Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Cave-In-Rock State Park

    4.1 (16 reviews)

    Cave-In-Rock State Park Photos

    More like Cave-In-Rock State Park

    Recommended Reviews - Cave-In-Rock State Park

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Plenty F.

    5 stars. If you need to get outta town, feel free to come here. It's off the beaten path, but that's part of its charm. Amazing photo opportunities abound in this FREE state park. There's camping and RV grounds, but I didn't stay here. I got a cabin not too far away. It's not a great local for folks with mobility issues, as there are several steps to climb/descend and the cave has very narrow openings in places. Great for kids to see and enjoy. It's right off the water, but still a safe distance away. Beautiful.

    This overlooked state park has an important history. It's well worth a trip. My son and I visited in May, and we were very glad we did.

    Melissa B.

    May 16th, Tony and I had a nice day trip. We drove up from Nashville, TN and took the Free Ferry across the Ohio River. It docks in a small riverside city called Cave-in-Rock, Illinois. As you unload from the ferry, you drive to the stop sign and make an immediate right. Go to the end of the street and make another right into the Park. Once in the park, there are a couple of large parking lots you can stop at and there is a really nice playground with a good old fashion Merry Go Round...when I saw this I had immediate memories of when I was a young girl with pig tails sitting on the merry go round wrapping my arms tight while the larger kids spun us around...if you let go, YES YOU WOULD FLY OFF..and that is what the larger kids was trying to make us do...lol !!!! and NO ONE STOPPED THEM...OMG..growing up in the late 60's... Then we drove around to the top of the knoll, made another right and it took us along a river road where we are driving on the bluffs. There are picnic tables and shelters with grills. Playgrounds and bathrooms with some great over looking areas..picnic tables with terrific views of the lazy Ohio River... Then we drove on down to another parking lot and parked our van near some stairs descending down to the waters edge. Here the stone steps lead between some bluffs and you are taken to a large opening or clearing near the waters front. If you go right you can walk along the coast line beside the large rock cliffs and enjoy..or if you go left you are led to a small wooden boardwalk, once off the boardwalk you are at the Large Cave opening. The cave itself is free, Well lit from the large opening of the front of the rocks and you can go inside. It is not that deep about 3000 feet in more or less..it is a huge open room in the back..some of the shadowed area are dark... a small flashlight would be helpful..if you look up..there is a natural skylight made by God...it is nice.. Up top they have a small rock wall built around it and some metal grates over the opening.. I really enjoyed the visit at this park. The actual walk is fairly easy with a few steps but mainly very easy access. The entire walk took us only about 30 to 35 minutes. I mean you can stay longer of course and enjoy a picnic or cookout..but we were there only for the walk and the cave. I would definitely go back again!!! I highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys these type of outings without a lot of hard hiking or walking..very easy and elderly and pet friendly.. BEST of ALL....FREE and only about 2 hrs from Nashville, Easy day trip!!!

    Terry Z.

    Traveling through after visiting Garden of the Gods , I had a great time it's on the river and we walked down and went through the cave as well , than got on the ferry and went across to Ky !!

    Flooded Ohio
    Aaron R.

    Very cool park in the midwest. Short drive from Indy. These views remind me of the west coast. The hole in the ground to the water below reminds me specifically of Mendo. Go now, the Ohio is flooded and looks spectacular. Almost forgot I was land locked. I passed thru this park en route to Shawnee, very cool spot to spend a couple hours. Nice to have something like this so close, I usually drive much farther to get views like this. Not much elevation but spectacular views and rock formations.

    See all

    Photo of Natalie D.
    72
    31
    122

    2 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 4
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 2
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Not many trails but the views of the river are gorgeous. Needs more signs about the history of the area. Look out for Osage oranges.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Beautiful scenic area. Grilled hamburgers at shelter 3. Gorgeous area overlooking the river.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Curt B.
    0
    59
    10

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of E G.
    0
    433
    15

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Cave-In-Rock State Park

    Review Highlights - Cave-In-Rock State Park

    It docks in a small riverside city called Cave-in-Rock, Illinois.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Boo Rochman Memorial Park

    Boo Rochman Memorial Park

    4.9(19 reviews)
    57.9 mi

    I was looking up things to do in the Carbondale area and this place caught my eye. I don't have any…read morekids nor am I one but I had to visit the park and I got to hear the story about how this park was built and how it came to be. This park is very well kept! I've never been to an active park that is so well maintained and the fact that it has no graffiti on it! This park is so Interactive and I thought it was convenient that it had porta potties next to it as well. Even the ice cream man came by to visit. Plenty of great Interactive things that check out that are one-of-a-kind like climbing got a dragon and even the playground is big enough for grown-ups to walk around without actually it's time to climb on stuff. This place was like walking into a Renaissance fair , I highly recommend checking this place out!

    This is without a doubt one of the top parks that my kids have ever been to. When you step into the…read morepark you see sculptures of wizards, knights, dragons, and fantastical creatures. It is like stepping into a Dungeons & Dragons story. The highlight thought is without a doubt the castle. There are ramparts, hidden armories, gargoyles, coats of arms, statues and a whole menagerie of fantastical creatures. I had to tear my 5 and 3 year old away from it. It could have kept them busy for hours. There is also a touching backstory to the park. It was founding in memory of Jeremy "Boo" Rochman who died in a car crash nearby. He loved fantasy and his family set up the park in his honor. The park is privately funded, and can accept donations through its website. So if you do stop in and enjoy it, please make sure to support the park.

    Photos
    Boo Rochman Memorial Park
    Boo Rochman Memorial Park - Dragon pillars

    Dragon pillars

    Boo Rochman Memorial Park

    See all

    Cave-In-Rock State Park - parks - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...