Cache River State Natural Area

Cache River State Natural Area is a natural preserve in southern Illinois that encompasses thousands of acres of diverse habitats. The landscape includes swamps with bald cypress trees, floodplain forests, and hardwood stands that visitors can explore on foot, via boardwalk, or by canoe.

The valley was shaped long ago by glacial waters that carved channels from the Ohio River through the landscape. When the river eventually shifted its course, the Cache River remained and gradually filled with water, creating the wetland ecosystem that exists today.

The Barkhausen Wetlands Center offers exhibits that explain how this ecosystem works and how local communities have lived alongside these wetlands. The center helps visitors understand the deep connection between people and the natural world here.

The area is accessible year-round through multiple entry points and trailheads throughout the region. Wear sturdy shoes and prepare for wet conditions since much of the terrain passes through swampy ground.

The area is home to some of the oldest trees in the region, with bald cypress trees that have lived for more than a thousand years. These ancient trees develop massive buttressed bases that support them in the soft swamp ground.

Location: Johnson County

Inception: 1970

GPS coordinates: 37.36220,-88.95560

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:43