The Midwest state of Illinois is synonymous with its picturesque lakes, forests and lush countryside. One of the must-visit places in the Prairie State is Lake Michigan, where you can enjoy a game of beach volleyball or indulge in parasailing, lake surfing, and other outdoor activities. If traveling with kids, visit Six Flags Great America Amusement Park and Brookfield Zoo. Travelers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life can enjoy a quiet retreat by a lakefront home. Children can swim in the lake as adults enjoy kayaking or fishing. Outdoor lovers will enjoy the natural beauty of Lake of Egypt and Effingham as they unwind. For a convenient base, check out this list of the best lakefront rentals 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 April 23, 2025.
1. Charming home overlooking the lake, Johnson County (from USD 309)
Located on the Lake of Egypt, this charming 3-bedroom property is ideal for 10 guests. Relax in the living area that comes with a gas fireplace or the sunroom. The open kitchen is ideal for home cooking. Unwind on the covered deck with a glass of wine and watch the boats pass by.
You can even swim in the lake or fish from the dock. Explore the nearby wine trails or go hiking in the state parks. When the night falls, gather around the fire pit and roast s'mores while taking in the lake views.
Top guest reviews
Host:
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 helpfulLocation:
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 spotCleanliness:
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 propertyRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
super nice living room and comfy furniture
2. Spacious house with an indoor pool, Williamson County (from USD 453)
Unwind in the charming two-bedroom house that accommodates eight guests. It has three bathrooms, and the rollaway bed and two pullout couches are great for big groups. The living area is huge and perfect for family time. Play foosball or board games or watch TV.
You can start your day with some leisurely laps in the indoor pool and end it with a relaxing soak in the hot tub overlooking the lake. You can also take a dip in the lake in summer or enjoy a barbecue in the open. The kitchen with granite counters is equipped with modern amenities to make cooking a breeze. The house also has free Wi-Fi access, on-premise parking, a washer and dryer and an ironing board for guests’ convenience.
Top guest reviews
Host:
everything was in great shape and the owner responded quicklyLocation:
overall stay is excellent we enjoyed the property and location especiallygreat safety options and a quiet laneproperty was very welcoming with plenty of room to park a couple vehiclescomfy beautiful fun family getaway are all good words for this placethis place was amazing literally the best rental we have stayed inCleanliness:
the house was very clean” very clean plenty of room to spread out foos ball and games and the pool was the starso clean and convenient with a fridge music speakers and bathroom right thereRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
quiet neighborhood beautiful lake views indoor heated pool and hot tubthere was great internet service and lots of tv optionswe enjoyed the view of the lake swimming in the pool relaxing in the hot tubfamily room beautiful kitchen and huge dining area with great lake viewswe made it work but another bedroom or private room would be great
3. The Eagle's Nest, Johnson County (from USD 282)
Unwind in this gorgeous retreat as you soak up Johnson County’s beauty. This three-bedroom home accommodates nine guests. It has a sunroom for relaxing and a covered deck, which is a great spot for grilling and hanging out. The open plan kitchen is ideal for whipping up delicious meals. Lounge in the cozy living room or soak up the views from the dining area.
Children can play in the yard while you can relax on the paved area and enjoy the Lake of Egypt views. The dock is steps away, and a pontoon boat is also available on site.
Top guest reviews
Host:
the owners are very helpfulthe owners made sure our stay was enjoyablethis property is amazing heather and jeff are very nice and helpfulrenting this house for the second time as always clean comfortable easy to communicate with owners highly recommendLocation:
the location and layout of this house on the lake was perfect for our annual holiday gathering with friendsgreat stay great property plan ahead there isn’t much close by which we lovedRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
we were pleasantly surprised by the amount of room
4. Pleasant Lakes at Turner Farms, St. Clair County (from USD 248)
Enjoy the beauty of the countryside as you live in this waterfront three-bedroom bungalow. It has an outdoor deck where you can enjoy your breakfast while taking in the lake views. The kitchen is kitted out with modern appliances, thus making meal preparations easy. This pet-friendly bungalow also features a fireplace, and guests can enjoy watching TV in the cozy family room.
Amenities such as free Wi-Fi, dryer and washer, and air conditioning are also available. Guests can walk around the area or go fishing in the lake. Downtown St. Louis is a 20-minute drive from here.
