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Makanda, Illinois

Top Spots in and near Makanda

  • Makanda, Illinois

    Trillium Trail

    1.22 mi / 253 ft gain
    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 ...
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  • Makanda, Illinois

    Hike the Stonefort Trail

    0.75 mi / 125 ft gain
    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 amaz...
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  • Makanda, Illinois

    Hike or Climb Devil's Standtable

    0.5 mi / 75 ft gain
    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-li...
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  • Makanda, Illinois

    Devil's Standtable Trail

    0.26 mi / 75 ft gain
    Devil's Standtable Trail is a loop trail where you may see great forest setting located near Makanda, Illinois.
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  • Makanda, Illinois

    Hike the Giant City Nature Trail

    1.1 mi / 125 ft gain
    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 Mi...
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  • Cobden, Illinois

    Hike Indian Creek Trail

    0.75 mi / 65 ft gain
    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 Americ...
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  • Makanda, Illinois

    Explore the Giant City Lodge and Water Tower

    0.25 mi
    Like the rest of the park, the Giant City Lodge was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930's. The lodge's architecture will remind someone of great lodges of the West with its hardwood timber and sandstone blend that has a two story fireplace and rotunda to enjoy one of the be...
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  • 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...
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  • 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...
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  • Carbondale, Illinois

    Fernlands Preserve Trail

    5.0
    0.69 mi / 46 ft gain
    Fernlands Preserve Trail is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Carbondale, Illinois.
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  • Makanda, Illinois

    Hike Rocky Bluff Trail

    1.7 mi / 157 ft gain
    Rocky 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...
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  • Pomona, Illinois

    Hike to Pomona Natural Bridge

    0.5 mi / 68 ft gain
    The Pomona Natural Bridge located in Pomona Illinois is a great hike for most ages.  Starting on a scenic drive from the small town of Pomona, there is ample parking at the trailhead. The hiking trail is easily identified with its gravel path and sign. The trail begins at the top of a hill then d...
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  • Alto Pass, Illinois

    Drive through the Bald Knob Wilderness

    5.0
    Adjacent 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...
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  • Goreville, Illinois

    Hike to Bork's Falls

    0.5 mi / 227 ft gain
    Located off Regent Lane/Cedar Grove Road near Goreville, Illinois, Bork's Falls is a beautiful waterfall with little visitor traffic. The bottom of the falls is accessible from either side of the ravine with a very short hike. This waterfall generally flows year round, unlike most other waterfall...
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  • Pomona, Illinois

    Hike the Little Grand Canyon Trail

    5.0
    3.6 mi / 365 ft gain
    The trail starts along Hickory Ridge, the southern rim of the canyon. Continue on the trail as it begins to descend into the canyon, following the white diamond markers – you can make a quick stop off along a side path, which leads to some scenic river views. When you reach a stone staircase in t...
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  • 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...
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Camping and Lodging in Makanda

Benton KOA Journey
Benton, Illinois

Benton KOA Journey

Dam West Area (Day Use)
Benton, Illinois

Dam West Area (Day Use)

Spillway Group Area
Benton, Illinois

Spillway Group Area

Dale Miller Youth
Benton, Illinois

Dale Miller Youth

South Marcum Day Use
Benton, Illinois

South Marcum Day Use

South Marcum Campround
Benton, Illinois

South Marcum Campround