Rocky streams, 80 foot sheer cliffs, pine stands, hardwood forest, prairie grass, rock overhangs, and scenic vistas are encountered in this trail system. Spring time offers abundant wild flowers and full streams. Automn offers beautiful fall colors and ripe fruit, such as the persimmons. Winter time can offer excellent hiking during mild days with the opportunity to see huge icicles. Some of the trails utilize old wagon roads and pass by old settler home sites with rock cisterns and day lily flowers the only remnant clues as to the existence of a family homestead.

Camping may occur on any part of this trail system that is beyond the interior line shown on attached map. All types of motorized vehicles are illegal during the whole year.

The trails in the Garden of the Gods area offer the best variety of terrain and vegetation types to be encountered in southern Illinois in just 8 miles of interconnected loop trails.