Cave-in-Rock State Park
Cave-in-Rock State Park
4
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Full view
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
2 within 3 miles
Attractions
2 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
173 reviews
Excellent
81
Very good
62
Average
23
Poor
4
Terrible
3
Bonnie V
Streamwood, IL26 contributions
Mar 2021
It is such a beautiful place to visit. You have to go and learn the history that actual Pirates used this cave. Unfortunately it was flooded and we could not go in. The rock formations around it are so beautiful to look at.
Written March 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christy G
Chicago, IL114 contributions
Sep 2020
Thanks to people like Keith, Joanna, Alex & Layla who don’t appreciate natural beauty.. half of the area is tainted by idiotic spray painted terms of endearment.
The other half is amazing.. devote about a 1/2 hour after the ferry and you’re good to carry on to other beauties of Southern Illinois.
The other half is amazing.. devote about a 1/2 hour after the ferry and you’re good to carry on to other beauties of Southern Illinois.
Written September 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sherry C
Wadsworth486 contributions
Apr 2022
This was a quick stop to check out the cave. We were quite surprised at just how big it was and how far back it went. Not sure if the legends are true of 'river pirates' hiding out here, but certainly can see how they could have! Also imagine this area gets flooded quite often, as it's right on the river bank. We didn't check out any thing else in the park (trails, etc), but are glad we made this stop. Very interesting.
Written April 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Capt R
77 contributions
Mar 2023
Very interesting Park, part of it is right on the Ohio River where the cave is. There is also a great restaurant called Kaylor's there overlooking the River. The Park has several picnic areas up on top of high bluffs overlooking the River. You can park there and watch the large tugs and barges go up and down the Ohio. We stayed at the campground there which was very clean and the sites are well spaced as well. Interesting design with one large loop road and a large landscaped lawn area in the middle so even sites on the inside of the loop road have privacy. The camp host, Steve, was very friendly and with some bad weather forecast, tornado watches, was very helpful with knowing the local weather patterns. Showers were closed when we were there but outhouse was very clean and well kept. Very pretty park and campground.
Written April 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
4471
Robinson, IL191 contributions
Dec 2020
The cave is so neat, and the history of this area is interesting. It's a short walk up / down the stairs to reach the cave, and a nice view of the river - from the cave level and the overlook above. The campground looks nice too.
The ferry ride across the river was fun, although the Amish stores on the Kentucky side were all closed until March so we wasted about an hour driving there...
I've heard the restaurant here is good, but it was closed when we visited.
The ferry ride across the river was fun, although the Amish stores on the Kentucky side were all closed until March so we wasted about an hour driving there...
I've heard the restaurant here is good, but it was closed when we visited.
Written January 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Davigeta
Saint Louis, MO1,092 contributions
Jun 2021
The park is easy to find, the cave less so. You can park in the lot that appears right after you enter the park. Then you have to go up a series of steps and then down another series of steps. Alternatively, you can drive past that lot, and the road turns to the right and more or less doubles back on itself. There are 3 shelters on this part of the park road. Park on the side of the road just before shelter 3, or in the parking lot for shelter 3, and you just have the steps going down to deal with. Vault toilets are available near this parking site. If you pass shelter #3 you have gone too far. The cave is not too far from the bottom of the steps, to the left. The entrance is worth a picture. However, be aware that (at least when we were there), this place was VERY MUDDY, and I don't think it had recently been raining. If you fall, you will be a mess! I went part-way in only. I don't advise going too far if you are unsteady on your feet or if you have nice clothes or shoes on. Wear gloves at least, if you can. The view is ok
Written June 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin P
Canton, Ohio, United States505 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
This is a nice place to stop if you are close. People have defaced some of the area which is a shame. There was a lack of markers explaining history of the area. I recommend driving around and parking near exit if you can. Lots of people in the way so hard to get good pictures without people on the weekend.
Written August 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luann M
Pecatonica, IL424 contributions
Aug 2021
This cave is in a neat little park right by the Ohio River. At first, we didn't know quite where to park, but we figured it out and then took several flights of steps down to the cave. It was interesting figuring out the history of the cave. It was a really hot day, and we didn't do much hiking, but I appreciated seeing the cave and then going to the lodge dining room for an afternoon dessert.
Written August 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MeryMeCo
Galesburg, IL891 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
So happy we stopped to see the cave. I felt like the signage in the Shawnee Forest left a lot to be desired. But we found our way. It was helpful to read that this cave was used in the movie How the West Was Won. We are old enough to remember that movie. The part about the cave was something I’d always remembered. Great stop
Written September 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
QuincyKid
Austin, Texas312 contributions
Oct 2021
Here's a tip: The best way to get to the cave without climbing ANY steps is to park at the first parking lot to find (there is an old Pepsi sign there). Walk toward the end of it and you will see a smooth rock trail just ahead to the left. Take that to the right and keep going. You will go through a gravel area, and then find the smooth trail again that takes you to the mouth of the cave. Too easy!
Written October 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GrandTour37936182088
Sullivan, IL
How handicapped ♿accessible is the park
Annaline
Park Ridge, IL7,031 contributions
You can drive through it . You can access all the places with your car but the cave. There is a lot of stairs to get down to and up (to see the cave).
JJack
Roann, IN30 contributions
What else is there to do in the area beside the cave???
Becky H
1,021 contributions
The cave is in a state park. There is a scenic drive along the river. You can take the short ferry ride across the river to the KY side. There is a nice drive through the Land Between the Lakes. There's a lot to see in that area- bison, Hematite Lake, wildlife, etc. Also there are hikes on the original Trail of Tears on the KY side, and a nice hike to Mantle Rock, a natural arch. There's also an historic market in a nearby town and an Amish community where you can get great farm goods.
scoobapadi
Dayton, OH85 contributions
Is it possible to walk there from the ferry?
kedalion1
Sheboygan, WI211 contributions
Yes its a pretty easy walk along a quiet road. I suspect its a little less than a mile but there are 10 online programs that can tell you that to the inch
Kerri P
10 contributions
Is swimming legal off the shores?
robynw2017
Cave in Rock, Illinois1 contribution
Yes, but don’t—dangerous. The Ohio River can have very fast current, big trees floating, and heavy barge traffic.
Ula Dayle S
Willow Hill, Illinois, United States9 contributions
Entrance to the actual Cave is different than it was in 11/1977...what happened to it? Thx, Ula
Chepper
Charlotte, NC7 contributions
In 1977 the entrance appeared different due to the copious amount of mushrooms consumed by visitors to the park.
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Claim your listingCave-in-Rock State Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Cave-in-Rock State Park
- Cave-in-Rock State Park is open:
- Sun - Sat 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Hotels near Cave-in-Rock State Park:
- (0.45 mi) Cave in Rock State Park Lodge
- (5.35 mi) Cedar Hill River Resort
- (8.14 mi) Historic Rose Hotel
- (8.13 mi) River Rose Inn B&B
- (7.57 mi) CCW Lodge
- Restaurants near Cave-in-Rock State Park:
- (0.32 mi) Cave-In-Rock State Park Lodge
- (0.36 mi) Roses Kountry Kitchen
- (8.18 mi) E-town River Restaurant
- (9.85 mi) Jones 88 Dip Drive In
- (8.13 mi) E Town Riverport Express
- Attractions near Cave-in-Rock State Park:
- (0.37 mi) Cave In Rock Ferry
- (7.80 mi) Iron Furnace
- (8.00 mi) Pages Bookstore