Did you know there is a natural bridge in Illinois? Actually, there are several. The best of them, I would say, is the Pomona Natural Bridge in the Shawnee National Forest.
Pomona Natural Bridge is in the tiny town of Pomona, Illinois, about 20 minutes from Carbondale.
Pomona Natural Bridge is made of sandstone, formed by erosion caused by water over millions of years. It’s 90 feet long, 25-30 feet high (differing on each end), and about 8 feet wide at the widest point.
The hike is a short, easy, 0.3-mile trail- great for kids and all ages.
Myself, the kids, and a good friend decided to do this hike on a relatively warm day in December.
We were expecting it to be mostly brown and dead, and were pleasantly surprised to see so much green! Moss was covering so many surfaces, and it looked so pretty!
On the way to the bridge, we stopped and played at several different areas. There was this little waterfall flowing in a crevice that the kids enjoyed.
They also balanced over fallen logs, climbed rocks, splashed in puddles, and wandered through the creek.
Make sure that you stay a while and enjoy all there is to offer in this area!
A note of caution: This should go without saying, but please don’t let young kids roam free on this bridge! They could easily slip and it would be a long fall to rocky ground!
If you are looking to spend an entire day hiking, I would recommend combining this hike with the nearby Little Grand Canyon. The Little Grand Canyon Trail is a 3-mile trail, rated moderate to difficult, but can be broken into smaller sections.
Pomona Natural Bridge Trail Information:
- Parking at trailhead
- Restrooms
- Picnic area
- 0.3-mile loop trail
- Difficulty level: easy to moderate
Next, check out these relevant posts!
- Best Hiking Carriers for 3-Year-Olds
- Fun Things to Do with Kids in Southern Illinois
- 3 Must-Do Hikes at Giant City State Park
If you found this helpful, consider pinning it for later!
