Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve

Jones Island Beach–Molly's Pond, 3 beaches

12.4 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 4 hr 9 min

Jones Island Beach–Molly's Pond, 3 beaches is a 12.4-mile out-and-back in Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve near Druce Lake, IL. The route passes Molly's Pond and Jones Island Beach before reaching Central Park Beach at the turnaround, 6.2 miles in. It is mostly level, with 26 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi761 – 794 ft13.3 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.37218, -87.98361
Nearest town Druce Lake, IL

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Jones Island Beach–Molly's Pond, 3 beaches

12.4 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 4 hr 9 min

Elevation 761–796 ft

Out & Back · Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve

Trailhead: 42.37218, -87.98361

Weather Sep 22: sunrise 6:40 AM · sunset 6:51 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading N.
  2. 450 ftTurn left, heading W.
  3. 50 ftBear right, heading W.
  4. 0.8 miSharp left, heading NW.
  5. 0.9 miTurn right, heading SW.
  6. 0.4 miTurn left, heading SW.
  7. 0.4 miTurn left, heading W.
  8. 50 ftContinue straight onto Millennium Trail, heading W.
  9. 0.3 miBear left, heading SW.
  10. 1.1 miTurn left, heading SW.
  11. 50 ftBear left, heading SW.
  12. 200 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  13. 0.4 miBear right, heading W.
  14. 1 miPass Molly's Pond.
  15. 0.1 miTurn left, heading W.
  16. 0.4 miPass Jones Island Beach.
  17. 0.3 miTurn left, heading S.
  18. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  19. 50 ftBear left, heading S.
  20. 50 ftBear left, heading S.
  21. 150 ftPass Central Park Beach.
  22. 50 ftSharp right, heading S.
  23. 0.1 miReach Jones Island Beach, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  24. 0.1 miSharp left, heading NE.
  25. 200 ftBear right, heading E.
  26. 50 ftBear right, heading E.
  27. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  28. 50 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  29. 0.7 miTurn right, heading N.
  30. 1.1 miBear left, heading NE.
  31. 0.4 miTurn left, heading E.
  32. 200 ftBear right, heading E.
  33. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  34. 1.4 miTurn right, heading N.
  35. 0.4 miTurn right, heading E.
  36. 0.4 miTurn left, heading SE.
  37. 0.9 miSharp right, heading N.
  38. 0.8 miBear left, heading SW.
  39. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  40. 50 ftArrive 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% gravel15% paved57% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:40 AMSunset 6:51 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.0 mi in (~48 min). Leave by 5:43 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:54 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead