This was our first time staying here. We actually spotted these rentals about two years ago while…read moredriving by on our way to a hike and said, "We need to come back and stay there." So glad we finally did. We stayed in the White Oak Treehouse and it was solid. Such a cool experience being up in the trees but still completely comfortable. Clean, cozy, and everything worked the way it should. Peaceful without feeling rough or overly rustic. We made use of the fire pit and the grill, which really added to the stay. Sitting outside near the treehouse in the evening, surrounded by trees, felt incredibly private. Honestly, I think the White Oak is probably the most private rental on the property. It's in the middle of so many great trails. Garden of the Gods, Rim Rock, and Pounds Hollow are all close by. Just a note......Pounds Hollow is only accessible to foot traffic from December through mid-March. We spotted a bald eagle, heard coyotes at night, and I got to sit on the porch with coffee listening to a rooster crow somewhere in the distance (no roosters on site, which made it even funnier). The staff are great and very responsive. From booking to check-in, it's been a really pleasant experience. I received a gift card for my birthday...just a heads up, if you're using a gift card you'll need to call the office to make your reservation so they can apply it. Otherwise, you can book directly on their website. The outpost where you check in has tons of resources for hiking and trails, plus a lot of other helpful amenities. There were also a couple of sweet surprise kitty visitors during our stay, which just added to the charm. This has been a really great stay. Would absolutely come back.

This review is for Chestnut. Nice, clean place, close to Garden of the Gods. Kitchen is spartan but…read moreworkable. Not much for dining or groceries in the area; bring what you need. Also, bring hangers.

Stayed here for the 2017 solar eclipse and it was such an amazing experience! Not only did we get…read morelucky with clear skies and having some amateur astronomers staying in the campground, but the campground itself was great! The grounds were very well kept, the bathroom was always clean, and the family that runs the place was so nice and helpful. There are some nice hiking trails that branch off the campgrounds as well, just watch out for horse poop! I had never been to the southern Illinois area but now that I know of a great place to stay, I will definitely be back! Thank you Ben and Patty for this great place!

Great place to ride. Beautiful scenery. Trails range from easy to challenging. The management is…read moresuper nice. Check it out!

Everything was perfect. Clean facilities and nice trails to walk on. Good location and easy booking.read more

I love staying here owners are nice very comfortable easy to get around I'm disabled easy excessread more

TERRIBLE BUSINESS. I…read morearrived around 5pm after a 5 hour drive only to find the front entrance locked with a note on the door stating someone would be back in 30 minutes with no time of departure noted. I waited in my car for someone to return. I was finally checked in and the room was not as dingy as some I've seen, but the cable did not work. At check-out the next morning (around 10am) I was unable to get any complimentary breakfast because the door was AGAIN locked with no one available at the front desk. I dropped my key in the box and left. AWFUL way to run a business. I would not recommend this establishment to anyone. Spend a few extra dollars at another hotel and save yourself a headache!!!

Restaurant was excellent! Staff was friendly, food was good and reasonable. We didn't stay at the…read morecampground.

Service was horrible. Food was definitely not worth the wait. Waitress seemed out of it. Won't be…read moreback

My 7-year-old son & I stayed here on April 4 thru 7, 2015 for quick-but-comfortable access to the…read moresights of the spectacular Shawnee National Forest (if going, try the Garden of the Gods Backpacker Parking and Rim Rick to Pounds Hollow Trails). Bruce and Sue were extremely accommodating. In fact, Bruce let me usurp his garage spot to charge my electric car (they refused to take money for the electricity usage). Sue's breakfasts were also top notch. Lastly, the grounds and proximity to river views were exceptional. I rated this 5 stars not because it is perfect (the décor was dated and the toilets and showers were small) but because it fully met my expectations given the price (only $130/night for the large Captain's room and high-quality breakfast for 2) and the age of the building (the house is over 100 years-old). I'd happily pay 20% more if they opted to refresh the décor (e.g., wallpaper, improved baths). We will return either way

Beautiful location with a porch view of the Ohio River. Husband and I went to Southern Illinois for…read morea fall getaway. With limited lodging options in the beautiful Shawnee National Forest, this was a hidden gem. We truly enjoyed the company of the owner and other guests as we relaxed on the porch. Breakfast was a wonderful treat thanks to Sue's culinary skills. Our only complaint was the bed in our room (the Quilt Room) was very worn out. We were told it was about to be replaced--definitely needed! It sound like other rooms were more updated on beds. We loved the house and owners and would love to return.

Cute B&B on the Ohio River. Nothing too fancy, but nice enough and clean. Breakfast was good, but…read moreonly available at 8:30am - is that normal? Some rooms go out into the terrace, but we got the Suite, whose door led to the the hallway into the stairway into the dining room. It was a big, two room suite with a nice four post bed and a very teeny tiny bathroom with only a stand up shower. Cool Gazebo on the River. Small town with not much in it - no restaurants or anything. I got hungry around 9pm and had to go to the local bar and they warmed up a frozen pizza for me. yay. The parks in the area are a lot of fun, esp. Garden of the Gods - I'd say that was my favorite thing I saw around here. River Taxi looks interesting, but didn't have a chance to ride it. Definitely would have been fun to have a boat to cruise the river with.

We found this place purely by accident on the way to Cave in Rock in June. We're familiar with the…read morearea, but had never stopped at this particular place. The proprietor gave us a tour and we made a note to try it out in the fall, which we just did. The building's from 1812, but very nicely redone while keeping its old charm. The location is incredible, right on the river, and it's a great base from which to explore the whole region. Great little floating catfish restaurant next door. Town itself is mostly dead, but we still had fun walking around it and spending a few bucks in a couple of places. Breakfast in the morning was fantastic, and they gave us clues on other places to visit. Wi-fi. No kidding. ANd it was pretty good. We mostly had the place to ourselves, and in fact we were the only ones in the building the last two nights, which is a little weird, but locked up nice and tight. The walls are a little thin, wondered what it would be like if they were crowded, but we lucked out. Everybody we dealt with was so nice. It's not a Hilton, it's a refurbished and very old place. But they seriously did a great job. Looking forward to a return visit.