We strongly recommend that you use your cars odometer and these directions as opposed to a GPS. GPS’s do strange things this far out in the country. :o)
From the North:
Take I57 south to Marion Illinois (exit 54). When you exit you’ll go east on Rt 13 about 21 miles to Harrisburg. When you come into Harrisburg, you’ll go to the 3rd stop light, Commercial Street (also Rt 34 and Rt 145). Go right on Commercial (Rt 34 south) and go exactly 1 mile to the light right after Walmart & Taco Bell. At that light, turn left following Rt 34 south and go exactly 6 miles to where Rt 34 turns left again. There is no stop sign or light here so watch for signs that Rt 34 is turning left. Turn left and follow Rt 34 for 9.5 miles to Karber’s Ridge Rd (you are in the hills at this point and you’ll see a blue tourist activity sign with our name on it right before a small country store called Harbison’s/Fast Stop on the right) Karber’s Ridge Rd is directly across the street from this store and you can only go left. Turn left and go exactly 3 miles and our ice cream and gift store, Garden of the Gods Outpost is on the left. Look for the phone booth in the parking lot. This is where you check in.
From Northern Indiana:
Take I64 west into Illinois and take the 1st exit, IL Rt 1 south. Go thru the town of Carmi and continue south staying on Rt 1 until you get to a stop sign just outside of Norris City IL. At that 4 way stop, IL Rt 1 turns left and continues south…turn and follow Rt 1 south here. Go several miles until you come to a 4 way stop that is IL Rt 13 and IL Rt 1 (which you are on, going south). Continue south on IL Rt 1 another 8.7 miles (8.7 miles south of the intersection at Rt 13 and Rt 1) and turn right onto Pounds Hollow Rd. There are no stop signs but we do have a blue tourist activity sign just before this turn and right is the only way you can go on Pound Hollow Rd. There are also brown Forestry signs for Garden of the Gods, Pounds Hollow Lake and Rim Rock. When you turn right, take Pounds Hollow Rd for exactly 8.5 miles and our ice cream and gift store, Garden of the Gods Outpost is on the right. Look for the phone booth in the parking lot. This is where you check in.
From the South (Paducah area via I24):
Take I24 north into Illinois. Exit at your 1st exit, Metropolis. At the stop sign take a right but get into your left lane immediately. Take the very 1st left onto IL Route 145 north. Go approximately 15 miles north and turn right (east) on IL Route 146. Take IL 146 east for 10 miles to the town of Golconda. When you get into town there is a stop sign. At that stop sign Rt 146 turns left. Continue to follow Rt 146 for approximately 9.5 miles and turn left on IL Route 34 north. Go exactly 7 miles and turn right on Karbers Ridge Rd. There is a small country store with 2 gas pumps on the left. Karber’s Ridge Rd is directly across the street from this store and you can only go right. Turn right and go exactly 3 miles and our ice cream and gift store, Garden of the Gods Outpost is on the left. Look for the phone booth in the parking lot. This is where you check in.
From the East Via Cave In Rock Ferry: Take Rt 91 West from Marion Kentucky to the Free Car Ferry. Take the ferry across the Ohio River into Cave In Rock. When you get off the ferry, go straight north on IL Rt 1 for 13 miles to Pounds Hollow Road. There are no stop signs but we do have a blue tourist activity sign just before this turn and left is the only way you can go on Pound Hollow Rd. There are also brown Forestry signs for Garden of the Gods, Pounds Hollow Lake and Rim Rock. When you turn left, take Pounds Hollow Rd for exactly 8.5 and our ice cream and gift store, Garden of the Gods Outpost is on the right. Look for the phone booth in the parking lot. This is where you check in.