Treasure Hunting in Illinois

Mississippi River outlaw caches, Lincoln-era farmsteads, and Cahokia archaeological history.

Top Illinois treasure regions: Mississippi River bluffs (Alton); Shawnee National Forest; Galena lead district; Cairo confluence.

Famous documented cases in Illinois: Cave-in-Rock pirate caches; Galena lead-mine silver legends; Mississippi River steamboat losses.

Terrain in Illinois: Flat farmland, river bluffs, and forested southern hills.

Best seasons for field work in Illinois: October–May.

Illinois state parks are managed by Illinois Department of Natural Resources (https://dnr.illinois.gov/); check its rules before detecting in any state park.