AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes
Giant City SP 20140809-081.jpg
Kbh3rd · CC BY 4.0
Giant City State Park

Makanda Pond–Quail Pond Loop, 7 lakes

8.2 mi · ▲ 799 ft · 3 hr 8 min

Makanda Pond–Quail Pond Loop, 7 lakes is an 8.2-mile loop in Giant City State Park near Stone Fort, IL. The route passes Makanda Pond, Quail Pond, Deer Pond and 2 more. It climbs 799 ft, with sections as steep as 15% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 68/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi476 – 738 ft · steepest grade: 15%8.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Horse Trail 37.60818, -89.18432
Nearest town Stone Fort, IL
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Makanda Pond–Quail Pond Loop, 7 lakes

8.2 mi · ▲ 799 ft · 3 hr 8 min

Elevation 474–737 ft

Loop · Giant City State Park

Trailhead: Horse Trail · 37.60818, -89.18432

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:44 AM · sunset 6:59 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Horse Trail, heading NE.
  2. 0.5 miBear left, heading S.
  3. 100 ftTurn right onto Red Cedar Trail, heading SW.
  4. 1.1 miSharp left onto Horse Trail, heading N.
  5. 0.7 miTurn right, heading SW.
  6. 50 ftPass Makanda Pond.
  7. 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  8. 0.4 miBear left onto Red Cedar Trail, heading NW.
  9. 100 ftTurn left onto River to River Trail, heading NW.
  10. 0.5 miTurn right onto Red Cedar Trail, heading SE.
  11. 0.2 miTurn right onto River to River Trail, heading SW.
  12. 0.1 miTurn left onto Red Cedar Trail, heading SW.
  13. 50 ftContinue straight onto River to River Trail, heading SW.
  14. 1.5 miPass Quail Pond.
  15. 0.9 miPass Deer Pond.
  16. 0.4 miPass Allen Pond.
  17. 0.1 miTurn left onto Red Cedar Trail, heading E.
  18. 0.4 miPass Campground Pond.
  19. 0.8 miContinue straight onto Horse Trail, heading N.
  20. 50 ftContinue straight onto Red Cedar Trail, heading N.
  21. 50 ftContinue straight onto Horse Trail, heading NW.
  22. 0.5 miThe 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/makanda-pond-quail-pond-loop-8-lakes-13-km

Trail surface

83% dirt17% grass

Weather

Sunrise 6:44 AMSunset 6:59 PM

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Horse Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Stone Fort, Illinois