Beautiful and peaceful retreat. The cabin we rented was dog friendly ($25 additional fee per dog), which is perfect because the point of our getaway was to spend time with our corgi and to take her hiking. Check-in was at 4. It was self check-in and super easy. The cabin was clean, and everything was in order. The office was closed by the time we got unloaded so we didn't go. It is open for guests to borrow movies or puzzles or purchase firewood. We met one of the owners the following day. Very friendly and lovely lady! I forgot my hair dryer and she lent me one. There were trees surrounding the cabin area, a swing on the front porch, a grill and picnic table in the backyard, and there is a 2-person jetted tub along with a shower stall inside. It had such a comfortable feel to it. Full kitchen and a table for 4, a small TV and a blu-ray player, and a comfortable full sized bed. The couch was a futon, so if you need another bed, it's ready to go! There was enough space to set up our large crate for our dog. We stayed at the Zonta cabin. Overall, I had such an enjoyable time. Nothing beats waking up early in the morning to some fresh, cool air, the trees swaying gently and a nice stroll with the doggo away from traffic and car horns honking and people hurrying to get to places. I got a lot of peaceful reading time done, about 4 hours' worth of hiking in 2 days, and worked on some puzzles we borrowed from the office. I absolutely recommend this cabin resort for a relaxing getaway! read more

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My friend and I spent two nights recently in one of the smaller cabins, looking for a peaceful, country-oriented break from the big city. I'm very happy to report that Kishauwau's cabin fit the bill nicely. Kishauwau is what I've been describing as a cabin development. There are about 15-16 cabins in an area that backs up to the Vermillion River. In fact, the ravines behind some of the cabins are very steep. Anyone with small children will have to keep a close eye on the kids every minute they're out back. The scenery is spectacular, but oh boy, you don't want anyone sliding down that ravine. Our cabin had all the basics we needed -- a double bed, a fold-out futon couch, a big bathtub with a separate shower, and a kitchen stocked with plates, silverware, pots and pans, dishwashing liquid, and more. Every cabin has a outdoor fire ring, a grill, a porch swing, chairs, and a picnic table. The larger cabins had several chairs and tables. We had a TV with a DVD player -- you can borrow DVDs from the plentiful supply in the office building. NO INTERNET! If you can't live without access to instragram, you will be out of luck. So, be sure to plan ahead for ways to entertain yourself. I should also mention that the cabin was spotlessly clean when we arrived. The grounds are neat and well-maintained. The office has simple supplies for sale such as toothpaste, shampoo, etc., along with some snacks and drinks. There is also a small gift shop. I've already recommended Kishauwau to two friends here in Chicago. I'm very happy to recommend it to you, too. read more

Such a great stay! The cabin was exactly like the pictures except that it was even bigger than they made it seem. It was so cozy and relaxing. The puppies got to go on a couple of decent, undisturbed walks. I just loved being inside, no TV, internet. No human contact . They delivered on everything they promised and we hope to come back very soon. read more

I have called to try to make reservations for over a week now, no one answers the phone of course and so I've left messages with my call back number. Yet no one has ever called me back. Very unprofessional!! read more

Wife and I had a great stay. I bet it would be even better during winter. Cabins spaced so far away it feels very remote.

This is about my 9th or 10th visit to Kishauwau Cabins since 2016. Sometimes my wife and I come, sometimes my son and I come. My trips with both are meaningful. For my wife and I it is truly a getaway from regular work life. For my son and I we have visited I believe 4 times. From when he was about 16 to being a college graduate at 21 who is making his way in the world. I can't imagine having not found this place away from home by about an hour and 45 minutes for the years I have lived in a suburb of Chicago. I have never been disappointed. The cabins are always very clean and organized as if it is our own cabin that we own. There may be 15 to 17 of them, but they are spaced just so that each of them feels like its on its own 10-acre spot. I believe I have stayed in 4 or 5 different ones. This time was the Bridge Cabin (Yes, it has its own bridge across a ravine) and it was awesome. This time I actually had some cell service! They even have their own trail down to the river that I have taken several times. I didn't know it existed until one time running into Terisa the owner who told us about it. It looks like they even added a disc golf course. I just can't say enough positive things about our visits here. I truly believe you cannot have a bad time no matter what the weather. read more

