Shawnee National Forest is spread across a whopping 289,000 ac (116,954.25 ha) of rolling hills, unique rock formations, dense green canyons, marshland and oak-hickory forests. This national forest is a magnificent nature retreat, attracting around one million tourists annually to indulge in outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing, kayaking and more. Pomona Natural Bridge Trail is perfect if you want to enjoy the outdoors more - you can also catch a glimpse of the sandstone formation here. Head over to Garden of the Gods Recreation Area if you want to feast your eyes on gorgeous sights. Animal enthusiasts can track mountain lions and wolves - but watch out for black bears!
With so much to do, you would want to come back to a comfortable cabin rental to unwind. To learn more, check out the top cabins near Shawnee National Forest, Illinois, below and have a great time.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 13, 2024.
1. Log cabin with water sports equipment; Goreville (from USD 178)
This log cabin is situated by the Lake of Egypt and comes with a lovely private dock where you can put your boat. You will have access to equipment such as mountain bikes, canoes, paddleboats and fishing poles - courtesy of the host. If physical outdoor adventures are not for you, simply drive to one of the wineries nearby to wind down.
The cabin includes a fully equipped kitchen, while a fire pit and grill in the yard are perfect for barbecue evenings. An indoor fireplace keeps you warm and cosy in the winter. Lose yourself in the starlit skies from the stargazing deck. If you have additional guests coming in, you can ask to book the tiny cabin right across the street that comes with an outdoor shower.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the bathroom was neat and we appreciated the washer/dryereverything was fantastic we were warm and cozyCleanliness:
the cabin was clean and stocked with everything we neededit was very clean & close to hiking trailsHost:
overall it was a very nice cabin and the owner has thought of many nice homey toucheseven the deer and hummingbirds were friendlythey are pet friendly and have a great yard for dogs and kids to play inRead more reviewsLocation:
very cute cabin nice and quietwe really enjoyed being out on the lake and the location to other beautiful hiking areas
2. Big Tree Little Cabin; Williamson County (from USD 122)
Big Tree Little Cabin is named after the big Tulip Poplar on its grounds which is currently nominated to the Illinois Big Tree Register. This cabin also boasts Wi-Fi.
The cabin is tastefully set in lush green lawns backed by the forest. From here, a minute’s walk will take you to the lovely Lake of Egypt where you can indulge in activities such as swimming, boating and fishing.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the bathroom was nice and roomy and they provided enough linens for our staywe had a great stay it was super cozy and comfortableCleanliness:
cabin was clean and had everythingeverything we needed was there and it was very clean and orderlyclean modern and just a fun cabin to be inRead more reviewsLocation:
a beautiful place to stay
3. Rental with stone-clad fireplace; Goreville (from USD 245)
This rental is a cabin with an open-concept living area, kitchen and dining. The property is open in all seasons and comes with central air conditioning. Indoor recreation includes a TV, DVDs, books and board games for all ages.
The two-storey cabin is right on the lakefront. A pretty wooden walkway connects the main house to the private dock that extends onto the lake. Guests can secure their boats in the dock. The main level bathroom has a spa whirlpool, perfect for a comforting soak. There are two kayaks with lifejackets for use, too.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
nice set up with jet tub and cozy fireplace and grillnew kitchen faucet would be nice overall great place would definitely returnCleanliness:
the property was clean and well furnishedthis property was very clean nicely decorated and well maintainedspacious comfortable and impeccably cleanthe home was clean and layout would be great for a larger familyHost:
the owners were amazing and helpfulthe owners were friendly and responsive to any questions or concerns and made great recommendations for local hikeswe would recommend staying here to our friends and family fantastic property and the owners are very accommodatingcommunication with the owners was friendly and prompt thank you againRead more reviewsLocation:
location was wonderful and easy to get tolocation was great for us nestled between all kinds of parks/hikingthere is not one bad thing to say about this property the location or the ownersthe location was lovely on the lake and we enjoyed watching the sunriseamazing location in the lake the house was clean and had everything we needed for a great vacation
4. Modern cabin by Lake of Egypt; Wolf Creek (from USD 195)
This private rental is a lakefront cabin nestled on the shores of Lake of Egypt in Marion. You will have ample parking space here. The house is spacious with 130.06 sq m (1,400 sq ft) of floor area.
As it is located centrally, you can use it as a base to explore not only Shawnee National Forest but also Shawnee Hills Wine Trail and Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. The thriving art community of Paducah is also about an hour’s drive from the cabin.
