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THE VIEWS! Minutes from Garden of the Gods, Shawnee with Highland cows & a pool!

your current months are January, 2025 and February, 2025.
January 2025
February 2025

Photo gallery for THE VIEWS! Minutes from Garden of the Gods, Shawnee with Highland cows & a pool!

Terrace/patio
Pool
Exterior
Miscellaneous
Interior

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire cabin

3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pool
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning

Room options

Fridge, microwave, oven, coffee/tea maker

Sassafras Ridge Log Cabin by Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, (92)
Sassafras Ridge Log Cabin by Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest
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About the area

Map
Equality, IL

What's nearby

  • Shawnee National Forest - 12 min drive
  • Harrisburg Township Park District - 22 min drive
  • Garden of the Gods Recreation Area - 25 min drive
  • Garden of the Gods Trailhead - 30 min drive
  • Lake of Egypt - 62 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Red Onion - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Leonard's Country Kitchen - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Jac's Place - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Leonards Country Kitchen - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪A Little Taste of Italy - ‬13 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire cabin to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

THE VIEWS! Minutes from Garden of the Gods, Shawnee with Highland cows & a pool!

Enjoy amazing views of the Shawnee National Forest ⭐️❗️

Rustic Ridge is a small working farm located in Southern Illinois about 15 minutes north of Garden of the Gods, Shawnee National Forest.

Our cabin has lots of windows for great indoor viewing as well as lots of patio & deck spaces to enjoy the outdoors. Splash in the pool (in season). Take a hike on the trails located throughout our 40 acres. Walk down to see the animals, go Explore the Shawnee National Forest, take a drive to the wine trail or visit nearby horse trails, atv trails, and so much more that the Shawnee National Forest area has to offer.

Meet the animals:
🐄 Highland Cows (Daisy, Rusty, Kane, & Lily)
🐎 Hope, our mini rescue horse
🫎 Moose the dog you might see him around the property & Rufus the livestock guardian.
🐈 Sierra, Butterscotch, and Special. The cats may roam the property.
🐥🐓 chicks
* Miniature ZEBU! Hump, Bessie, Dixie, and our little bull calf Shawnee
➕️ all of the wildlife 🦌🐿🦃🐦🦝......

🌳40 acres with trails (some trails subject to closure during certain hunting seasons for your safety)
🏊‍♀️ private pool
🌞 views
🐴🐱🐄🐶🦌Animals & Wildlife
🚜 Farm
🔥fire pit
🛜WiFi
Smart tv📺
3 🛌🛁

Private use of cabin & pool but being in the forest we like to come up and check on the pool daily

Everything here is on a hill with lots of rocks. Expect to see & hear nature all around you. This is a working farm so you may hear & see us or hear any of the neighboring farm properties. We are on property and also have exterior cameras throughout the 40 acre property. No Fence around pool! You accept responsibility for yourself & other guests.

Property manager

Eric

Languages

English

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Pool

Internet

  • Available in the cabin: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Work spaces

  • Desk

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • 6 steps to reach entrance
  • Area rugs in public areas
  • Gravel flooring in public areas
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • No lift
  • Tile flooring in public areas
  • Smoke-free property

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Composting
  • Garden

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 22

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: No fence around pool

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
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

Frequently asked questions

Does THE VIEWS! Minutes from Garden of the Gods, Shawnee with Highland cows & a pool! have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

Is THE VIEWS! Minutes from Garden of the Gods, Shawnee with Highland cows & a pool! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at THE VIEWS! Minutes from Garden of the Gods, Shawnee with Highland cows & a pool!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at THE VIEWS! Minutes from Garden of the Gods, Shawnee with Highland cows & a pool!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is THE VIEWS! Minutes from Garden of the Gods, Shawnee with Highland cows & a pool! located?

