Giant City State Park & Makanda, IL

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Tall sandstone formations and forest at Giant City State Park
Tall sandstone formations and forest at Giant City State Park — Photo by Kbh3rd, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Today’s Forecast:

☁
41°F
High: 42° | Low: 29°
Current Temperature
Cloudy
Station: KMDH
Observed at: 9:15 pm CST on 11/13/26
Wind: 8 mph | Humidity: 61%
Tonight:Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. North northwest wind around 3 mph.
Saturday:Sunny. High near 50, with temperatures falling to around 46 in the afternoon. North wind around 3 mph.
Saturday Night:Clear. Low around 28, with temperatures rising to around 30 overnight. Northeast wind around 1 mph.
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Today’s Report:

🥾 Hiking

Excellent
  87 /100

Ideal conditions for hiking. Comfortable temperature (high near 50°F), light wind, and clear forecast.

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 94/100
Ideal conditions for hiking. Comfortable temperature (high near 54°F), light wind, and clear forecast.

⛺ Camping

Excellent
  100 /100

Ideal conditions for camping. Comfortable temperature (high near 50°F), light wind, and clear forecast.

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 100/100
Ideal conditions for camping. Comfortable temperature (high near 54°F), light wind, and clear forecast.

🐟 Fishing

Excellent
  89 /100

Ideal conditions for fishing. Comfortable temperature (high near 50°F), light wind, and clear forecast.

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 95/100
Ideal conditions for fishing. Comfortable temperature (high near 54°F), light wind, and clear forecast.

About Giant City State Park & Makanda

The destination brings together Giant City trails, lodge, campground, Makanda gateway and designated fishing ponds, with a representative land point chosen for local weather context.

Planning an Outing

Use the forecast to evaluate slick sandstone, rock passages, flash runoff, falling limbs and ice, heat, storm damage, services and hunting visibility, then confirm the operating rule for the precise part of this a sandstone forest park you intend to use.

Weather Tips

  • Before camping at a sandstone forest park, confirm loops, water service and gate hours with the managing agency.

Nearby Towns and Areas

  • Makanda
  • Giant City Nature Trail
  • Giant City Lodge
  • Devil’s Standtable
  • Giant City Campground
  • Carbondale

Adjust the Day to the Forecast

Move to shore or a short protected trail when wind, waves, flow or access is unsuitable; otherwise, delay campsite setup until warned wind or lightning passes.

7-Day Forecast

☁
41°F
High: 42° | Low: 29°
Current Temperature
Cloudy
Station: KMDH
Observed at: 9:15 pm CST on 11/13/26
Wind: 8 mph | Humidity: 61%
Sat ☀
50° 28°
0%
Sun ☀
54° 30°
0%
Mon ☀
57° 32°
0%
Tue ☀
58° 33°
0%
Wed ☀
62° 40°
0%
Thu ⛅
64° 47°
3%
Fri ⛅
68° --°
6%

7-Day High Temperature Trend

50° Sat 54° Sun 57° Mon 58° Tue 62° Wed 64° Thu 68° Fri

7-Day Low Temperature Trend

28° Sat 30° Sun 32° Mon 33° Tue 40° Wed 47° Thu 50° Fri

📊 7-Day Outdoor Outlook

Good Fair Poor 70 Sat 90 Sun 100 Mon 100 Tue 100 Wed 100 Thu 100 Fri
Forecast data from the National Weather Service  |  Last Updated: November 13, 2026 9:42 pm CST

Weather by Season

Winter

Freeze-thaw cycles leave shaded parts of this a sandstone forest park icy while exposed ground softens; verify roads and gates after storms.

Spring

Basin-wide rain can raise water and move debris through this a sandstone forest park; low access may remain closed after the crest.

Summer

Afternoon wind and lightning can end a water window on this a sandstone forest park; warm water may also bring advisories.

Fall

Cold water arrives before winter air on this a sandstone forest park; stronger fronts shorten launch windows and seasonal facilities reduce hours.

Key Climate Data Points

  • Local climate: This local planning area has an annual average temperature about 57–60°F, receives roughly 45–50 inches of precipitation and records usually under 10 inches, with some winters receiving little measurable accumulation.
  • Wettest season: Spring, when thunderstorms and river flooding become more frequent.
  • Driest season: Late summer or early fall.
  • Annual average temperature: About 57–60°f.
  • Annual snowfall: Usually under 10 inches, with some winters receiving little measurable accumulation.