Kishauwau Cabins - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Tonica, Illinois

This is a wonderful little getaway. Quiet and peaceful way to relax. Terisa was very helpful and friendly. Just a short drive from 2 state parks, and a cute little town with cute shops. read more

Kishauwau Cabins - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Tonica, Illinois

Great place to spend a few days relaxing. Only 10 min drive from the major parks. Quiet area. Each cabin has its own fire pit and sitting area. The cabins are cleaner than most hotel rooms I've been in, and are very well equipped. There's little cell reception there, but you can't have everything... read more

We stayed here for 4 nights over Labor Day weekend and I can't recommend Kishauwau enough! A family run operation, I found them by accident when looking for lodging in the area. There are different sizes and types of cabins, we stayed in the "Mother in Law' cabin, it was super clean and it is fully stocked with cooking utensils, so all that you need to bring are clothes and your basic toiletries. Each cabin comes equipped with a couple of charcoal grills. The cabin 'office' is open 24/7 and has lots of movies that you can borrow (for free!) along with books and magazines. There are also available for purchase ice cream bars and pizza. Everyone here was friendly and helpful and again, I can't emphasize enough the cleanliness of our cabin. The cabins are within 10 minutes of Starved Rock and Matthiesen State Parks. Although there are like, some 20+ cabins on the property, we had adequate space between our cabin and neighboring cabins, it was very private and quiet. And the best part was that our cabin was dog friendly so we got to bring our best friend. Not all of the cabins are dog friendly, so be sure to check on-line or talk with staff when booking. Be aware that there is not an area on premise to swim (at least that I could tell), which is no fault of Kishauwau, but something to be aware of. Also, there is a guest book to sign about your trip and experiences. It was fun and interesting to read some of the other guests posts. Cell phone service is non-existant, so be prepared to disconnect from the world for a while - which in itself is nice to not be tethered to a phone. A/C worked great, it was hot while we were here and the cabin was a nice cool refuge. I would like to visit again, maybe in the winter when the Eagles are on the River. read more

We were looking to spend a long weekend in the Starved Rock area and originally had booked a standard hotel room. But since we travel with a dog, a three year old and 9 month old twins we decided to look for something with more room to roam-inside and out. A whole lot of googling later I stumbled on the website for Kishauwau. We had great customer service from the owners-I had several questions I asked during the booking process and my e-mails were immediately returned. They were understanding of our concerns with arrival times and were very helpful when my husband needed office facilities for his work. We rented a standard whirlpool cabin that allowed dogs and children. The cabin was great-sure it was all one giant room and a bathroom but it was spaced nicely. The whirlpool tub was huge! HUGE! The kids loved the tub and that was great since it rained almost our whole visit! But the rain wasn't such a bummer because the cabin had such nice views and you could sit out on the covered porch on the swing or chairs and still enjoy the scenery. If we had all been crammed in a normal hotel room we might have lost our minds! There is no internet, spotty cell service and not great television reception but the main office has a large DVD selection. I kind of scoffed at the idea when I read that they had a lot of DVD's and VHS tapes on-line but the reality is they really do! I was surprised at how many new releases they had! It was like having a mini-free Blockbuster Video. The main cabin is left open so we were just wondering up all the time to grab a new movie, check out the fish tank, etc. There was a charcoal grill, picnic table and fire pit. In the main area they had some swings for the kids and we enjoyed playing in the big grassy area. So many nice things to say about this place. Perfect location-close to the parks and Utica. We will be back! read more

Amazing! We came to the cabin in memory of my mother, Emma M Baez. We got the family together just as she would've loved and I'm certain she enjoyed every moment from above. Kishawau service was great. We didn't feel like customers. We felt like family. We will definitely make a trip back. Thank you ever so much. No wifi was a plus although at times it made us say "d**n, it was much needed to be disconnected. HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM US! read more

