Hiking, Giant City State Park, Illinois, USA

Hiking, Giant City State Park, Illinois, USA 

With its breathtaking natural beauty and unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreation, a trip to Giant City State Park near Carbondale is sure to delight visitors of all ages. From camping and horseback riding to fishing and rappelling, it’s an outdoor lover’s paradise. Visitors will marvel at the many hiking trails.

Especially popular is the Giant City Nature Trail, home of the “Giant City Streets” – huge bluffs of sandstone formed 12,000 years ago.
Nestled in the Shawnee National Forest, Giant City State Park was named for the unique impressions made by its massive sandstone structures and a landscape like none other, with lush garments of fern, moss, flowering mints, hundreds of species of wild flowers and more than 75 varieties of towering trees.

The Giant City Visitor Center provides interpretive displays on the geology, plants, animals and history of the park, and regional tourism information.

The rustic beauty of the Giant City Lodge is the perfect fit for the natural splendor of the park, with three types of cabins, and the Bald Knob dining room, the lodge also features a gift shop, lounge, and outdoor swimming pool. Open from early February until early December, contact the lodge for reservation information at 618-457-4921 or visit the Giant City Lodge website.

Giant City is also popular for a camping retreat, with 85 Class A campsites that can be reserved online at ReserveAmerica, a Class C camping area with 14 walk-in campsites, and a youth group camping area.

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