AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Giant City State Park

Turkey Pond–Makanda Pond, 5 lakes

8.7 mi · ▲ 654 ft · 3 hr 14 min

Turkey Pond–Makanda Pond, 5 lakes is an 8.7-mile out-and-back in Giant City State Park near Makanda, IL. The route passes Makanda Pond, Campground Pond and Allen Pond before reaching Turkey Pond at the turnaround, 4.4 miles in. It climbs 654 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 72/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi541 – 820 ft8.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Horse Trail 37.60961, -89.20083
Nearest town Makanda, IL
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Turkey Pond–Makanda Pond, 5 lakes

8.7 mi · ▲ 654 ft · 3 hr 14 min

Elevation 542–820 ft

Out & Back · Giant City State Park

Trailhead: Horse Trail · 37.60961, -89.20083

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

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Horse Trail, heading NE.
  2. 50 ftPass Makanda Pond.
  3. 0.7 miSharp right onto Red Cedar Trail, heading S.
  4. 1.2 miBear right onto Horse Trail, heading NE.
  5. 50 ftContinue straight onto Red Cedar Trail, heading NE.
  6. 0.2 miBear left onto Horse Trail, heading E.
  7. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Red Cedar Trail, heading E.
  8. 50 ftContinue straight onto Horse Trail, heading E.
  9. 50 ftContinue straight onto Red Cedar Trail, heading E.
  10. 0.7 miPass Campground Pond.
  11. 0.5 miPass Allen Pond.
  12. 1 miReach Turkey Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  13. 2.1 miContinue straight onto Horse Trail, heading NW.
  14. 50 ftContinue straight onto Red Cedar Trail, heading NW.
  15. 50 ftContinue straight onto Horse Trail, heading N.
  16. 0.2 miBear right onto Red Cedar Trail, heading SW.
  17. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Horse Trail, heading SW.
  18. 50 ftBear left onto Red Cedar Trail, heading SW.
  19. 1.2 miSharp left onto Horse Trail, heading N.
  20. 0.7 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/turkey-pond-makanda-pond-out-back-6-lakes-14-km

Trail surface

62% dirt16% grass22% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:44 AMSunset 6:59 PM

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Horse Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Makanda, Illinois