Nestled in the heart of Shawnee National Forest is the ever popular Giant City State Park. The park has several hiking trails, a campground, and a lodge and cabins to stay in. While at the park we hiked the Stonefort Trail which is a 1/3 mile strenuous hike to the top of a bluff. Awaiting you on top is a stone wall built by the Native Americans.

We also hiked the Giant City Nature Trail which features the famous “streets” of Giant City and is about 1 mile long.

While exploring the Shawnee National Forest, we stayed in a hotel in Marion, Illinois. There was a bit of driving involved, but we found that it was a nice central location to explore Garden of the Gods, Bell Smith Springs, Giant City State Park and Little Grand Canyon.