Geocaching - The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site (2024)

Illinois

Capital: Springfield

Largest City: Chicago

Size Rank: 25th

Population Rank: 5th

Admission to Union: 21st

Find the other caches in the series HERE.

The Cache Across America Series: This is aseries of caches that will take you on a caching tour of the entireUnited States. One cache is hidden in each of the 50 states. Thesecaches each contain a numeric clue that will lead you to one final cache located in our nation's capitol upon completionof the series.

About this cache: Welcome to Illinois - theLand of Lincoln! If you follow the Lincoln Heritage Trail to itsend, you will find yourself in picturesque Cave-in-Rock Illinois,where you will be able to begin your search for the cache. Thecache is located in Cave-in-Rock state park along a less-traveledfootpath at the base of the cliffs/bluffs. There are stone stairsfrom the parking and picnicking areas down to the level of the maincave and the footpath to the cache. While you are walking along thefootpath, enjoy the beautiful views along the Ohio - but pleasetake care to also watch your step! The footpath wanders over manystones that have fallen from the cliff face; a cacher who does notwatch their feet will likely trip and fall. Parents of youngchildren should be especially careful while walking near the edgesat the top of the bluffs/cliffs.

Cache details: The cache is a large lock-n-lock style container(5"x5"x10") filled with a variety of swag. According to IllinoisDNR policies, it is the responsibility of visitors to orientthemselves with policies and rules pertaining to this Departmentmanaged site. Please do NOT place any of the following into thecache: Food items and/or inappropriate, offensive, or hazardousmaterials. Given the possibility of muggles, please rehide thecache as found.

Cave-in-Rock was first discovered by a French explorer in 1729.Following the Revolutionary War, the large cavern formed the idealhideaway for outlaws, bandits and river pirates who preyed on thetravelers on the Ohio River. The cave served as the background inthe movie “How The West Was Won” in a scene portraying ruthlessbandits using the cave to lure unsuspecting travelers to anuntimely end. Illinois historian John W. Allen had this to sayabout the park: “Today only the natural beauty of the historic spotremains, clothed in mystery. In the hollow silence of the cave thatechoes the peaceful cooing of doves, a visitor can let a vividimagination run riot. But he can dream little that will be beyondwhat actually happened.”

Cave in Rock is a 200+ acre state park along the banks of theOhio River in southeastern Illinois. It features two hiking trails,tent and RV camping facilities, lodges and cabins, a smallplayground for children, and a restaurant. The Ohio River providesaccess for boating and fishing, and the park has a marina forlarger craft. It also has picnic areas and shelters for largergroups. Admission is free to the park itself (but there are feesfor camping, lodging, and the like). It is located in Cave in Rock,IL, a town with a population of roughly 300, located at theterminus of IL-1, the southern branch of the "Lincoln HeritageTrail." Cave-in-Rock has small boutiques and restaurants, and amarker noting where Lewis and Clark passed through on their journeywest. The Cave-in-Rock ferry shuttles cars and pedestrians acrossthe Ohio River to Kentucky and back.

When most Americans think of Illinois, we think of Chicago andAbe Lincoln. Many cachers might also think of the BOB series ofcaches or the APE cache near the Chicago area. One goal with thiscache was to encourage cachers to explore other areas of the state- particularly some of the scenic and beautiful areas in thesouthern portions of the state. Come, find this cache, and makesure to walk into the cave itself, to see what has amazed explorersfor centuries. While you are in southeastern Illinois, we encourageyou to explore the neighboring Shawnee National Forest (and itscaches!) including the awe-inspiring "Garden of the Gods". You canhead southwest from here, and enter "Little Egypt" Illinois, wherethe original settlers would travel to find grains and other foodsin the bounty provided along the banks of the Ohio and theMississippi. Or, take one of the ferries across the Ohio River andexplore the neighboring sections of Kentucky.

This cache has been placed with permission by the park manager(Mike) at Cave-in-Rock State Park. The park closes at 10 pm (unlessyou are camping or lodging overnight). Please do not attempt thiscache after hours, and be careful during hours if it is dark out.Please be particularly careful if the river is nearing flood stagesas you will be walking within 25 feet of the river most of the way.If you have any questions about this cache, please feel free tocontact me or the park (618-289-4325). If you are traveling a longdistance to this cache, please do not hesitate to contact me beforecoming - I will happily check on the cache before your trip toensure you have something to find!

Logging Requirements: Enjoy this cache as youwould any other. If you are searching this cache as a participantin the Cache Across America series, please post a photo of yourselfor a member of your group with the cache in your online log. If youfor some reason are unable to meet the photo requirement, pleasemake alternate arrangements to verify your find with the individualcache owner. There is no photo requirement for non-challengeparticipants.

Individual verification of all 50 state finds will be requiredbefore logging the series final.

If participating in the series, please take note of the threedigit code located inside this cache. Save this code in a secureplace. When you have visited all 50 caches, and have collected all50 codes, you are welcome to seek and find the final cache! Goodluck!