Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area
🏆🏆🏆🏆 Ohio River Confluence — Wetlands and bottomland forest at the confluence of the Ohio and Cache Rivers — where Illinois meets Kentucky
Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area protects 2,600 acres of wetlands and bottomland forest at the extreme southern tip of Illinois — where the Ohio River curves dramatically at the confluence with the Cache River. This is “Illinois’s Deep South” — closer to Memphis than Chicago, with bald cypress swamps, cottonmouth snakes, and summer temperatures that rival Mississippi. The Cache River wetlands are a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance — one of only 41 in the US.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Alexander County, IL |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Size | 2,600 acres! |
| Wetlands | Ramsar International Importance! |
About Cape Bend
Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area in Alexander County sits at the southern tip of Illinois where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers converge — the very bottom of the state. The area preserves bottomland hardwood forest and wetlands in one of the most ecologically diverse regions of Illinois. The confluence area is a critical stopover for migratory birds on the Mississippi Flyway.
Things to Do
Hunting (deer, turkey, waterfowl, dove), fishing in the river backwaters, birdwatching during spring and fall migrations, and exploring the unique ecosystem at the meeting point of two of America’s great rivers.
Insider Tips
Ohio River confluence: Cape Bend sits where the Ohio River meets southern Illinois’s Shawnee Hills — a biologically rich area where northern and southern species overlap. Pro tip: The bottomland forests support barred owls, pileated woodpeckers, and river otters. Southern Illinois surprise: This part of Illinois is further south than Richmond, Virginia — the climate and vegetation feel more like Kentucky or Tennessee than Chicago.
Best Time to Visit
Spring: Migratory songbird fallout — warblers concentrate in bottomland timber. Fall: Waterfowl migration on the Ohio River. Summer: Fishing and wildlife viewing. Winter: Eagle watching along the river.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is southern Illinois really that different from Chicago?
Yes — Cairo, Illinois (the southern tip) is 365 miles south of Chicago, further south than Louisville, KY. The region has cypress swamps, magnolia trees, and copperhead snakes — flora and fauna that would be at home in the Deep South. The cultural and ecological contrast with northern Illinois is dramatic.
Wildlife & Nature
Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area provides hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing along the Ohio River bottomlands. The area’s cypress sloughs and bottomland hardwood forests are remnants of the vast floodplain forests that once lined the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. These forests — among the most productive ecosystems in temperate North America — support extraordinary wildlife diversity. Wood ducks nest in tree cavities along the sloughs. Barred owls call through the canopy at dusk. Wild turkeys — successfully restored across Illinois after near-extirpation — forage for acorns in the forest. The Ohio River supports 150+ fish species — one of the most diverse river fish faunas in North America. River otters — reintroduced to Illinois in the 1990s — have established healthy populations.
Nearby Attractions
Fort Massac State Park — one of Illinois’ oldest parks — has a reconstructed French fort and Civil War-era American fort. Metropolis celebrates its Superman heritage. Ohio River Scenic Route follows the river through historic communities. Golconda — a charming Ohio River town — has the Golconda Marina. Dixon Springs State Park offers swimming and sandstone formations. Pounds Hollow Recreation Area in Shawnee NF provides lake swimming in a forest setting.
