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Lovely Riverfront House with Fire Pit & 30ft Swing!

Riverside holiday home in South Elgin with kitchen

Photo gallery for Lovely Riverfront House with Fire Pit & 30ft Swing!

Exterior
Welcome to Blackhawk on the Fox
Living room of the Blackhawk House
Satellite View
The Big Bend of the Fox River right in the backyard

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedroomsSleeps 669.7 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View map
South Elgin, IL
  • Place, Arcada Theater
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Place, Kane County Fairgrounds
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Place, Grand Victoria Casino
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Airport, Chicago, IL (ORD-O'Hare Intl.)
    ‪43 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Single Bunk Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Futon

The Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Lovely Riverfront House with Fire Pit & 30ft Swing!

Fall is here, and the holidays are around the corner! Come over and visit our little river house that we call "Blackhawk on the Fox". The location within the 1940's Five Islands subdivision lends itself naturally to the quaint cabin theme.

The house is a small 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom ranch house. Many guests refer to it as a cottage or a cabin. The first bedroom in the front has queen sized bed, and the second bedroom in the back has twin sized bunk beds. Please note, the bottom bunk of the bunk beds is low to the floor, and might not be suitable for all guests. There is also a full sized sofa bed in the living room, with a memory foam mattress.

Snuggle up in the living room for a Netflix movie night on the 50" TV. Order a pizza, or cook a meal in the kitchen. Roast marshmallows over the fire in the large fire pit in the backyard. You're welcome to bring your own firewood or purchase a bundle for $10 from the backyard. We also have a basic charcoal grill in yard. And, the kids will love the swing that hangs from a 30 foot branch in the oak tree!

Enjoy a front row seat and watch the river take a brief northwest detour before turning southbound again toward St. Charles. It's about a 5 mile drive to the charming streets of downtown St. Charles to the south, and Elgin is 5 miles to the north. There is plenty of bike trail nearby, including a long bridge that runs diagonally across the big bend in the river. If you're into fishing, you can fish right from the property. There is also a public boat launch right in the neighborhood.

Check-in is at 4:00 and check-out is at 11:00. We generally need to stick to these times to be sure we have enough time to get everything ready in between guests.

Please be aware that this property is in a wooded area! Although we try to keep the critters away, it can be prone to wildlife.

Fast Modern WiFi! Relax in a peaceful setting while enjoying the convenience of 210Mbps WiFi, delivered to the house via a fiber optic line.

The house is 43 miles from downtown Chicago, about an hour drive.
The house is 22 miles from Woodfield mall, a 30 minute drive.
The house is 10 miles from Santa's Village Azoosment Park, a 20 minute drive.
The house is 32 miles from O'Hare airport, and 42 miles from Midway airport.

If you're visiting in the winter, you may want to bring some slippers in case the floor is chilly.

We often get inquiries from individuals wishing to have large gatherings on our property. While we appreciate the interest, we only allow up to 12 visitors on the property at a time. It's a quiet neighborhood, and we don't want to draw too much attention to the place. We do hope to have a party rental one of these days!

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available
Water view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
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

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Check-out is at 11am sharp. Please be out by 11:00, unless prior arrangements have been made. Thanks!
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

South Elgin

Located in South Elgin, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Steel Beam Theater and Grand Victoria Casino are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include St. Charles Heritage Center and Camp Kane and Beith House Museum. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's going on at NOW Arena, or consider a night out at Goebbert's Farm. With power boating and fishing nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water.
Map
South Elgin, IL

What's nearby

  • Epic Air Trampoline Park - 3 min drive - 2.9 km
  • Fine Line Creative Arts Center - 5 min drive - 6.7 km
  • Arcada Theater - 9 min drive - 10.1 km
  • Kane County Fairgrounds - 10 min drive - 12.9 km
  • Grand Victoria Casino - 11 min drive - 10.8 km

Getting around

  • Elgin National Street Station - 9 min drive
  • Chicago, IL (DPA-Dupage) - 16 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Back O Da Yards Beer Garden - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Riverside Pizza & Pub - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪The Village Squire - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Lovely Riverfront House with Fire Pit & 30ft Swing! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Lovely Riverfront House with Fire Pit & 30ft Swing!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lovely Riverfront House with Fire Pit & 30ft Swing!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Lovely Riverfront House with Fire Pit & 30ft Swing! located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 1.9 mi (3.1 km) from Epic Air Trampoline Park and 2.2 mi (3.6 km) from South Elgin Dog Park. Lamplight Equestrian Center and Fine Line Creative Arts Center are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 88 out of 100 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 100 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 100 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 100 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 100 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Brian L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very nice stay and close to Chicago. Makes you feel you’re almost in the north woods. The fishing was surprisingly good. Would stay again
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

kahlen r.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
cute and perfect relaxing cabin.so many cute details. accommodations were perfect and the outside was amazing
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karen W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
So cute & clean. Eclectic and charming. Thank you!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amy K.

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

Excellent place to stay

This property was perfect and so peaceful! The beds were amazing and the owners really thought of all the perfect little touches! We definitely would stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lisa D.

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

lamplight equestrian

Such a cute property located minutes from Lamplight Equestrian!
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sarah S.

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

birthday trip

Had a great stay for my son's 13th birthday. He and his friends had a blast in the backyard, playing games, fishing, swinging on the tire swings.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Robert S.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Would give it 5 stars for the location alone, house could definitely use some work. Owners however were super communicative and friendly. Loved the fireflies. July 2025
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Wade M.

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

Nice River view!

