Length: 11.2 Miles
Loop Trail: Yes
Primary Trail Type: Greenway, Nature Trail
Additional Trail Types: -
Agency: State
Entry Fee: -
Fee Notes: -
Parking Fee: -
Permit Fee: -
Trail Use Notes:
None
Seasonal Use Notes:
None
Location: At Giant City State Park, SE of Carbondale on S 51. (recertified 1993)
County: Jackson
State: IL
Townships: -
Driving Directions:
Driving Directions (general directions to the park from the Giant City State Park website):
From the north:
Take Interstate 57 South to the Route 13 exit (Carbondale - Exit #54B), head west (right) on Rt. 13 toward Carbondale, go approximately 15 miles. Look for Wal-Mart on your right. Turn left at this light (Giant City Road). Continue 12 miles to the south. Giant City Road will lead you into the park.
From the south:
Follow I-24 to I-57 North, or stay on I-57, to the Rt. 148 exit (Exit #45), head northwest on 148 for approximately 2 miles. Turn left on Grassy Road. There is a convenience store on this corner. Follow Grassy Road for 5-7 miles. Stay left when you come to a Y. Continue southwest on Grassy Road. Grassy Road will come to a T at Giant City Road. Turn south (left) on Giant City Road. Continue approximately 4 miles to the park.
From the east:
Head west on I-70 or, if you are further south, take I-64 to I-57 South. Continue approximately 50 miles south from I-64 to the Route 13 exit (Marion - Exit #54B), head west on Rt. 13 toward Carbondale, go approximately 15 miles. Look for Wal-Mart on your right. Turn left at this light (Giant City Road). Continue 12 miles to the south. Giant City Road will lead you into the park.
From the west:
Head east on I-64 approximately 50 miles from St. Louis. Take the Rt. 127 (Nashville) exit south. Continue south for approximately 50 miles to Murphysboro. At Murphysboro, go left or east for approximately 10 miles. You will pass through the town of Carbondale. Watch for the mall on your right. When you see Wal-Mart on your left, this is your light. Take a right here on Giant City Road heading south for 12 miles into the park.
Trailhead and parking directions: Parking and trail access is located near the walk-in tent camping area at Giant City Campground. Drive into the main campground and follow the signs to the tent camping area. No parking pass is required, but day hikers can alert the visitor center and/or leave a note in their dashboard with trip plans for safety reasons. Overnight camping at the Red Cedar Campground backpacking site located on the trail requires a permit, which can be obtained at the visitor center or at the campground self-registration station. No camping is allowed at any other locations along the trail.
Average Grade: -
Maximum Grade: 66%
Elevation High: 778 Feet
Elevation Low: 400 Feet
Elevation Gain: 2397 Feet
Average Width: -
Minimum Width: -
Primary Surface: Soil
Additional Surfaces: Gravel
Year Designated: 1981
