Cabins near Ava, Illinois range from basic rustic structures to accommodations with electric and limited amenities. The area sits within the Shawnee Hills, characterized by sandstone formations and dense forest at elevations ranging from 400 to 700 feet. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, making cabin selection important for cold-weather visits.
What to do
Fishing at Rend Lake: Both Gun Creek and South Marcum campgrounds provide excellent lake access for anglers. "We stayed in rv campground. The spot we chose had a beautiful view! The layout is a bit strange as some firepits are next to power source," notes a visitor to Lake Murphysboro State Park.
Hiking woodland trails: The forest preserves surrounding rental cabins offer multiple trail difficulties. A camper at Giant City State Park Campground remarked, "We came down for a spontaneous camping trip to explore SNF and found Giant City to be a great place to stay... There is a nice trail across from the primitive camping site which also has a pond for fishing."
Wildlife viewing: Cabin areas provide opportunities to spot deer, wild turkeys, and smaller forest animals. "We stayed there for a day or two. Apparently. Our travel page states that. But I don't remember it. There was an armadillo. And deer," observed one Lake Murphysboro visitor.
What campers like
Private cabin locations: Some rental cabins offer seclusion and natural surroundings away from busy campgrounds. At Randolph County State Recreation Area, "Clean and very quiet" is how one visitor described their experience, highlighting the peaceful atmosphere found at many cabin rentals.
Dark skies for stargazing: The rural location of most cabin rentals provides exceptional night viewing. "This is a small lake management by the state of Illinois... The campground is pretty far from any big metro area, so the sky was real dark, great for picking out constellations. We listened o Whip-por-will calls around the campfire," noted a Washington County State Recreation Area reviewer.
Lake views: Many cabins position guests near water features. "We only spent one night on our way back home, but can't wait to go back. The campground gives campers plenty of room to spread out, lots of open space for the kids to play," commented a visitor to South Marcum Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal variations: Summer temperatures average 85-90°F while winter drops to 20-30°F, affecting comfort in basic cabins. "Basic amenities, bath house just ok, bad showers, fishing not great," noted one visitor to Washington County State Recreation Area.
Reservation requirements: Most cabin rentals require advance booking, especially during peak season from May through September. A Perryville RV Resort visitor shared, "We just wanted to get away for a night. This place was close and easy to book. We were very pleasantly surprised! Great clean campground- easy hook ups- pleasant staff and close to town."
Supply limitations: Cabins typically require guests to bring bedding, cooking equipment, and food supplies. "Make sure you fill up at the dump station before you get to the campground because there's no easy way to turn around if you miss it. It's approximately a mile before the campground on your left," advised a Randolph County visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several cabin rental locations offer playground facilities for children. At Perryville RV Resort, a visitor observed, "The property itself is beautiful. Spots are intermingled in the trees and it is spectacular in the morning. The pool is better then most hotels and the giant trampoline looked like it would be my daughters favorite thing."
Nature exploration options: Family-friendly hiking trails exist near most cabin locations. "Stayed here a week with two toddlers and it was great! Easy walk to the lake with a gorgeous view, 2 different playgrounds walkable distance from campground," noted a Randolph County visitor.
Wildlife encounters: Plan morning or evening walks for best animal viewing opportunities. "Lots of amazing, beautiful hikes in this park, especially if you're into bluffs and large boulders," commented a Giant City State Park visitor about the natural features.
Tips from RVers
Cabin alternatives: RV campers with cabins nearby can benefit from shared facilities. At Crab Orchard Lake, "We spent 5 nights on Site A5 at Crab Orchard Campground. All sites are FC/FS. Full hookups are in Loop B & it was full. Overall the campground was full but not very many people around."
Site leveling: Many cabin areas have uneven terrain affecting parking. "Overall a great stay, very busy as it was full the entire time we were there while the state park down the road was empty. Absolutely must check how level the spots are before you book, as lots of sites are over 4 inch incline," advised a Gun Creek visitor.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some cabin and RV areas. "One of the down sides is that you can clearly hear the highway from the campground, and of course if you have a lake site, you will have plenty of boat noise," noted a Gun Creek reviewer.