Top guest reviews
Host:
from the get go the host was wonderfulheidi was very accommodating and helpfuleveryone was extremely helpful and kind that we interacted with as it related to the space and neighborhoodheidi is quick to respond and very helpfulneighbor that lives below is super friendlyLocation:
close to all areas of interestsuper close to both stbeautiful location super easy to navigate to the metro stl areathe rental location was perfectlouis so an ideal locationCleanliness:
everything was clean and lovelyclean nice and comfortablethis property was very clean and modernthe house was very clean and nicethe apartment was clean and very homeyRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the beds were very comfortablewe were concerned with only having one bathroom but it turned out not being a problemsince there is only one bathroom it is nice that it is large with double sinks
5. Two-bedroom cabin with gorgeous views, Jackson (from USD 166)
Enjoy a quiet getaway with the family in this two-bedroom lakefront cabin that boasts a private hot tub on the deck. Both rooms have a queen-size bed, and the master room overlooks the porch and lake. It also has a well-equipped kitchen with a microwave, fridge, oven and other cooking essentials.
Enjoy watching a DVD in the living area as you curl up with a warm cup of coffee. This lakefront cabin has a swing for kids, and you can enjoy a barbecue out in the open. Amenities such as a washer, dryer and iron are offered. Free parking is also available on the premises.
Top guest reviews
Host:
the property owner was great easy to communicate with and made the process seamlessfriendly and just down to earthcommunication with the owners was excellent and check-in and out was so easyLocation:
we plan to come back in the summer and stay here to enjoy the beautiful location againnice relaxing place to get awaygreat place to go for a quiet getaway from the hustle and bustle great propertiesthis is a great place to stay if you just need a quiet retreat away from the worldi can’t say enough great things about the cabin and its locationCleanliness:
it was clean and well stocked with dishes cookware and small appliancesthe cabin was spotless and as promisedthe cabin was spotless and the beds were very comfortablethe cabin was very clean and had everything we neededit is very clean and well taken care ofRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
i loved not having internet or tv and didn't miss it a bitthe huge screen room faces the lake and has a great viewcabin was welcoming and comfortable and a hot tub topped off the eveningshouse was comfortable and equipped with everything we needed
6. Cozy lakefront home for six, Manteno (from USD 220)
This quaint home in Manteno accommodates six guests in three bedrooms. It is situated near a lake, where you can indulge in swimming and fishing. The spacious kitchen boasts an ice-maker, a large fridge, a four-burner gas stove, oven, grill, and pantry items. Six people can eat at the dining table. Enjoy family time as you watch a movie or lounge by the fireplace in the living room.
Amenities such as Wi-Fi, free on-premise parking, and a washer and dryer are also available. If you fancy dining out, there are several eateries a short drive away, such as Olive Garden, Panera Bread and Tucci’s Italian.
Top guest reviews
Host:
host are friendly and welcomingowner was helpful and responsivethe hosts are top notchhost left banana bread that we all enjoyed and the place had everything you'd needthe banana bread was amazing the owners were super easy to work with and helpfulLocation:
loved the house and locationit was the perfect place to break away from the citya beautiful beach was within a 5 minute walk of the housewe had a great time the town is such a cool place to get awaywalking 5 min distance to nice waterfront resort with beach to swimCleanliness:
the house is clean and well-appointedsuper clean and well kept inviting place to staythis quaint little bungalow was spotlessly clean and well equippedthe house was very clean and had about everything we neededvery clean and the lake is wonderfulRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
we loved the paddle boats and the beds were very comfortable
7. Stunning lakefront cabin with a hot tub, Jackson (from USD 163)
This lakefront retreat in Shawnee National Forest is just a 15-minute drive away from Paducah. The cabin accommodates four guests in its two bedrooms and boasts a bathroom. Unwind in the hot tub on the back porch while enjoying a drink.
Curl up around the bonfire or watch TV in the living room that also has a fireplace. Cook your favorite snack in the kitchen and relish it in the dining area. The washer and dryer make laundry easy. Guests can kayak or canoe on the lake, but boating is not permitted.