Situated in Equality, this cabin is 4.6 mi (7.4 km) from Shawnee National Forest and within 12 miles (20 km) of Shawnee Hills Country Club and Harrisburg Township Park District. Ross Cottom Lanes and Saline County Area Museum are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 25 out of 25 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 25 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 25 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 25 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 25 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Courtney M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect getaway for the holiday week
We had a wonderful stay at Rustic Ridge for Thanksgiving week. The home was immaculately clean, well appointed, had all the comforts of home and perfect for our family of 5. The cabin was just as described in the listing and the views are spectacular. Lots to do in the area so the location is perfect. The hosts were responsive to questions and very friendly. The animals on property are far enough away not to be bothersome, but close enough to visit whenever you like. I would definitely recommend this property to anyone. We will be back when the weather is warmer and we can take advantage of the outdoor amenities.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Casey O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay
Great views
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Weekend getaway
Great time, beautiful location, beautiful cabin and great views. Animals were awesome too.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laurie H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Getaway
The location is fairly remote, but yet you are able to access the Shawnee Park trails in a reasonable drive. The home was beautiful and clean. The hosts were very kind, responsive, and helpful. Would not hesitate to go back.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

David W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice Getaway in the country
Property was very clean and views were gorgeous. Nice anniversary weekend.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

ScienceWares

Liked: Cleanliness
Incredible place!
It’s hard to believe this place exists - worth a visit even if you don’t know anything about the area! It’s a wonderful place to stay and the hosts have an amazing farm that is well worth a tour even in the pouring rain! The kitchen was top notch and the connection of the whole house to the views and outdoors is amazing. Hosts were super nice and went above and beyond responding to everything.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kelly M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fabulous in the middle of nowhere!
The worst part of this place was leaving. Everything was just perfect….decor, landscaping, cleanliness, layout, amenities….we just can’t wait to go back! It was so nice and relaxing! The pool??….in southern Illinois, that was the cherry on top! Loved it!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Oasis on the hill
What a peaceful setting amongst the forested hills of Southern Illinois! A short drive to hiking and wineries or just stay at this beautiful cabin! The pool is fabulous and set in such a serene environment. The home is clean and has many extras that make the stay easy and comfortable. We enjoyed sitting on the huge deck mornings and evenings taking in the views! The tour of the unique farm animals was an added bonus and so fun. Looking forward to returning for another stay!!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jessica S.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Little Slice of Heaven!
We loved our stay at the Rustic Ridge. First of all, this place exceeded all of our expectations. The home was beautifully decorated and cozy but more importantly it was CLEAN! The owners were very friendly and quick to answer any questions we had. The sweet animals were an added bonus to our stay. We had plans of doing more hiking nearby but ended up spending most of our time enjoying the awesome pool and the magnificent views. There are lots of hiking trail options nearby, as well as some local restaurants/grocery stores. This was just the relaxing getaway we needed. We will most definitely be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Trena M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Ultimate Relaxation
Our stay was perfect. We had excellent weather so we were able to enjoy both the indoor and outdoor areas of the property during the day and at night. Waking up every day to a view of the hills and the sound of the chickens was a dream. The house was impeccably clean and well appointed. The beds were very comfortable. The location is perfect as is it only a short drive to two towns that have everything that you need. Yet still you are surrounded by the quiet of the country and only a short drive to the Shawnee National Forest. The hosts were onsite and very helpful to anything that we needed. It is obvious that they take great pride in their homestead. We will definitely be booking again very soon.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pam D.

Liked: Cleanliness
WONDERFUL!!
It was everything we could have hoped for. Gracious hosts, amazing views, pristine pool AND Highland cows!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing!!!!
We stayed with a group of friends, 6 total, and we had a blast. Check in was super easy along with additional directions from the hosts. We were able to meet the hosts and spend some time feeding the animals. The property and views and beautiful and it’s close enough to a few towns if you need anything. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa l.

