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Hot tub by Garden of the Gods; Shawnee National Forest, Illinois Ozarks

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Living area
Exterior
Private kitchen
Dining
Room

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 81800 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Hot Tub
  • Pet friendly
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Elizabethtown, IL
  • Shawnee National Forest
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Garden of the Gods Recreation Area
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Garden of the Gods Trailhead
    ‪19 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

back bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Front bedroom

1 Queen Bed

twin bedroom

1 Twin Bed

2 bathrooms

front bath

Hall bath

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area

About this property

Hot tub by Garden of the Gods; Shawnee National Forest, Illinois Ozarks

This single family, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home is located just minutes from the famous Garden of the Gods in southern Illinois. The home was completely remodeled summer of 2019 and easily accommodates 8 people. There is a large full size kitchen with full size appliances, laundry room with washer and dryer. The living room has a 55" HD TV with Dish TV that includes 250 channels. We also offer free fiber-optic WiFi internet (50mps). We supply complimentary coffee, coffee filters, cream, sugar packets, salt, pepper, hand soap, dish soap, laundry pods, dishwasher pods, toilet paper, paper towels, firewood and camp chairs and of course, FREE WiFi.

Prairie house is located minutes away from Garden of the Gods, Pounds Hollow Lake, Rim Rock Recreational area, Cave in Rock at the heart of the Illinois Ozarks.

We are pet friendly and do not charge extra for your pets. Although this home sits on 60 private acres, the owners do live on the back side of this property and ask that you respect their privacy. Guests are welcome to walk around the front of this property but are asked to not go beyond the pond. You are welcome to pet the horses if they come up to the fence but guests may not enter the pasture with the horses at any time. This property does boarder thousands of acres of Shawnee National Forest and is only a 1/4 mile off the River to River trail.

Please note, you must include an accurate number of people with your reservation request , regardless of how many nights each person is staying. We do count children as well.

We have been in the vacation rental business for 11 years and live on the back of this 60 acre parcel. We are always available by phone or text to our guests if needed.

Come see what all the fuss is about and go home with memories to last a lifetime!

*** Pets and Kids:***
We are a Pet and Kid Friendly rental. We allow up to two pets per unit for no additional charge, however, we do require a credit card to be on file in the event there is any damage to the unit or its furnishings. To remain a pet friendly rental, pets that are aggressive towards other dogs, cats or people, will NOT be allowed. Pet owners assume ALL liability for their pets. Aggressive animals will be asked to leave immediately.

All pets are required to be current on shots and must be protected with Flea and Tick medicine BEFORE you arrive. All pets must be crated if left unattended in the units. No exceptions please! For your convenience, we do rent crates of all sizes for $8 per visit (not per night) but it is BYOB (Bring Your Own Blanket). Please call us in advance if you will need a crate in your unit. Please note, we will automatically charge your credit card for any damages done to the units, furnishings, linens or towels. PLEASE help us remain a pet friendly resort and just let us know if your pet had a bad day and accidentally chewed the towel or corner of the rug. We ask only that you reimburse us for the cost of the damaged item.

Even if your pet typically doesn't jump on the furniture, PLEASE bring thick blankets to cover the furniture with anyway! This goes a long way to helping the cleaning people get all the dog hair up before the next guests arrive. Thanks!

We charge a $100 security deposit at time of check in that is fully refundable after check out as long as the house and hot tub are in good condition. If we have to drain the hot tub, we will keep the security deposit.

The unit is guaranteed to be ready by 4pm. If you plan to arrive early, you MUST CALL us in advance. We will make arrangements to get you in as soon as it is cleaned and ready for you.

Property manager

Elizabeth
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot Tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet friendly
Free WiFi

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadbolt lock

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

About the neighborhood

Elizabethtown

Elizabethtown is home to this vacation home. Shawnee Hills Country Club and Ross Cottom Lanes are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Shawnee National Forest and Garden of the Gods Recreation Area.
Map
Elizabethtown, IL

What's nearby

  • Shawnee National Forest - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Garden of the Gods Recreation Area - 12 min drive - 7.5 km
  • Garden of the Gods Trailhead - 19 min drive - 9.9 km
  • Hardin County Court House - 30 min drive - 31.4 km
  • Cave in Rock State Park - 42 min drive - 34.7 km

Getting around

  • Paducah, KY (PAH-Barkley Regional) - 71 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Trail End Restaurant - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪The Gap Bar & Grill - ‬15 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Hot tub by Garden of the Gods; Shawnee National Forest, Illinois Ozarks pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Hot tub by Garden of the Gods; Shawnee National Forest, Illinois Ozarks?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Hot tub by Garden of the Gods; Shawnee National Forest, Illinois Ozarks?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Hot tub by Garden of the Gods; Shawnee National Forest, Illinois Ozarks located?

