AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Pere Marquette State Park

Camdem Hollow Sunset Point–Shelter Bluff, 6 sights

11.9 mi · ▲ 1,229 ft · 4 hr 35 min

Camdem Hollow Sunset Point–Shelter Bluff, 6 sights is an 11.9-mile out-and-back in Pere Marquette State Park near Camden, IL. The route passes Camdem Hollow Sunset Point before reaching Shelter Bluff at the turnaround, 6 miles in. It climbs 1,229 ft, with sections as steep as 15% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 29/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi430 – 879 ft · steepest grade: 15%12.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail 38.97232, -90.46930
Nearest town Camden, IL
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Directions

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Camdem Hollow Sunset Point–Shelter Bluff, 6 sights

11.9 mi · ▲ 1,229 ft · 4 hr 35 min

Elevation 429–880 ft

Out & Back · Pere Marquette State Park

Trailhead: Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail · 38.97232, -90.46930

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:49 AM · sunset 7:02 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail, heading W.
  2. 1.1 miTurn right, heading N.
  3. 200 ftBear right onto Persimmon Trail, heading NE.
  4. 1.1 miSharp right onto Pulltight, heading E.
  5. 1.4 miBear left onto Confluence Overlook Trail, heading W.
  6. 0.3 miTurn right onto Camdem Hollow Trail, heading NE.
  7. 100 ftPass Camdem Hollow Sunset Point.
  8. 0.7 miContinue straight onto Powerline East Trail, heading NE.
  9. 0.3 miTurn right onto Dagett Hollow Trail, heading E.
  10. 1 miPass Shelter Bluff.
  11. 50 ftReach Camdem Hollow Sunset Point, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  12. 1 miTurn left onto Powerline East Trail, heading NW.
  13. 0.3 miContinue straight onto Camdem Hollow Trail, heading SW.
  14. 0.8 miTurn left onto Confluence Overlook Trail, heading S.
  15. 0.3 miBear right onto Pulltight, heading SE.
  16. 1.4 miSharp left onto Persimmon Trail, heading NW.
  17. 1.1 miBear left, heading W.
  18. 200 ftTurn left onto Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail, heading SW.
  19. 1.1 miArrive back at the trailhead.

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

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/camdem-hollow-sunset-point-shelter-bluff-out-back-6-sights-19-km

Trail surface

81% dirt19% paved

Weather

Sunrise 6:49 AMSunset 7:02 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 4.4 mi in (~126 min). Leave by 4:37 PM for the 7:02 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:10 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Camden, Illinois