December Programs at Giant City State Park
Date/Time
Date(s) - 12/01/2025 - 12/13/2025
12:00 am
Location
Giant City State Park
Categories
MAKANDA, Ill. – It’s wintertime in Giant City State Park, which means it’s time for the third annual Gnome Roam!
On each of our seven trails (excluding the Red Cedar Backpacking Trail) there is one winter hiking gnome just
waiting to be discovered! Each gnome is holding a different item that is recommended for a winter hike.
Directions:
•Record all seven gnomes by taking a photograph of yourself and the gnome
•Gnomes will be located along the designated trails
•Bring your proof into the Giant City Visitors Center for your super cool and FREE Giant City Gnome Roam patch
•This program will run December-February
MAKANDA, IL – Illinois Botanizer’s “Best of Illinois Nature 2025” Program at Giant City State Park on December 7th
from 2-3pm. Botanist Chris Benda (aka Illinois Botanizer) travels throughout Illinois every year, visiting nature
preserves, leading nature tours for the public, and encountering all kinds of neat plants and animals. Join him as he
presents photographs highlighting his amazing nature encounters of 2025.
This program is free and open to the public, but registration is required. For more information or to register,
contact the Giant City Visitor Center at 618-457-4836.
MAKANDA, IL – On December 13th from 9:30pm -1am, head out to Giant City State Park to see the night sky gems!
In partnership with the SIU STEM Education Research Center, Giant City will host a viewing of a Geminid Meteor
Shower!
Join us just past Indian Creek Trailhead to enjoy the Geminid Meteor Shower in its full glory. Members of the
Astronomical Association of Southern Illinois will be present with telescopes. A warming station, warm beverages,
and night walks will be offered. Visit the website for this event by going to
https://sites.google.com/view/seethegemsatgiantcity/home for the latest updates and information. Rain or cloudy
skies may cancel this program.
This program is free and open to the public. For more information please email: Abigail.mizeur@siu.edu.
Giant City State Park is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The mission of the Illinois
Department of Natural Resources is to manage, conserve and protect Illinois’ natural, recreational and cultural
resources, further the public’s understanding and appreciation of those resources, and promote the education,
science and public safety of Illinois’ natural resources for present and future generations.