Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail Guide

Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail is a 0.37-mile lollipop loop trail located within the Giant City State Park near Makanda, Illinois.

In this guide, I’ll show you everything you need to know about hiking the Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail at Giant City State Park.

If you find this guide to be helpful, consider leaving me a small one-time tip for taking the time to create it and release it for free.

Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail Stats

Important trail information that you should know:

• Location: Giant City State Park
• Trail Length: 0.37 miles
• Elevation Gain: 36 feet
• Type: Lollipop Loop
• Average Time: 15 to 30 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Pets Allowed: Yes (Leash Required)
• Restrooms: Yes (Visitor Center)
• Parking: Yes (big parking lot)
• Road Conditions: Paved
• Best Seasons: Spring and Summer

PRO TIP: There are many interpretative signs and QR codes to scan showing you different trees and natural features, which would make this trail perfect for children as well as adults learning more about natural resources.

Why the Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail is Worth Hiking

The Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail at Giant City State Park is worth hiking.

The trail is very easy and appropriate for beginners, children, and folks who cannot hike that many miles. There is interpretive signage along the trail giving me educational information about the natural features. It is also very close to the Giant City State Park Visitor Center.

In the spring and summer months, you’ll be able to enjoy tree, plant, and wildflower blooms along this trail and read signage telling you what they are.

Trail Map + Directions

You can also find this hiking trail on:

• All Trails

Please note that if you pay for All Trails using my link above, I’ll earn a commission.

To reach the Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail from Carbondale, Illinois:

• Head South on Giant City Road from Carbondale for 10 miles.
• Turn Right into the Giant City State Park Visitor Center.
• The trail is on the south side of the parking lot.

Use this Google Maps Link to reach this trail from Carbondale, Illinois.

Keep in mind that this road may not be treated as well as others during wintry weather conditions. Seeing as the road is near a lake and creeks, during flooding conditions, the area may be impossible to access.

There is no permit required to hike this trail or park in the parking lot. Access to Giant City State Park is also free.

Cell phone reception can be spotty in this area. You may need to use the offline map version on your favorite hiking app in order to hike the trails at Giant City State Park.

What You’ll See on the Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail

For such a short hike, there is a lot to see along the Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail at Giant City State Park.

As you hike along this relatively flat lollipop loop hiking trail, you’ll notice interpretive signage as well as QR codes on trees throughout the trail system. Put your phone camera (smartphones only) over the QR code to get a website telling you about the tree you’re looking at.

This is a very educational trail. It’s short, but it could take you 30 minutes to hike just learning about the natural features along the trail. This would be a great hike for kids or folks trying to learn more about trees.

How Difficult is the Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail?

The Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail is very easy to hike.

The trail is very well used and wide enough to hike without worrying about hitting vegetation. There is very little elevation (about 36 feet of gain). There are no creek crossings or technical terrain to manage.

The trail is dirt and would not be suitable for wheelchairs. However, the nearby Post Oak Trail is ADA-compliant and very suitable for wheelchair users.

Best Time to Hike the Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail

The best time to visit the Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail for hiking is during the spring and summer.

In these seasons, the wildflowers, trees, and plants will be in bloom, and it will be easier to identify natural features based on the interpretive material provided.

However, winter provides an opportunity to see further out and see what everything looks like when it is not in bloom or under foliage.

What to Bring on This Trail

When hiking the Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail, I recommend bringing the following gear:

• A bottle of water
• A snack
• Bug repellent and sunblock
• First aid kit
• The 10 essentials of hiking
• A comfortable backpack that is meant for hiking.
• A smartphone with a camera for reading QR codes

I recommend the following clothing when hiking the Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail:

• Hiking boots or shoes that are comfortable and broken in for outdoor use
• Extra layers and rain gear
• Hiking-specific clothing or fitness attire

Make sure you monitor the local weather to understand what type of clothing and gear you’ll need to bring based on the local conditions.

Safety Notes and Warnings

Keep in mind the rules for hiking this trail and follow safety guidance.

• A permit is required for groups of 20 people or more.
• Hiking trails are open year-round. Bicycles are not permitted on the trails.
• Maintain a safe distance from wildlife and do not handle or harass any animals.
• Pets are allowed if on a leash.
• Most of the trails are for day use only.

Follow recommended safety guidelines:

• Use caution around cliff edges as falls will likely result in serious injuries or death.
• Be mindful of areas where flooding is occurring, especially flash flooding.
• Some areas may have poor signage, so keeping a backup map or hiking app is ideal.
• Watch for seasonal hazards and seasonal weather conditions.
• Venomous copperhead snakes occur in the Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail area.
• Ticks, mosquitoes, and biting flies occur in this area.
• Poison ivy and stinging nettle can be found in this area.
• Keep in mind that hunters will be using this area during firearm and non-firearm seasons, even if hunting is not allowed on this trail.

The nearest hospitals are in Murphysboro and Carbondale. For emergencies, call 911.

Always watch where you’re hiking, put safety first, use common sense, and tell someone where you’re going before you go.

Nearby Trails to Hike

There are other great hiking opportunities near the Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail that you should consider.

Giant City State Park is full of many different trails for all types of hikers.

The Indian Creek and Stonefort Trail are great for beginners. Trillium Trail and Nature Trail are good for users used to moderate hikes. Red Cedar Trail is great for harder hiking or those who want to go backpacking for the night.

Who is the Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail Best For?

Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail is a great hiking trail for everyone.

It is especially a good trail for families with children who want to learn about the natural features along the trail.

What To Do Near the Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail

When visiting Giant City State Park, take advantage of the other features of the park.

If you need lodging, the park offers camping for RVs, tent camping, equestrian, and backpackers. You can also rent cabins at the lodge.

The Giant City Lodge is something to see and visit. Much of it was created by the CCC when the park was first established. The lodge had breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials on a seasonal basis, and it was considered some of the best fried chicken around.

The Visitor Center has great interpretive information, some of the friendliest staff around, official park merchandise, and live wildlife to check out.

Be sure to visit the Makanda Boardwalk for locally made gifts, art, and snacks.

Final Verdict for the Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail

The Arrow Wood Interpretive Trail is great for people of all ages and hiking abilities. It’s a short and easy trail with a lot to see. I recommend everyone hiking this trail at least once to experience it themselves.

Help support my trail guide creation process by becoming a monthly Patreon Member. You’ll get more while supporting all my hard work. You can easily cancel at any time if you decide it’s not for you.

Subscribe to my free monthly newsletter for more hiking tips, gear reviews, and upcoming local events in and around the Shawnee National Forest.

Join my free online discussion forum for hiking and backpacking all around the world.

And until next time, I’ll see you on the trail!

Watch the videos for this trail!

Below is a recent video that we filmed while enjoying this area.

Check out the trail gallery!

Enjoy these photos taken around this area!