Giant City State Park, a popular recreational area for SIUC students, offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, from picnics to rock climbing.

By Gus Bode

The main attraction for the park is its rugged, unmolested beauty.

The caves, rock formations and plateaus that make up the landscape attract visitors to the park.

One of the most popular spots in the park is a narrow, twisting, cavernous crevice known as Fatman’s Squeeze.

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It has provided a few tight problems in the past, but is relatively safe for anyone who is not claus-trophobic.

The few cases of people being stuck have been solved easily with cooking oil.

Many SIUC students spend time at the park.

Teffany Veath, a junior in radio and television from Carbondale, said she enjoys hiking.

I don’t like the longer trails, but I like the two mile trails. I take my dogs (to Giant City) with me, and they love it, Veath said.

But some students have not had a chance to explore the area.

Jeff Ellebracht, an undecided sophomore from Alton, said he would like to visit Giant City.

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I would like to do all of that (hiking and climbing), but I’ve never had the time to, Ellebracht said.

Joel Rojas, a freshman in business administration from Joliet, said lack of transportation makes visiting the park difficult.

I enjoy bike riding and hiking. I’d probably go if I had a car, Rojas said.

Giant City is located about 15 minutes south of campus on Giant City road.

The park offers campsites and lodging.

Although rappelling and rock climbing are not encouraged, they are allowed.

Visitors must furnish their own equipment.

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