- How do I check-in or buy tickets on-site?
The Box Office/Check-in will be located at SIU Credit Union Pavilion near the entrance of Touch of Nature. You will park in our trails parking lot and then check in with Touch of Nature event staff who will give you your welcome packet and further instructions for navigating the festival grounds. This central location will be where you can purchase or pick up your tickets, lodging info, parking pass, etc. Please check in at the box office before setting up your camp or checking into lodging.
To buy tickets on-site, please visit the box office located at the SIU Credit Union Pavilion. Tickets are not available on-site until October 11th.
- What should I pack?
EVERYONE: We recommend that everyone bring the following items:
- Headlamp or flashlight or lantern for after dark
- Camp chairs/ground blankets to watch in the audience or use in campsite
- Appropriate clothes, including rain gear, if required
- Toiletries for overnight stays
- Reusable water bottle, if desired
- Cash, and a debit card (ATM onsite)
CAMPERS: bring your own camping supplies:
- Tent (4 person maximum)
- waterproof tarp/groundcover under tent
- Wagon for unloading and hauling your luggage/gear to your campsite, cabin, or room
- Bedding - Sleeping bag & Pillows
- Toiletries for overnight stays
- Lanterns, flashlights, headlamps, etc
CABIN/LODGE GUESTS:
- Little Grassy Lodge provides all amenities - like a hotel, including private bathrooms.
- Rustic lodges (Shawnee & Morris) rooms have 2 twin beds. Beds DO NOT include linens, so bring sleeping bags/blankets/pillows. Rustic lodges have shared community bathrooms.
- Family Cabins & bunkhouses provide bunk or twin beds, but you must provide your own bedding & other camping supplies. Family cabins and bunkhouses have access to bathhouses.
- How do I get there?
You can find Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center via GPS using the address 1206 Touch of Nature Rd, Makanda, IL 62958. This gets you to the entrance, and you can follow signage from there!
From the north:
Take Interstate 57 South to the Route 13 exit (Carbondale - Exit #54B), turn west (right) onto Route 13 toward Carbondale, go approximately 15 miles. Look for Wal-Mart on your right once you enter Carbondale. Turn left (south) at this light, Giant City Road. Continue 8 miles south on Giant City Road. Touch of Nature Road will be on your left (east). Turn left and continue on Touch of Nature Road.
From the south:
Follow I-24 to I-57 North, or stay on I-57, to the Route 148 exit (Exit #45), head northwest on 148 for approximately 2 miles. Turn left on Grassy Road. There is a convenience store on this corner. Follow Grassy Road for about 7 miles. Stay left when you come to a Y. Continue southwest on Grassy Road. Grassy Road will come to a T at Giant City Road. Turn south (left) on Giant City Road. Continue on Giant City Road approximately 1 mile. Touch of Nature Road will be on your left. Turn left and continue on Touch of Nature Road.
From the east:
Head west on I-70 or, if you are further south, take I-64 to I-57 South. Continue approximately 50 miles south from I-64 to the Route 13 exit (Marion - Exit #54B), head west on Route 13 toward Carbondale, go approximately 15 miles. Look for Wal-Mart on your right once you enter Carbondale. Turn left (south) at this light, Giant City Road. Continue 8 miles south on Giant City Road. Touch of Nature Road will be on your left (east). Turn left and continue on Touch of Nature Road.
From the west:
Head east on I-64 approximately 50 miles from St. Louis. Take the Route 127 (Nashville) exit south. Continue south for approximately 50 miles to Murphysboro. At Murphysboro, go left (east) for approximately 10 miles. You will pass through the town of Carbondale. Watch for the mall on your right. When you see Wal-Mart on your left, this is your light. Turn right (south) at this light, Giant City Road. Continue 8 miles south on Giant City Road. Touch of Nature Road will be on your left (east). Turn left and continue on Touch of Nature Road.
- When can I arrive at the festival?
Check-in for the lodging and camping begins at 3 pm on Friday, October 11th.
- Are RV's and campers allowed?
RVs are not allowed at the Little Grassy Get Down. Sadly, our facilities can't support the needs of RV campers. However, car camping is available to those in conversion vans, car toppers, and other car campers that will take up only one parking space.
- Are pets allowed?
Only service or service animals in training are allowed in buildings at Touch of Nature. Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, and/or other mental disability. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability.
Non-service animals and pets are not allowed in Touch of Nature buildings, including overnight accommodations and cabins. Animals must be attended at all times and remain on a leash. Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals and are not allowed in the facility unless otherwise approved by administration.
For more detailed information, please review the SIU Service Animal Policy.
The closest kennel to Touch of Nature is Indian Creek Kennel. They book quickly, so don't delay!
- Are fires allowed at the campsites?
As a leave-no-trace facility, campfires at Touch of Nature are only allowed in designated fire rings. We’ll start and supply all the late-night jam fires going at night. (Good news - you do not need to supply any firewood!)
- Will vegan, vegetarian, or gluten free food options be available?
Yes, we will have vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options available at the Get Down Kitchen (mess hall, inside) and the Get Down Grill (outside).
- Can I bring my own food?
No outside food is allowed in the main festival grounds. Please note NO COOLERS are allowed in the main festival grounds. (The main festival grounds includes the fenced area including stages, audience seating, dining hall, etc).
If you have concerns reagrding dietary restrictions or allergies, please don't hesitate to reach out to our office at 618-453-1122.
- Can I bring my own alcohol?
Touch of Nature follows SIU’s Alcohol Liquor Management Policy. In order to ensure a safe and enjoyable weekend no outside alcohol will be allowed in the main festival grounds (The main festival grounds includes the fenced area including stages, audience seating, dining hall, etc).
Touch of Nature will be operating a bar with a wide variety of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages at an affordable price.
- Can I bring my own canoe/kayak/fishing boat?
No watercraft can be launched at Touch of Nature. You may launch watercraft from public access ramp on Little Grassy Road, on the north side of Little Grassy Lake, very close to our facility! You will have to secure any boats/watercraft offsite from Touch of Nature. This is SIU rules & policy.
- What if it rains?
The Little Grassy Get Down is a rain or shine event. Please bring rain gear if needed! We may choose to move some acts to inside stages or shelters, and announcements will be made & posted.
- Are EZ-up tents allowed in the audience field?
Yes, As long as they do not obstruct anyone’s view - they will only be allowed around the back perimeter against the treeline.
- Will there be activities at the festival?
Yes! Little Grassy Get Down will being running a Kids Zone as well as have our mobile rock wall and Giant Swing operating (during scheduled times only). Additionally, our multi-purpose trails will be open for running, biking, and hiking. View a map of our trails
here.
