Golconda Marina & Cave-In Rock SP

The third day of our April 2026 trip took us to Golconda Marina and Cave-In-Rock State Park. Golconda Marina is about 5 and a half hours south of Chicago, or 45 minutes northwest of Paducah, KY. Cave-In-Rock is 30 minutes west of the Marina.

Golconda Marina is the second marina we have visited for this project, the first being North Point Marina. The area was developed by the Lusk Conservancy District, and completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the IDNR. The full service recreational facility officially opened in 1988, and continues to be one of the more modern marinas on the Ohio river.

Since the marina is there to house boats, we knew there would not be any hiking for this first stop. However, we still enjoyed our time here immensely. Taking in the views of the river, and maybe bringing a picnic along would be an excellent activity for anyone wanting to spend some time outside, no boat required. That being said, if you have access to a boat, this would be a very good option for where to launch it. The marina has optimal access to the Smithland Pool, which is great for fishing.

We personally had a really good time bird watching here. We saw several Muscovy ducks and a pair of ospreys that had a nest built near the river.

After that short, but very fun experience at the marina, we continued on to Cave-In-Rock State Park. When we first started planning this project, this park was one we were very excited about. Plenty of parks in Illinois have canyons and interesting rock formations, but very few have explorable caves. Additionally, Cave-In-Rock SP is one of the few parks that actually has a lodge on the grounds.

Given the amenities this park has, it is relatively small at only 204 acres. It is also located along the Ohio River, and has a decent amount of hiking trails. Of course, the main attraction is the cave. The walk from the parking lot to the cave is quite short, just down a flight of stairs and follow a short path right on the river. We did not realize before we got there that the mouth of the cave actually overlooks the river too. We just had the preconceived notion of a cave in a forest, so when we arrived to find the cave on what felt like a small beach, we were pretty intrigued.

There are lots of stories about outlaws using the cave in acts of piracy. While travelling the river would have been dangerous during the 1800 because of piracy and other crimes, stories about the cave specifically are considered to be lore, more than fact. Regardless, the cave is quite impressive. There is a narrow walkway between two rocky platforms, leading to the back of the cave, where light filters in from a hole above. It is really neat to explore, but it is just one large cavern and does not take that long to explore.

After finishing the cave, we walked along the river, checking out the bluffs from below and above. We always enjoy a river overlook. We then headed over to the park restaurant, Kaylors, which had a very relaxed atmosphere and really tasty catfish.

After finishing at the park, but before heading back to Metropolis, we headed to the Riverside Mercantile. This is a small ice cream shop that also sells souvenirs made by local craftspeople. Sitting outside on the beautiful April afternoon was the best way to finish the day.

We thoroughly enjoyed both Golconda Marina and Cave-In-Rock SP, but neither is going to have enough for an all-day adventure, unless you are going out on a boat. Cave-In-Rock is one of the more famous parks in the state. But while its claim to fame is truly impressive, it will not take a very long time to explore. Still, we would absolutely recommend visiting both if you are in the area.