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.
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
very nice and clean placethe cabin was clean and cozyplace was clean and a great place to staythe cabin was clean and thoughtfully stockedvery quiet clean and comfortableHost:
host was very helpful when we needed somethingone of the best places i have stayed at incredible host went above and beyondfinally becky is super friendly hosthad a blast here and becky was a great hosthost was great beautiful house in an amazing setting waterfowl and stars are abundantRead more reviewsLocation:
beautiful location and very relaxingthe park is very close and has great walking trailsit’s a fun quiet location that gave us exactly what we neededthe loft was perfect and the location was very quiet and cleanyou’re so close to the water it feels like you’re on an island
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.
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
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.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the cabin was comfortable and rustic with all the necessary amenities and a great porchthe cabin is rustic but had all the amenities to keep us comfortable and make things convenientCleanliness:
very clean and privatethe cabin itself was charming and very clean and invitingcabin was clean cozy and nice layoutthe cabin is lovely and cleanthe weather was great and the cabin was spotlessHost:
wonderful host and propertythe host was super accommodating and the property manager was excellentthe owner was lovely and responsivethe owner is lovely and responsive as is the property managerthe owners / manager have been quick and so kind with communicationRead more reviewsLocation:
beautiful location the cabin was greatwe could not say enough about how amazing the location of this house isamazing location in the hills of the illinois driftless areai think it would be a perfect place to use a paddle board
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.
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
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.
Greenville, Illinois, United States
219.47 km (136.4 mi) from Whitehaven Welcome CenterAccommodates: 16
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the sound system was great the wifi was not the greatest but that wasn’t too important for usthe mattresses in all of the rooms we stayed in were comfortablethe cabin had everything we needed for a comfortable staythe kitchen was perfectly functional and very pretty as a bonusCleanliness:
everything was updated and cleanscott's home was clean and comfortableproperty was clean and as expected and perfect for a large familyHost:
his host heidi was so kind and very responsive throughout our stayscott was a great host very responsivethe slide was a fun addition this year scott is a very considerate and communicative hostcommunication with the host and co-host was always prompt and extremely helpfulthe rooms are all very comfortable and scott is a spectacular hostRead more reviewsLocation:
in addition to the beautiful lake-side location there are wonderful walking trails nearbygreat place to sit relax and get away from the chaoswalcott pines is a beautiful cabin that offers a quiet and peaceful get away for our ever expanding familyhaving a walking path to the dock was so much nicer than we thought it would benice place exactly looks like in the pictures
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.
Cuba, Illinois, United States
412.01 km (256.1 mi) from Whitehaven Welcome CenterAccommodates: 4
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
shuffleboard table was a hit great views of the lake from the deckCleanliness:
great hosts and a beautiful modern home; clean and well maintainedHost:
laura was a wonderful host and a great communicatorlaura was a great host outstanding hospitality and communicationthe owner was courteous and gave us a walk through when we arrivedlaura is an incredible host and made sure we had everything we needed while staying at their homewonderful host second trip there this summerRead more reviewsLocation:
great place to relax and get away without being too far from civilizationwhat a wonderful place to get awaythis cabin is perfect when you want peace and quiet and to get away from it allwe throughly enjoyed our stay great location lots of privacy amazing outdoor sceneryvery peaceful- this place was perfect for a quick life rejuvenation
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.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
i would recommend adding wifiCleanliness:
clean and well stockedthe cabin was very clean comfortable feeling and well equipped with everything we neededwe had a wonderful weekend getaway at this cabin everything was very clean and inviting when we arrivedHost:
the dogs especially the brown one were very friendly and welcomingRead more reviewsLocation:
it was a great location for our day hikes in shawneei also wouldn't call it a "family friendly" location for little ones
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.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
cozy warm and great indoor and outdoor spaceCleanliness:
it is clean beautiful and cozyimmaculately clean and a tranquil setting with spectacular sceneryeverything was perfect spotless and beautifultanya and robert's cabin was so clean comfortable and lovelyHost:
you can tell that the owners of this place take excellent care of itRead more reviewsLocation:
we never left the property best romantic place we've experiencedthanks for sharing your beautiful place lisa
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.
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.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the cottage is very quaint and comfortableas the other reviews say very cozy cottage awesome place to relax by the firevery cozy place with wonderful fireplace and family roomCleanliness:
was very clean cozy and exactly as advertisedclean bright and very cozythe house was clean and had everything we neededthe house is beauitful and cleanthis was a very spacious cabin for the 4 of us very clean and comfortableHost:
the host was kind and very helpfulandy is a great hostandy was a great host he was quick to respond and was very helpful with any questions we hadandy was a great host and helped with any concerns or questionswow amazing host beautiful homeRead more reviewsLocation:
quiet location with comfortable bedsthis place is fantastic great location on a beautiful lakethe location might be better in summer but we still had a lot of fun indoorsthe location is awesome with a beautiful settingnice place right on the water
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.
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