Entire home

Home with HOT TUB by Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest.

Photo gallery for Home with HOT TUB by Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest.

Exterior
Property grounds
Exterior
Living area
Living area

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 14213.7 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking available
  • Hot tub
  • Dryer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Washer

Explore the area

Map
Elizabethtown, IL
  • Hardin County Court House
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Cave in Rock State Park
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Garden of the Gods Recreation Area
    ‪26 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 14)

Hall bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Hall bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Hall bedroom 3

1 Single Bunk Bed

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

Hall bath

Master bath

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Home with HOT TUB by Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest.

Walnut Hill is a modern home that will sleep 12 -14 ppl. There are 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, a large kitchen with seating for 4 at the Island and 10 at the dining room table. The kitchen is equipped with a full-size refrigerator, stove/oven, microwave, toaster, coffee pot and all the dishes you'll need. We supply complimentary coffee, coffee filters, cream, sugar packets, salt, pepper, hand soap, dish soap, laundry pods, dishwasher pods, toilet paper, paper towels, campfire wood and camp chairs and of course, FREE high speed fiber optic WiFi (500 mps). There is a printer in the workstation but we DO NOT supply the paper. Please bring your own paper.
Walnut Hill is affordably priced based on number of people. If you are looking for a real country get a way where children can run outside without concern. This is the place for you.
Located just minutes from the famous Garden of the Gods Wilderness area, Pounds Hollow Lake and Rim Rock in the Shawnee National Forest, this little gem is right where you want to be.
There is a 15' x 30' game room with card table, fireplace (winter only; firewood is not supplied for the inside fireplace), large chalk board and high-speed fiber optic FREE Wi-Fi (50mps) and Dish TV with over 250 channels. There is also a laundry room with washer and dryer. This property sits on 100 private acres.
The base price is for 2 guests. Any more than 2 guests is $10 per night per guest extra.
We have been in the vacation rental business for 11 years and live across the street from Walnut hill. We are always available 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!
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. Please do not arrive earlier than 4pm without calling 1st.

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.

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances 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 deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Elizabethtown

Elizabethtown is home to this holiday home. While the natural beauty of Shawnee National Forest and Cave in Rock State Park can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can head to Hogg Hollow Winery.
Map
Elizabethtown, IL

What's nearby

  • Hardin County Court House - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Shawnee National Forest - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Cave in Rock State Park - 17 min drive - 19.0 km
  • Garden of the Gods Recreation Area - 26 min drive - 28.3 km
  • Garden of the Gods Trailhead - 31 min drive - 30.6 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Top Dog Snack Bar & Gift Shop - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Dad's Pizza - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Ma & Pa's Restaurant - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪River Front Bar - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Town & Country - ‬9 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Home with HOT TUB by Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest. pet-friendly?

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

What time is check-in at Home with HOT TUB by Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Home with HOT TUB by Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest.?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Home with HOT TUB by Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest. located?

Situated in Elizabethtown, this holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of Hardin County Court House and Shawnee National Forest. Ohio River is 0.2 mi (0.3 km) away.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 64 out of 73 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 73 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 73 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 73 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 73 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

8/10 Good

Sudershan P.

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

Wonderful house

Had good time with family and friends.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Vernon V.

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

Incredible house with beautiful sunsets

Picked this house on a whim, and was blown away by the peace and beauty of the area, and the house itself. The entertainment area became our main hangout when not in the hottub or seeing the sites. Elizabeth and Marty were so nice and responsive to the few things that came up. Cannot recommend this place enough.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

-T- C.

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

Beautiful Retreat with Room for the whole family

My family wanted a quiet place in the garden of the gods for our familys Girls Birthday Retreat(mother me and daughter all within a week). This place is like home away from home plus some. Has room for the whole family. Full kitchen and a game room! A hot tub for max relaxing. r Rockers for good ole porch sitting sessions. A fire pit grill and a gorgeous yard with a view to boot. Everything worked save the jucuzzi in the master bath but that might have been a user error. With the space view privacy closeness to the garden (just 10 min drive) and amenities our family will definitely be putting this on our favorite places to stay list
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Eric H.

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

Excellent Hosts and well kept property.

This was our fourth time staying at Elizabeth and Marty’s property. All of there rentals exceed expectations. They go above and beyond to make your trip wonderful!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

michael b.

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

Amazing house in an awesome area

Our family of 5 (2 adults, 2 kids under 12 and our dog) loved our stay at the Walnut Hill house. The house was exactly as described, clean and plenty of space. And the properttly was huge, tons of exploring for us and the kids loved the hot tub and fire pit. There were tons of hicking trails with waterfalls and rocks to climb on near by. Couldnt ask for a better trip.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Elaine S.

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

Nice

This is a nice, clean place conpared to other dog-friendly rentals. The rooms are a good size and plenty of room for our dog to explore. My uncle loved the huge tv with all of his cable channels he watches.The area is quiet, which is a plus for us. I'm kicking myself for forgetting to bring our telescope, but we were able to see a few falling stars. Would use again.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pia N., BELVIDERE

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

Great getaway

It was our second time! We just love it. It's so great I can bring my dogs and Liz and Marty even organize cradles! What a service. So spacious, clean and far away from our busy life's. Bonfire, hiking, star gazing, nice company... what we all needed. Thanks again for letting us stay at your hidden treasure.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

ANGELA Z.

