Overview
Giant City State Park in Southern Illinois is a 10-minute drive from Carbondale. This state park is a National Natural Landmark.
The park offers horseback riding, rock climbing, rappelling, camping, hiking, and many other outdoor adventure opportunities. The camping ranges from class A campsites including electricity, water, showers and the like to class C campsites which are a little more for the adventuresome type. The area is known for its huge sandstone bluffs which are a site to behold.
2 sights · 1 places to eat
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Giant City State Park
Giant City Stone Fort Site
A prehistoric stone fort in the park, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Giant City Visitor Center
Ranger station with park, trails, and camping information, gift shop, nature museum, flush toilets.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 27°F. Wettest: May and Apr. (climate data from nearby Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MWA Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois, Marion — 14 mi away. Directions
- CGI Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, Cape Girardeau — 34 mi away. Directions
- STL St. Louis Lambert International Airport, St Louis — 102 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Giant City Visitor Center
- Lunch Giant City Lodge Restaurant
- Afternoon Giant City Stone Fort Site
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
See
See Giant City Stone Fort Site
A prehistoric stone fort in the park, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Do
Some of the park's most popular hiking trails include Giant City Nature Trail, Red Cedar Trail, and Trillium Trail. The park is served by the River to River Trail.
Eat
Sleep
Lodging
Camping
Backcountry
Nearby
Makanda
City / town · 2 mi away
Cobden
City / town · 6 listings · 6 mi away
Carbondale
City / town · 28 listings · 9 mi away
Marion
City / town · 2 listings · 17 mi away
Cape Girardeau
City / town · 10 listings · 28 mi away
Shawnee National Forest
Park · 12 listings · 29 mi away
Metropolis
City / town · 5 listings · 40 mi away
Cairo
City / town · 18 listings · 41 mi away
My experience
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