Hike Through Illinois' Rock Maze For An Adventure Like No Other
By Melissa Mahoney|Published April 15, 2021
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I've worked in the entertainment industry for much of my adult life and I love photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world! Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream.
Natural wonders are abundant in Illinois. It seems like every corner of the state has an exciting natural outdoor attraction to explore. And with all the rock formations that can be found in many of the state parks, there’s one adventurous, yet easy trail you can take that leads through a rock maze at Giant City State Park.
Giant City State Park is a 4,000-acre park within the Shawnee National Forest. It's located near Carbondale and Makanda and filled with numerous beautiful hiking trails.
Of all the hiking trails to choose from, the Giant City Nature Trail is the most popular and it's easy to see why. Over 12,000 years ago, towering sandstone bluffs and rock structures formed what is known as "Giant City Streets" which created a fascinating and otherworldly place to hike.
The Giant City Nature Trail is a one-mile loop trail near Makanda. This trail is quite popular given the labyrinth of rock formations, so expect some heavy foot traffic.
This moderately easy trail is a blast to explore for both kids and adults alike! Meander through the maze of low walls and climb through rock tunnels and up crevices.
Aside from the incredible rock formations, this is a great place for wildlife and wildflower viewing. But we all know that the real attraction along Giant City Nature Trail is the rock maze!
Are you ready to explore this rock maze along Giant City Nature Trail? Plan your adventure by visiting the Alltrails webpage. And if you’ve hiked along this trail before, please share your experience (and pictures) in the comment section.
Since there’s so much to explore in the area, why not extend your trip and book a stay at the lovely, historic Makanda Inn & Cottages?
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