10 Best Lakefront Cabins In Illinois, USA - Updated 2024

Vanna
Vanna 
Updated
| 4 min read

Bodies of water aren’t what usually comes to mind when we think of the great state of Illinois, but there are several cities and towns along Lake Michigan. And if you look at Illinois closely, there are smaller lakes and rivers scattered throughout the state, such as Lake of Egypt, Lake Galena, and more. The list of things to do is just as generous, even if you’re only staying in the ever-windy city of Chicago. Top attractions include the Art Institute, Navy Pier, Millennium Park, Field Museum, and Shedd Aquarium. If you’re looking for accommodations, check out the best lakefront cabins in Illinois, USA.

We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) host status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and access to a lake. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on March 04, 2024.

1. A-frame lake cabin, Marshall (from USD 300)

A 7-acre (2.8-hectare) lake is all yours to enjoy when you book this modern A-frame cabin in Marshall, located 3 hours away from Chicago. Luxuriously furnished and decorated, this two-bedroom rental can sleep eight guests and features a great stone fireplace, plenty of natural light, and a large tub in the en-suite bathroom.

Play chef in the fully furnished kitchen and admire the surroundings from your seat in the patio overlooking the lake. A fire pit and kayaks are also available.

Stayed at this property?
Marshall, Illinois, United States
265.05 km (164.7 mi) from Whitehaven Welcome Center
197 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
Entire cabin 4 Beds 8 Guests 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 8

Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
very nice and clean place
the cabin was clean and cozy
place was clean and a great place to stay
the cabin was clean and thoughtfully stocked
very quiet clean and comfortable
Host:
host was very helpful when we needed something
one of the best places i have stayed at incredible host went above and beyond
finally becky is super friendly host
had a blast here and becky was a great host
host was great beautiful house in an amazing setting waterfowl and stars are abundant
Location:
beautiful location and very relaxing
the park is very close and has great walking trails
it’s a fun quiet location that gave us exactly what we needed
the loft was perfect and the location was very quiet and clean
you’re so close to the water it feels like you’re on an island
Read more reviews

2. Serene rental in a cove, Lake of Egypt (from USD 148)

You’ll wake up to birdsong every morning in this tranquil lakefront cabin in Lake of Egypt, located within a five-hour drive south of Chicago. Although the water in the area is popular for recreation, the cove location guarantees a relaxing stay. There are two bedrooms and two bathrooms to this property, sleeping up to eight people.

Right off the dock, you can jump into the water to swim or go fishing with a bucket of cold beer. There are also two kayaks available, and those bringing a boat can park it in any of the three marinas nearby.

Stayed at this property?
Goreville, Illinois, United States
65.21 km (40.6 mi) from Whitehaven Welcome Center
cabin 8 Guests 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
even though we were getting away from it all we appreciated the good wifi and cell signal
the dock and swim platform made the stay fun for the entire family
super cozy with all the necessities
Cleanliness:
super clean house with thoughtful touches
accommodations were very clean and well kept
beds were comfortable and spotless
the property is very clean and well taken care of
extremely clean super cute decorations with everything we needed
Host:
owners are very helpful
the owners were a pleasure to speak with and very helpful
great experience and very accommodating host
owners were very easy to work with and super friendly
communication with owner was fabulous
Location:
very nice accommodations excellent location and very peaceful
the location is great for taking advantage of all southern illinois has to offer
my favorite part would have to be the kayaks and having a place to sit near the water
very nice place right on lake of egypt
wonderful house on the beautiful lake great place to stay we really enjoyed it
Read more reviews
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3. Secluded wood lakehouse, Galena (from USD 350)

This secluded lakefront cottage is in Galena, about a two-and-a-half drive away from Chicago. It has two bedrooms and two bathrooms for six people, but the real showstopper is the private lake where you can swim, fish, and paddle around. The host offers a canoe and a rowboat for guest use.

Hiking trails are also accessible from the property for maximum outdoor enjoyment. The city center of Galena is 11 miles (17 kilometers) away.

Stayed at this property?

600.63 km (373.3 mi) from Whitehaven Welcome Center
75 reviews   Wifi Available
cabin 6 Guests 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 6
Minimum Nights: 3
Refund Policy : 100% refund if you cancel at least 30 days before check-in.

