Cave-in-Rock State Park in Illinois, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-11-11. Check linked official notices before travel.

Cave-in-Rock State Park in Hardin County, Illinois, protects a limestone cave in the bluffs above the Ohio River. The cave entrance is reached by stairs, with uneven ground along the river. The park also has picnic shelters, hiking trails, and two boat ramps.

A limestone opening in the Ohio River bluff

The cave opening is about 55 feet wide. Water carved the cavity into limestone, leaving a broad recess that became a recognizable landmark for people traveling the river.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Check the stairs and river approach

The park lists about 55 to 60 steps down to the cave. The riverfront is uneven and rocky. High river levels can flood the cave and prevent entry. After heavy rain or during high water, call the park to confirm the cave itself is open.

Leash pets

Keep pets on a leash.

Register larger groups

Groups of 25 or more must register in advance with the park office. Provide at least one responsible adult for each group of 15 minors.

Get to the park from Illinois Route 1

Use 1 New State Park Road, Cave-in-Rock, IL 62919. Follow Illinois Route 1 to the park. From Marion, Kentucky, use KY 56 and the Shawneetown Bridge across the Ohio River. See the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet ferry notice for the detour. The official park brochure maps trails and facilities.

Nearby parks and public lands

• Tower Rock Campground. Follow Tower Rock Road from Illinois 146 to a Shawnee National Forest river stop. The Forest Service lists a May 1–December 15 operating season. Flooding can affect access.
• Garden of the Gods Recreation Area. Choose the quarter-mile Observation Trail for sandstone formations. Take care near the high cliffs.

Walk the bluffs or fish from the bank

Two established hiking trails cross the wooded park. Children can use the playgrounds, and groups have four picnic shelters to choose from.

Illinois generally requires a sport fishing license. The park has a fishing pond. Two ramps provide access to the Ohio River. Check the Illinois fishing regulations for license exemptions and the separate Illinois–Kentucky boundary rules before fishing from the bank or a boat.

Parking and restrooms

Paved parking connects to sidewalks. The park accessibility guide lists vault toilets in the park. Service animals are welcome. Bring drinking water for outings, since the park lists no outdoor drinking fountains.

A landmark on the Ohio River

From river landmark to state park

The cave appears in accounts of Ohio River travel and in local stories about river pirates. Illinois acquired the first park land in 1929.

Wooded bluffs and river edge

The wooded upland rises above the Ohio River. The trails move between shaded slopes and open views over the water.

Contact Cave-in-Rock State Park

Call 618-289-4325 or check the IDNR park page before visiting.