You might not think that Illinois has much in the way of caves, but there is one cave that will truly blow your mind! Cave in Rock State Park is located at 1 New State Park Road, Cave in Rock Illinois. For more information, click here.
Cave in Rock State Park, is located in Cave in Rock, a sleepy town in southern Illinois. The park is located on the banks of the Ohio River, and is available for camping and hiking year round.
This cave has been no secret over the years, as it has been home to bandits and pirates over the years. Some of its most infamous residents were the Harpe Brothers, with 40 murders under their belts. Another was Samuel Mason, the leader of a gang of river pirates.
Cave-in-Rock was also known and used for thousands of years by the Native Americans.
According to local lore, the famous outlaw Jesse James also hid out in the cave.
This picture is owned by Kelsey Correll
But when you visit the cave, you can see why it might have been home to such notorious people. You are right off of the scenic Ohio River, so the location is premium. And the cave is huge. The mouth of the cave is 55 feet across.
Visitors can explore inside the cave on foot, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Ohio River from within!
The cave has also been featured in popular culture, dating back to 1956, when Walt Disney Productions shot Davy Crockett and the river pirates. With several key scenes, featuring the cave.
For more great parks and amazing locations in Illinois, click here. For nearby lodging and campgrounds, click here. For the best family activities in the area, click here.