Ozark, Illinois
Top Spots in and near Ozark
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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...Read more -
Stonefort, Illinois
Hike to Burden Falls
4.00.8 miLocated in the Shawnee National Forest near Stonefort, Burden Falls, though perhaps small by other standards, is among the highest in Illinois. There are many side trails to explore, making this a great spot for birders and photographers. The hike is a 0.8 mile moderately rated loop trail. Thoug...Read more -
Cobden, Illinois
Hike Indian Creek Trail
0.75 mi / 65 ft gainThis 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...Read more -
Makanda, Illinois
Explore the Giant City Lodge and Water Tower
0.25 miLike 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...Read more -
Belknap, Illinois
Hike the Todd Fink-Heron Pond Trail
1.5 mi / 125 ft gainThis easy trail crosses a truss bridge over the Cache River and features a floating boardwalk in the middle of one of the most beautiful and accessible Cypress-Tupelo swamps in the Midwest. There are 10 interpretive panels located along the trail to guide your way. The floating boardwalk section ...Read more -
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 -
Simpson, Illinois
Hike to Sand Cave
1.2 mi / 32 ft gainShawnee National Forest played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad in the mid-19th century. As slaves escaped and headed north, the dense forest and rugged terrain offered natural hiding places. On the route through Pope County, Illinois, freedom seekers often used Sand Cave for shelter an...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 -
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 -
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
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 -
Johnston City, Illinois
Arrowhead Lake Trail
5.02.12 mi / 105 ft gainArrowhead Lake Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Johnston City, Illinois.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 -
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 -
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 -
Cypress, Illinois
Hike the Egret Slough Trail
0.5 mi / 12 ft gainFor a great introduction to the Cache River Basin of Southern Illinois make your way to the Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center. Here you will find a spur trail to the Tunnel Hill Bicycle Trail, information and exhibits, and ranger information about area trails and paddle put in's. Just outsid...Read more