See the Secret Illinois Caves Behind the Mysterious Piasa Bird

There's a good chance you've at least heard about the Piasa Bird painting on the cliff walls near Alton, Illinois even if you've never seen it in person. There's an even better chance that you've never seen the caves behind it and there's a reason for that.

Rivers and Routes shares much of the interesting history of the Piasa Bird which they mention is "Algonquian Illinowek language and means a bird that devours men." Some YouTube explorers decided to risk life and limb to investigate the caves behind the Piasa Bird.

NOTE: these guys are obviously professionals and do this sort of adventuring often. I do NOT recommend you risk doing this yourself. Seriously, rocks on the ceiling could fall and cause you serious harm.

To emphasize again, do not attempt this yourself. It's an interesting area and seeing the cave painting on the outside of the Piasa Bird is recommended. The Alton, Illinois area is full of interesting history like this.