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Shawnee Forest, Steps to the River, Tiny Cabin with boutique charm

Photo gallery for Shawnee Forest, Steps to the River, Tiny Cabin with boutique charm

An aerial view of a small town with a lake, a parking lot, and buildings including a red barn.
A red brick building with a sign reading 'Riverside Lodge.'
A modern interior with a leather sofa, a bench, and a dining area with a table and chairs.
A bedroom with a bed, bedside tables, a bench, a picture on the wall, and a window.
A rustic kitchen with a marble island, bar stools, a stainless steel refrigerator, and wooden walls.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Shop till you drop
    Guests love the location, with top-rated shopping just around the corner.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Close to Hardin County Court House
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Dogs and cats allowed
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Charcoal barbecue

Explore the area

View map
Elizabethtown, IL
  • Place, Hardin County Court House
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Cave in Rock State Park
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Place, Garden of the Gods Recreation Area
    ‪24 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

2 King Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Living Room 1

1 Double Sofa Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Number of living rooms
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Shawnee Forest, Steps to the River, Tiny Cabin with boutique charm

The E'Town Riverside Lodge is a newly remodeled space in beautiful, quaint Elizabethtown nestled on the Ohio River. Once a laundromat, the history is in the details, built in 1928 it now has been turned into a beautiful lodge. Steps to the river, the floating catfish restaurant, historic rose hotel and close to the Shawnee National Forest it’s the perfect getaway. Stay and relax by the river or explore nearby attractions and sightseeing- From Garden of the Gods, hiking the Shawnee National Forest to Cave-in-Rock, located right on the Ohio Scenic Byway. The Riverside Lodge is a hop, skip and jump to all things Southern Illinois.

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9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, (11 reviews)
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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

Pets allowed: dogs and cats (limit 1 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 3854086vb
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 and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Elizabethtown

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.
View more Holiday homes in ElizabethtownOpens in a new window
Map
Elizabethtown, IL

What's nearby

  • Hardin County Court House - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Cave in Rock State Park - 15 min drive - 23.0 km
  • Garden of the Gods Recreation Area - 24 min drive - 34.5 km
  • Dixon Springs State Park - 32 min drive - 50.3 km
  • Superman Statue - 57 min drive - 92.9 km

Getting around

  • Paducah, KY (PAH-Barkley Regional) - 63 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪E-Town River Restaurant - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Lucy's Diner - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪e-town tap - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Town & Country - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Shawnee Forest, Steps to the River, Tiny Cabin with boutique charm pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 1 total).

How much is parking at Shawnee Forest, Steps to the River, Tiny Cabin with boutique charm?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Shawnee Forest, Steps to the River, Tiny Cabin with boutique charm?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Shawnee Forest, Steps to the River, Tiny Cabin with boutique charm?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Shawnee Forest, Steps to the River, Tiny Cabin with boutique charm located?

Situated in Elizabethtown, this holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of Hardin County Court House and Shawnee National Forest. Ohio River Valley and Ohio River are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

10

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. 56 out of 59 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 59 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 59 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 59 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 59 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bryce and Nancy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was accurate to the listing pictures. It has a stocked kitchen full of most everything you need and even a washer and dryer. The bed was comfortable and all was well.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lisa S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved this place. There are not many places to eat on a Monday. Bring food with you. But the place was so comfortable and well appointed that we didn't really want to leave anyway!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 1 June 2026
We are so glad you enjoyed your stay! We hope to have you back in the future
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Teresa P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was clean and comfortable. Location was perfect.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Location & amenities were great. Our hunting trip went without a hitch. Host was very helpful when I had questions.
Stayed 11 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Nov 2025
Thank you for choosing us for your travels and for the great review. We hope to have you back in the future.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alexandria G.

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

Lovely spring break getaway!

