across the road to their summer habitat in LaRue Swamp.

The road is closed from March 6 through May 15, 2026. It will also be closed from approximately September 1 to October 30 in the fall. This event actually attracts people from across the country who are eager to witness all of the reptiles and amphibians along that stretch of the road. While the road is currently closed to vehicles, it is still open to people traveling on foot. The USDA Forest Service goes on to say:

The gradual, two-month migration event attracts people from across the country eager to witness the rich diversity of reptile and amphibian species along this single stretch of road. Snake movements on the road occur as pulses of individual snakes crossing at scattered times during the day, and at random points along the road. They don’t form groups or cross the road in large masses.

A lot of factors will go into how many snakes you may see on your visit, but the number one thing to keep in mind is safety. Visitors should keep their distance from the snakes to avoid disrupting their critical movement. Visitors are also asked to keep to the gravel road as a best practice when visiting.

Visitors to Snake Road may encounter Forest Service volunteers assisting with counting snakes and visitors to the area. These special “Snake Sentinel” volunteers received training in snake identification and data collection that they conduct along the Snake Road.

You can learn more about Snake Road by clicking here. Have you ever explored it during the migration season? If so, how many snakes did you come across?