Entire home

Starved Rock Retreat - Private, Gated Entrance, 5 min from State Parks!

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Starved Rock Retreat - Private, Gated Entrance, 5 min from State Parks!

Situated beside a tranquil pond with a waterfall, this lodge offers serene forest views and outdoor seating areas.
Enjoy casual dining and cooking at the central island with bar stools, complemented by a dining table and cozy seating area.
Relax and dine in this open-plan living space featuring a large L-shaped sofa, dining table, and well-equipped kitchen.
Two single beds with white headboards and blue pillows, offering a serene view of lush greenery through a large window.
Relax in a serene corridor lined with rocking chairs, leading to a deck with a view of the lush landscape.

Entire home

2 bedrooms2 bathrooms

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Dryer
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

Map
Ottawa, IL
  • Matthiessen State Park
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Starved Rock State Park
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Buffalo Rock State Park
    ‪22 min drive‬

Room options

Similar properties

About this property

Entire place

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

Starved Rock Retreat - Private, Gated Entrance, 5 min from State Parks!

Private, gated entrance, firepit, large soaking tub, bar, dining room table for 10, fireplace, large screened in patio, water views, 21ft ceilings, open floor plan, queen size bunks for kids or adults! Centrally located within the best spots of the Illinois Valley.

5 minutes from Starved Rock! Easy access to:
---1 mile to Buffalo Rock State Park.
---1 mile to a I&M Canal Trail entrance.
---4.9 miles to Downtown Utica.
---5.3 miles to Downtown Ottawa.
---5.9 miles to Starved Rock State Park Visitors Center.
---7.4 miles to Matthiessen State Park.

Perfect as an escape for 2, for a family with children, or for large groups. Large windows with beautiful views of nature.

You will have privacy. The entrance is gated and the house is surrounded by many acres of our own land. Our hope is that you can not only unplug and unwind but also make memories that will last a lifetime.

Guests always comment on and love the 21 ft. ceilings, open floor plan, and cleanliness. The sunsets are beautiful and can be seen directly from the sunroom behind the house. They are one of our favorite things about the property.

We are happy to be as involved or uninvolved in your stay as you wish. We pride ourselves in quick response times. Our goal is to make your stay a 5 STAR experience. We can meet you for check-in if desired.

*** We have multiple places to park large campers, motor homes, or trailers.

Guests have access to the entire house and surrounding area including the fire pit and small lakes behind the house. Feel free to take a peaceful walk down the drive that stretches behind the house. Fishing is great!! You can bring fishing gear or canoes. You can swim. We require anyone in the water to wear a life jacket. We do not supply life jackets, please bring your own.

Fun facts:
---Our property used to be owned by a mining company. The lakes and ponds at Starved Rock Retreat used to be mines. They filled in with natural spring water and are still spring fed to this day. The fishing is great!
---The tall wooden front doors are from a church in Brazil. They were picked out and flown in by the original owner who built this home.
---The blue ceiling in the sunroom is a specific color called haint blue. The original owner picked this color as it is said to protect the home.
During your stay at this vacation home, you'll be close to Starved Rock State Park. Features include laundry facilities. Free WiFi and a kitchen are available in the vacation home.
  • Air-conditioned home with kitchen, washing machine, and 2 bathrooms
  • Free WiFi
  • Amenities include laundry facilities
  • 8 minutes by car from Mix's Trading Post and 9 minutes from LaSalle County Historical Society & Museum
This vacation home offers its guests barbecue grills and laundry facilities. The front desk is open around the clock.

Property manager

Ryan Peterson

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Kitchen island
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Porch/lanai

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Printer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • 2 pets total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 5 steps to reach entrance
  • Gravel flooring in public areas
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • No lift
  • Single level property
  • Smooth flooring in public areas
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels on request
  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near a hospital
  • Near the marina
  • On a lake

Things to do

  • Kayak
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

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

General

  • Bed sheets changed on request
  • Double-glazed windows
  • Energy-saving switches in guestrooms
  • Towels (changed on request)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

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

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights, lock the doors, and return the keys

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 2 pets
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Note from host: We have coloring books, board games, kids books.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
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
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

Starved Rock Retreat - Private, Gated Entrance, 5 min from State Parks! Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 5 out of 6 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 6 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 6 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 6 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 6 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Maggie Z.

Liked: Cleanliness
Gorgeous property and home. Sparkling clean, everything from the grounds to the counters to the linens. They have really invested a lot into the maintenance and luxury of this VRBO yet somehow it still feels like a place where you are encouraged to unwind and relax. The owners were responsive and accommodating. The rental is priced fair for the area. You are close to what you need but it’s set far back and on a private lot against the water so you feel like you are in the cozy woods. We had a blast tubing down the river at Ayer’s Landing on Saturday. The owners and workers were great and made it an easy experience. Only 35 for an entire day relaxing on the water! The local areas are super cute with great food. I recommend The Lone Buffalo in downtown Ottawa for delicious food and friendly service. Bruce & Ollie’s in Utica is perfect for coffee or ice cream. Their patio is dog-friendly! We were at this VRBO all weekend and have zero complaints.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carly S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful retreat

Amazing vacation retreat! The owners did not miss a single thing down to the littlest detail. The house is beautiful and stocked with all of the amenities.The property is out of this world. You can explore for days and keep finding something new.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

LONNIE P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing.

The property was so amazing me and my friends and family had a great time. The host are great people. We will be going back again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daniel H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing all the way around

We had 13 women for a fitness retreat and everything was amazing. From all my questions answered right away to the welcome basket and everything provided that you can possibly think of, this place was perfect. The beds were super comfortable, the porch was the perfect coffee spot, the kitchen was stocked and everything was clean, roomy and welcoming. We hiked, kayaked and ate and drank by the river. Would come back for sure! Great hosts
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Garret J.

Liked: Cleanliness

Anniversary Celebration

Spectacular Space - Highly Recommend for a Nature filled get away.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

4/10 Poor

Matthew A.

Stayed 3 nights in May 2025