Giant City State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Giant City State Park features 4,000 acres, nestled within the Shawnee National Forest. Visitors can enjoy lush landscapes featuring more than 75 varieties of towering trees, hundreds of species of wildflowers and garments of fern, moss and flowering mints. There are also plenty of recreation activities too, including hiking, horseback riding, fishing, rappelling and more. One of the most popular activities is the Giant City Nature Trail, which features “Giant City Streets,” huge bluffs of sandstone that were formed 12,000 years ago. Read on to find out what else makes this park unique!
Spring 44-77 F
Summer 64-89 F
Fall 40-80 F
Winter 22-41 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Giant City State Park
Camping in an RV on your Giant City State Park camping trip makes for a memorable – and comfortable – trip! With an RV, you’ll have a private bathroom and shower, kitchen and a cozy bed. If you’re going to choose an RV for your trip, consider renting one fromRVshare.com. You can take advantage of the support team to help with the process and find a completely custom RV that fits all your needs AND your budget. Plus, all rentals come with nationwide insurance and 24/7 roadside assistance.
After finding the perfect RV, you need the perfect campsite. Giant City State Park is home to a popular campground because they provide a wide variety of well-kept facilities. There are Class A sites with full hookups, a Class C camping area and a Class A equestrian campground. These campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on the weekend. Luckily, there are many campgrounds available nearby. Here are some worth checking out:
Little Grassy Lake Campground
Just a few minutes from the Giant City State Park, Little Grassy Lake Campground is located on Little Grassy Lake, within the Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge. With many amenities and lots of on-site nature recreation activities, there is something for everyone to do at the campground! Rates start at $20 per night.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: no
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: indoor restrooms with hot showers, group site and gathering area, on-site canoe, kayake, jon boat and pontoon rental, general store, ice and firewood, 24/7 security, picnic tables, fire rings, swimming on the sand beach, fishing and hiking.
Hilltop Campgrounds
Just about 20 minutes from the State Park, Hilltop Campgrounds offer a variety of amenities in a quiet, family-friendly atmosphere. Whether you’re just looking to relax by the fire by your RV after a long day of hiking or want to enjoy a family cookout with the playground for your little ones, Hilltop Campground has it all!
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: no
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: restrooms, showers, pet area, picnic shelter, playground and more.
What to Do at
Giant City State Park
Inside Giant City State Park
Giant City State Park is one of the most beautiful State Parks in the area, and there are lots of ways to take in the beauty! From hiking trails leading to huge sandstone bluffs to fishing, boating, rock climbing and more, everyone in your family can find something to do. Here are some of the fun recreation activities within the park worth checking out:
Hiking – There is no better way to take in the lush beauty and natural wonders of the sandstone bluffs at Giant City Park than by exploring them on a hike! There are a wide variety of hiking trails, including a 12-mile loop trail that is perfect for horseback riding and a trail designed for disabled visitors. One of the most popular activities hikes is the Giant City Nature Trail, which features “Giant City Streets,” huge bluffs of sandstone that were formed 12,000 years ago.
Fishing and Boating – There are several ponds located throughout the 4,000-acre State Park, which offer bank fishing.
Horseback Riding – Not only is there a 12-mile Equestrian Trail for horseback riding, there is an Equestrian campground for those who bring their horses to the park and want to camp overnight. Giant City Stables, located in the State Park, also offers guided rides for those who don’t have horses, plus summer camps, lessons and even equine therapy.
Hunting – There is some hunting allowed within Giant City State Park, for specific wildlife breeds, on a controlled basis.
Rock Climbing/Rappelling – For adventure seekers, Devil’s Standtable Cliff and Shelter #1 Bluff allow rock climbing and rappelling, with ropes being permitted. Climbers need to bring their own equipment and no check-in is necessary.
Visitor Center – The perfect break from outdoor fun and educational indoor activity is the Giant City State Park Visitor Center, which provides a variety of interpretive displays on the geology, plants and animals who make their home inside the park.
How to Get to
Giant City State Park
Giant City State Park is located on Giant City Road, in Makanda, Illinois. For more information and directions,click here.
Entering Giant City State Park
There are no entrance fees to enter Giant City State Park!
There is something for everyone to do and experience at Starved Rock State Park! We can’t wait to hear about your next camping trip. When you post your fun vacation photos on social media, don’t forget to tag us, or shoot us a photo and some details at [email protected]. We may just feature your story on our blog or social media channels. Happy camping!
Frequently Asked Questions About Giant City State Park
Spring is the most incredible time to tour Giant City State Park. Conducive weather and smaller crowds during this time of the year enable guests to explore the park fully.
Giant City State Park has a continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters. Spring and fall have the best weather conditions. The highest temperatures in this park reach over 89 degrees while the average lows can reach 22 degrees.
This state park requires guests to make a reservation in order to access various camping spots. The cost is about $10. Guests who do not make reservations often end up in unoccupied sites that do not need a pass.
Pets are welcome to visit this state park alongside their owners. They must be on a leash and behave appropriately. They must not be left unattended, and owners must clean up after them.
Giant City State Park is accessible for disabled guests. It has tons of paved trails, easy-to-access parking areas, and spacious restrooms. Some sections also have walking handles and wheelchair ramps.
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