Cache River State Natural Area

Bike Trail

The Tunnel Hill State bicycle trail travels through 8 miles of the Cache River State Natural Area terminating at the Henry Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands/Visitor Center, 2 1/2 miles east of Karnak, Illinois near Rago and Ill. Rt. 37.

From the bicycle trail you can access the hiking trail heads of Heron Pond and Big Cypress access, where you can view a cypress-tupelo swamp and see 1,000 year old trees. At the Barkhausen Wetlands Center, visitors can tour the interpretative exhibits and watch a 12 minute audio visual film on the Cache River wetlands.

Hiking Trails

More than 18 miles of designated foot trails exists within Cache River State Natural Area. Other than Little Black Slough Trail and Tupelo Trail which are considered moderate in difficulty, the trails are easy to walk. A 5-mile segment of the 45-mile-long Tunnel Hill State Trail passes through the region, providing expanded opportunities for hikers and cyclists. Paralleling the Karnak-Belknap Road on its northern side, the Tunnel Hill Trail links Little Black Slough, the Lower Cache unit and the Henry N. Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center. Trail length is based on round trip distances. Hiking Trail Fact Sheet and Hiking Trail Map

Canoe Trail

The Lower Cache River Trail offers paddlers a quality canoe experience, 3 to 6 miles in length, through magnificent cypress-tupelo swamp. The highlight of the trail is Illinois’ largest, and therefore, state champion bald cypress tree. Like many trees within the Cache River State Natural Area, it is more than 1,000 years old.

Canoeists can begin at the Lower Cache River access area or at a private boat launch ($1 fee) south of Perks. Car shuttles are not necessary. The trail is marked with international canoe symbols and arrows and/or yellow stripes on trees. Canoe maps and fact sheets are available at the site headquarters or wetlands center.

While canoeing the Lower Cache is enjoyable, paddlers should be aware that the Upper Cache River is difficult if not impossible to canoe. Severe bank erosion, which is responsible for trees tipping over and creating log jams, makes canoe portages very frequent.

• Canoe Fact Sheet
• Canoe Trail Map

Fishing

Swimming under or on the tea-colored waters of the Cache are numerous fish, amphibians and reptiles. Channel catfish, crappie, bass and bluegill are prized by area fishermen. Less sought after but true swamp fish include the bowfin, needlenose gar, grass pickerel and yellow bullhead catfish. Pygmy sunfish and cypress minnows are two state-endangered fish found only in wetlands dominated by forested swamps.

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Parking - There are accessible parking spaces at the main office and the Wetlands Center. All other parking lots are gravel.

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Restrooms - The Wetlands Center has accessible public restrooms and water fountains. The park office does not have public restrooms.

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Wetlands Center - There is a concrete walkway to the building. The Wetland Center also has an accessible wooden boardwalk that can be accessed from outside the building.