What a wonderful find! We enjoyed an easy hike on the 4.3 mile Sycamore Trail (loop) and can't wait…read moreto come back to enjoy the others (see map). These trails are accessible by bike & walking - dogs also permitted on leash. There are also several of foot traffic trails throughout the park (see 2 page brochure/ map). Fishing* camping (by reservation), and day shelters/Picnic areas are also available. *permit required. Cost is reasonable for a day pass at $7 per vehicle or you can get an IN Annual State Park Pass for $50 (2021). The trails and park appeared well maintained, the park was beautiful, and we look forward to many adventures to come!

We came here on a whim to see how it was. We usually go to a different state park and this one has…read moreblown it way out of the water. The camp grounds, the family cabins, and DNR staff are so so nice. The park itself is beautiful. They are pet friendly as long as they are leashed, and you can even have them in the cabins. Will definitely be coming back.

My wife and I wanted to check this place out since it was on her bucket list and apparently it…read morebecame on my bucket list as well since I love to see some other worldly things in my own home state of illinois. Thankfully we lucked out and we didn't get rained on but this place was still pretty busy. Depending on when you show up parking can be a bit Limited. The trails to the top is not too long either but the interaction is so long and breathtaking. I've never been to a park since I've been to Matheson State Park where you are able to climb on every little thing. The views here and the experience is unlike any other. It felt like I was back in the Smoky Mountains but with less tourists. They have public restrooms here as well though if there's a line it could take a while. Me and my wife spent a good few hours here and if you follow the trail it will take you right back to the parking lot. We also enjoyed that this place is also dog friendly too!

Glad we went the route we did which is to the right as opposed to the left. This has the frequent…read morestairs/incline with is better for my knees than the sharp decline if we were to go the other way. I also liked that the multiple or compiled sandstones was the last we saw as opposed to the first, like a grand finale. And then the gradual decline on the way down to complete the circle. This is a very quick route where you can see the famous camel rock actually many of the rocks look like faces ;)

I recently stopped here with a wife after visiting the Garden of the Gods just because we needed a…read moretrail to go on and a Garden of the Gods was not really too much of a trail it was more just scenery. This is a good walk though it's not long but you get to climb various elevations and get to see some good views and you get to see some of the rock formations as well. Trail is not too busy as well either trail is fairly maintained as well! Expect a decent workout on your legs but if you walk the other way around it's much easier going counterclockwise

The views in the cracks of the rock and around the rock were astonishing; however, the trail wasn't…read moretoo much fun and was full of bugs. The day we went was hot and humid, so we felt an obvious and lovely temperature drop while walking downstairs toward the bottom. However, there wasn't too much to see or do while hiking on the trails toward or leaving the scenic spot. Also, it was a little frustrating when our sweat was dripping to the ground and not knowing where we were as there was no sign updating the hikers about their location.

Walk, Bike, Run on these 4 miles of paved and unpaved, hilly trails while enjoying woody views and…read moremeadow vistas. Some of the grades are steep, although manageable, so your glutes will get a workout. Benches appear from time to time, for those that want or need a little rest. I've seen folks on horses, although I don't know where they started. We always have a good time on the trail---tracking its progress, seeing what changes have come with the seasons, taking a break from whatever we were doing off-trail. A gem---and I hear there are plans to expand it to the Lake Sara area and beyond. Can't wait!

Really great trail! Paved nicely through woods with a bridge over the river and scenic crop fields…read more The signs/address can be confusing. Park at the effingham performance center, turn towards the red circular calico sign, then follow the sidewalk to the trailhead. It's not a circular trail so you will have to turn and go back the way you came to your car.

This park is fantastic! It is well maintained and safe for kids. There are three playgrounds…read more The bike trails are the best around! If you are hiking on the trails don't go when it's damp because they are extremely slick. Some of the rv sites are small but workable. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. My biggest concern is the front gate. It is locked with a chain and padlock so you have to get out of your vehicle to unlock it open the gate and drive through then get back out to close it and lock it. The lock numbers are 5 font so hard to see and it sticks sometimes which is so fun when raining. I felt so vulnerable doing this after coming back from visiting family. They really need an automated gate!

Awesome place to go and take your family. So clean. I spent my childhood there…read more Rode on many trails in my time. The park has come a long way since I ran through there. I was raised right behind scales so that was the hang out spot.

Loved the many places in the Shawnee National Forest! Of course we came down to this area for…read moreGarden of the Gods which is five stars, top three places in Illinois to visit! And we hiked there as well. The Shawnee is large and stretches east and west, so it's really like, two National forests in one! The town of Marion was lovely, and we camped at Cave in Rock on the Ohio River. I also visited Scratch Brewing in Ava, IL. There's so much to do on all sides of the Shawnee, I'd love to return to do more hiking!

People don't even realize how big the Shawnee National Forest is. It basically stands most of…read moresouthern Illinois. It would truly take you about a week or more to truly experience everything in this entirety or at least the most out of it. Most of your activities if you come to the show National Forest are on the west side. Many things I wish we could still check out where the Little Grand Canyon that were on my bucket list but unfortunately we couldn't make it. Due to time restraints. The east side of the Shawnee National Forest is basically home to the very popular Garden of the Gods and I recommend the Rimrock Trail as well. I have yet to visit the central part of the Shawnee national forest as well as a few other parts. This place was beautiful to check out it says I felt like I was not even in Illinois, it felt like I was back parts of the Smoky Mountains. I do recommend if you come out to bring plenty of bug and Sun spray because these bugs do bite out here and you should be prepared especially in the summer

A nice state park in the area with a pretty nice trail in the Ghost Dance Canyon. Some interesting…read morestuff to see when it's raining, but the rain also makes the rocks very slick. All in all, I have no complaints it, but this shouldn't be your first or second or even third stop if you have time to roam around in the area.

