This difficult 9.8-mile loop samples the natural treasures of southern Illinois’ Giant City State Park, an area known for hard-rock stream erosion. Beginning at the south end of the main campground, head north to begin a clockwise loop past sandstone boulders, trickling streams, waterfalls, and wildflower-speckled bluffs and hollows. The Red Cedar Hiking trail passes beneath horse stables and crosses several equestrian paths before joining one for a bluff-side stretch where this loop turns south. For a longer backcountry trip, consider an overnight at the primitive campground near mile 5: it has picnic tables, pit toilets and fire rings.
After crossing Shiloh Road, the trail climbs toward maintained cropland before turning north and skirting a small, fish-stocked pond—catch spotted bass, bluegill and channel catfish in these murky waters. From the pond, it’s an easy 0.5 mile north back to the trailhead.
The trail is closed for a few weekends in early winter, so check conditions with the park at (618) 457-4836. There is no water along the trail, or at the primitive campground, so be prepared to carry all you’ll need for trip.
-Mapped by Ted Villaire
TO TRAILHEAD: From St. Louis, take I-64 east to I-57 south and drive 47 miles to IL-148 north. Follow IL-148 2.7 miles and turn left at Grassy Road. Grassy Road jogs south and west for 8.8 miles. At the T-junction, turn left onto Giant City Road and drive 2.9 miles to Beaver Lane. Turn left on Beaver Lane and drive 1 mile before turning right into the campground. The trailhead parking lot is on the campground’s south side.
GTC001
Location: 37.602970, -89.170479
The Red Cedar Trailhead is just west of the main campground area. Follow the trail sign arrow to the right to begin this counterclockwise loop.
GTC002
Location: 37.609336, -89.172592
The trail crosses Indian Creek on stepping stones several times in the next half-mile. The park's horse stable area is north of here: stay on the main trail bypassing north- and south-bound horse trails. The hiking trail is well marked with a white blaze and red dot.
GTC003
Location: 37.616815, -89.193020
After crossing the park road, a creek runs over a series of low sandstone shelves. Near the shore, look for moisture loving trees such as tulip, cottonwood, and sycamore.
GTC004
Location: 37.612600, -89.206066
Turn right @ the T-junction, where the hiking and horse trails merge. Stop to check out the multi-hued and heavily textured rock formations on the left. Decorated with mosses and lichens, some of these rocks have a strange-almost ghoulish-appearance.
GTC005
Location: 37.605309, -89.204849
During the wet season, the sounds of little waterfalls echo through the forest. Most of the falls are just a few feet high and many are partially hidden by boulder piles. Watch your footing as you cross over the top of this six footer.
GTC006
Location: 37.599117, -89.206764
Pitch a tent at the backcountry campground: the picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets are surrounded by bluebird houses mounted on posts, but there is no running water. In the morning, the park's wild turkey population may serenade campers. Gobbling all year long, these birds reach their zenith in April as hens prepare for egg-laying.
GTC007
Location: 37.597073, -89.208290
Kick off your shoes to ford this Drury Creek tributary, but watch your step: the submerged slabs of tilting sandstone are slippery. The creek is only 15 feet wide and 10-12 inches deep.
GTC008
Location: 37.588894, -89.213959
After crossing an open meadow, the trail weaves around huge sandstone chunks before climbing gradually east and north.
GTC009
Location: 37.590839, -89.202805
At mile 6.5, the trail crosses Shiloh Road, continue straight to the creek below a sandstone cliff. In the next mile and a half, the trail climbs nearly 300 feet to the trail's high point, 800 feet above sea level.
GTC010
Location: 37.581963, -89.181175
The trail's high point passes through park-operated farmland. The next 0.75-miles is a wooded, downhill trek north toward the trailhead.
GTC011
Location: 37.593361, -89.177918
The rugged terrain mellows to a wide, woodchip-covered trail. Concentrate on spotting wildflowers: daisy fleabane and white baneberry in spring and white trillium, butterfly weed, and wild petunia in summer.
GTC012
Location: 37.595829, -89.175018
It's worth bringing a fishing pole to this backcountry pond near trail's end. The park stocks fish in the pond--presumably to lift the spirits of hungry hikers.
Indian Creek
Location: 37.609642, -89.174027
Stepping stones ease the way across Indian Creek. ©<a href="http://www.tedvillaire.com"> Ted Villaire</a>
Sandstone Formations
Location: 37.616776, -89.192810
The sandstone formations, like these shallow steps are one of the park's defining features. ©<a href="http://www.tedvillaire.com"> Ted Villaire</a>
Ghoulish Rocks
Location: 37.612587, -89.206062
©<a href="http://www.tedvillaire.com"> Ted Villaire</a>
Sandstone Wall
Location: 37.590664, -89.202522
On this sandstone cliff above an arm of Drury Creek look for ferns, vines of Virginia creeper and wild grape, and wildflowers such as partridge peaberry and French's shooting star. ©<a href="http://www.tedvillaire.com"> Ted Villaire</a>
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