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

Awesome!

Walnut Hill and Elizabeth were super accommodating for the large group of family we had for Labor Day weekend! Will be going back again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Annie D.

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

Slice of Paradise

We absolutely loved the property. It is such a gorgeous, quiet setting out in the country that it lets you forget about the rest of the world for a while. No traffic noise, no sirens, no light pollution, just birds and bugs and dark, starry nights. The house was larger than expected and offered lots of little zones where people could sit and talk or play board games. The kitchen was large and well-stocked with pots, pans, utensils, dishes, etc. Loved having a washer and dryer for clothes and towels (towels provided). Perhaps the most important amenity, the air conditioning, worked great and kept us comfy during our HOT July visit. The property owner is friendly, communicative, and ready to offer recommendations for local attractions. They live close by and told us to reach out if we needed anything at all during our stay. I can see us going back.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katie N.

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

Hiking in the rain

We were there to hike but spent a lot of time indoors due to weather.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sandy M.

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

Great Stay

The property was large and beautiful. We loved the rocking chairs and firepit. Starter supplies were provided, including linens and towels. The kitchen had plenty of cookware, dishes, and space to make meals. We appreciated multiple beds, since our Girl Scouts like their own space. Everything was clean and welcoming. I'd highly recommend purchasing your groceries on your way into town, as the property is a decent drive to Walmart. If you're spending time at the house & cooking, bring your own extra paper towels, foil, bags, etc. We didn't think about those things prior. Wonderful stay. We would return!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joseph G.

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

Vacation get away from Chicago

Amazing place peaceful and quiet. Owner is super friendly, went hiking and fishing. Stores for food are not far there is bobs and Walmart for food which are only 30 minutes away from house definitely worth it will be back again!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linae D.

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

Long Overdue

We planned this vacation in advance About 4 months before vacation day, I was rushed to the hospital and have been convalescing ever since. It was was wonderful spending a carefree and undtressful week with my husband and kids. The house is absolutely gorgeous, the hosts were fantastic. Thank you for everything.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rosetta B.

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

Family vacation

Very quite and beautiful place. Loved the big back porch as well.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen B.

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

Close to hiking

We came to Shawnee for the hikes. This was very close, including short trails on the property. The property was very clean and included necessities for the 1st night. Thanks, Elizabeth, for having the answers to all our questions for our group.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

ANGELINE C.

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

Walnut Hill

This home was in a quiet area. It was a pleasure watching the deer. The home was clean; the kitchen was very large. The kids enjoyed the air hockey game. The back deck was nice to enjoy a morning cup of coffee. There was a ramp going to the front porch which made the home easily accessible for my son. We had a great time!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Edith V., Chicago, IL, USA

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

Great location, perfect for families!

Close to hiking trails and the space was big for our family! We were completely comfortable with how clean it was and had supplies to clean up afterwards. Great communication from the host! Made everything easy for our check in.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sheri S.

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

Excellent family get away

My family and i really enjoyed the house, it was very beautiful. The back deck was so perfect for morning coffee, talking and seeing the deer. At night you hear the baby coyotes barking and playing. It was the best time we have had together, none of us wanted to leave.. Thank you Elizabeth for opening your home, we will definitely be back..
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Judy J.

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

Walnut Hill

This place is great, clean, big enough for us 6 people but will sleep more than that.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jody S.

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

Hiking with friends

The house is located on a beautiful piece of property minutes from Garden of the Gods and other great trails. The house is roomy, well equipped, and has a great porch for just listening to nature. We used both the outdoor grill and the fire pit. the Host communicated very well and we would definitely recommend this property for groups of friends or a large family.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Vickie S.

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

Girlfriends Weekend

We really enjoyed the place and had a great time. Everything was as expected.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Pia N., BELVIDERE

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

lovely place perfect to recharge

We where 5 moms and 6 kids and had the time of our life's! Hiking, bonfire, playing outside all day long, away from technology and the city stress. we had everything we wished for and Elizbeth is such lovely host. We are coming for sure back, maybe even this year to see the leaves change in fall. 100% recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

russell e.

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

What an amazing place to hang with friends

A group of us got away for the weekend. This house was amazing. Very clean and had everything you could need. Thanks again for letting us rent your home
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

8/10 Good

Roberto R.

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

Host and property nice

Address is not updated ( maybe the town or post office) Even the address is on n iron furnace is not access The only access is through Bassett Road
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Angela S.

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

Beautiful view, secluded and very clean

Second time we stayed at this house. Very, very clean and beautiful views from the home. Nice fire pit with furnished wood :)
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

About the host

Hosted by Elizabeth

Host profile image
In 2010 Marty & Elizabeth Canfarelli 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 from the brand new 12' x 60' long covered back porch while overlooking the rolling hills of southern Illinois. Play a game of tether ball in the back yard. Relax in the hammocks or 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 across the street from Walnut Hill home and are available if you need anything during your stay.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests