Hiking & Trails Directions: From Jonesboro: Take Highway 146 west 2.5 miles, then take Highway 127 north 12 miles to Pomona Road. Hike across the adorable Pomona Natural Bridge in Southern Illinois. There is a 3 mile drive on a gravel road, then a short walk, the trail takes you to the bridge and you actually walk across the bridge. Pomona Natural Bridge Trail. People have been drawn to the natural wonders of southern Illinois for years. To find the bridge, drive south from Murphysboro on IL-127 for about 10 miles. Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois. Located on the western edge of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, nestled in the hills of the Shawnee Nat An Illinois Made producer of planters and garden ornaments. As you approach the bridge, there are nice clear views of the bridge from below. This Trail is rated moderate due to some steep slopes. Pomona Natural Bridge - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor 750 (Natural Bridge Rd. This short loop-trail (0.3 mile) winds through a mature oak-hickory and beech forest as itdescendsan overlook reveals a view of the arch or "bridge" made of sandstone for which it is named. The reasons this was designated a preserve were to protect not only the sandstone bluffs, but also two endangered plants. You'll love the Garden of the Gods, but to really . This is a quick and easy hike with a high reward after a very short hike. So good to combine these shirt hikes. The walk/hike is not difficult, but it is up & down a slope, so it would not be pleasant if it was muddy. Directions and other great inform. The Pomona Natural Bridge located in Pomona Illinois is a great quick hike for all ages. No more than a quarter mile into the hike, the path comes to a fork. Pomona Natural Bridge Is A Natural Wonder In Illinois Turn right at the fork and travel around a 100 yards. Have you ever visited Pomona Natural Bridge? It almost looked as if the tree was pouring right through the back of the bench. Very easy to get to, a little muddy, but manageable. on official, secure websites. This little goodie will take you at least 10 minutes off the paved road to reach but then is a very short hike in lovely scenic woods to an impressive natural feature: we are talking like 75 feet long, not just a little piece of rock. Being made entirely of sandstone its obvious the bridge was carved out over many years of water wearing at it. Length: 1/3 mile loop. The area isn't stroller friendly and there is no camping. Burden Falls. The bridge is 30 feet in the air and slopes slightly downward to around 20-25 feet at the other end. Drive carefully. (When we have visited other land bridges, the bridges themselves were typically a bald rock surface barren of much vegetation.) Christine Arason/Google Pack a Picnic There is a picnic table on site, and it is situated in a nice little shady area. Difficulty: 2 out of 5. As one of the tallest waterfalls in the state, this one is 35 feet tall and is made up of several smaller falls. Its fun to take in the scenery from atop the bridge. Fernlands Preserve Trail is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Carbondale, Illinois. Official websites use .gov A .gov Parks all over the country are full of bridges, whether wooden or paved; its something were all used to seeing. Step back in time to the golden age of train travel and settle in for a peaceful ride to discover some of Illinois most charming towns and hidden treasures. 2. Trail Map provided by Forestry Service (PDF version), by ShawneeForestAdmin | January 8, 2021 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments, by ShawneeForestAdmin | January 4, 2021 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments, by Shawnee-Blogger | May 15, 2020 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments. It created a cozy picturesque environment even though the stream beds were mostly dry during our visit. Cool hike! My son's favorite landmark in Southern Illinois. This is a popular trail for walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. This is a popular trail for walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The trail starts along Hickory Ridge, the southern rim of the canyon. There are plenty of points of interest within the park, but this bridge is one of the most beautiful. Dad Hikes: Pomona Natural Bridge - thatawaydad.com It is in the Shawnee National Forest. The hike was short. Natural bridge is stunning. It needs some maintenance. We went on a Saturday around 2pm and we were the only ones there. Hike to Pomona Natural Bridge, Pomona, Illinois - The Outbound Chim Chim Cheree Find Reply Quote Next Oldest | Next Newest This stunning forest covers the southernmost parts of Illinois, boasting 415 square miles of protected land. Steep decent and ascent from the parking lot, but its a short distance. Specializing in wines made from locally grown fruits other than grapes, we offer seven table wines a Come for the wine. Greenery This natural bridge is located in a wooded area so there was lots of plantlife and trees along the trail. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The tree had grown so close to the back of the bench that some of its trunk had grown right into the cracks of the benchs wooden slats. Tell us about your experience in the comments. Energy Solar Tech Oil and Gas Madrid, Madrid 2,486 followers Disrupting the energy industry to change the world for better Myself, the kids, and a good friend decided to do this hike on a relatively warm day in December. Being a loop, pick your path. The loop itself is only 1/3 mile long. It is one of many spectacular natural wonders that are abundant in the Shawnee National Forest. A note of caution: This should go without saying, but please dont let young kids roam free on this bridge! Get more stories delivered right to your email. Pomona Natural Bridge - Wikipedia Interesting scenery. Be the first to leave a review! I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. If you want to keep up with everything the Shawnee National Forest has to offer, subscribe to our newsletter today! Water seeps down the ledge, so there's almost a hanging garden of mosses, ferns and other plants. This hidden hiking treasure is a 15-30 minute drive from several Southern Illinois towns such as Carbondale, Cobden, Alto Pass, Murphysboro and Anna. Follow my instagram for more adventures @julie_journeys. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream. Of the spaces we mentioned in this article, the Pomona Natural Bridge is the most impressive. Definitely moderate for elevation changes. This formation and other rock outcrops in the area consist of sandstone, a fairly soft, erodible bedrock. There is no camping or major backpacking areas near this trail, so you may want to book a cabin or check into hotels in the area. The bridge is quite scenic and nice to see. The frogs were super active when I was visiting, along with some birds so it was definitely not quiet, but very peaceful. Giant City State Park. Rocks and wood bridges very slick. I've worked in the entertainment industry for much of my adult life and I love photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world! Please use extra caution during wet seasons and on rainy days. Pomona Natural Bridge Trail Moderate 4.5 (369) Shawnee National Forest Photos (373) Directions Print/PDF map Length 0.3 miElevation gain 68 ftRoute type Loop Experience this 0.3-mile loop trail near Pomona, Illinois. At one end, it stands at about 25 feet high; the other end is about 30 feet high. Wash skin and clothing throughly after hiking. You can view this natural wonder via a short 0.3-mile loop trail. But you can go down under it where the views are much neater. The loop itself is pretty easy hiking. Length 0.5 kmElevation gain 21 mRoute type Circular. Located not too far from Little Grand Canyon, this is a short hike for all ages. Pomona Natural Bridge Filmed by Tom Kent in 2010 Pomona Natural Bridge as in appeared in 2017 Pomona Natural Bridge as it appeared in 1968 Definitely lots of great exploring to be done in the area for all ages. The right bank of the river is the portion that flows past the Shawnee National Forest. Copyright 2021 by April Berry. The Natural Bridge is pretty neat to see, but my kids find climbing on the rocks and playing by the small creek below the bridge to be most enjoyable. . Trail was dry & relatively easygoing down. Pomona Natural Bridge in the Shawnee National Forest featuring an awesome large natural bridge and a whole lot of bluffage. Home If you encounter a snake give a wide birth andback away until it leaves the area. There are several opportunities to view this natural wonder while hiking the loop. Although this trail is short and mostly easy, there are some steep rocky sections. This natural geologic sandstone formation spans 90 feet across a ravine in a mature beech, oak and hickory forest. When you see railings twisting towards the right, catch the first glimpse of this spectacular scenery as the natural bridge comes into view. It would be a lovely place to enjoy a picnic lunch. Wildlife Area A short loop hike through an oak and beech forest leads to the 90 foot Pomona Natural Bridge nestled in trees by a cliff. The Hiking Trail There is ample parking at the trailhead. It is about 30 meters long, three meters wide and three meters thick. 2023 Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, Forest Service Rd. So far, we have hiked to Rockbridge in Hocking Hills (the longest natural land bridge in Ohio) and Bell Smith Springs Natural Bridge (the highest rock bridge in Illinois). We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This is 30-45 minutes well spent. If you plan to hike the Pomona Natural Bridge Trail, here are a few helpful tips. Pomona Natural Bridge: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/shawn . I think that route provided the best viewing angles of Pomona Natural Bridge. Hidden Gems at Illinois' State Parks | Enjoy Illinois The commitment of the Community of Madrid to the protection of our cultural heritage starts from the firm conviction of its role as a key element for everyone's access to culture. Share sensitive information only Pomona Natural Bridge 38 Reviews #2 of 4 things to do in Pomona Outdoor Activities, Nature & Parks, Hiking Trails Natural Bridge Road, Pomona, IL 62975 Save peterglassman Schaumburg, Illinois 200 66 Pomona Natural Bridge Review of Pomona Natural Bridge Reviewed November 5, 2021 I was glad to have a paper map on hand when we were driving between two big farm fields and our GPS announced that we had arrived. .3 tenths mile loop maybe .6 with some side exploring. If you are wanting to see the land bridge and leave, it'll only take you 15-30 minutes (after the long drive down the gravel road). The Pomona Natural Bridge is a natural bridge approximately 30m long, 3m wide, and 3m thick, located near Pomona, IL. On the way to the bridge, we stopped and played at several different areas. The toughest part of the hike is climbing the steep hill back to the car. You are in Pretty cool natural bridge! Easy hike but hilly. 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Adjacent to the beautiful Bald Knob Cross monument is one of the most scenic drives in Southern Illinois. Very short but it's still a hike back up hill to complete. Pomona Natural Bridge is located in the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. Short trail, fairly easy to navigate. The hiking trail is easily identified with its gravel cover and small blue sign. View These Natural Wonders In Illinois - Only In Your State Pomona Natural Bridge Guide - Shawnee National Forest - Hiking With Shawn The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. At 90 feet long and 8 feet wide, the sandstone bridge formed naturally over millions of years of erosion by running . Venomous snakes can be found in this area; watch where you place hands and feet. Pack It In, Pack It Out - no garbage recepticles. (618) 833-8576 (618) 687-1731, Oakwood Bottoms and Big Muddy River Levee Trail, Godwin Trailhead West: King Hollow, Hutchins Creek, and R2R Loop. A small unnamed stream flows beneath the bridge. Wildflowers We did this hike in early April, and we were delighted with all of the wildflowers growing along the trail. For more beautiful hikes, here are 8 Hikes You Need To Take In Illinois Shawnee National Forest. 20. Shawnee National Forest - Pomona Natural Bridge Trail