Situated in Elizabethtown, this vacation home is steps from Shawnee National Forest, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Rim Rock National Recreation Trailhead and Garden of the Gods Recreation Area. Garden of the Gods Trailhead and Hitching Post Trailhead are also within 9 mi (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 50 out of 56 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 56 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 56 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 56 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 56 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.0/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Amy R.

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

Great!

This was a nice quiet location with easy access to Shawnee national forest.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dennis B.

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

Perfect getaway spot

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly S.

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

Stay

The house was very clean and was big enough for all 7 people to have are own space yet some enough to enjoy each other company. Thank you
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Stephanie C.

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

Fabulous location for visiting the SNF

Girls trip to do some hiking in Shawnee national forest- this location was very close to several fantastic hikes. Didn’t have a code or address without asking- but Elizabeth was very responsive and got us what we needed. GPS worked perfect to guide us there once we had an address. The house was large, comfortable and the sunset view from the back porch was amazing. Had an issue with mice- again, Elizabeth and her husband were responsive and set up traps and emptied them in a timely manner. Four mice in less than 24 hours was a bit overwhelming, but the property is in the middle of a field so I suppose we were in their space!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brandon J.

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

Great time!

Had a great father son trip with my 15 year old. Thinking about coming back to this place with the whole family...It's a great location and space!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joe H.

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

Clean and quiet

Wonderful clean private home close to all of the local attractions.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shenee Alexa B.

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

Elizabeth’s birthday in Elizabethtown

Our kiddo got such a kick out of staying in “her town” (our location was a surprise until we arrived)! The home was perfect! Well stocked & I loved how the layout was spread out, which gave us all privacy. The proximity of Garden of the Gods was great & we got to see the horses that live on the land. Relaxing in the hot tub after hiking was the best & we’ve decided we should make Elizabeth’s birthday in Elizabethtown a tradition! See you next year!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
The property was very spacious and was laid out well, if the configuration was a bit unusual. It was close to local attractions such as Garden of the Gardens and Cave in a Rock. It could have been challenging to find, except that the host provided excellent directions. Two of the bedrooms had doors which were sticky, the bathroom we used lacked hooks or towel racks, and the stove could benefit from a light and fan. Generally, though, an excellent property suitable for more people and/or a longer stay. The air hockey table is a nice extra feature.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Leah L.

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

Shawnee Hiking

Great house and location! Had fun hiking in Shawnee
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary S., Yorkville

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

Quiet country getaway!

Had a great stay at Prarie House. Lots of room to spread out, comfy beds thick towels,super clean, responsive host, firepit, big sky, quiet-no traffic, everything we needed in kitchen, it was perfect!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

John H.

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

Shawnee Forest vacation

We are usually looking for something secluded when we vacation. This property was prefect for that. It was neat, clean and comfortable. Prefect location for visiting Garden of the gods and other sites close by.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

DawnMarie Z.

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

The House in the woods

This property is gorgeous from the time you pull in until you walk through the whole house. The house is close to everything that we wanted to see while we were down in the Shawnee national forest.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

J C.

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

Comfortable country home

We really enjoyed they stay. Great for star gazing and very close to hiking. Beds were comfortable and the home was very clean. Will stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Valerie P.

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

Fantastic gateway

From the time that we arrived we felt at home. The inside of the place was very clean and more spacious than we originally thought it would be online. Our dogs loved being able to come with us. We have one large dog and one small dog and it's hard to find places that will let us bring our big dog. We were able to enjoy this vacation as a family. Will do it again sometime soon!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shane S.

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

Beautiful southern Illinois countryside

My wife and I, and a friend, decided to meet up in southern Illinois and take in the beautiful sights of nature around the area. This property reminded me very much of my grandparents place in the country where I visited as a boy. The house itself is nice and spacious, well kept, with a gorgeous field behind it, all surrounded by the Shawnee National Forest. For those wanting to take in the sights at the Garden of the Gods, this place is just minutes away, with other parks and reserves not far off. If you want to get way from the city, or just surround yourself with nature, this is a perfect place for it!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Basil A.

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

Southern Illinois

Great place and close to everything we wanted to see. Pet friendly which is a must for us. The directions are great for anyone coming from the north or west; however, we came from the east and had to build our own directions. Would stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Arianna M., Manhattan

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

Furst Trip to Shawnee

This was our first trip to the area and we couldnt have picked a better location as a home base. Host was very informative with directions to the house, as well as to local destinations. Perfect piece of land to get away for a long weekend.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Fulin S.

