Part 19 - Kayak Trip on the Cache.

Part 19 - Kayak Trip on the Cache.

When Jenny and I first bought our canoe, we took a camping and canoeing trip to Southern Illinois to the Cache River State Natural Area. This swampy land lies at the Southern tip of Illinois, between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. If you didn't know any better, you would think you were somewhere in the gator country of the Southern US.

State Champ Bald Cypress from our first visit. Anyone else see the face~???

Since Saint Louis was so close to Southern Illinois, we thought we would go back and re-visit our favorite swamps to kayak.  The large Cypress Trees and the duckweed floating on the water gives the swamp it's authentic feel. Birds of prey are everywhere hunting for fish in the shallow waters, but the Asian Carp that plague many of Illinois Rivers have unfortunately made their way into the Cache as well.

Warning: Be careful not to let these invasive species jump in your boat and capsize you!!!

Website: Cache River State Natural Area

Paddling the swamp trails is very similar to paddling on a lake, there were no currents, just easy paddling in any direction. For a longer trip, you can paddle out to the Cache River, but we love the swamps because it does not require a shuttle vehicle.

Lower Cache River Access

It is very remote in this area, so make sure to check the website above for maps. A nice resource to have if you can find it, is the book Paddling Illinois by Mike Svob.

The book above contains better maps than those provided on the IDNR website, and I highly recommend buying it for that reason alone. If you put in at the Lower Cache Access though, the "trails" are fairly well marked.

Signs like these will lead you through the swamp to points of interest.

Lots of open lakes between the swamp trails. 

Just thought this tree was pretty cool, out here by himself. 

We usually tie up to the shady side of a tree to get out of the sun for awhile.

I believe this was our shady lunch spot on the water. 

State Champion Bald Cypress believed to be over 1000 years old. 

Another canoe trail marker.

So peaceful on these lakes.

The stumps you see above the water are this trees 'knees'. This one has 209 total.

Funny story: The first time Jen and I came here, we were so busy taking selfies after, that our boat floated off the ramp and out into the swamp. Scott had to swim out in the swamp to go get it. There are no gators here, but there are poisonous snakes and snapping turtles.  A quick dive off the dock and a short swim to the boat were successful. No harm done except the duckweed in Scott's beard. Man I wish we would have got a picture of THAT!!! 

Made sure to pull the boats WAY up on the ramp this time.

Make the trip to go visit this Illinois wetland, you wont regret it.


Our next article should post on Friday, August 2nd.

Until then, here is a link to our last article:

Part 18 - St Louis Zoo