Scenic bluffside park featuring a historic limestone cave, hiking trails, river views, and opportunities for camping, boating, and wildlife observation.
General Information
Restaurant: 8am to 9pm
Open year-round; call ahead during winter months for weather-related closures
Camping: $10–$20 per night depending on site type
How to Get There
From Evansville, IN (85 mi): Take IN-62 W to IL-141 W, then south on IL-1 for 36 miles to reach the park entrance near the Ohio River.
Overview
The Cave-In-Rock State Park is a natural and historical treasure perched above the Ohio River in southern Illinois. Its namesake cave, a 55-foot-wide limestone cavern carved by millennia of water erosion, has long captivated travelers with its dramatic presence and storied past. Once a hideout for river pirates and outlaws in the 18th and 19th centuries, the cave now invites peaceful exploration by hikers and history buffs alike. The park’s trails wind through wooded bluffs and offer panoramic views of the river, while picnic areas and playgrounds make it a family-friendly destination.
Established in 1929, the park spans over 200 acres and includes a campground, boat ramps, and a lodge with a full-service restaurant known for its southern-style cooking. Visitors can enjoy fishing, birdwatching, and ferry rides across the river to nearby Amish communities. Whether you're drawn by the cave’s folklore or the serene beauty of the Ohio River Valley, Cave-In-Rock offers a unique blend of adventure, relaxation, and historical intrigue in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest region.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Cave-In-Rock State Park, which are released under the https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