Kishauwau Cabins - Grateful! - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Tonica, Illinois

We are from Chicago, and had only visited the Starved Rock area once before. To return, and stay at Kishauwau Cabins, was the best decision we could have made for Mother's Day weekend! Terisa is kind, helpful, and on top of things! The cabin was clean and cozy. We found more than enough fun things to do, both on the property and in the surrounding towns. We had a blast and will return soon. Kishauwau is a GEM! read more

These cabins were exactly what we needed for our honeymoon. The privacy is great. You are a good distance from the other cabins, but you never feel too isolated. The cabin has all the right amenities to be rustic without leaving you missing the conveniences of home. No internet or cable (except good wifi in the main building, but they rightly prefer people not loiter in the store just to web browse) and that is perfect. I was able to check my emails by a short walk over to the main building, but we were not tempted to spend our honeymoon watching Netflix. The cabin was perfect too. Good air condtioning and heating. A small tv with a blu ray player so we could relax with a movie after a long hike. The kitchen has all the appliances you might need. The fire pit and picnic table out back let us roast marshmellows and feed a stray cat too. The drive over to Starved Rock was short and a small town to wander and check out antique shops was right up the street. This is in the perfect location off the main road but close enough to easily get where you need to go. There's so much more I could say about how pleasant and nice this place is, but the short of it is that we loved our time here, the owner's are wonderful, and we will definitely be back. read more

My husband and I recently visited Kishauwau cabins for the first time. We were celebrating our 16th anniversary and I was looking for a quiet getaway near Starved Rock. This really was the perfect place to go. Convenient because there is a full kitchen, and can deal with food sensitivities (if you have them, by bringing your own food). And just a beautiful and peaceful setting. Cell service is spotty - which again, makes it a perfect quite getaway :-) After a full day of hiking, it was soooo nice to settle into generous jacuzzi tub. We definitely plan to return again!! Go check it out!! read more

Teresa has sent us a gift certificate for the full amount of our stay! That is just unbelievable! We look forward to staying again, just in a different cabin! They truly do want people to enjoy the cabins and that is a great business model! Thank you, Terisa!!! read more

The wife and really enjoyed our stay in the bridge cabin! We had a very clean cabin and great guest service. The staff was very courteous and polite. The location was perfect! We were close to all the state parks, local towns, museums, etc.but yet far enough away to really feel as if we were all alone. Great place to disconnect from everyday life. Thanks for the wonderful stay!!!!!!!!!! read more

We enjoyed our stay here very much, it's quiet and serene. We wanted to get away from city life for a few days and we couldn't have picked a better spot. It's close to Matthiesen State Park, Starved Rock and downtown Utica which is a decent old downtown area. The owner was very kind and made us feel welcome, I sincerely can't wait to go back, maybe as soon as next year. Thanks for the great service and cabin grounds! read more

Great place to unwind and Unplug from the daily rate race. Our cabin was clean and comfortable and very inviting. Owners Teresa and her husband Jamie went all out to make sure are stay was memorable. Highly recommend for that special get away. We have already booked our next stay can't wait! read more

Kishauwau Cabins - The Bridge cabin - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Tonica, Illinois

I spent 2 nights at the Mother In Law cabin in February. Was looking for a break away from daily stress, and this turned out to be just what the Dr ordered. I was able to bring Princess Grace (my lab mix) with me, so I didn't have to worry about her. Our cabin was immaculate, and even the decor was welcoming. Very "woodsy feeling", but with plenty of room. The wood burning fireplace felt so peaceful; I couldn't have asked for more. Very large grounds to walk around, and the cabins were well spaced for privacy. As others have mentioned, there is no Wi-Fi. This actually didn't even bother me like I thought it might. Looks like this cabin is booked right now for months, and I understand why. It was the perfect get-away! Thank you to Terisa and her staff! read more

