Family Stargazing Retreat Near Hiking

Exceptional

4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 121600 sq ft

Popular amenities

Dryer
Washer
Fireplace
Barbecue grill
Parking available
Kitchen

Explore the area

Simpson, IL

Shawnee National Forest
‪1 min walk‬
Dixon Springs State Park
‪15 min drive‬
Tunnel Hill State Trail
‪22 min drive‬
Marion, IL (MWA-Williamson County Regional)
‪55 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Single Beds and 2 Single Bunk Beds

3 bathrooms

En-suite Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Hall Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Lower Level Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Separate dining area

Garden

About this property

Whippoorwill Valley Lodge: Rustic Charm & Modern Comfort in Simpson, IL

Escape to the tranquility of Whippoorwill Valley Lodge, a beautiful split-level home perfect for family getaways. This spacious retreat comfortably accommodates up to 12 guests, blending rustic charm with modern amenities and offering easy access to outdoor adventures.

**Sleeping Arrangements:**
* Master Bedroom (Main Level): 1 Queen Bed with en suite bathroom
* 2nd Bedroom (Main Level): 1 Queen Bed
* 3rd Bedroom (Main Level): 1 Queen Bed
* Bunk room (Lower Level): 2 Bunk Beds and 2 Twin Beds (sleeps 6)

**Main Level Living:**
* Living Room: Smart TV, cozy stone fireplace
* Kitchen & Dining Area: Fully equipped for all your culinary needs
* Walkout Deck: Charcoal grill and ample seating for outdoor dining and stargazing under the stars

**Lower Level Fun:**
* Bunk room and 1 Full Bathroom
* Temperature-controlled Garage: Foosball, poker/game table, washer, and dryer

**Outdoor Oasis:**
* Fire pit with complimentary firewood provided for cozy evenings
* Private yard nestled among the trees – enjoy the seclusion!
* Short drive to public lands (state and federal) for fishing, hiking, hunting, and exploring. Enjoy easy access to Lake Glendale (16 min), Golconda Marina on the Ohio River (25 min), and Pounds Hollow (44 min).

**Guest Access:**
You'll have access to the entire property and grounds, except for one locked closet used for inventory storage. The property is located on a shared easement road leading to other private properties. Please do not drive past the vacation rental.

**Things to Note:**
* Check-in: 3 PM
* Check-out: 10 AM
* Maximum 8 adults
* No pets allowed. A Ring camera is located at the entrance for security. Evidence of a pet may result in additional fees or cancellation without refund.
* No hunting allowed on the property. Information on nearby hunting locations can be provided.
* Please respect our neighbors' privacy and do not trespass on surrounding private land.
* A starter supply of toilet paper and paper towels is provided.

**Plan Your Adventure!**
Upon booking, you'll receive a personalized online Welcome Guide with local recommendations to help you make the most of your stay.

Property manager

Southern Illinois Vacation Rentals

Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Washing machine

Dryer

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Outdoor space

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Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
Parking available

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

No pets allowed.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Smoking of any kind (including cigarettes, cigars,

Rental agreement must be signed within 48 hours of booking or the reservation will be cancelled.

This includes an ID upload to prevent identity fraud.

Absolutely no smoking of any kind indoors including but not limited to all tobacco products and marijuana. $100 charge for smoke odor.

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

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Simpson

Located in Simpson, this holiday home is in a rural area. Shawnee National Forest and Dixon Springs State Park reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include The Chocolate Factory and Henry N Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Simpson, IL

What's nearby

Shawnee National Forest - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
Dixon Springs State Park - 15 min drive - 16.6 km
Tunnel Hill State Trail - 22 min drive - 22.1 km
Harrah's Metropolis - 47 min drive - 56.8 km
Lake of Egypt - 49 min drive - 32.6 km

Getting around

Marion, IL (MWA-Williamson County Regional) - 45 min drive

Restaurants

‪Hogg Hollow Winery - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Family Stargazing Retreat Near Hiking pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Family Stargazing Retreat Near Hiking?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Family Stargazing Retreat Near Hiking?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Family Stargazing Retreat Near Hiking located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is steps from Shawnee National Forest and within 9 mi (15 km) of Hogg Hollow Winery and Lake Glendale. Dixon Springs State Park and Vienna City Park are also within 12 miles (20 km).

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Carolyn C.

27 Mar, 2024

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

Great Comfortable House

Very nice place for our sibling reunion. Comfortable and well equipped with great indoor and outdoor spaces for visiting, playing games, etc. Host is also very helpful and responsive. Definitely a place we look forward to visiting again.

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Randall O.

11 Aug, 2025

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

quality value

We had a great stay. It is not very close to groceries and attractions but wonderfully quiet and clean. Bring bug spray for outdoors. I assume that being National Forest area there is little to no spraying for insects.

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Denise S.

15 Apr, 2024

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

The "total" experience

What an amazing experience we had at Whipperwill Valley Lodge! The property fit our needs perfectly, the owners communication was excellent, and not a detail was overlooked.

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Connie b.

26 Apr, 2025

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

Perfect for multiple family trip

Our group included a couple of siblings in their 60’s and niece with a couple of her children. The home was perfect for our gathering but perhaps the most perfect part of the home was the yard and the creek!! Southern Illinois held so many hiking and waterfall adventures. I’d highly recommend checking out so many hidden gems in America!!

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ron N.

19 Jan, 2024

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

Great place for a family getaway

We had a great family gathering at Whippoorwill Valley Lodge. The kitchen is very well equipped with anything you could need to prepare a meal. The living area was very comfortable and the fireplace made it very cozy. We some issues with the fireplace but the property manager was very quick to respond and assist. The house was very clean and the check in/check out was very simple. We enjoyed using the fire pit and there was plenty of wood available for an all day fire. The property seems to be very well maintained and we did not experience any maintenance issues. We would definitely consider this property or another managed by this company if we are looking for a place in Southern IL.

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

About the host

Hosted by Southern Illinois Vacation Rentals

This property is managed by Southern Illinois Vacation Rentals, a veteran-owned, woman-owned business. Allison, owner of SIVR, is an SIUC alumni and has a deep love for the hospitality industry and showcasing beautiful southern Illinois.

Why they chose this property

Escape to Whippoorwill Valley Lodge: Rustic Charm Meets Modern Comfort in Simpson, Illinois

Enjoy a peaceful getaway at our beautiful split-level home. Whippoorwill Valley Lodge comfortably sleeps up to 12 guests (8 adults max) and offers a perfect blend of rustic charm and modern amenities. Ideal for families with young children: The combination of a bunk room, a game room with Foosball, and a large private yard provides ample space and entertainment for children to play safely.