Enjoyed the river and very good owner communication!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah M.

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

A lovely repeat retreat!

This was our second stay at "Blackhawk on the Fox". We really appreciate the calm, quiet and cozy vibe. Thoughtful and artistic touches abound--including hand-drawn signs, Edison lamps and seasonal decor. We love that it's a quick drive from the city, yet feels worlds away. Thanks for sharing your charming property with us!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amelia A.

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

Perfect!

Such a great property and beautiful surrounding area. Everything was clean, well kept! Thank you!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tracy S.

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

Cozy and peaceful

Cute small cozy rental with a gorgeous backyard! We enjoyed the rustic feel and our little girls loved the swing and the fire pit! Owners responded to questions quickly and were very friendly!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

John S.

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

Red House

Perfect little house for a nice quiet getaway. Being on the Fox River makes for a relaxing experience.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

The river!

an enjoyable time
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carla S.

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

Peaceful and Quiet

We rate this place as one of the nicest, best located, and of great value compared to the many places we have stayed. The house was very clean and had everything we needed to feel at home. Communication was great too. We would highly recommend this wonderful place.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lana W.

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

Traveling through

We enjoyed staying at this place and it was so quaint and just loved all the handmade personal touches. We were looking forward to making s'mores at the fire ring and sitting by the river, but unfortunately it rained and we could only stay one night on our way home to Pennsylvania. Would definitely recommend this place!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tehilla R.

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

Relaxing summer getaway

My husband and I were looking for a summer vacation getaway that was close to Chicago. We had such a wonderful time in the riverfront cabin. We spent time in the backyard, on the swing, and made a fire in the fire pit. Just sitting and watching the river was so relaxing. We are are already talking about when we can come back again!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth M.

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

Peaceful getaway

We loved our stay at your cozy property! 5-year-old son couldn't get enough of the tree swing. Great location, plenty of things to eat, shop for, etc. very close by. Took a 30-minute drive to Schaumburg (Woodfield Mall) to Peppa's Play Land and LegoLand (highly recommend if you have little ones). It was extremely busy but for the kiddo - it was the highlight of our trip!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katie G., Chicago

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

Another great day

We just had our second stay here, and once again it was magical. We plan on coming back every other month just to unwind and watch the seasons change. The hosts have set the house up in a super comfy way, with bug spray, coffee, sticks for roasting marshmallows, and most other necessities already stocked. I especially appreciate how clean the house is! Love love love it.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Carol Ann B.

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

Wedding night

Overall, everything was great, it's a cute little cabin right on the river, unfortunately, aren't they? It rained, so we weren't able to enjoy as much as possible.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mike M.

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

Easy access to Geneva

This was a quaint little river cottage. It was convenient for our short trip to the Chicago and Geneva area. Easy to find out way back and forth. The neighborhood is quiet and peaceful. The hosts were so gracious to look for my wife's lost earring and then messaged me when they found it. We were able to go back to the house and retrieve her earring. Thanks Eric and Cindy
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Colleen N.

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

Girls Night with old friends

We are a group of 4 old theatre friends who met in the 1990s in a Batavia Community Theatre. The cottage was so sweet and perfect for us. We curled up on the super comfy sofas under soft blankets and laughed ourselves silly! We loved the twinkle lights, all the cozy pine walls and the view of the Fox River. We swung on the tire swing and considered the fire pit but then got too caught up in old stories to venture outside. Had everything we needed for a much needed respite with girlfriends. (Sleeping in bunk beds in your 50’s is a hoot!!!) Grateful for your sharing this special place with us!. We’ll definitely be back…
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Traci M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very cozy, extremely pretty setting
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Timothy L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful comfort! Clean and charming, comfortable beds and quiet surroundings. We really enjoyed the location by the river, especially the rope swing! Thanks!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jim G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place right on the Fox River with a backyard and view that can't be beat.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Richard P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

Lovely little house

My kids clothes got swarmed by ants in the back bedroom I had to buy them new clothes while we were on vacation I can send you a video
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

About the host

Hosted by ErikCindy

Host profile image
Cindy and I have about 3 years of experience hosting a room in our home on Vrbo, and we're beyond excited to be offering this property as a short term rental. We have been working hard to fix the property up to be an awesome vacation rental, and we appreciate your patience as the house is still a work in progress.

Why they chose this property

Growing up in Schaumburg, IL, Cindy and I met in high school, and married each other and moved just 15 miles west toward the Fox River valley. After living in Elgin for some years and having two children, we moved to the charming community of Valley View right near St. Charles and have bought a couple rental houses in the area. The big bend in the river north of St. Charles is one of the prettiest regions outside of Chicago and we are thrilled to offer this great little house on the river for people to enjoy. It's a peaceful place.

What makes this property unique

The house is located in a great spot. The yard is about an acre with 185 feet of river shore in a small neighborhood hidden between two forest preserves. Enjoy a private place to view the water, fish, and rest. Take a 10 minute walk along the trail to Blackhawk waterfall, or continue to explore the 35 mile Fox River trail. While on the trail, stop to watch the sunset from the bridge amidst the five islands. Jump in the car and take a drive to downtown St. Charles, IL, a great place to walk down Main Street, shop and eat and soak it all in. While in St. Charles, ride the big paddle boats, or the little pedal boats! Go miniature golfing at Pottawattamie Park. As part of the "Tri-Cities", Geneva and Batavia are similar river towns that are very close by. And so is Elgin, with a population of 110,000 and a riverboat Casino. It's really a great area to visit.

Premier Host

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