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Private Shawnee National Forest Retreat , Near Garden of the Gods

Holiday home with kitchen, steps from Shawnee National Forest

Photo gallery for Private Shawnee National Forest Retreat , Near Garden of the Gods

Private kitchen
Room
Property grounds
Bathroom
Room

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Elizabethtown, IL
  • Place, Hardin County Court House
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Hardin County General Hospital & Clinic
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Place, Cave in Rock State Park
    ‪13 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Single Bunk Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Private Shawnee National Forest Retreat , Near Garden of the Gods

Escape to nature at this secluded 3-bedroom, 2-bath vacation rental near Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois. Nestled on nearly 3 private acres with over 40 acres of Illinois state land directly behind the property, this off-the-grid retreat is perfect for hunters, hikers, families, and outdoor adventurers.

Surrounded by 12,000+ contiguous acres of Shawnee National Forest, the home offers unbeatable access to hunting land, hiking trails, scenic views, and wildlife. The Ohio River is just 2 miles away, and Garden of the Gods—one of Southern Illinois’ most popular attractions—is only 15 miles from the home.

The Space

This fully renovated and freshly painted home comfortably accommodates large families and groups. Inside, you’ll find:
• 3 bedrooms with 3 bunk beds and 2 queen beds
• Brand-new linens and towels included
• 2 full bathrooms, including one with a large soaker tub
• Spacious living area with 3 couches and a new TV
• Full kitchen with coffee maker, dishwasher, crockpots, and cooking essentials
• Laundry on site for extended stays

Outdoor Amenities

Step outside and enjoy:
• Charcoal grill for outdoor meals
• Fire pit for evenings under the stars
• Expansive open land to roam, explore, or relax

Perfect For

✔ Hunting trips
✔ Hiking & nature lovers
✔ Family getaways
✔ Outdoor enthusiasts
✔ Guests seeking privacy & seclusion

Whether you’re planning a hunting trip in Shawnee National Forest, a hike at Garden of the Gods, or a quiet escape surrounded by nature, this Southern Illinois vacation rental offers the perfect blend of comfort, privacy, and adventure.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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Living area
Elizabethtown Ohio River / Shawnee National Forest
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
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9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (19 reviews)
Elizabethtown Ohio River / Shawnee National Forest

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

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 is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Elizabethtown

Elizabethtown is home to this holiday home. The Chocolate Factory is a local attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Shawnee National Forest and Cave in Rock State Park. Discover the area's water adventures with nearby power boating, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking, mountain climbing and hunting.
View more Holiday homes in ElizabethtownOpens in a new window
Map
Elizabethtown, IL

What's nearby

  • Hardin County Court House - 4 min drive - 4.2 km
  • Bill Cook Memorial Park - 11 min drive - 13.1 km
  • Rosiclare Memorial Public Library - 11 min drive - 13.1 km
  • Hardin County General Hospital & Clinic - 11 min drive - 13.1 km
  • Cave in Rock State Park - 13 min drive - 18.6 km

Getting around

  • Paducah, KY (PAH-Barkley Regional) - 64 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪E-Town River Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Town & Country - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Lucy's Diner - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪e-town tap - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Private Shawnee National Forest Retreat , Near Garden of the Gods pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Private Shawnee National Forest Retreat , Near Garden of the Gods?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Private Shawnee National Forest Retreat , Near Garden of the Gods?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private Shawnee National Forest Retreat , Near Garden of the Gods?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Private Shawnee National Forest Retreat , Near Garden of the Gods located?

Situated in Elizabethtown, this holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Shawnee National Forest and Ohio River Valley. Ohio River and Hardin County Court House are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 15 out of 16 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 16 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 16 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 16 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 16 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.6/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Staci S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was in a nice area close to parks for outdoor hikes. It was very clean and had pretty much everything you needed for cooking.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Samatha F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

great stay

house was clean
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Abby C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was great
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Matthew

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Perfect spot for some downtime in the Shawnee.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very nice & clean

Nicest "hunting cabin" I've stayed at. Great location, close to hunting and convenience store. Had a wonderful time.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cindy

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Excellent home for my big family to stay! Only minutes from Garden of the Gods & Cave in Rock! Plus the local history and beautiful town. We’re already planning our next trip here and it’ll be soon!!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Salvador

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Exellent
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

John F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice property

Exactly as it seems in pictures. Nice place!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

ERIC C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just what we needed

This VRBO worked great during our hunting trip. Would highly suggest if you are in the area.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

jjennie t.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Went for family reunion

Nice experience
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet Retreat

A quiet retreat for our work crew, host very friendly and communicative. Much appreciated!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hoffmann A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family hike

We had wonderful hikes in Shawne National Forest. Our stay was comfortable, the house is well equipped and the owners are easy to communicate with. There was a power outage and they took care of it quickly. Do not try the jacuzzi because there is not enough hot water to fill it.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Seth O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spring Break

Nice, quiet and clean. That’s number one.Very close to parks: Cave In Rock 10-11 minutes; Giant City 11-12 minutes; Garden of the Gods 20-22 minutes.Venture in with supplies although place is also close to Dollar General about 10-11 minutes and Walmart about 30-40 minutes. It’s the country side, I don’t mind driving. Kids enjoyed our stay. Roamed around the property. Property owner is also easy to communicate with, very accommodating. We will be back for sure.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

4/10 Poor

Katy B.

Liked: Communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy

Not worth the money

The rental was not clean at all. Some of the listed items did not work properly either. Check in was easy and the property stands alone by itself which was nice. But overall, would have stayed somewhere else after seeing the inside of the property.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ramona R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing get away

The home was perfect for the four of us (two couples) The home was as described and well stocked with towels, beddings, dishes and kitchen supplies. The deck and patio were perfect to relax on after a day of hiking in the Shawnee National Forest. We will definitely stay again if we are in the area.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

About the host

Hosted by Mariah Gagnon

Host profile image
My husband and I bought this home because we love the outdoors - from hiking to hunting and everything in between. We regularly bring our own family here to enjoy the space, and the scenic area and we know your family will enjoy it too!

Why they chose this property

This home is so close to many different things. Take in the views of the Garden of the Gods, Hunt the Shawnee, Fish at Whoopie Cat, Explore the historic sites such as the Riverview Mansion Hotel, Camp at Cave-in-rock, Hike at Rim Rock and so much more!

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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