Half Day Hikes

All half day hikes have a two person minimum. Hikes start at either 8:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m.

Little Grand Canyon
$40.00

Highlights: Diverse and plush canyon, giant sandstone cliffs, expansive bluff top views
Location: Pomona
Time: 3 to 4 Hours
Difficulty: Difficult due to steep hills and slippery rock
Season: Year-round

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This spectacular hike offers a taste of Southern Illinois’s diverse landscape at its finest. The trip begins on a well-maintained trail that quickly descends into a breathtaking and slippery hike down an exposed sandstone creek. During times of heavy rain this creek quickly fills up with raging water, carving its way to the valley floor. Upon finishing this adventures decent, visitors will be greeted by soaring beech and sycamore trees, giant sandstone bluffs and seasonal waterfalls as they enter the canyon. The trail then follows the towering cliffs to the west, heading towards the Big Muddy River. Visitors should keep an eye out for some of Little Grand Canyon’s permanent residents such as deer, raccoon, mink, bobcat, snakes and numerous, neotropical, migratory song birds. The canyon also hosts diverse plant life, containing over 650 flowering species. The canyon eventually opens, offering seasonal views of the Big Muddy River flood plain, before climbing the steep exit out of the canyon. Another adventurous hike up a stone creek, similar to the start of the trip, greets visitors before the rewarding views that lie above. Upon reaching the top of the canyon, majestic views abound of the Big Muddy River, Mississippi River flood plains and the distant Fountain Bluff. The hike then follows a wide trail, slowly climbing its way back to the parking area.
Pomona Natural Bridge/ Cave Creek Valley
$35.00

Highlights: 90 Ft. natural bridge/ casual hike past rock formations with excellent bird watching
Location: Pomona
Time: 2-3 Hours
Difficulty: Easy
Season: Year-round

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Lost Valley
$40.00

Highlights: Remote and relatively unknown canyon, beautiful creek, bluff-top views
Location: Pomona
Time: 3 to 4 hours
Difficulty: Difficult due to steep sections and off-trail hiking
Season: Fall, WInter, Spring

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Cedar Lake
$35.00

Highlights: Giant sandstone amphitheater with seasonal waterfall, Cedar Lake
Location: Pomona
Time: 2-3 Hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Season: Year-round

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Cedar Lake offers numerous recreational activities such as paddling, fishing, backpacking and hiking. One of Cedar Lake’s most beautiful areas to explore by foot is a giant sandstone amphitheatre known as Cove Hollow. A short hike from the parking area brings visitors to sheer drop off over seventy-five feet, overlooking the lake. The trail fortunately follows a safe and casual route to the bottom of the cliff, offering amazing views of the cliff face and tranquil scenes of the lake. A stunning one hundred foot waterfall plummets to the cliff base and flows into the lake following periods of rain. Behind the waterfall one can explore the giant overhanging shelter created by the huge, overhanging cliff face, enough room for a symphony orchestra! The trail continues to follow massive cliffs, giant boulders and trickling streams while paralleling the lakeshore. Wildlife abounds such as white tail deer drinking from the lake, raccoons in search of food along the banks, great blue herons stalking for fish or the distant cries of coyotes. During the summer months the sounds of crickets and frogs echo through the hollow walls. The trail eventually retraces itself back to the trailhead, but not before exploring several side trips along the way.
Giant City State Park
$35.00

Highlights: Giant rock corridors, prehistoric stone fort, nature preserve
Location: Makanda, IL
Time: 2-3 Hours
Difficulty: Easy to difficult depending on sites visited
Season: Year-round

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Giant City State park is saturated with natural beauty. The park is named after the massive blocks of sandstone that have detached from the cliff walls creating “streets” that visitors may explore. These same cliffs offered prehistoric Native Americans shelter for thousands of years as evident on several of the parks hikes. Giant City is home to over seven different hiking trails, along with several recreational activities such as rock climbing, hunting, fishing, horseback riding and camping. During your trip to Giant City your guide will lead you to the most scenic sites in the park, covering as much ground as time and fitness levels allow. Several unique sites that might be visited include the famous “streets” of Giant City, The Fern Rocks Nature Preserve, The Devil’s Stand-table and the Stonefort Trail. Most of these trails are of average difficulty, offering amazing short hikes for all fitness levels. Your guide will work with you on deciding which hikes will best suit your interest and abilities. No matter what hikes are chosen, cascading streams, ancient rock formations and classic Southern Illinois beauty and history will be explored!
Panthers Den
$35.00

Highlights: Maze of rock outcroppings, remote finger of Devil's Kitchen Lake, popular section of the River to River trail, Guide favorite
Location: Makanda, IL
Time: 2 to 3 Hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Season: Year-round

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Ferne Clyffe State Park
$35.00

Highlights: Illinois largest sandstone amphitheater, beautiful streams and seasonal waterfalls
Location: Goreville, IL
Time: 2 to 3 Hours
Difficulty: Easy to difficult depending on sites visited
Season: Year-round

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Cache River
$35.00

Highlights: Cypress swamps, ancient trees, Cache River, excellent bird watching
Location: Belknap, IL
Time: 2 to 3 Hours
Difficulty: Easy
Season: Spring, Summer, Fall

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Jackson Falls
$45.00

Highlights: Seasonal waterfalls, 100 ft. freestanding towers of rock, popular rock-climbing destination, guide favorite
Location: Ozark, IL
Time: 3 to 4 Hours
Difficulty: Difficult due to steep rock section
Season: Year-round

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Jackson Hollow
$60.00

Highlights: Geological area, amazing cliffs and rock formations, relatively unknown
Location: Ozark, IL
Time: 3 to 4 Hours
Difficulty: Difficult due to rugged trail
Season: Fall, Winter, Spring

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Bell Smith Springs
$45.00

Highlights: Natural bridge, spring-fed creeks with swimming, bluffs and boulders, 700 species of flowering plants & ferns
Location: Eddyville, IL
Time: 3-4 Hours
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Season: Year-round

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Lusk Creek Wilderness Area
$50.00

Highlights: Lusk Creek, vast & remote wilderness area, nature preserve, towering rock bluffs
Location: Eddyville, IL
Time: 3 to 4 Hours
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Season: Fall, Winter, Spring

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One Horse Gap
$40.00

Highlights: Extremely unique rock formations, remote
Location: Herod, IL
Time: 2 to 3 Hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Season: Fall, Winter, Spring

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Garden of the Gods
$50.00

Highlights: Extremely popular geological wonderland, breathtaking views
Location: Karbers Ridge, IL
Time: 2 to 3 Hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Season: Year-round

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Rim Rock/ Pounds Hollow
$50.00

Highlights: Circular bluff, Ox-lot Cave, towering cliffs, prehistoric stone fort, Pounds Hollow Lake
Location: Karbers Ridge, IL
Time: 3 to 4 Hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Season: Year-round

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