Agencies
Services
Land and Water Reserve Area
8
County
Effingham
Location
The site is 5 miles northwest of Altamont within the Political Township of Moccasin. Adjacent is Rock Cave Nature Preserve.
Description
Rock Cave Land and Water Reserve is part of the larger Rock Cave Natural Area that consists of upland forest and ravine forest, sandstone outcrops, rock formations, and perennial and intermittent streams. It is recognized by the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory (INAI #0355) for its Grade A – sandstone cliffs community. The sandstone cliffs are the least disturbed natural community on site and host populations of state threatened species. Christmas fern, wild hydrangea, rock cress, sickle pod, shadbush, and several moss species can be found in association with the rock faces. The dry-mesic upland forest are dominated by white oak, black oak, and hickories. The understory throughout has dense stands of ash, elm, and sassafras. An abundance of spring wildflowers including jack-in-the-pulpit, spring beauty, sweet William, perfoliate bellwort, white trout lily, doll’s eye, and mayapple occupy the dry, narrow ridges. A flatwoods-type community found on nearly level ground with shallow depression areas are primarily composed of pin oak, white oak, black oak, and hickories.
Ownership
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Natural Division
Effingham Plain Section of the Southern Till Plain Natural Division (#9a)
Registered
October 2002
Size
57 acres
Access
The site is open to the public. There is a parking area and a foot-access lane in the northwest potion of the site. Allowed activities include hiking, bird watching and nature observation.
Topographic Quad
Altamont West
For Further Information
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702
217-785-8686
DNR.INPC@illinois.gov