Barren Creek Cottages - Golconda, Illinois

David B.

These are GREAT little cabins!! Pretty, quiet, rural setting. Ohio River on one side. Barren Creek on the other. Fully supplied...all you do is show up!! Wonderful, relaxing. And the owners are amazing!! You will not regret spending your next vacation here!!

roadking4u2

Very clean. very nice setting and great price with private boat dock. We stayed in the 2 bedroom which is a converted mobile home with wood siding and very nicely remodeled inside. Has a deck and pavilion with a swing grill and fire ring all overlooking barren creek and only about a quarter mile to the Ohio river, you can see both from the Cottage. It was very hot in the 90s during our visit and it has central air but the living room was a bit warmer then the rest of the cottage but still comfy. We enjoyed our stay and would recommend. The host are very nice and helpful.

Val E.

In July, my sister and I will be returning to Barren Creek Cottages for our fifth stay. We happened upon the site five years ago while looking for a place to vacation that was on water, affordable and out in the country. We decided to try the cottages. Now, our annual visit to Barren Creek Cottages is a tradition. We have the Barren Creek estuary on one side and the wide Ohio River on the other! We love the peace and quite, the birds and wildlife. We love to watch the herons, egrets, hawks, deer, turtles and other wildlife that abound. We love having porches and decks and our own little dock from which to view our little bit of paradise. One year, the nearby fields were covered with just about every kind of butterfly you could imagine. The cabins are well-kept and clean. And, though it feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, restaurants and wineries, parks and hiking trails and shopping are usually about a 30-minute drive or so away. And the owners are wonderful. They seem like family now. My sister and I are looking forward to visiting paradise again this year.

Jill R.

We had the opportunity to stay in 2 different cabins due to our late reservation which worked out perfectly. The Rustic cottage is superb and is located where no one else is so if you're looking for complete seclusion then it is it. The 2 bedroom has plenty of bass to catch off the dock which is down only a few steps from the cabin so it is awesome as well. They have everything you will ever need including bug sprays, dish soap, and many other items most cabins don't carry so don't do like I did and pack everything except the kitchen sink. The owners are wonderful people and they clean better than any hotel I've ever stayed at from the windows to the stair steps. If you're looking for peacefulness this is the place. Don't be fooled by the wonderful value price either because that is what makes this place even that much better. We will definitely be returning.

Wendy E.

This place was amazing! Very clean cabin with plenty of room, SUPER nice owners, and such a nice quiet, relaxing place to spend a few days! And SO affordable! I couldn't say a single bad thing about this experience! Will definitely stay there again!! In fact, we can't wait to go back!

Amy T.

These cabins are fabulous. We are planning our return trip this summer! Off the beaten path but cabins have every thing u need. We stayed for a week and can't wait to go back. Fishing, tourist attractions just a short drive away, cabins are very well equipped, spacious.

Steve L.

Amazing Value! I have been to Shawnee forest a few times now traveling from Chicago when I am able to. My girlfriend and I have stayed at many different places around there. This was by far the best, biggest, most secluded, and beautiful place. They are super accommodating too! I asked the nice people who run it about Canoe/Kayak rentals in the area and they brought my girlfriend and I a canoe that we could take around right on the property! Did I mention the cabins are on the water!!! Really a slice of heaven they have. Its far away from anything so make sure you have everything you cant purchase at a country gas station/general store. But I mean we loved the place so much. We stocked up at the Wal-Mart in Harrisburgh on the way down south just before getting to the tip of Shawnee. I recommend doing the same if your staying a while. Full kitchen attached to living area which was lovely.

Looking forward to staying again.

Beth L.

We just returned home after three days at Barren Creek Cottages. I will admit ~ I shed a couple of tears locking up the place after packing. It was nothing short of amazing. If you are tired of the hustle of everyday life and just need somewhere to unwind ~ this place is where you need to be. There is an abundance of butterflies, deer, dragonflies and fish jumping short of the dock. The owners were wonderful, bring you clean towels and sheets and pick up your garbage daily, but for the most part - it's you and the wildlife out there. From here on out ~ this will be my favorite vacation spot ~ it is absolutely beautiful and everything you need is there in the cottage. I will cherish the memories made here wiith children forever.