Directions to Illinois Caverns

Caverns Ranger's Office: (618) 458-6699

(Click HERE to return to the D.I.G. page)

DO NOT GO TO: 10981 Conservation Rd., Baldwin, IL 62217. This is the regional Park's office about 30-miles from the cave! You will be VERY LATE! (It is where mail to the caverns is sent, however.)

1. Take I-255 to Route 3 South in Columbia, Illinois. This interchange is on the southeast side of St. Louis. You can take I-270 around to the South to I-255 and cross the Jefferson Barracks bridge over the Mississippi, or take I-270, I-55/70, or I-64 to the East and then take I-255 South. It will take about 30-minutes to get to the caverns from the Route 3 turn-off.

2. Take Route 3 through Columbia, IL and Waterloo, IL and continue past Route-156.

3. Exactly 3.3 miles past Route-156, TURN RIGHT on to Kaskaskia Road. (There is a John Deere Tractor dealership on the right, 0.5 miles before Kaskaskia Road.)

4. Go ONLY 200 yards or so on Kaskaskia Road and TURN LEFT onto "G" Road. This is the first road on the left (should also have a street name sign).

5. Go 1.9 miles on "G" Road to where it temporarily ends and TURN LEFT onto "KK" Road.

6. Go 0.2 miles on "KK" Road and then TURN RIGHT back onto "G" Road (where it starts again).

7. Go exactly 2.0 miles on "G" Road. The ILLINOIS CAVERNS entrance is on the RIGHT. Look for the sign - it may be blocked from view until your right there.

8. Turn in and meet at the picnic benches/parking area (about 200 yards further down the road from the Ranger's office).

9. EarthTraces staff will do the sign-in/sign-out for the group at the Ranger's office.

From downtown St. Louis, plan 60-minutes to get to the caverns.
From the I-55|I-270|I-255 interchange on the south side of St. Louis, plan 40-minutes.