Biking on Tunnel Hill State Trail - Solitude - Peaceful - Quiet
Raley (Rail-eee) Road Retreat is your secluded getaway for cycling and more - quiet and private. This property sits back off the road to the northwest, and is mostly obscured from view by trees and the sloping land. A horseshoe gravel driveway allows guests to drive up from either the east or west entrances. Each driveway entrance has the Raley Road Retreat signage to help identify the property. At any time as you step outside or drive up, you might encounter deer, turkeys, or an occasional eagle. Though rural, the house has smart locks and internet which uplifts the functionality a guest might need!
THE MAIN FLOOR: Each room has been decorated with a tasteful and fun mixture of old and new décor and furniture; many pieces guests use now were used by the owners. Two bedrooms are available; one has a King Bed and the other a Queen Bed. Both bedrooms have ensuite full bathrooms, and each bathroom has a double sink. Both mattresses are cooling memory foam, and if you enjoy a firm mattress, the Queen Room is your best bet! Shampoo, conditioner and lotion are stocked in each bathroom as well as towels for drying off and makeup towels. The hair dryer is stored in the King bathroom. Each bedroom has USB recharging ports either on the bedside lamps or nightstands, or both!
THE KITCHEN has all basic utensils and items for preparing food; including a coffee maker and coffee grounds ready to be used!
Speaking of coffee, THE BASEMENT is outfitted with a Keurig and microwave. It also has a bike stand for indoor storage of any bikes you bring along. One fun feature of the basement is a large, 3'X4' map of Tunnel Hill Bike Trail and where Raley Road is along that path, in addition to listings of area attractions! A bike stand is provided so your bikes can be stored securely indoors, as well as basic bike maintenance essentials. The basement also has a full bath which is handy if a guest just arrived from the trail and needs a quick bathroom stop. Two bookshelves, one in the basement and another on the main floor are stocked with various books, maps, games, and guides to local areas of interest.
Need to do laundry during your stay? We have you covered. Our new LG washer and dryer are set up in the mud room just outside the kitchen. Laundry detergent and dryer sheets will be provided for your ease.
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Please stay within the marked yard perimeter boundaries. Your comfort and safety is solely your responsibility.
Your comfort and safety is solely your responsibility; the presence of wild animals is to be expected.
These terms and conditions can change at any time. If there are any legal proceedings, all shall be in the county in which the unit is located.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 3557807vb
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
About the area
Creal Springs
Located in Creal Springs, this holiday home is in a rural area. Hogg Hollow Winery and Kokopelli Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Williamson County Fairgrounds and Marion Cultural and Civic Center. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with rock climbing and hiking/biking trails nearby.
Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois (MWA) - 33 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 11 min drive
Big Blues Que - 14 min drive
Marion / Shawnee National Forest KOA - 30 min drive
Chatime - 11 min drive
Krispy Krunchy Chicken - 14 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Biking on Tunnel Hill State Trail - Solitude - Peaceful - Quiet pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Biking on Tunnel Hill State Trail - Solitude - Peaceful - Quiet?
As of 13 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Biking on Tunnel Hill State Trail - Solitude - Peaceful - Quiet on 27 May 2026 start from NZ$293, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Biking on Tunnel Hill State Trail - Solitude - Peaceful - Quiet?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Biking on Tunnel Hill State Trail - Solitude - Peaceful - Quiet?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Biking on Tunnel Hill State Trail - Solitude - Peaceful - Quiet?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Biking on Tunnel Hill State Trail - Solitude - Peaceful - Quiet located?
Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is steps from Shawnee National Forest and 7.3 mi (11.7 km) from Lake of Egypt. Dutchman Lake and Vienna City Park are also within 20 miles (32 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We had a wonderful stay at the Raley Road Retreat. There were so many extra touches (bottled water and chocolates) and thoughtful amenities, there was not a thing that was missing! The home was sparkling clean and super comfortable.This was the perfect location for hiking and biking and we took advantage of both! I really hope that we can return for a similar trip in the near future.
Loved how comfortable our stay was. Things were so organized and in easy to find places. Some special little personal details relevant to us made it so welcoming. It was a great location to explore many of the great nature spots. It was a breath of fresh air in more ways than one.
Everything was exactly as stated and the hosts went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed. They even left some goodies for us to enjoy on our stay. Beautiful home and the location is perfect!
We had such a wonderful stay! Lena was great to work with—very responsive, kind, and welcoming from start to finish. The property was extremely clean and comfortable, and you can tell a lot of care goes into maintaining it. We really appreciated the thoughtful touches throughout the space, like the pastries, bananas, apples, and bottled water waiting for us. It truly felt like they thought of every little detail to make our stay relaxing and enjoyable. Highly recommend!
This was a perfect place for a long weekend adventure in Shawnee National Forest. We loved our stay and were able to enjoy hiking, biking, wineries, and all the region had to offer. Would stay here again.
K B.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 19 October 2023
Kevin,
We are so pleased you enjoyed your stay! We'd welcome you back anytime!
Lena & Liza
We had such a wonderful stay! The property was perfectly located with bike trails right outside the door, which made it easy and enjoyable to explore the area. The home itself was clean, comfortable, and well-equipped for everything we needed. What really made the trip special was the host’s incredible hospitality—they went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. We truly appreciated their generosity and personal touches. Highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a relaxing getaway with plenty of outdoor adventure!
