Cypress, Illinois
Top Spots in and near Cypress
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Makanda, Illinois
Hike the Giant City Nature Trail
1.1 mi / 125 ft gainPioneers 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 Mi...Read more -
Makanda, Illinois
Camp at Giant City State Park Campground
Giant City is a popular weekend retreat because it provides for all levels of camping. There are 85 campsites in the Class A Campground which provides water, electricity, showers and restroom facilities for tent and trailer camping. Some facilities such as showers are closed for the winter. A sep...Read more -
Makanda, Illinois
Devil's Standtable Trail
0.26 mi / 75 ft gainDevil's Standtable Trail is a loop trail where you may see great forest setting located near Makanda, Illinois.Read more -
Jonesboro, Illinois
Camp in the Trail of Tears State Forest
Trail of Tears State Forest lies within one of the most rugged landscapes in Illinois. The hills are steep, and the soil is shallow and susceptible to erosion. Cliffs are all around and streams with gravel bottoms are in the narrow forest filled valleys. In 1838-39 the Cherokee, Creek, and Chicka...Read more -
Makanda, Illinois
Hike or Climb Devil's Standtable
0.5 mi / 75 ft gainDevil'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-li...Read more -
Golconda, Illinois
Ghost Dance Canyon
0.58 mi / 39 ft gainWhen you arrive at Dixon Springs State Park, drive through the park and stop and take in the main attraction of a waterfall that is partially man made. Then drive and park at the swimming pool, walk to the front of it where the building is, and turn to the right. Follow the trail, and be mindful ...Read more -
Simpson, Illinois
Hike Millstone Bluff in the Shawnee National Forest
1 mi / 193 ft gainListed on the National Register of Historic Places, this mile loop trail leads you along a bluff line to the ruins of a historic village of Woodland and Mississippian Native Americans. Mississippian Natives established a village here between 1000 and 500 years ago. The older Woodland Indians bu...Read more -
Makanda, Illinois
Hike Rocky Bluff Trail
1.7 mi / 157 ft gainRocky Bluff Trail in Southern Illinois is part of the Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge near Carbondale. It's a relatively easy loop hike at 1.7 miles. This trail is not stroller or disability friendly. The parking lot is small and requires a $2.00 daily use tag you can obtain at the Crab Orchard Wild...Read more -
Golconda, Illinois
Camp at Oak Point Campground
Oak Point Campground is located in the Lake Glendale Recreation Area, there are 34 full hook up sites and 25 primitive tent camping sites. Group camping is also available at the Duck Bay Shelter and the Goose Bay Shelter. All sites are first come first serve and does get crowded on Summer weekend...Read more -
Simpson, Illinois
Paddle Millstone Lake
Enjoy the seclusion of this 118-acre lake. After a few miles of unimproved rough road, you will arrive at the spill way of Millstone Lake. The remoteness alone is worth the trip. Kayak, Canoe, or SUP the lake and even extend it up a couple of miles into Bay Creek. Fishing is also enjoyed on the l...Read more -
Golconda, Illinois
Paddle or Swim at Lake Glendale Recreation Area
Hike, swim, paddle, fish, bike, or picnic is a amazing medium size lake in the heart of the Shawnee. Surrounded by trees, bluffs, creeks, and trails in all directions paired with its central location many attractions in Southern Illinois, Lake Glendale is a great spot to spend a day or a week. Fr...Read more -
Makanda, Illinois
Hike the Stonefort Trail
0.75 mi / 125 ft gainThe 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 amaz...Read more -
Makanda, Illinois
Camp at Little Grassy Lake Campground
Located within Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge and along one of the most scenic lakes within the Shawnee Hills of Southern Illinois Little Grassy Lake Campground is a awesome place to camp for a night or a whole week. There are 14 full hook up campsites. 54 sites have water and electric acc...Read more -
Makanda, Illinois
Trillium Trail
1.22 mi / 253 ft gainThe 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 ...Read more -
Simpson, Illinois
Hike & Climb at Jackson Falls
4.5 mi / 410 ft gainThe road into Jackson Falls is rough and sometimes has washouts. A high clearance or 4x4 vehicle are almost required. Once you reach the parking or primitive camping area, take the short path to the top of the falls. It is close to only a 0.25 miles. This will give you a visual of the rest of the...Read more -
Alto Pass, Illinois
Drive through the Bald Knob Wilderness
5.0Adjacent to the beautiful Bald Knob Cross monument is one of the most scenic drives in Southern Illinois. The road winds and turns through this rugged and remote wilderness. Highlights along the way for hikers are the Bald Knob trail loop and the linear Godwin Trail which connects into Clear Spr...Read more