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

We like the place

The house is well maintained and clean. Great location for the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area. The host provided detail information about everything. Thanks!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jason R.

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

Feels like home!

Great house and accommodations. Clean and comfortable. Highly recommend!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Abagail R.

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

Weekend with Hercules

Wonderful. It appears to me someone lived in the home a long time and has well thought out the covered porches, tree placement etc for shading and entering the home. There is good space for you to go with your friends and the bedrooms are not right next to each other. Its about a 10 minute drive to many of my favorite attractions and I got some ice cream at the little shop not too far from the house. I hope to come back and have a cookout with some friends. I was so happy to be able to take my little dog, that makes it much easier for me to travel. Thanks so much! If a nice little farmhouse is your vibe. This is for you. As a person who has spent lots of time away from the city I was very comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rebekah B.

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

Home away from home

Always enjoy the peace and quiet and privacy each time we stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jenna P., Plainfield, IN

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

Great Location & Plenty of Room

Loved staying here! This was our first trip to this area & it was close to several things we wanted to do. Easy access to hiking & the river! The space was perfect! Plenty of room for everyone! Check the guest book messages for tips on hikes to do!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessica P., Plainfield,IL

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

Hidden Gem

This was our first trip to Garden of the Gods and Shawnee National Forest and we couldn't have picked a more perfect location. The Prairie house is a little over a mile down the road from the Garden of the Gods and it's like stepping into a family members home. Everything you could possibly need is there and available to you. The hosts go above and beyond to make sure there guests feel welcome and have an enjoyable stay. The house is clean, appliances are new and in great condition, plenty of towels and the beds are so comfortable. The house is also pet friendly so huge bonus points there. This house is also the perfect central location for all things outdoors...Garden of the Gods, Cave-in-rock, Rim rock are all with in 20-30min and Shawnee National Forrest, Little Grand Canyon, the natural bridge and Shawnee Zip line are about 1-2 hours away. If you have little kids this is the place for you because there is so much room inside and outside that kids can run, play and be loud without worrying about disturbing anyone. Forget dragging all your camping gear, the set up/tear down, worrying about weather, cooking over a fire and public bathhouses just do yourself a favor and book this house! You will not be disappointed. We can't wait to plan our next trip back to the Prairie House!!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Deborah O.

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

Peaceful

Beautiful area
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lei H.

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

Enjoyed our stay

We enjoyed the stay in Timber Ridge Outpost & Cabin for our long weekend vacation. It was a nice house with 3 bedrooms/2 bath. The kitchen is clean with complete sets of cooking utensils. The cabin is conveniently located near Garden of the Gods recreation park and a few beautiful hiking trails. The firepit in the yard was very cozy.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

About the host

Hosted by Elizabeth

Host profile image
In 2010 Marty & Elizabeth relocated to southern Illinois from the suburbs of Chicago. After a 25-year career building high rises in Chicago, Marty turned his attention to building something unique that would provide a venue for families and couples to make life long memories. In early 2012 they opened Timber Ridge Outpost & Cabins, A treehouse and log cabin resort in the heart of the Illinois Ozarks. In 2017 they opened The Garden of the Gods Outpost, an ice cream and gift store. In the fall of 2022 Marty & Elizabeth sold Timber Ridge and The Outpost but continue to rent their Walnut Hill home and their Prairie House homes thru VRBO and personal connections. When you stay at Walnut hill, you are in good hands with experienced hosts that know how to do it right.

Why they chose this property

For over 10 years your hosts, Marty and Elizabeth have hosted properties that are ranked #1 in our area on TripAdvisor with over 200 FIVE STAR reviews. We have been featured National Geographic book (2022) in Better Homes & Garden (2021), Washington Post (2021), Life & Style in southern Illinois (2016), Chicago magazine, AAA travel magazine, Midwest Traveler magazine, The Saturday Evening Post (August 2016), Chicago Parent Going Places magazine (2012 & 2014 & 2017), on Cruisin' Illinois with Julian Cruz (WGN-TV spring 2013) as well as a long list of various blogs, regional publications and more.

Come see what all the fuss is about and go home with memories to last a lifetime!

What makes this property unique

Enjoy wonderful sunrise and sunsets overlooking the rolling hills of southern Illinois. Relax and hang out around a campfire (firewood supplied). You are just minutes away from the famous Garden of the Gods, Rim Rock, Pounds Hollow Lake and more.

Unlike many vacation rental places, the owners, Marty and Elizabeth live on the same 60 acre property as Prairie House and are available if you need anything during your stay.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests