All Season Destination: Giant City State Park

From the gangplank, high in the water tower on the grounds of the Giant City State Park Lodge, you can see a whole lot of Southern Illinois.

 

If you haven't been to Giant City State Park for the food at the lodge, consider coming on down for the views, the great hikes or the rocks that give this fine natural resource of Southern Illinois. Giant City State Park located just south of Carbondale in Makanda, IL is an outstanding destination for all. This park is truly an all "season and reason" destination. Some drive down just to eat in the lodges restaurant, others seek the wide view of the surrounding countryside from the top of the water tower and others hike the trails through the fantastic rock formations.

The lodge at Giant City Park offers a fine restaurant, but is primarily known for it's fine accommodation. The many fine lodge suites and individual cabins offer a great place to stay when exploring the park. Even better, the park and lodge are situated right in the heart of the Shawnee Wine Country, so the location is convenient for all kinds of adventures in Southern Illinois. Adjacent to the lodge is a water tower that offers a spectacular view of the region. You can see over to Bald Knob from platform which is several stories up. The stairway is narrow and metal, so mind your children and I'd not recommend pets. There is no handicap access up to the top either. Other amenities at the lodge include a swimming pool and fine restaurant.

Within the park's grounds there are plenty of options for recreation. You have all sizes of picnic grounds, some covered, some open, and a few of the picnic areas have playground equipment. The picnic areas are subject to reservation and the form can be downloaded HERE. Nearly all trails start near a picnic area. The trails start at about 1/2 mile and various levels of ease. Since this is southern Illinois, expect all trails to have some form of grade. The park is known for it's rock formations, so be prepared for spectacular scenery under the forest canopy. A few notes of caution, being a natural area, it is full of "natural" surprises. Be cautious on the trails and even more cautious if you decided to scramble up the rocks or off the improved path. Again, handicap access is limited by terrain and all paths are subject to natural erosion, rock falls and occasionally are shared by "critters". If you are allergic to poison ivy and oak, be careful because there is plenty along parts of the trail.

The park also offers various options for camping including a group site, improved as well as primitive facilities. The improved sites offer electricity, water and shower facilities and are tent or trailer friendly. The primitive site is just what it says, open fires, outdoor privies and access to the showers. All sites including the Youth Group site are first come, first serve, no reservations are taken. Other recreation options at the park include two areas designated for rock climbing as well as rappelling, horseback riding, and fishing. There are equestrian friendly trails and campgrounds as well as guided tours for those who don't own or can't bring their own horse. There is also in season hunting in controlled areas.

The trails afford spectacular access to the "Giant City Streets" which are wonderful sandstone formations formed over 12,000 years ago. In particular, the Giant City Nature Trail is a highly recommended walk through the rock formations. It is a meandering, family friendly hike under the shade of the forest. There are many beautiful flowers and ferns along the path. Although some parts of the trail are improved, the trial has some narrow accesses and grades that would prevent full access for those dependent on mobility devices such as wheel chairs and walkers.

The park area consists of over 4000 acres including the Fern Rocks Nature Reserve. There are remains of a wall dated at about 10,000 years ago that show where some the earliest inhabitants lived in what is now the park. In the past the area has offered refuge from soldiers on both sides of the Civil War and before that was used as to cultivate fruit and vegetables.
Although the lodge is closed from December to February, the park remains open all year.