Areas of Giant City State Park Reopen after Tornado Damage

Makanda, IL - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced today that several damaged areas of Giant City State Park in southern Illinois will reopen today.  Several areas of the park were damaged by an F-2 tornado on February 29.

Storm damaged areas being opened are Shelter #2 and surrounding picnic areas;  Shelter#3 and surrounding picnic areas; the Giant City Lodge Road from the Stone Fort Road to the Giant City Road;  the Giant City Nature Trail; the Devil’s Standtable Trail, parking lot, and bluff area;  and the Arrowwood Trail.  Reservations for Shelter #2 and Shelter #3 will resume online.

The following areas will remain closed as clean up continues:  the Giant City Equestrian Trail, the Red Cedar Hiking Trail, the Indian Creek Trail, and the Post Oak Trail, parking lot, and bluff area .

Non-compliance with the closures will result in tickets being issued by the IDNR Conservation Police Officers.  Tickets will also be issued for destruction of signs or barricades.

The IDNR staff is working as quickly as possible to reopen the affected areas, making them safe for the public.  For the latest closure information, please visit the IDNR website at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/closures/Pages/default.aspx or contact the Giant City Visitor Center at (618) 457–4836.