Cave-In-Rock, Illinois: 7 Things to Do in This Tiny Ohio River Town

Tucked along the banks of the Ohio River in Southern Illinois is a tiny town with a pretty big story to tell.

Cave-In-Rock, Illinois may be small, but between its massive riverside cave, scenic bluffs, fascinating history and one-of-a-kind ferry ride, it's absolutely worth adding to your Southern Illinois itinerary.

Better yet? Cave-In-Rock is close to Elizabethtown, Garden of the Gods and some of our favorite places in the Shawnee National Forest, making it an easy addition to a weekend stay with Shawnee Stays.

Here are 7 things to do in Cave-In-Rock, Illinois when you visit.

1. Step Inside the Famous Cave

Of course, you have to start with the reason the town got its name.

Inside Cave-In-Rock State Park, you'll find an enormous natural cave overlooking the Ohio River. The opening stretches approximately 55 feet wide and was carved into the limestone by water thousands of years ago.

Walking into it feels a little surreal.

The deeper you go, the sounds of the river begin to fade and the temperature changes. Turn around and you'll see the Ohio River perfectly framed by the cave's massive entrance.

It's one of those places that's hard to fully appreciate until you're standing inside it.

There are approximately 55–60 stairs leading down toward the cave, and the riverfront itself is rocky and uneven, so wear comfortable shoes and take your time.

Because Ohio River levels and weather conditions can affect access to the cave, it's always a good idea to check current park conditions before your visit.

2. Discover Cave-In-Rock's Wild History

This isn't just an interesting geological formation. Cave-In-Rock has been capturing people's imaginations for hundreds of years.

A French explorer documented the cave as early as 1729, and over time it became an important landmark for travelers along the Ohio River.

Then there are the stories.

Cave-In-Rock became famous for tales of river pirates, outlaws and criminals who supposedly used the area during the late 1700s and early 1800s.

Some of those stories have grown considerably with time. Illinois historians note that while crime and river piracy certainly occurred along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers during this period, many of the specific legends connecting famous outlaws directly to the cave can't be historically verified.

But that's part of the fun.

Standing inside that enormous dark cave overlooking a river that once served as a major transportation route makes it very easy to imagine what this place might have felt like 200 years ago.

The scenery was even dramatic enough for Hollywood: Cave-In-Rock was used as a filming location in the 1962 movie How the West Was Won.

3. Take in the Views of the Ohio River

Don't visit the cave and immediately leave the park.

One of the best parts of Cave-In-Rock State Park is simply spending time along the Ohio River.

Walk along the riverfront, find one of the scenic overlooks or pack something to eat and enjoy one of the shaded picnic areas.

The park's wooded bluffs rise above the river and offer beautiful views of the water, barges and boats traveling along the Ohio.

It's especially peaceful when you aren't in a hurry.

4. Ride the Cave-In-Rock Ferry

Here's something you don't get to do on every Illinois road trip.

Drive your car onto a ferry and cross the Ohio River into Kentucky.

The Cave-In-Rock Ferry connects Illinois Route 1 with Kentucky Route 91 and carries vehicles across the river between Cave-In-Rock and Crittenden County, Kentucky.

And the ride itself is part of the experience.

You can stay in your vehicle while the ferry makes the short trip across the Ohio River, enjoy the views and then continue exploring the Kentucky side before riding back into Illinois.

The ferry is currently free to ride.

Because ferry operations can be affected by high or low water, weather, winds and maintenance, check its operating status before planning your day around the crossing.

5. Explore More of Cave-In-Rock State Park

There's more here than the cave.

Cave-In-Rock State Park covers more than 200 wooded acres along the Ohio River and has two established hiking trails of moderate difficulty, along with additional areas to explore.

You'll also find picnic areas, playgrounds, fishing opportunities and boat access to the Ohio River.

That makes this an especially nice stop if you're traveling with kids or have a group where not everyone wants to spend the entire day hiking.

You can explore for a while, have a picnic, let the kids play and enjoy the river views without having to follow a packed itinerary.

6. Make It Part of a Southern Illinois Adventure

One of our favorite things about Cave-In-Rock is how easy it is to combine with other Southern Illinois attractions.

You don't have to choose between seeing the cave and exploring the Shawnee National Forest.

Within roughly 25 miles of Cave-In-Rock State Park you'll find places including:

Garden of the Gods
Rim Rock National Recreation Trail
Pounds Hollow Recreation Area
Tower Rock

You could easily spend the morning at Garden of the Gods, make your way toward Cave-In-Rock in the afternoon and finish the day along the Ohio River.

If you're staying for several days, even better. Give yourself time to explore without trying to squeeze all of Southern Illinois into one afternoon.

7. Stay Nearby in Elizabethtown

After a day of exploring, head back toward Elizabethtown, Illinois, just about 12 miles west of Cave-In-Rock.

Sitting along the Ohio River, Elizabethtown makes a great home base for exploring this side of Southern Illinois.

And that's where you'll find us.

Shawnee Stays offers several unique places to stay near Cave-In-Rock, Garden of the Gods and the Shawnee National Forest.

Traveling as a couple? Plan a peaceful getaway near the river.

Bringing the family? Choose a home with room to spread out and relax after a day of exploring.

Want a little Southern Illinois history with your stay? Spend the night at the Historic Rose Hotel, an Elizabethtown landmark dating back to the early 1800s.

Instead of driving in, seeing one attraction and heading home, stay awhile.

Watch the Ohio River roll by. Explore the little towns. Find the trails that aren't on everyone's itinerary. Grab something good to eat. And give yourself another day to see what's around the next bend.

Plan Your Cave-In-Rock Getaway

Cave-In-Rock is one of those Southern Illinois destinations that proves you don't need a huge city or packed attraction list to have a memorable trip.

Sometimes all you need is an enormous cave, a river ferry, a little history and a beautiful view.

Pair Cave-In-Rock with Garden of the Gods and the surrounding Shawnee National Forest, and you have the makings of a pretty incredible Southern Illinois getaway.

Ready to explore? Book your stay with Shawnee Stays and make Elizabethtown your home base for your next Southern Illinois adventure.