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the cabin was comfortable and rustic with all the necessary amenities and a great porch
the cabin is rustic but had all the amenities to keep us comfortable and make things convenient
Cleanliness:
very clean and private
the cabin itself was charming and very clean and inviting
cabin was clean cozy and nice layout
the cabin is lovely and clean
the weather was great and the cabin was spotless
Host:
wonderful host and property
the host was super accommodating and the property manager was excellent
the owner was lovely and responsive
the owner is lovely and responsive as is the property manager
the owners / manager have been quick and so kind with communication
Location:
beautiful location the cabin was great
we could not say enough about how amazing the location of this house is
amazing location in the hills of the illinois driftless area
i think it would be a perfect place to use a paddle board
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4. Well-maintained lake home, Lake of Egypt (from USD 205)

Located in Little Egypt, this family-friendly cabin is ideal for large groups of 10 guests. There are three bedrooms and two full baths in this property, plus a covered porch by the waterfront so you can watch the boats come and go.

This rental also features a two-boat private dock, a fire pit, a sunroom with a fireplace, and a long shoreline that’s all for you and your companions. The host also offers two kayaks free of charge and a pontoon for rent.

Stayed at this property?
Goreville, Illinois, United States
64.31 km (40.0 mi) from Whitehaven Welcome Center
cabin 10 Guests 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
super nice living room and comfy furniture
Cleanliness:
property is nice and clean
the cabin was clean well equipped and comfortable
very comfortable and clean
the property was cozy clean and quiet and so accommodating
the ability to bring one's fur baby is also great - but it is a clean rental property
Host:
honest and helpful owners
the owners were very friendly and helpful
the homeowners were very responsive and checked in on us to make sure we had everything we needed
this property was wonderful and the owners were great to work with
they took us out on a boat ride and showed us the lake which was super helpful
Location:
the place and the location was awesome
delicious the location is really close to a dollar general as well
if you need a quick get away not a bad place to go
if you are looking for a place to relax and enjoy each other this is the spot
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5. Spacious 80s log cabin, Greenville

Located four hours south of Chicago is Greenville, where you’ll find this gorgeous seven-bedroom log cabin. Originally built in the 1980s, this 2-story abode can accommodate 16 guests and features 3 full baths. From the second floor, you can enjoy lovely views of the private Governor Bond Lake, which is stocked for anglers.

Perks include a dry sauna, a lake-facing screened porch, and a dock with a water slide and outdoor seating. The host offers boat rentals for those who want to explore the lake. Well-behaved pets are also welcome on the property.

Stayed at this property?
Greenville, Illinois, United States
219.47 km (136.4 mi) from Whitehaven Welcome Center
42 reviews   Wifi Available
Entire cabin 12 Beds 16 Guests 7 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 16

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the sound system was great the wifi was not the greatest but that wasn’t too important for us
the mattresses in all of the rooms we stayed in were comfortable
the cabin had everything we needed for a comfortable stay
the kitchen was perfectly functional and very pretty as a bonus
Cleanliness:
everything was updated and clean
scott's home was clean and comfortable
property was clean and as expected and perfect for a large family
Host:
his host heidi was so kind and very responsive throughout our stay
scott was a great host very responsive
the slide was a fun addition this year scott is a very considerate and communicative host
communication with the host and co-host was always prompt and extremely helpful
the rooms are all very comfortable and scott is a spectacular host
Location:
in addition to the beautiful lake-side location there are wonderful walking trails nearby
great place to sit relax and get away from the chaos
walcott pines is a beautiful cabin that offers a quiet and peaceful get away for our ever expanding family
having a walking path to the dock was so much nicer than we thought it would be
nice place exactly looks like in the pictures
Read more reviews

6. Relaxing lake house, Cuba

From Chicago, drive west for an hour to the town of Cuba, where you can find this gem of a lake house. It sits on a sprawling farm and is right in front of a 20-acre (8-hectare) private lake that you can explore using a paddleboat. A group of four can stay in this one-bedroom, one-bathroom rental comfortably.

Inside, you will find a full kitchen with a curved island bar, a stone fireplace and TV in the adjacent area, and a screened porch perfect for morning exercises. Other amenities you can enjoy here include air conditioning and free parking. Note that this rental does not offer WiFi.

Stayed at this property?
Cuba, Illinois, United States
412.01 km (256.1 mi) from Whitehaven Welcome Center
25 reviews   Wifi Available
Entire cabin 1 Bed 4 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 4

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
shuffleboard table was a hit great views of the lake from the deck
Cleanliness:
great hosts and a beautiful modern home; clean and well maintained
Host:
laura was a wonderful host and a great communicator
laura was a great host outstanding hospitality and communication
the owner was courteous and gave us a walk through when we arrived
laura is an incredible host and made sure we had everything we needed while staying at their home
wonderful host second trip there this summer
Location:
great place to relax and get away without being too far from civilization
what a wonderful place to get away
this cabin is perfect when you want peace and quiet and to get away from it all
we throughly enjoyed our stay great location lots of privacy amazing outdoor scenery
very peaceful- this place was perfect for a quick life rejuvenation
Read more reviews

7. One-bedroom dwelling on Hohman Lake, Shawnee National Forest (from USD 159)

This is the ultimate lakefront retreat if you want to be near Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. This cabin sits on the shores of Hohman Lake, a private 80-acre (32-hectare) body of water.

