Giant City State Park sits in the Shawnee Hills just south of Carbondale, Illinois. It is a big, easy-going state park with a historic lodge, a campground, horse trails and sandstone bluffs. Climbing is allowed in just two places: Shelter 1 Bluff and the Devil’s Standtable area.

The honest family verdict: a very good family base, with real facilities and plenty to do off the rock. The climbing has some easier routes, but many lines have high first bolts, so bring a stick clip and choose routes carefully.

We have climbed here over the years.

Family crag snapshot

Check access before you go

Giant City is run by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The park’s climbing brochure is clear: climbing is only allowed in two places, Devil’s Standtable and Shelter One. Anywhere else is off limits.

The brochure also asks climbers to use fixed bolts where they exist, especially at Shelter One, and never to tie ropes straight to trees. Use a sling. Bats, birds and snakes live on the bluffs, so do not disturb them. Clean off chalk marks before you leave. In an emergency, call 911. The nearest hospital is in Carbondale.

Getting there with kids

From Carbondale, take Highway 13 east, then turn right on Giant City Road. The park entrance is about 15 minutes away (Mountain Project). Shelter 1 Bluff, also called Makanda Bluff, is near picnic Shelter 1. The Devil’s Standtable area is further south in the park. Mountain Project lists coordinates for both.

Approaches are short walks from the park roads, but we could not confirm exact times. With small kids, this is still one of the easiest crag days in the region, because the car, a toilet and a picnic table are never far away.

Which walls work best for families

Shelter 1 Bluff is the main roped area, with sport and trad routes from about 5.6 to 5.12 (Mountain Project). Since about 2017, the Illinois Climbers Association has installed fixed anchors and bolts, so climbers no longer rappel off fragile trees on the bluff top. This is the best place to look for easy top-ropes for kids.

Devil’s Standtable is a steep amphitheater with bouldery sport routes and boulder problems such as Standard (V3 to V4). It suits strong teens more than beginners.

Bouldering. Mountain Project lists 59 boulder problems in the park, mostly intermediate to advanced. Kids can play on the easiest ones with a pad and a spotter.

One local habit matters for families. Mountain Project says many routes have high first bolts to avoid ground falls, and stick clipping is highly recommended. Bring a stick clip, and pre-clip the first bolt for any child who leads.

A simple plan for a family day: climb at Shelter 1 in the morning while the kids are fresh, have lunch at the picnic shelter nearby, then swap the rope for a short trail or a visit to the visitor center. Save Devil’s Standtable for a day when the adults or teens want harder climbing and the younger kids are happy to watch or boulder.

Safety notes for parents

High first bolts. Use a stick clip on every route. Falling before the first clip means hitting the ground.

Bluff tops. Trails run along open sandstone edges. Keep kids well back, especially while adults set anchors.

Wildlife. Snakes live on and around the bluffs. Teach kids to watch where they put their hands.

Ticks and humidity. Southern Illinois summers are hot, humid and full of ticks. Do tick checks after every day out.

Our what to pack for a family crag day list covers first aid and the rest.

Best time to visit

Mountain Project calls spring through fall the prime season. Spring and fall are the most comfortable. Summer is humid but the forest gives shade. Winter can work on dry, mild days.

Toilets, water and food

Giant City has full park facilities, including the campground, picnic shelters and the lodge. We could not confirm toilets right at each climbing area, so plan breaks at the park facilities. The Giant City Lodge dining room is known for family-style fried chicken (IDNR). Carbondale has supermarkets and restaurants.

Where to stay

The park campground has 85 Class A sites with full hookups and a Class C area with 14 walk-in primitive sites (IDNR). Giant City Lodge rents cabins. Carbondale, about 15 minutes away, has hotels.

Things to do nearby with kids

The park itself is the main attraction for non-climbing time. IDNR recommends the Giant City Nature Trail and the Trillium Trail for families. The Post Oak Trail is designed to be accessible. There are guided horseback rides at Giant City Stables, fishing ponds and a visitor center with displays on the park’s geology and wildlife.

Is Giant City good for families?

Yes. Of the southern Illinois crags, Giant City is the easiest with small kids. Climbing is limited to two areas, but the park has camping, a lodge, trails and toilets close by. The routes include some easier lines at Shelter 1, but many start high, so a stick clip is essential.

Go in spring or fall. Climb only at Shelter 1 and Devil’s Standtable. Use slings, not trees. Fill the rest of the day with trails and the lodge.

New to climbing outside? Read how to choose your first outdoor climbing area with kids and our family climbing gear guide. Then see Jackson Falls with kids for more advanced sport climbing, family climbing in the USA, or all kid-friendly climbing destinations.