Thank you for your interest in the Cache River State Natural Area. This natural area offers unique wildlife/nature/hiking experience of both short and long duration. The Lower Cache River access offers canoeists a quality canoe experience of 3-6 miles on cut and marked trails through the backwater sloughs and river of a cypress-tupelo swamp. There are limited facilities offered at this area, with no camping. Privy type toilets are available at the Heron Pond and Lower Cache River and Marshall Ridge accesses only.

There are currently 26 access areas. The Henry Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center, Heron Pond, Wildcat Bluff, Marshall Ridge, Big Cypress and Lower Cache River access offer various habitat and hiking experiences from developed trails. The Belknap, East Bluff, Forman, North Cypress, Flatwoods, West/East Karnak, North Main, Rt. 45 North, Cave Creek and North/West Belknap, Little Black Slough, South Cypress, Glass Hill, Perks Road, West 37, and Snake Hole accesses are primarily used seasonally by hunters, and have no developed trails.

The Heron Pond access offers a unique 1.5 mile trail, the highlight of this trail is a floating boardwalk into a cypress swamp. From the Heron Pond trail loop, you can access the linkage trail, that connects to the Little Black Slough and Marshall Ridge trail (follow signs). The state champion Cherrybark Oak tree can be viewed 1/4 mile west of the Heron Pond boardwalk. To reach Heron Pond access drive 5 miles south of Vienna, IL on US Rt. 45, then turn west on the Belknap road for 2 miles and then follow the road signs to Heron Pond access for 1 mile.

From the Wildcat Bluff access, the Little Black Slough and Lookout Point trails offer the visitor a hike of various habitats of both long and short duration. To reach the Wildcat Bluff access, drive 1 mile east at the intersection of IL. Rt. 146 and IL. Rt. 37, then turn south 6 miles on a winding road. Or go 2.5 miles south of Vienna, IL on Rt. 45 and turn west on the road for 4 miles to Wildcat Bluff. Look for the Wildcat Bluff arrow signs at the numerous intersections. Please note that a rock ford on the Cache River must be crossed to hike Boss Island. This is not a problem during the dry weather, but in rainy weather the crossing may be inaccessible due to high water. During rainy weather, rubber boots are recommended along the trails.

The Lower Cache River access offers a parking lot with privy toilets, picnic shelter, drinking water, a boat ramp or canoe launch, with floating docks, and the Lower Cache River Swamp hiking trail, and 3-6 mile canoe trail. This access offers excellent canoe and hiking trails for viewing a cypress-tupelo swamp and wildlife observation. To reach the Lower Cache River access, drive 5 miles south of Cypress, IL on Rt. 37, then turn west 1 3/4 miles on the Perks road, and then turn south 1 mile to the access. Guided canoe trips are available from Peddles and Paddles 618-658-3641 and Land for Learning Institute, 618-967-6876.

The Section 8 Woods Nature Preserve offers a 475-foot boardwalk that passes through a flood plain forest and then a cypress-tupelo swamp. This is an ADA accessible boardwalk that offers a view of the state Champion Water Tupelo tree, with a circumference of 22.5 feet.

The Big Cypress Tree access offers the visitor an opportunity to view a +1000-year-old cypress tree, along a trail only 200 feet from this access. To reach the Big Cypress Tree access drive 3 miles west of Belknap, IL and go south on a gravel road 1-1/4 mile to access (follow signs).

Camping, picnicking, and other recreational activities are offered at other IL. Department of Natural Resources and Shawnee National Forest sites within a 30-mile radius. Some suggested areas are Ferne Clyffe State Park, Horseshoe Lake Conservation Area, Fort Massac State Park, Giant City State Park, Dixon Springs State Park, and Lake Glendale Recreation area (US Forest Service).

The motel accommodations found in Vienna, IL, exit 16 on I-24, are the Gambit Inn (618)658-2802 and the Limited Inn(618658-6300). The Best Western Cheekwood (618)845-3700 is located in Ullin, IL, exit #18 on I-57. You may also want to consider cabin accommodations at Giant City lodge and restaurant, (618)457-4921. Also nine Bed and Breakfasts are available, Morris Acres (618)658-4022, the Irish Inn (618)695-3355, Country Schemes (618)658-9044, Twin Bluffs (618)658-5600, Boyd’s Nest (618) 995-2741, Chestnut Cottage 618-777-2878, Wall Manor 866-969-6922, White lace Inn 618- 252-7599 and Oakridge Manor 618-996-2237

For additional tourist information on Southern Illinois, please contact the Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau, 1-800-248-4373.

The Henry N. Barkhausen Wetlands Center, a new visitor center, is currently open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. This wetlands center is linked to the Tunnel Hill State bicycle trail.. Call 618-657-2064 for information.

I hope your visit to the Cache River State Natural Area is a rewarding one.

Sincerely,
Jim Waycuilis, Site Superintendent
Cache River State Natural Area
930 Sunflower Lane
Belknap, IL 62908
618-634-9678