The property is cozy and compact, with one bedroom and a full bath that can accommodate four people. Discounts await guests who stay longer than a week.

Stayed at this property?

17.96 km (11.2 mi) from Whitehaven Welcome Center
76 reviews   Wifi Available
cabin 4 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 4
Minimum Nights: 2
Refund Policy : 100% refund if you cancel at least 30 days before check-in.

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
i would recommend adding wifi
Cleanliness:
clean and well stocked
the cabin was very clean comfortable feeling and well equipped with everything we needed
we had a wonderful weekend getaway at this cabin everything was very clean and inviting when we arrived
Host:
the dogs especially the brown one were very friendly and welcoming
Location:
it was a great location for our day hikes in shawnee
i also wouldn't call it a "family friendly" location for little ones
Read more reviews
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8. Romantic abode with hot tub, Shawnee National Forest (from USD 179)

Built and designed for romance, this modern lakefront cabin in Shawnee National Forest will help you sweep off your partner’s feet. Great for couples or small groups of four, the rental has a full bath, an outdoor patio with a hot tub and outdoor seating, and a screened-in porch.

Note that this rental only accepts adults over 25 years old, and guests must contact the host to confirm their booking.

Stayed at this property?
Jonesboro, Illinois, United States
76.65 km (47.7 mi) from Whitehaven Welcome Center
cabin 4 Guests 2 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
cozy warm and great indoor and outdoor space
Cleanliness:
it is clean beautiful and cozy
immaculately clean and a tranquil setting with spectacular scenery
everything was perfect spotless and beautiful
tanya and robert's cabin was so clean comfortable and lovely
Host:
you can tell that the owners of this place take excellent care of it
Location:
we never left the property best romantic place we've experienced
thanks for sharing your beautiful place lisa
Read more reviews
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9. Cozy renovated lake cabin, Lake of Egypt (from USD 225)

This newly renovated waterfront cottage in Lake of Egypt is best for six people, offering two bedrooms, four beds, and one bathroom. Besides the fully equipped kitchen and other essentials, the property features a lakefront deck, outdoor furniture, and a dock.

In addition, the host offers access to a gated boat ramp and a small beach in Eagle Point Bay. Four nearby marinas can provide more entertainment and recreation opportunities.

Stayed at this property?
Goreville, IL, US
6 Guests 2 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom
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10. Lakefront hideaway, Fox Lake (from USD 181)

Cozy is the ideal word to describe this A-frame cabin in Fox Lake, just a short drive north of Chicago. Located in the Chain O Lakes area, you’ll have plenty of excellent water recreation opportunities throughout the year. The property has a private boat slip where you can anchor your watercraft. And speaking of boating, there are several great fishing spots in the area.

The rental offers two bedrooms and a bathroom to accommodate four people. In addition, this cabin features handpicked art and curios, antiques, and an excellent surround sound system.

Stayed at this property?
Fox Lake, Illinois, United States
594.62 km (369.5 mi) from Whitehaven Welcome Center
123 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
Entire cabin 3 Beds 4 Guests 2 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 4

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the cottage is very quaint and comfortable
as the other reviews say very cozy cottage awesome place to relax by the fire
very cozy place with wonderful fireplace and family room
Cleanliness:
was very clean cozy and exactly as advertised
clean bright and very cozy
the house was clean and had everything we needed
the house is beauitful and clean
this was a very spacious cabin for the 4 of us very clean and comfortable
Host:
the host was kind and very helpful
andy is a great host
andy was a great host he was quick to respond and was very helpful with any questions we had
andy was a great host and helped with any concerns or questions
wow amazing host beautiful home
Location:
quiet location with comfortable beds
this place is fantastic great location on a beautiful lake
the location might be better in summer but we still had a lot of fun indoors
the location is awesome with a beautiful setting
nice place right on the water
Read more reviews

Enjoy a relaxing lakefront getaway in Illinois

Whether you’re booking lakefront accommodations for you and your significant other, your family, or your group of friends, you’ll have plenty of excellent options throughout the state. Enjoy a relaxing cabin getaway in any of the options from this list.

Stayed at this property?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Vanna is born and raised in the Philippines and describes herself as a local tourist-- she's made it her mission to see as many of the country's 7,000+ islands. But that doesn't mean she's not...Read more

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