Ballard Nature Center

Ballard Fishing Pond & Bluestem Trail Loop

2.2 mi · ▲ 53 ft · 46 min

Ballard Fishing Pond & Bluestem Trail Loop is a 2.2-mile loop in Ballard Nature Center near East Meadows, IL. The route reaches Ballard Fishing Pond. It is mostly level, with 53 ft of elevation gain. It scores 5/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi558 – 604 ft2.3 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 39.05688, -88.70754
Nearest town East Meadows, IL

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Ballard Fishing Pond & Bluestem Trail Loop

2.2 mi · ▲ 53 ft · 46 min

Elevation 558–603 ft

Loop · Ballard Nature Center

Trailhead: 39.05688, -88.70754

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:41 AM · sunset 6:57 PM

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading N.
  2. 0.4 miPass Ballard Fishing Pond.
  3. 350 ftTurn left, heading N.
  4. 200 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  5. 50 ftTurn left onto Bluestem Trail, heading N.
  6. 150 ftContinue straight onto DRAFT, heading NE.
  7. 0.3 miTurn left onto Second Creek Trail, heading NW.
  8. 0.4 miSharp right onto Bluestem Trail, heading NW.
  9. 0.1 miTurn left onto Red Fox Trail, heading W.
  10. 0.1 miSharp right onto Savanna Trail, heading SE.
  11. 0.3 miTurn left onto Bluestem Trail, heading W.
  12. 0.4 miBear right, heading E.
  13. 150 ftThe loop closes back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

28% dirt72% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:41 AMSunset 6:57 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:36 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 6:57 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:24 PM.

More sunset hikes nearby