A wonderful little gem. We are here right now and it is absolutely beautiful and relaxing. A wonderful weekend escape great for the whole family. Even four legged family members are welcome and enjoyed every minute of the grounds, trails, and cabin. read more

Kishauwau Cabins - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Tonica, Illinois

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We absolutely lucked out by finding this gem. The campground is very well maintained, the staff is friendly and accommodating, the cabins are clean and comfortable, and the location is perfect - away from the congestion around starved rock but still tucked away in nature. There is no doubt I will be returning here and recommending this spot to all! It's really everything you could ask for and at a very reasonable price. read more

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Well we paid for 4 nights here at there mother inlaw cabin for my hubbys birthday. We got there there were broken blinds and no blind on the window where the bed is. The bed was awful felt like sleeping on a wooden box where no mattress paid or foam would have helped. The coffee pot was nasty I mean gross the coffee scoop in the kitchen drawer had coffee still in it , every dish was nasty and cup . There was a recliner chair inside and is broke . We left , yes because when you pay this kind of money at least be clean and able to sleep in the bed .will not ever go back read more

the weekend started with the owner greeting us with a smile and a very friendly welcome. after telling us about the property and the surrounding area,they make sure all of our questions were answered, we went to our cabin that was tucked back in the woods. it was very clean, in which we were very impressed and very cozy. the private fire pit, right out the back door was awesome. we cooked several meals on the weber grill which was nice and took a short drive to starved rock state park and the town of utica for the day. the indoor wood burning stove did a great job taking the chill off. overall it was an awesome experience with. very nice owners. we will be going back again for sure. billy from peoria read more

My family and I loved it here? The cabin is cute! Loved having the fire pit in the back, we were able to have a bon fire 3 of the 4 nights we were there, the night it rained we sat on the front porch and listened to it storm. Loved sitting out there in the morning! My kids loved the swings and the looking for frogs in the koi pond! Also they were able to do a little fishing, as the Vermillon River is right behind the propery! We were also able to bring our dog, as they offer dog friendly cabins! This place is SIMPLY AMAZING! Cant wait to go back read more

Spent last week at the cabin, it was our first time here and our first time to the area. We stayed in the Comanche cabin and we enjoyed it very much and so did our dog. We loved the peace and quiet, the warmth and coziness of the cabin, the jacuzzi tub, and the total "disconnect" from technology. Spent one day hiking at Matthiessen and Starved Rock and then snuggled in after the season's first snow (hard to believe, it was still October). Will definitely be back! read more

What a great weekend getaway! I brought my 12 year old daughter and a couple of her friends for a fun mini vacation over the late summer/early fall. Kishawau on the Vermilion was a great choice. With the brochures from the main cabin, and a little bit of asking around, we were able to find a horseback riding ranch about 15 minutes drive from the cabin. We also found an apple picking/pumpkin farm nearby AND we had Starved Rock's beautiful wood and river trails. For a break we took the girls out for ice cream at the Starved Rock lodge and walked by the Illinois River. A very fun weekend all around. Kishauwau on the Vermillion was our homebase! Since our cabin had a large table and a full kitchen, we made big breakfasts in the morning. Afterwards we would go look at the songbirds at the main cabin's bird feeders. There were so many and they were beautiful colors. I have lived in Northern Illinois all my life and had never seen some of these birds before. The owners, who are so nice and accommodating, said that the birds come by every morning. We would then swing on the treeswings and walk by the koi pond. Afterwards we would plan our day. Mathiesson State Park and Starved Rock are only a few minutes drive from these cabins. Also, the downtown Utica area is a fun way to spend a few hours. We wandered the historical museum and then walked over to buy some fun popcorn and chocolates a few doors away. When we were done, we headed back to Kishauwau's cabins and fired up the fire pit logs outside of our cabin and had a wienie roast and smores feast! Since these cabins are in the country, we were able to do some great stargazing in a wide-open, nicely mowed, open field next to our cabin. The girls saw shooting stars for the first time in their lives and said that they had never seen so many stars! Afterwards, we walked to the main cabin to borrow a couple of dvds. They had a great selection of family movies and the girls quickly found something that they all liked. There were quite a few cabins to choose from when I called. Their website did a good job of describing the sizes of each. The cabins are close enough to see each other, but far enough away to give each cabin some privacy. Each of the cabins had a grill and firepit area and some tables and chairs outside. The inside of our cabin was nicely decorated and wonderfully clean. The wood burning stove inside was a nice touch too. You can tell that the owners really take a lot of pride in the upkeep and care of these cabins and the grounds. We have stayed here multiple times and my kids are always asking when we will go back. They never say that about Disney World! LOL. ;-) If you want a place that is lowkey, fun and that your kids will talk about years later, this is the place for you. If I could give a 10 star review, I would! We love this place. read more