For an additional fee, you can rent a camper by the lake along with the main cabin to host more people. The property also comes with a beach and dock to secure your boat.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
it made it so easy for the kids (4 and 7) to swim in the lakeCleanliness:
everything was very clean and as advertisedhouse was clean and updatedit was clean well equipped and comfythe house was clean and had everything we neededbeautiful cabin and very clean everything we needed for a wonderful weekendRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is great for exploring area wineriesthe cabin is like new and in a convenient location to townwe will definitely be back and recommend this place to othersgreat place to stay and they will be back
5. Charming lakeside cabin; Goreville (from USD 100)
This cabin takes you away from the bustle of the city to a quiet cove on the Lake of Egypt. It is just minutes from the area’s ski slopes and the local marinas. The property consists of the main cabin and an adjoining entertainment area with a private entrance.
A deck with a private dock for two boats overlooks the lake, while a charming wooden walkway leads to the waters. You can dive into the sparkling lake waters or spend a lazy afternoon fishing right off the dock. Guests can also use the two kayaks to go enjoy the waters. Moreover, the local area is known for its antique stores, and you can drop by the many wineries for a tour, too!
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
even though we were getting away from it all we appreciated the good wifi and cell signalthe dock and swim platform made the stay fun for the entire familysuper cozy with all the necessitiesCleanliness:
super clean house with thoughtful touchesaccommodations were very clean and well keptbeds were comfortable and spotlessthe property is very clean and well taken care ofextremely clean super cute decorations with everything we neededHost:
owners are very helpfulthe owners were a pleasure to speak with and very helpfulgreat experience and very accommodating hostowners were very easy to work with and super friendlycommunication with owner was fabulousRead more reviewsLocation:
very nice accommodations excellent location and very peacefulthe location is great for taking advantage of all southern illinois has to offermy favorite part would have to be the kayaks and having a place to sit near the watervery nice place right on lake of egyptwonderful house on the beautiful lake great place to stay we really enjoyed it
6. Stunning cabin with great amenities; Goreville (from USD 250)
This pretty yellow cabin is an amazing stay and is located near attractions such as Ferne Clyffe State Park. Guests can rent boats and ride them down to the Lake of Egypt where they can go fishing or just relax.
Soak your fatigue and sore muscles away in the jetted hot tub. A fireplace and grill let you cook outside amidst nature, and you will find the essentials in the kitchen. Moreover, the property has walking paths throughout for guests to explore the woods safely. To admire the waters and sky, you can head to the gorgeous sunroom.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
super nice living room and comfy furnitureCleanliness:
property is nice and cleanthe cabin was clean well equipped and comfortablevery comfortable and cleanthe property was cozy clean and quiet and so accommodatingthe ability to bring one's fur baby is also great - but it is a clean rental propertyHost:
honest and helpful ownersthe owners were very friendly and helpfulthe homeowners were very responsive and checked in on us to make sure we had everything we neededthis property was wonderful and the owners were great to work withthey took us out on a boat ride and showed us the lake which was super helpfulRead more reviewsLocation:
the place and the location was awesomedelicious the location is really close to a dollar general as wellif you need a quick get away not a bad place to goif you are looking for a place to relax and enjoy each other this is the spot
7. Waterfront cabin with built in sun room; Tunnel Hill (from USD 185)
If you are into fishing and kayaking, then this waterfront cabin in Tunnel Hill is the place for you. It is located in a secluded nook of Shawnee National Forest on the sloping shores of Lake of Egypt. It is a convenient base to hike in the forest and drive to the wine trails. Other activities in the vicinity include rock climbing, bird or animal watching, biking and ziplining.
The property comes with a built-in sunroom that lets in the sunshine and gives the warm interiors an airy ambience. The fully equipped kitchen has your meals sorted when staying indoors.