Liked: Cleanliness
Absolutely beautiful!
Absolutely beautiful home! Besides the beautiful scenery, the home was the cleanest we have stayed in! We loved the farm animals and the fact that Jacqueline and Eric took time to give us a tour. My daughter loved it! We spent a day at Garden of the gods, which was about a 30 minute drive. Absolutely worth it!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Johnita M., Equality, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Girls Weekend
We loved it !!! The animals, the views, the pool, the home !! Everything was perfect. I have told everyone how wonderful it was ❤️
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tracy B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing!
My husband and I decided to take a trip to relax. The modern cabin was the cleanest vrbo we have rented yet! I can be picky about cleanliness so this is saying a lot! There are so many spaces to sit and enjoy the view, even if it’s raining, you could sit on the covered porch. The pool was Very clean and relaxing also, it was really nice to have the cows and other animals to walk over and see. We found a couple really great restaurants in town just 15 minutes away that We were very happy with, Morellos for dinner and Steam Cafe for breakfast. The hosts were great. We will be visiting again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tabitha B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great view
The view from the covered porch is amazing. My son did not want to leave. He enjoyed the pool, the tree swing and the animals. We will definitely book this place again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah P.

Liked: Cleanliness
❤️❤️❤️
This place is amazing and can’t wait to go back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Phillip K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing nature stay
Jacqueline and Eric, the hosts, gave the clearest communication we have had with VRBO so far. The only communication break down was my own fault which they were helpful in solving for me. They offer tours of their farm animals which the kids loved. They were both awesome with the kids and very sweet. They were helpful with local recommendations as well. The house and pool have beautiful nature views all around. In addition to the farm tour, we saw many wild animals passing through the yard and flying above. The house is in a quiet country area but a short dive to town. Though you might not need to go to town often since the house is well stocked with items in general and has many items you might have forgotten to pack. The house is very close to amazing Shawnee Forest parks if you or your kids need a break from swimming.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mike B., Chicago IL

Liked: Cleanliness
Truly a must visit property!!
We had such a great time here! The entire property is gorgeous, inside and out. The hosts were kind enough to give us a tour of their farm and introduce us to their beautiful animals. The house is modern, with a lovely farmhouse style, full of every amenity, and spacious. We loved swimming in the private pool and looking out at the rolling landscape. Everything was fresh and clean – a top-notch stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jude B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Heaven on earth!
We loved this place! I don’t even know where to start. The cleanest place I’ve ever stayed, which I love! The real draw is the beautiful pool view! So relaxing, beautiful and quiet & that’s just what we needed. So many pretty spaces to sit/swing and relax. The full moon from there was one of the most beautiful I have seen in my life. The space itself is very nice, well put together, they did a great job. I can’t say enough about it. Will be back!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Thomas G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Weekend Getaway
This was a great home for our family for the weekend. Everything was clean, well maintained, and decorated to perfection. We loved feeling secluded, but not far from town. The house and views were beautiful and the pool was perfect to cool off in! My kids loved seeing the farm animals and are still talking about them. We highly recommend and look forward to our next trip back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristi A., Brazil, IN

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome get away!
What a gorgeous home outside of Shawnee National Forest. Loved our stay, and the home was gorgeous! Every detail was perfect! As an added bonus you can see animals (cows, Moose the dog!) We will be back next time we return to the area!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Scott B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic Retreat in the Unexpected Beauty of Southern Illinois
The owners of this property were excellent. There was clear and consistent communication before, during and after the rental. In addition to that, they gave us a wonderful little tour of their farm animals, they gave us some recommendations for hiking and they even helped remove a tick from my son! Really great people. As for the property, itself, it was fantastic. The only minor issue was the keypad entry, which was acting a little wonky. And the owners resolved that for us within 5 minutes or less. Seriously, if anything, this property is even BETTER than the pictures reveal. So relaxing.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tonya W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wow!
This is a perfect property for a getaway. It did not disappoint. If I could give 10 stars I would. The beds are amazing, the views, close to trails, the pool, the comfort of the house, truly everything! The hosts are amazing and friendly. We are already planning a return trip!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024