Tony and I went hiking at Dixon Springs State Park and we had a nice time. The rock formations are…read moreawesome and there is a bridge across the top of the Waterfall. I was able to get some great photos from the base of the rocks and the waterfall. The park was a little dead today but it was early about 10am. There was only one other couple there. There was picnic tables and some grills..and even some grills where I guess there was some picnic tables that are now gone...hummmmm...they also have a pool for the public use but it is still pre-season so it was not open..but I was there for the stunning rock formations and the beauty of God's backyard. This park is FREE to enjoy..which is always nice and very easily located on the intersection of Rt. 146 and Rt . 145. Here is some important information from the website: Dixon Springs State Park is one of several state parks in the Illinois Shawnee Hills. The park is on a giant block of rock which was dropped 200 feet along a fault line that extends northwesterly across Pope County. The 801 acre park is about 10 miles west of Golconda on Illinois Route 146 near its junction with Illinois Route 145. The first land acquisition was in 1946. Facilities at the park include a modern swimming pool, bathhouse, and 45-foot water slide provided for swimmers' enjoyment. Lifeguard is on duty at all times. Towering oaks, elms, and birch trees shade the pool. A concession stand near the pool provides a variety of refreshments. Picnic tables and outdoor stoves are available at three shaded picnic areas. Two picnic shelters, playgrounds, parking areas, and drinking water are also available. There is a Class B trailer camping area with a sanitary dumping station and electricity available. Also available are ten sites for primitive camping, two hiking trails, two basketball courts, three horseshoe pits, two volleyball courts and an archery range Also some HISTORY OF THE AREA which I found very interesting information I wanted to share: The area around the park was occupied by various tribes of Algonquins who, after the Shawnee had been driven from Tennessee, had settled near the mouth of the Wabash River. Dixon Springs was one of their favorite camping grounds and was called "Kitchemuske-nee-be" for the Great Medicine Waters. One of the better known Indian Trails, which the early French called the "Grand Trace," passed to the west of the park and south to Fort Massac, then branched out into lesser trails. Much of the "Grand Trace" is Illinois Route 145, one of the most scenic highways in the state, running nearly all of its length south from Harrisburg through the Shawnee National Forest. This section of the state was part of an Indian Reservation occupied for a time by about 6,000 Native Americans. Like the buffalo, most of the Indians were gone by the early 1830's. Dixon Springs takes its name from William Dixon, one of the first white settlers to build a home in this section, who obtained a school land warrant in 1848 from Governor Augustus C. French. His cabin was a landmark for many years as was an old log church on the adjoining knoll. A small community grew up at Dixon Springs with a general store, post office, blacksmith shop, grist mill, and several churches.Dixon Springs Dixon Springs became a 19th century health spa which attracted hundreds to the seven springs of mineral-enriched water. A bathhouse provided mineral or soft water baths, hot or cold, available at any time. The natural beauty of the area and its interesting stone formations helped to give the park valley a more equable temperature in the summer than most of southern Illinois. This made the resort so popular that people came by steamboat excursions from as far away as Paducah, KY, Evansville, IN, and Cairo to Golconda. They then traveled by train to within a couple miles of the park. The entire county is hilly and during rainy weather rivulets cascade down the hills in the park forming waterfalls of varying sizes and heights. Bold cliffs and crags overhang a bubbling brook while large boulders, overgrown with ferns, ivy, lichens, and moss, fringe the hillside. Giant century-old trees interlock above the small creek as cliffs rise on either side and huge boulders are scattered through the valley. Equally intriguing are the names given numerous points of interest, including Album Rock, Red Man's Retreat, Wolf Pen, Lover's Leap, Ghost Dance, Pluto's Cave. Alligator Rock, the Chain of Rocks, Devil's Workshop, and Honeycomb Rock. The principle canyon has walls nearly 60 feet high with a long, narrow passageway. I found this park very nice and I would definitely go here again..so if you are in the area...enjoy some hiking and gorgeous scenery...God gives us so much to ENJOY for FREE !!! A great Park

It's lovely. Great trails. It's exactly what I'm looking for in a nature preserve in central IL.read more

it was amazing to have so many options I. trails and wildlife interaction, the deer are so close…read moreits very peaceful the inside filled with goodies and games definitely loved going with my children but will go again many times without just to get a simple and easy going trip

A wee bit sketchy but I'm terrified of heights. It's beautiful once up…read more 123 steps up! Would be beautiful at sunrise and sunset.

Even though me and my wife were disappointed that we didn't have time to check out the Welcome…read moreCenter since it was closed down Memorial Day we were able to check out a few of the trails at Giant City state park. I enjoyed the mixed variety of Trail Lengths mainly just because I'm not much of a hiker myself. The state park is actually a solid place to check out if you're in the area or are coming to the area since there's many things to check out especially on this side of the Shawnee National Forest compared to the east side. There's plenty of parking spaces and amenities at most of these trailheads. The area is still a well-kept secret in my opinion that I don't feel like a lot of tourists still come and check out. Overall, the state park is actually worth checking out and thankfully the parking is free or you don't need a parking pass of any source