Makanda

The natural area you are now entering is 110 acres of bluffs and forest designated as Fern Rocks Nature Preserve. The reasons this was designated a preserve were to protect not only the sandstone bluffs, but also two endangered plants. The white flowered mint, and the grove bluegrass. many other wonderful ferns, wildflowers, trees, and shrubs call this area home. Each season brings changes for ...

Stone Fort Trail is a loop trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Makanda, Illinois.

The massive stone wall was at one time 285 feet long, six feet high, and nine feet thick. The appearance of a “stone fort” or stone wall here at Giant City is one of at least ten in Southern Illinois.  The trail begins at the parking lot and traverses a intermittent cascade waterfall that is amazing after snow melt or spring rains. It is steep and rugged, so be sure to wear quality shoes. Once ...

Devil's Standtable was once a large block of the bluff that cracked loose during earth movements. The wind and rain erosion of the surface removed the softer areas of sandstone in the mid-section of the pillar leaving the large base and iron embedded cap much larger, which creates the mushroom-like appearance. These types of spires are often seen in Utah or Arizona, so to see one in the Midwest...

Devil's Standtable Trail is a loop trail where you may see great forest setting located near Makanda, Illinois.

Pioneers had not seen skyscrapers, so these sheer bluffs seemed like the “streets of a giant city” to them. Thus became the naming of a pinnacle state park in Illinois. Giant City State Park is a paradise for hikers, climbers, campers, and lovers of nature. Parts of the park reminds you of the Missouri Ozarks or Cumberland Plateau rather than a piece of the "Prairie State" Illinois. Begin the j...

Giant City Nature Trail is a loop trail where you can see beautiful wildflowers located near Makanda, Illinois.

Indian Creek Shelter Nature Trail is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Makanda, Illinois.

This wandering intermittent creek inside of Giant City State Park only flows in periods of heavy rain or after snow melts. Prior to a confluence with Drury Creek, the path comes to a mid sized shelter bluff wall. What this shelter lacks in sheer size, it made up for in importance to Native Americans who used the south facing wall for shelter. By facing this way, the bluff would get morning sun,...