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Private Shawnee National Forest Retreat , Near Garden of the Gods

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

A compact kitchen with a wooden floor, a dining table with chairs, and a refrigerator. - Private Shawnee National Forest Retreat , Near Garden of the Gods (Elizabethtown)
A living room with a wooden floor, a beige sofa, a multicolored sofa, and a ceiling fan. - Private Shawnee National Forest Retreat , Near Garden of the Gods (Elizabethtown)
A grassy yard with a house and a covered porch. - Private Shawnee National Forest Retreat , Near Garden of the Gods (Elizabethtown)
A covered porch with wooden flooring, two wicker chairs with cushions, a small table, and a view of a yard with trees. - Private Shawnee National Forest Retreat , Near Garden of the Gods (Elizabethtown)
A single-story house with a covered porch and a small staircase leading to a deck. - Private Shawnee National Forest Retreat , Near Garden of the Gods (Elizabethtown)
You can look forward to a firepit, a garden and laundry facilities at Private Shawnee National Forest Retreat , Near Garden of the Gods. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

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

Add dates for prices

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.

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About the area

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 mountain biking, rock climbing and hiking. Visit our Elizabethtown travel guide
View more Holiday homes in Elizabethtown
Map
Elizabethtown, IL

What's nearby

  • A forested valley with autumn foliage, a rocky cliff, and a sunset.
    Shawnee National Forest
    1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • A rocky landscape with a sunset in the background.
    Garden of the Gods Recreation Area
    27 min drive - 38.3 km
  • A waterfall, a bridge, and a 'No Swimming' sign in a forested area.
    Dixon Springs State Park
    35 min drive - 54.0 km
  • Hardin County Court House
    3 min drive - 4.2 km
  • Cave in Rock State Park
    11 min drive - 18.2 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • e-town tap
    3 min drive
  • Lucy's Diner
    10 min drive
  • Town & Country
    3 min drive
  • Starbucks
    11 min drive
  • Top Dog
    10 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).

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Reviews

Private Shawnee National Forest Retreat , Near Garden of the Gods Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

9.4

Cleanliness

9.8

Location

10

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 21 out of 25 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 25 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 25 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 25 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 25 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Central location for great hiking. Host was very responsive when we had questions. Exactly what we needed.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Stayed here twice now! Room was super clean, cozy, and just an overall relaxing place to stay. Especially after hiking the national forest which was super close to the property. Stars were beautiful there as well. Great place to stay, well taken care of. Definitely will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Check-in
Older double wide mobile home. Good WiFi. Close to hiking, state park and national recreation area. Did not like large security deposit that was charged on credit card in addition to fees for stay. I did not realize that it wasn’t a pending charge and just saw on Vrbo that it may not be returned until 2wks after stay completed. Easy checkin as recd door code prior and had no problem entering. This is Vrbos policy so don’t fault the stay. But be aware that charge may not fall off immediately. Very limited food nearby so ensure you bring food with you. Kitchen has all necessary items to prepare what you bring.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Thank you so much for our stay. We loved the scenery and was nestled perfectly on top of hill where we could watch wildlife and enjoy watching cars go by. There were some issues with wood bees on the front porch but understand they don't sting they just made it a little annoying. They are hard to get rid of and seen you had traps for them and was trying. We loved being close to downtown but still enyoying peace and quite. Will stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

4/10 Poor

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Clean comfy and a great number of beds. It was great!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
was nice and clean very nice location. plenty of room
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

great stay

house was clean
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

10/10 Excellent

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

10/10 Excellent

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

Nice property

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

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Went for family reunion

Nice experience
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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