You will find a kayak, a paddle boat and a fishing pole in the cabin to use. You can rent boats at the marina and park them on the private dock. A rocky path leads to this dock from the main cabin.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the wifi was greatspacious and comfortable with lots of great amenities to make your stay comfortablethis is a great cozy home plenty of space with a great view of the lakegreat stay excellent lakeside location with fast wifi allowing remote work when neededi've stayed in a few airbnbs and these beds were by far the most comfortableCleanliness:
perfect cabin on the water very clean and cozyhouse smelled clean when we walked in could definitely tell someone had just been by to tidy upsteve was very responsive and very accommodating and we appreciated how clean it wascomfy and cleanwe found the property to be very clean well-stocked and quite comfortableHost:
host steve takes great caresteve is a great hoststeve was an outstanding hostthanks steve for being a great hoststeve was an excellent hostRead more reviewsLocation:
amazing location with private dockvery quiet location and peaceful spot to stayexcellent location on the lake can't wait to visit againthis place was beautiful right on the lakethis place is awesome we had a great family trip to the lake with 2 kids
Superhost
8. Luxury home surrounded by pines; Ozark (from USD 124)
This luxury cabin is located in a picturesque wooded property spread over 196 ac (79.31 ha). The property features lush greenery, pine trees, and eight ponds. Whether you want a weekend getaway to relax and unwind, or a long vacation exploring Shawnee National Forest and the nearby wineries, this cabin is the place to rent.
The living area has a bunk bed, and there is a queen bed in the bedroom so you can rest comfortably while here. The kitchen is equipped with the essentials for your caffeine needs and meals, too.
The host allows catch-and-release fishing in the ponds, but guests are advised against swimming in the waters. The property is also available for long-term rentals over 28 days.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
hosts are friendly & helpful cons: the wifi internet was slow but manageablemy daughter especially enjoyed the bunk bed and foosball tableit’s a nice set up in the living room area to watch moviesthe kids loved the foosball table the bunk beds and the fox-sightingCleanliness:
very clean and neat areagreat stay very clean and hospitablethe cabin was very cleanthe cabin was cozy clean and accommodatingthe cabin is clean and stocked with everything you needHost:
the food was fantastic and chris the owner was very welcoming and knowledgeablestephen was a helpful host and checked in to make sure everything was going wellstephen was very responsive and a great hosti always appreciate an accomodating and welcoming host and am confident had we needed anything at allthey had so much helpful informationRead more reviewsLocation:
it is centrally located to many beautiful state parksthis was a great location for a girls weekend so close to many great sitesthis is a cozy little place that is located in a beautiful areathis is a lovely cabin in a nice private locationvery relaxing and removed as well as in a great location for hiking attractions
9. Pet-friendly cabin near the Lake of Egypt; Goreville (from USD 53)
This cabin in Goreville is steps away from the scenic shorefront of the Lake of Egypt. The property does not have a private dock, but the public marinas are within easy reach.
The house is pet-friendly so you can bring your furry friends along. Moreover, this cabin has both heating and air conditioning for climate control. On fine evenings, you can roast marshmallows in the fire pit and relax among the beautiful outdoor lights.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
comfortable furnishings & beddingthere is no wifi so perfect time to connect with your familythe queen bed was very comfortable the bunk beds were perfect for our kidsthe beds were very comfortablethe porch is great and has a small table with a couple of chairsCleanliness:
it was clean and well keptoverall a very clean homebeautiful clean cabin close to great hiking trailsHost:
cabin is beautiful however host was super unresponsive during the check in processhe is very responsive and quick to help gueststhis was a very cute little cabin that worked perfect for us very kind and helpful hosts as wellRead more reviewsLocation:
cute quiet cabin very close to ferne clyffe state parklocation was super quiet and secludednice location close to bike trail and beautiful feryn cliff state parkcute little place in a great townclose to the awesome state parks while still having access to towns nearby
10. Spacious cabin with heating; Simpson (from USD 168)
This cabin in Simpson is bordered by the huge Shawnee National Forest. This rental spans over 102 sq m (1,100 sq ft) and comes with both heating and air conditioning for guests to be comfortable in all seasons. You can also hike, hunt and fish in the pristine wilderness of the surrounding park.
There is a spacious yard outside the cabin, plus a grill and fire pit for cooking outdoors. If you want to stay inside, you can cook your meals in the well-stocked kitchen instead. From here, Lake Glendale Beach is under 8.04 km (5 mi) away.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
beds/mattresses were very worn but ok for a weekendCleanliness:
we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this amazing property the house was very clean and well maintainedRead more reviewsLocation:
i highly recommend this location
Stay in the heart of nature in Shawnee National Park
Endless hiking trails and glistening lakes and miles upon miles of untouched forest are waiting for you in Southern Illinois. Opt for comfort and luxury even as you stay in the heart of nature in the top cabins near Shawnee National Park, Illinois.
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