Anne and Marty Kaylor have been the concessionaires at the Cave In Rock State Park lodge and restaurant since 2002. Their backgrounds are rooted in the culinary field so they took their combined experience and applied it to the hospitality market. They have added a buffet line to the restaurant that allows for "all you can eat" Friday night catfish dinners and "all you can eat fried chicken" Sunday lunches. There's always a variety of home made desserts. 

After spending a day exploring the beauty of Southern Illinois and Western Kentucky, travelers are happy to find a full service restaurant on premises. Combine that with the comfortable lodging and spectacular views from the deck of the cabins, and visitors agree that they have found the 'best kept secret in Southern Illinois'.

The  restaurant and cabins are located inside the Cave In Rock State Park, sitting high above and overlooking the mighty Ohio River in Hardin County, Illinois. Cave In Rock State Park was created in 1929 but its history dates back several centuries. The 55-foot wide cave is situated on the north bank of the river and served as shelter for Native Americans as well as French explorers. During the late 18th century and the early 19th century, the cave served a darker purpose. Outlaws and river pirates used the cave as a headquarters, robbing and sometimes killing the people who used the river as a means of transportation heading west. After the outlaws were removed from the cave, it was used for revivals, town meetings, shelter, and even as the backdrop for a western movie, How the West Was Won. Walt Disney filmed parts of his Davey Crockett Movies in and around the cave. A documentary was produced in 1998 about the outlaws and pirates that once called the cave home. 

Cave-In-Rock State Park is a beautiful wooded 204-acre park. It sits on a high rugged bluff overlooking the  mighty Ohio River. Recreation choices include boating, camping, fishing, and picnicking. There are also two hiking trails that give visitors a variety of scenic views of the park and river.   

 Cave-In-Rock Lodge and Restaurant
                 New State Park Road                  
Cave in Rock, IL 62919
(618) 289 4545 
marty@caveinrockkaylors.com