This is one of the best places we have ever stayed. The house and property are beautiful, perfect for our getaway! Thank you so much for a wonderful and easy experience, along with the extra personal touches to welcome us!
Lovely cabin on a beautiful property! Great location away from it all but close enough to all the hiking trails and activities. The owner was not only very responsive, but provided so many little extras to make your stay comfortable. Thank you for a great weekend!!
Sarah A.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 9 October 2023
Sarah! We loved having you and would gladly host you again anytime! Safe travels!
What a beautiful home and setting. We had a great time enjoying drinks on the porch, watching wildlife and hiking. Everything was organized, clean and very comfortable. We would definitely recommend staying here. Thanks for the welcoming stay!
Marybeth O.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 24 June 2024
Marybeth,
We loved having you and would welcome you back anytime! Thank you for keeping the home so well!
Lena & Liza
We stayed while visiting with family in New Burnside. The property had everything we needed. We enjoyed drinking our coffee on the porch in the morning. The nature helped us to be at peace and we slept well.
Patricia K.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 6 July 2024
Patricia,
We are so pleased you enjoyed your stay! We'd welcome you back anytime.
Warmly,
Lena & Liza
This was the cleanest home rental, by far, that we have ever had. The hosts were incredibly thoughtful, checking in with us during a bout of bad weather, and very responsive to every inquiry/need. The location was perfect for hiking and biking. The kitchen was well-stocked with anything you might need in the way of utensils, pots/pans, and dishware. We had a wonderful time, and will stay here again!
Paula A.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 7 April 2025
We are so glad you enjoyed your stay! You're welcome back any time!
The house was great! We loved having Tunnel Hill trail right there. It has to be the most beautiful part of the trail. The peace and quiet was very relaxing. We had everything we needed to have an enjoyable stay. We also visited Clad & Cordon winery, just 10 minutes away. There was a lot of information at the house about places to visit in the area but we didn't have to time to visit them all. We appreciated all the information.
We enjoyed the peace and quiet of the house. Lots of birds and other wildlife to see. The house was very comfortable and the hosts were great. The easy access to the tunnel hill trail for biking and just walking was so convenient. The downstairs area for staging bike rides with the bike rack and with a desk to set up for writing was just ideal. The kitchen was well stock with pots and pans, etc, (finally, a VRBO with sharpened knives). Thanks Lena and Liza for sharing this comfortable space.
Another great stay in such a peaceful, secluded area!
This was our second time staying, as the first time was such a great experience. The hosts are wonderful and were able to be flexible on short notice. As soon as we walked in, we felt so welcomed. Special little extras were waiting in the kitchen, and were much appreciated. The house is amazingly clean and neat. The dishes and cutlery are top notch, as well as the soaps, lotion, hair care items and linens. The wrap around porch is remarkable and has wonderful views. Sunrises are beautiful! There are no neighbors in sight which gives total seclusion. The best part, besides the privacy and cleanliness, is hopping on your bike and jumping directly on the Tunnel Hill Bike Trail. There are so many great places to hike in the area as well.What a fun time we had, once again!
Literally right across from the bike trail. Extremely clean. Extremely quiet. Host went out of their way to deliver items we requested after our arrival. Host also went out of their way to acquire a bag toss game and arrange a grill setup (which was not on the list of amenities). One of very few places that we have stayed where we did not have to take time to clean the microwave and refrigerator prior to use. Ferne Clyffe State Park has very nice hiking trails and is within half an hour. Garden of the Gods is also very nice, but is slightly farther away. We stayed with another couple, enjoyed the fact that the house is set up with two master bedrooms and bathrooms, and we would certainly stay again.
Charles K.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 8 April 2024
Mr. Kuhn,
We certainly enjoyed hosting you and would welcome you back anytime!
Thank you,
Lena & Liza
Wow! What an amazing place to stay right on the Tunnel Hill Trail! We were able to ride right out of the basement onto the trail. From the moment we walked in the house, you could tell the hosts had thoroughly thought out what renters may need or want. From having the tools for bikes, to having sandwich bags there so we could pack a lunch for the trail. They had magazines, pamphlets, and maps to inform you of what other things to do in the area. They supplied everything! The house was warm and very welcoming. We woke up every morning to walk out and see the deer in the yard eating and squirrels gathering nuts. It was very peaceful and quiet, a GREAT getaway. A definite 10 out 10!
Joni W.
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 26 September 2023
Joni, thank you for the kind words. What delightful guests you were; anyone would be lucky to have you as guests! We would welcome you back anytime!
Verified
10/10 Excellent
David L.
15 December 2025
David L.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025
About the host
Hosted by Lena Fairless
We are grateful for the opportunity to allow our guests to enjoy the peacefulness of this house. It might surprise some, but southern Illinois has a lot of interesting places to visit and Raley Road Retreat is a great jumping-off point for those.
Why they chose this property
Stepping outside, if you are quiet you might catch a glimpse of deer or turkey (especially on the west side of the property out by the orchard)! The wind blowing through the leaves is a soft, quiet sound. Every once in a while you can hear the far-off voices of someone enjoying the Tunnel Hill State Trail.
What makes this property unique
As far as we can tell, there are very few houses for rent along the Tunnel Hill State Trail. We try to include amenities that cater to guests riding bicycles and hiking as well as relaxing and resting. We've decorated the interior with a mixture of old and new as well as mixing furniture styles.