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.

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.

Giant City State Park

Little Grassy Fish Hatchery is Illinois' warm-water hatchery. Located seven miles south of Carbondale, the hatchery utilizes water from Little Grassy Lake for fish production. The original facility began operation in 1959. Major expansion and renovation in 1979 allowed production to be increased to keep up with fish stocking demands.

Little Grassy is open to the public daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during both production season and non-production season. Walk-in visitors, as well as scheduled tour groups, are welcome. Scheduled tours can be adjusted to suit time constraints of visitors as well as the age group and knowledge base of visitors. For information or reservations, please call: Little Grassy Fish Hatchery 618-529-4100.



State Parks Tagged With: Makanda