Loved the cleanliness, quality of finishes, and quietness of this place.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 30 June 2023
Hi Alexandria! Thank you so much for your great review. We're glad that you are pleased and you enjoyed your stay at the ETown Riverside Lodge! We hope to host you again soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jessica

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
We absolutely loved our stay. The owner is the sweetest and has kept her property so neat and tidy. I plan on coming back again !
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

tim b.

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

Great place

Nice and clean comfortable bed the little town is nice and little 93 year lady next door was just as sweet as she could be we will be coming bac next year hope we get to stay here again and has good icecream right next door
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 30 June 2023
Hi Tim! Thank you so much for your review. We're glad that you enjoyed your stay at ETown Riverside Lodge!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Scott F.

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

Good staging spot for hiking Shawnee Nat. Forest

Great spot for hiking Garden of the Gods, Rim Rock, Cave in Rock etc... Nice and quiet location for sleeping between hikes!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Mar 2025
We are so glad you enjoyed your stay and our close proximity to The Shawnee. We hope to have you back on the future. Good luck on all your adventures
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephen S.

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

Great place to overnight near Garden of the Gods

Just as adorable as the photos look. Was a great place to recoup after a long hike, wish we went in the summer when the catfish kitchen around the corner was serving!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Mar 2025
So glad you enjoyed your stay and the charm of the lodge. The catfish restaurant opens in April usually, we hope to have you back if you come back. Take care
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cyndi M.

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

Lodge

Perfect stay for a couples get-a-way!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 30 June 2023
Hi Cyndi! Thank you so much for your great review. We're glad that you are pleased and you enjoyed your stay at the ETown Riverside Lodge! We hope to host you again soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Whitney S.

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

Perfect for a short getaway

We met in the middle of TN, IN, and MO for a girl's weekend—very clean, very responsive owner. It was very close to the river and had everything we needed.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sherry V.

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

Unique

Unique history and comfortable stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Sept 2024
We are so thankful you enjoyed your stay and chose us. We hope to have you back in the future.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ryan W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful building that is wonderfully decorated. Host was amazing with incredible communication. We loved our stay and look forward to coming back. Just make sure you screenshot all of your info for check in since cell phone coverage is spotty in Elizabethtown.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Greg E.

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

Family Visit

Tiny Home is beautiful and steps away from the Ohio River. Close to many attractions in Southern Illinois
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Oct 2024
So glad you loved the lodge and the area. We hope you come back and stay with us again soon
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Short walk to the River!

We really loved our stay here. The river was right by us and we could take a nice little walk to it. Loved the original pictures of the building and it was all we needed!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Nov 2023
Hi Rita,We're delighted to hear that you really loved your stay with us! It's wonderful that you enjoyed the proximity to the river and the original pictures of the building. We're glad to have provided everything you needed for a great experience. Thank you for your positive feedback!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laura J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Husband and I stayed here while exploring southeastern Illinois. It was the perfect location for visits to Garden of the Gods and Cave-in-Rock. Everything was comfortable. Nice to have the E-Town restaurant and E-Town Tap so close. The only suggestion I have is to install a floor length mirror somewhere for fit check. 10/10 would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Oct 2025
So glad you enjoyed your stay and thanks for staying! Love the suggestion, such a good idea! Not sure how I hadn’t thought of that already with all the amenities … but consider it done!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Scott P.

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

Very Nice

Very nice place. Simple and clean. We would stay there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Sept 2024
We are so glad you loved your stay! We hope you come back and see us at one of our properties again soon
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laurel W.

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

Anniversary Celebration

Elizabethtown is a quaint river village. The tiny house was perfect for us. Would definitely stay here again. There is so much to see in this area of Southern Illinois.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kelly I.

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

Beautiful

The house was wonderful and well stocked. It was clean and comfortable. The area was perfect distance to get to Cave Rock and Garden of the Gods. Would stay again in a heartbeat.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 6 May 2024
We are so glad you loved Your stay and the proximity to the Shawnee National Forest. We hope to have you back at one of properties soon.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Abby R.

