Park listing
Giant City State Park
235 Giant City Road, Makanda, IL 62958
Campground map/info.
Trip starter
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Giant City State Park
This listing is currently using verified trip data while licensed photography is being finalized.
Drive time
Set origin in search
Bathrooms
Restroom coverage on site
Trailer fit
109 trailer-capable sites, max listed vehicle length 40ft, driveway mix: 0 pull-through, 0 back-in
Weather
Mostly Cloudy
Why this park
Facilities
Facility coverage needs a closer look on the official reservation page.
Trailer fit
109 trailer-capable sites, max listed vehicle length 40ft, driveway mix: 0 pull-through, 0 back-in
Activity mix
37 named routes are surfaced for hiking and activity planning.
About this park
Campground map/info. 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.
Read full park description
Campground map/info. 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. Visit the Giant City State Park IDNR website for more information 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 here, a Class C camping area with 14 walk-in campsites, and a youth group camping area. Visitors can enjoy picturesque natural wonders along Giant City's hiking trails, and rock climbing/rappelling are permitted in two locations. Rock Climbing Information Horseback riding enthusiasts will find an equestrian campground and a 12-mile loop trail, and visitors without horses can stop by Giant City Stables. Ponds are located throughout the park for bank fishing. Fishing Map | Fishing Information For information on seasonal hunting programs at Giant City, view the site Hunter Fact Sheet and Hunting Information.
Campsite fit
Group-designated sites listed in park data: 1. Verify current group pricing, vehicle maximums, and campground rules on the official reservation page.
Group-site signal
No special group limitations surfaced in the current listing metadata.
Trailer and rig access
109 trailer-capable sites, max listed vehicle length 40ft, driveway mix: 0 pull-through, 0 back-in
Fire rules
Campfires allowed in designated fire pits only. Firewood must be sourced within 50 miles or USDA certified; no out-of-state wood.
Bathrooms and facilities
Trails and activities
37 named trail routes are surfaced here from 67 mapped source segments. Start with the featured routes, then expand the full list if this park stays on your shortlist.
River To River Trail
7.9 miles total • 16 mapped segments • unpaved • path and track
Happy Hollow Trail
4.0 miles total • 2 mapped segments • path
Wild Turkey Trail
2.0 miles total • ground • foot trail
View all trail routes
Cedar Bluff Trail
1.9 miles total • path
Rocky Bluff Trail
1.6 miles total • 2 mapped segments • ground • foot trail
Grassy Creek Trail
1.6 miles total • 4 mapped segments • asphalt • foot trail
High Ridge Trail
1.3 miles total • 2 mapped segments • path
Big Buck Creek Trail
1.1 miles total • path
Panther Loop
1.0 miles total • 2 mapped segments • unpaved • path
Bopbcat Loop Trail
1.0 miles total • path
Round Bluff Nature Preserve Trail
1.0 miles total • dirt • path
Lake Trail
0.9 miles total • path
Weather context
Mostly Cloudy
2026-03-09 • 72° / 63° • 9% precipitation
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. South southwest wind 12 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
May
May avg: 72°F high, 53°F low, 11 rainy days
June
June avg: 81°F high, 62°F low, 10 rainy days
July
July avg: 85°F high, 67°F low, 9 rainy days
Safety and rules
No active alerts surfaced for the selected dates.
Campfires allowed in designated fire pits only. Firewood must be sourced within 50 miles or USDA certified; no out-of-state wood.
Key rules and on-site notes
Start with the highest-signal rules below, then expand the full park policy list only if this park stays in contention.
Directions
From the north: Take Interstate 57 South to the Route 13 exit (Carbondale - Exit #54B), head west (right) on Rt. 13 toward Carbondale, go approximately 15 miles. Look for Wal-Mart on your right. Turn left at this light (Giant City Road). Continue 12 miles to the south. Giant City Road will lead you into the park. From the south: Follow I-24 to I-57 North, or stay on I-57, to the Rt. 148 exit (Exit #45), head northwest on 148 for approximately 2 miles. Turn left on Grassy Road. There is a convenience store on this corner. Follow Grassy Road for 5-7 miles. Stay left when you come to a Y. Continue southwest on Grassy Road. Grassy Road will come to a T at Giant City Road. Turn south (left) on Giant City Road. Continue approximately 4 miles to the park. From the east: Head west on I-70 or, if you are further south, take I-64 to I-57 South. Continue approximately 50 miles south from I-64 to the Route 13 exit (Marion - Exit #54B), head west on Rt. 13 toward Carbondale, go approximately 15 miles. Look for Wal-Mart on your right. Turn left at this light (Giant City Road). Continue 12 miles to the south. Giant City Road will lead you into the park. From the west: Head east on I-64 approximately 50 miles from St. Louis. Take the Rt. 127 (Nashville) exit south. Continue south for approximately 50 miles to Murphysboro. At Murphysboro, go left or east for approximately 10 miles. You will pass through the town of Carbondale. Watch for the mall on your right. When you see Wal-Mart on your left, this is your light. Take a right here on Giant City Road heading south for 12 miles into the park.
Contact
(618) 457-4836
Fire policy
Campfires allowed in designated fire pits only. Firewood must be sourced within 50 miles or USDA certified; no out-of-state wood.
View all park rules
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