Top guest reviews
Host:
the owners were very responsive to any questions i hadquite lake with friendly niebhorswould definitely consider visiting/ staying again big thank you to the hoststhe lake is very peaceful and the neighbors are very friendly and welcomingthere is a big kind dog named jax next door who wonders overLocation:
side trips to paducah and metropolis and state park on the river really a nice timeso glad we found this placeCleanliness:
immaculately clean and updatedclean with lots of personal touchesthe hot tub was clean and worked greatthe lake is clean warm and calmthe cabin was very nice and cleanRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
bed was comfy & amenities were goodbeds were ubber comfortablemy wife fell in love with the bed
8. Redbud Cottage, Summit (from USD 190)
This three-bedroom cottage in Summit can fit up to six people and is ideal for a Midwest break. The cottage has three king-size beds and comfy couches. It also has sleeping bags and a crib for the little ones. There’s a Keurig coffee maker and a French coffee press to help you get your caffeine fix. The remodeled kitchen is perfect for cooking your favorite meals.
A canoe and five kayaks are available in the cottage, should you wish to indulge in outdoor activities at the nearby Lake Sara. There’s also a private beach, ideal for swimming. You can also enjoy fishing from the on-site dock.
The spacious deck offers spectacular views of the water and maples. After a long day out, you can curl up in front of the stone fireplace in the living room with a good book and hot cocoa. Free Wi-Fi, parking, and a washer and dryer are provided.
Top guest reviews
Host:
hosts are very communicative and thoughtfulowner is very easy to work withthanks david for being an excellent hostfrom the point of reservation to check out david is a thorough and friendly communicatorthe host was very easy to communicate with and accommodated an early check inLocation:
very nice location on the lakegreat place and great locationit was the perfect location for our kids to each find something to dothe house is situated in a great location and is a wonderful place to reconnect with naturea great place to relax with family or friendsRead more reviewsCleanliness:
clean and nicely stocked houseeverything was very cleanclean quiet and serenegreat and clean lakeclean house nice new appliances
9. Serene waterfront cabin with a deck, Goreville
Stay in the lap of nature as you relax in this two-bedroom waterfront cabin. Both rooms have a queen-size bed and can accommodate four guests. The comfy couch and a full sofa bed in the living area accommodate more guests. The hosts also provide a twin air mattress if required.
Dine on the table as you enjoy a home-cooked meal prepared in the modern kitchen. Appliances such as a microwave, crockpot, coffee maker and more are at your disposal. Enjoy your morning cup of coffee on the covered deck or a picnic on the small beach area in Eagle Point Bay. Explore the local marinas or head to the nearby Shawnee National Forest.
Goreville, IL, US
10. House of Seven Gables, Wonder Lake
This 4-bedroom house in Wonder Lake can accommodate 12 people, making it ideal for family getaways or friends reunions. It has a sandy beach, two decks, a screened cabana, and hammocks for outdoor lounging. When night falls, gather around the fire pit to roast marshmallows or use the Weber grill to make barbecue dinner.
Kids will enjoy the playground, while adults have paddleboards, kayaks and canoes at their disposal. The house also has a bar and or a game room with a pool and foosball table. Enjoy family time in the living area as you lounge on the recliner and watch TV while kids stay toasty by the fireplace.
594.1 km (369.2 mi) from Whitehaven Welcome CenterAccommodates: 12
Minimum Nights: 2
Refund Policy : 100% refund if you cancel at least 30 days before check-in.
Top guest reviews
Host:
they were both very gracious hostshost were awesome people enjoyed meeting them againowners were very easy to work withpam and bruce were helpful and welcoming hostspam and bruce were available generous hostsLocation:
great location the house is exactly as describedgreat location plenty of space right on the watergreat location on the lake nice fire pit and backyardother than that great place right on the lake be mindful of the parkingCleanliness:
a very clean charming lakefront property on a quiet streetthe yard was beautiful and cleanthe house is clean and well suited to accommodate a large active groupRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
we loved the house incredible view of the lake it was a very cozy houseconcerning the property interior it was spacious and comfortable
Enjoy a family vacation in the Prairie State
Illinois is home to a plethora of lakes, where travelers can indulge in fishing, boating, canoeing, and other outdoor activities. For a fun family vacation in the Prairie State, stay in any of the above lakefront rentals.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
