Giant City State Park Free July Programs
Date/Time
Date(s) - 07/11/2025 - 08/01/2025
12:00 am
Categories
– Kids Fishing Program at Lake Murphysboro State Park
Looking for something to do this summer? Well then, head on out to Lake Murphysboro State Park to do a
little fishing with the IDNR Urban Fishing Coordinator! This FREE kids program will cover the basics of
fishing. This program will take place every Thursday in July from 9am-11am. Please call the Giant City
Visitors Center to register and for directions.
-Sun-Up Hikes at Giant City State Park
It’s summer in southern Illinois and even though it’s hot and humid, that’s no reason to stop hiking! Roll out of
bed and join a Park Naturalist as we get some exercise and take in the early morning woods on one of the eight
Park trails. These hikes will take place at Giant City State Park on Friday, July 11th
, 25th and Friday,
August 1st from 6:30am to 8:00am. Please call 618-457-4836 to register.
-You Too Can Kayak Program at Lake Murphysboro State Park
Join the Giant City State Park Naturalist at Lake Murphysboro State Park for a fun morning of a casual paddle
around the lake. This free program will include a brief overview of kayak safety, techniques, and on the water
opportunities for wildlife observation. This will be a guided experience for anyone 16 years and older. This
program will take place at Lake Murphysboro State Park on Saturday, July 12th from 10am-Noon.
Please call 618-457-4836 to register.
-Magnificent Moths Program at Giant City State Park
Join the University of Illinois Extension and Giant City State Park as we celebrate Moth Week!
Did you know that nearly 2,000 of the 150,000 species of moths in the world are found in Illinois? Moths play a
significant role in the food web but often go unnoticed.
Join us at the Giant City Visitor’s Center located at 1-245 Giant City Rd, Makanda, IL., on Saturday, July 26,
between 10 am and noon for a free family event celebrating National Moth Week! You can drop by anytime
between 10am and noon to explore various stations where you can learn about moths in southern Illinois. Enjoy
hands-on crafts, activities, and games, take home native plant seeds, learn how to attract moths at night, and more!
This program is free and open to the public, with activities suitable for youth ages 5 to 13. Please remember that
children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
This event is offered through a partnership between the University of Illinois Extension and the Illinois Department
of Natural Resources. While registration is requested, it is not required. To register, please call the Visitor’s Center at
618-457-4836.
Giant City State Park is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The mission of the IDNR
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.