This is overdue and I apologize to the establishment for it. This place is very inviting and just a wonderful place to unwind and unplug (cell phone reception is spotty at best). The grounds are well manicured and it's easy to spend sometime just walking around the place. We stayed in the Chippewa cabin and were not disappointed. The view off the back porch was amazing with the sound of a creek in the gully below. The cabin was well appointed and included a grill on the porch. A flat screen TV for viewing movies (no cable or satellite). A kitchen and a full bath which included a whirlpool tub. Our only complaint is with the water. The cabin had low water pressure and the on demand water heater did not always deliver said water on demand, especially in the shower. Other than the water we found the place to be a piece of heaven. It is located just a few minutes south of Starved Rock and the attractions of Utica. We intend to return soon! read more

Very nice place. But not cheap. Must have spent at least 10 weekends there. You think they would offer some type of discount to frequent visitors, but no! They must some unoccupied cabins some weekends. A deal could fill them up! read more

My family, the 6 of us, stayed at the Illini cabin at the end of May. While the cabin does not look like much from outside, it is great on the inside. The cabin consists of one living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a small kitchen. The cabins are spaced out and have tables, chairs, and benches outside. There was a fire pit as well as a spot to grill. The couple running the cabin are super nice and were always ready to answer any questions we had. The main cabin was always left open and you could borrow movies and books at your convenience. They used the trust system which was easy and convenient. There was also several shelves that sold things to make your stay more comfortable (insect repellent, Tylenol, etc). My favorite item was the s'mores basket which included everything you might need to make smores! There was a phone in the main cabin to use for check which was useful since we did not have reception in the area. My one complaint was that the wifi password did not work on any of our phones which was unfortunate since we couldn't check in with our family back at home. Overall, the trip was relaxing and the owners were accommodating. Would definitely come back! read more

Really enjoyed our stay here. The cabin was very clean and spacious. The owner was very friendly. They offer about 300 dvds to choose from if you want to relax and watch movies. Very close to mathiessen state park and starved rock. Its a great getaway from the city. I would definitely come back. As an fyi to ppl who are glued to your cell, you won't get service at the cabins. read more

We had the most wonderful extended weekend here. We stayed for 3 nights, but wished it could have been longer. The grounds are beautiful and peaceful. The cabins are private and cozy. We stayed in their smallest option (one room with a full kitchen and bathroom) and it was plenty of space for two people. The whirlpool in the bathroom was actually big enough for two people, with room to spare. I was delightfully surprised. You won't regret booking a cabin here. We will definitely be back. read more

My husband and I wanted a quiet getaway from all the hustle and bustle of daily life and we struck gold with this place! Not only are the hosts gracious and friendly, they grounds were kept well and the cabin was cozy. I loved that we could only watch movies and that there wasnt wi-fi to distract us. We had a fire both nights we were there and grilled one of the nights. The kitchen had everything we needed and then some - likely things that others had left behind, like foil. It is quiet and the skies at night are amazing...crystal clear. All in all - it was a wonderful experience and one that I will repeat soon! read more