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

Great short weekend

I booked this place as a surprise trip for my brother-in-law and sister. They loved it!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 30 June 2023
Hi Abby! Thank you so much for your great review. We're glad that you are pleased and you enjoyed your stay at the ETown Riverside Lodge! We hope to host you again soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Emilie S.

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

Perfect stay

We loved our stay! The mercantile next door was so cute with great ice cream. Stephanie was so kind and quick to respond! I would come back in a heartbeat!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 13 July 2024
We are so glad you loved your stay and our little river store. We do hope you come Back and stay at one of our properties again soon. Take care
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer F.

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

Riverside lodge

Unique vrbo with history and top notch craftmanship. The store next door is adorable with great coffee, delicious ice cream and a wide variety of high quality goods and souvenirs.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Oct 2024
We are so glad you enjoyed your stay and appreciated the history left in the building. Appreciate you visiting our store next door and we hope you come back again soon! Take care!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Diane U.

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

Rustic

Such a cute place, very clean.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Nov 2023
Hi Diane, Thank you for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that you found our place cute and very clean. If your travels bring you back our way, we would be thrilled to host you again.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Peter K.

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

Great stay

Wonderful rehabbed property in a neat, tiny town. Very clean and updated. Close to garden of the gods hiking. No restaurants or groceries very close though.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Mar 2024
We are so glad you enjoyed all the modern amenities of the property in our rural community. The hiking is amazing and we are so glad to hear you got to enjoy the area. We hope to see you again soon at one of our properties.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is the cutest little place! The owner was great and their store next door had local grown meat from their farm. It was delicious. It’s very close to the river, so nice views down the street. We loved that the owner refurbished this place from the old laundry mat. Very well appointed.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 26 July 2025
We are so glad you enjoyed the charm of the lodge and our little river town. Glad to hear you visited our mercantile and the local items. We hope you come back in the future and thank you for the review.

About the host

Hosted by Stephanie Higginson

Host profile image
I’m Stephanie, entrepreneur at heart. Owner of Riverside Mercantile in the heart of Elizabethtown, IL with 2 lodging options available, Shade Rock or Riverside Lodge. Two very different, unique options to enjoy the Ohio River and Shawnee Forest area.

We own and operate another store as well, Higginson Farms Mercantile in another county in Southern IL. Both locations, sell the meat from our farm along with other local goods, ice cream, coffee and sweets. We work hard at bringing customer satisfaction in all areas of our businesses, including hosting. Our hearts long to revitalize the area, offer fun and unique lodging and stores for tourists and locals.

Why they chose this property

In the heart of Southern IL, the Ohio River and Shawnee National Forest meet. Some of the most unique, scenic trails and breathtaking views that have people coming in from around the country to explore and experience are right here in this area. From bluffs, trails, rock formations, hiking, historic sites, wilderness areas, scenic drives, waterfalls, and boating. Some things to see while in the area: National Historic Trail of Tears, Cave in Rock, Garden of The Gods, Iron Furnace, River to River Trail, Scenic Byway, Southern IL Wine Trail, Pounds Hollow, Bell Smith Springs, Rim Rocks National Trail, Lake Glendale, Fern Clyffe, Trigg Observation Tower, Tunnel Hill State Park, Jackson Falls, and Lusk Creek Canyon Nature Preserve to name just a few.
The beauty of this area is the reason we chose to place invest in the area with our Mercantile and Lodging options.

What makes this property unique

Our 1928 property stood as an abandoned laundromat right along the Ohio River before we turned it into a lodging option for our Riverside Mercantile store right next door. The property has been kept to its original structure and foundation, including the restored floors and the old front doors that have been restored and hang as the interior sliding doors. You can still see the old 'Pepsi" sticker on the door that hangs in the living room. On the walls you will find portraits of the old laundromat throughout the years. The property has been restored with modern amenities, while keeping the history of the building offering a simple but peaceful environment. The views out the front door of the river and steps away to the boat launch, floating catfish restaurant and the historic rose hotel is not like any other lodging option in the area.
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