Shawnee National Forest Pounds Hollow Quarry Technical Loop
Quarry roads for the technically fearless
Hidden behind the tourist crowds at Garden of the Gods lies a network of abandoned quarry roads that served sandstone operations from the 1890s through the 1940s. The route climbs through Pounds Hollow on Forest Road 402, then branches onto unmarked spur roads that wind past massive quarry cuts and stone loading platforms. The technical challenge comes at Devil’s Backbone, where the road drops 200 feet down exposed limestone ledges with no guardrails — just you, your spotter, and gravity.
This is expert-level technical driving that demands 4WD low range, skid plates, and experienced spotting. The limestone is slick when wet and unforgiving when dry. Expect body damage on full-size trucks. Best attempted April through October when weather is predictable. No permits required for the forest roads, but camping restricted to designated areas. This loop rewards skilled drivers with some of Illinois’ most challenging rock crawling and complete solitude in the Shawnee backcountry.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 8 mi / 12.9 km |
| Duration | Full day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 980 ft |
| Best season | April-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with armor |
| Nearest town | Herod, Illinois |
| Land manager | Shawnee National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner handle this trail?
No. This is an expert-rated technical loop with limestone ledges and rock shelf terrain that demands a modified 4WD — at minimum skid plates, rock sliders, and a lift. A stock rig will get hurt out here.
When is the Pounds Hollow area accessible and what closes it down?
April through October is the reliable window. Spring mud and winter ice on those limestone ledges make off-season attempts genuinely dangerous, and the Shawnee National Forest service roads can be gated or impassable after heavy rain at any time of year.
Do I need a permit or are there fees to run this trail?
No permit is required for day use on Shawnee National Forest roads, and there's no trail fee. Check with the Hidden Springs Ranger District before you go — seasonal closures for wildlife or trail damage can happen with little public notice.
What's the hardest section and what makes it genuinely difficult?
The limestone ledge climbs are where rigs get sorted out — irregular shelf rock with no predictable line, steep approach angles, and zero margin if you read it wrong. Creek fords add the wildcard; water levels vary and the rocky creek beds are uneven enough to twist a wheel or catch a rocker panel off-guard.
There's zero cell service — what's the nearest place to get gas and how do I plan around that?
Herod is your nearest dot on the map but don't count on fuel there — top off in Harrisburg (roughly 25 miles northwest) or Marion before heading in. Run a full tank minimum; 8 miles of technical terrain at low speeds burns more time than fuel, but you want the buffer for any unplanned recovery detours.
Trail track
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