I wish I could write a review based on experience, but my gripe was how my reservations/questions were handled. Let's just say if you have a problem finding the place or call with questions and leave messages, don't expect a call back...EVER. Since there were no directions on the website (just a map I did not think was very helpful) I asked for directions when I made the reservation. I was given some basic directions. I was assured it was easy to find from Tonica. The woman seemed unable to give me more precise directions, so I told her I would call if I had a problem and was told that would be fine. The day of, with a fully packed car, when we couldn't find the place, I did just that....for over an hour I called, and called. Left numerous messages and no call was returned to help us find the place. We stopped at a gas station, but the person I asked skipped a step (we found out later) and sent us too far south. I know I should have at least printed mapquest before, granted, but Tonica is a small place, and I was told it was an easy to find, but they could have saved us a lot of frustration and disappointment with a simple returned call. We ended up burning through two vacation days, and spending our first getaway on our anniversary in my in-law's basement. At least there was a fireplace...Did I mention it's two days later and they still have not returned my calls? read more

This place is breathtaking! I have stayed here 3 times...twice with my our 2 small children and with just my husband for his birthday. We have had the chance to stay in different cabins all three times and we were never disappointed. The decor of each cabin is beautiful. We stumbled across this place looking for somewhere to stay near starved rock and I am more than happy that we took the chance and booked a cabin here. Kishauwau is a home away from home. The views are amazing and the staff was beyond friendly. They are the nicest people. We will definitely be coming back. read more

We have stayed in a few different cabins here. It is nice to be able to go as a family and get away from home but still have the amenities of home. Love having a full kitchen so that we can save some money and not have to eat out for every meal. read more

My family has stayed at the Bridge cabin at Kishauwau twice in the past 13 months. It is a perfect retreat for us, even with two small children (both under 4 yrs old). The grounds are beautiful especially in the fall with the foliage colors. The Bridge cabin is very spacious and we loved having a full kitchen at our disposal. We love the ability to unplug and not be bothered with phone calls, texts and emails. This year, we were able to do much sightseeing all over the Illinois Valley based on Kishauwau's location. Starved Rock, Ottawa, LaSalle are all minutes away; and if you feel like taking a day trip Pontiac is about 40 mins away and Peoria is just over an hour away. The staff are very friendly and always ask if there is anything else they might help you with. They took the time to create binders with information, including recommendations for local attractions, grocery stores, and restaurants. So, even if you don't know the area, there are enough resources to help you out. A few tips: -bring bottled water if you do not like the taste of well water -the Main cabin has a selection of DVDs, but bring some of your favorites from specific genres like sci-fi or action. -the kitchen is stocked with basic cooking utensils, and the staff is happy to try and accommodate a special request, but avid cooks should bring a few things of their own (like a 13x9 pan, or a chef's knife) -bring a digital camera and plenty of batteries because there are so many photo ops at Kishauwau Can't wait for our next stay at Kishauwau Country Cabins! read more

Spent the weekend here with my husband to get away from the city. The cabin was very clean and equipped with everything we needed - towels, linens, cookware. It was super cozy and quiet. We will definitely come back again when we need another quiet escape. read more

Great camp ground about a hour and a half south of Chicago. Went there for a family reunion. The cabins were nice and clean. Ours came with a bed, pull out sofa bed, full kitchen including pots pans and utensils, and a full bath with whirlpool tub and shower. Lot of tough nearby like sraving rock and outdoorsy stuff. Do recommend wearing shoes with tough soles as the gravel around the cabins is large and tough on feet. Staff is nice and has a real homey feeling to it. There is no internet serice and barely and cellphone. There are tvs with dvd and vhs players and they provide a wide variety to choose from for free. read more

Roomy cabins with whirlpool and shower, full-size fridge, linens, dishes, towels, soap provided. Large covered deck with chair and table, firepit. The cabins are secluded and not on top of each other. Friendly staff and great location near state parks and river rafting. read more

Fantastic, a true gem in the Starved Rock area. Our family of four enjoyed the peaceful property and our cabin in between hiking in the area. read more