Hike to Pomona Natural Bridge

The Pomona Natural Bridge located in Pomona Illinois is a great hike for most ages. 

Starting on a scenic drive from the small town of Pomona, there is ample parking at the trailhead. The hiking trail is easily identified with its gravel path and sign. The trail begins at the top of a hill then descends downward immediately after it begins. No more than a quarter mile into the hike, the path comes to a fork. Going left will slightly increase your travel distance to the Natural Bridge. Being a loop, pick your path.

There are one or two small bridges that cross the mostly dry creek. Turn right at the fork and travel a couple hundred yards. Catch some spectacular scenery as the natural bridge comes into view. Following this trail, hikers will come out on the high side of the bridge. The trail makes a complete loop that is around half of mile long starting and ending at the fork.

The bridge itself is 90 feet long and a little over 8 feet wide at its widest point.   The bridge is 30 feet in the air and slopes slightly downward  to around 20-25 feet at the other end.  Being made entirely of sandstone the bridge was carved out over many years of water wearing at it.

There are also some canyons, creeks, and shallow caves nearby the bridge.

This is one of the iconic features of the Shawnee National Forest and a must for anyone enjoying the western section of the "Illinois Ozarks"