Giant City State Park, Illinois
 

We're planning on camping/hiking in southern Illinois in early to mid June. What is the normal weather for that time of year? Will it be too hot to camp? too many snakes on the hiking trails? Are they well maintained? how about ticks and mosquitos? Do we need to head farther north? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

I'll top this for you. I spent a lot of time there in my childhood but that was MANY years ago. I will tell you that southern IL is HUMID, so even if temp is not high, it will feel hotter.

You mention camping in Southern Illinois where we used to camp years ago living in Carbondale. I'd say this Illinois Ozarks region has some lovely areas for hiking, boating, fishing. Giant City St. Pk. is one. I wouldn't worry about snakes and ticks there more than anywhere else. Giant City is pretty developed. Of course mosquitos will be waiting for your arrival! As for temps June may or may not be warm but likely not as bad as August.

Other areas we especially liked in the Shawnee Nat'l Forest are Lake Glendale, Pounds Hollow, also Crab Orchard for boating/fishing.

ozarksbill

Can't help you with the camping questions. But I can tell you that we spent a couple of nights in one of the cabins at Giant City last July. We enjoyed it very much. We walked some of the trails. Didn't see any snakes. And we didn't have any trouble with ticks or mosquitos. But, of course, you need to take precautions anywhere you go.

Thanks for everyone's input. I'm used to hot and humid, snakes, ticks and mosquitos being from south Ark. So I know about being cautious. If the trails are fairly clean and maintained it's not so diffucult to spot the snakes. I don't like tent camping in hot humid weather so was wondering if early June the nights should still be somewhat pleasant. Is anyone familar with the "river to river" trail. I think it runs from the Mississippi to the Ohio. We'd like to hike some long portions of that, perhaps 13 - 20 miles per day. Any suggestions of good trails, swimming holes. Any good restaurants or must see's in the area?

The restaurant in the lodge at Giant City is quite good. We also had a very good and very reasonably priced lunch at a Thai restaurant in Carbondale. Wish I could remember the name but it was on or near Illinois St. Can't be too many Thai places in Carbondale! I did a trip report last summer. If you can find that, I may have named the restaurant.

As to the weather in June, as I'm sure you realize, that can vary. Southern Illinois will probably already be warm and humid. But it's impossible to say for sure. We had a hot summer last year, may not be as bad this year. Although it was definitely hot, I don't remember being all that miserable at Giant City last July. But then, we were in an air-conditioned cabin!

Thanks CAPH52, I'll search for the trip report. I love tent camping but we can always retreat to a hotel or cabin if it gets too hot.

The Thai restaurant is Thai Taste. I haven't eaten there, but have heard it is good. I'm here in Carbondale, so can probably answer some basic questions about the area, but I'm NOT outdoorsy at all! I enjoy the drive to Giant City and chicken at the lodge! We do birthday parties at the picnic shelters and have never had a problem with ticks, but mosquitos are of course bad here, as I'm sure they are in Arkansas. I think you should be all right weather-wise in June-not usually too humid until later June and July, but in southern Illinois, you never can tell with the weather. I haven't hiked in a while at Giant City, but the trails seemed well-maintained to me. As for other things to see, I would definitely hit the wine trail, if I were you. That can be a lot of fun. You can catch the trail in Alto Pass and can also see some great views of Bald Knob Cross. Another suggestion, if you're in town on a Thursday night, are the Sunset Concerts. They're free and feature a different type of music each week throughout the SIU summer term. I don't know too much about the River to River Trail, but this website gives some info:
http://www.globaleyes.com/Community/...railheads.html

Hope this helps. If you have other specific (non-hiking : )questions, feel free to ask!

Thought this one might be helpful too, wtm.

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