Cabin camping options near Whittington, Illinois center around Rend Lake, which spans over 18,900 acres in Franklin and Jefferson counties. The lake features 162 miles of shoreline and sits at an elevation of 405 feet. Winter cabin rentals typically experience average temperatures between 25-45°F, while summer cabin stays see temperatures between 65-90°F with higher humidity levels.
What to do
Fishing access at lakefront sites: Gun Creek provides cabin and camping options with direct lake access for fishing. "What a beautiful campground, it's our second time here. Some spots do have a fairly good slope to them," notes Jeff F. about Gun Creek.
Hike the lake trail: Washington County State Recreation Area offers trails around its lake for campers staying in their cabins. A visitor mentioned, "Large trail around the whole lake, smaller trails lead to sites around the different campgrounds," and noted they "caught a few bass and and good amount of hiking" during their stay at Washington County State Recreation Area.
Wildlife viewing: South Marcum Campground provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities for cabin campers. "Abundant Wildlife" is how one visitor titled their review, explaining: "We had 3 of the sites closest to the lake with only electric. Bathhouses were a little bit of a walk. The sites were pretty level. The campground is well kept, about 20 minutes from any groceries so come with your necessities."
What campers like
Dark skies for stargazing: The cabins at Washington County State Recreation Area provide excellent night sky viewing. "The campground is pretty far from any big metro area, so the sky was real dark, great for picking out constellations. We listened to Whip-por-will calls around the campfire," writes one reviewer.
Large, shaded sites: Whittington Woods Campground offers cabin rentals with mature trees. "Beautiful campground with mature trees providing lots of shade on the 100F weekend we were there. Gravel sites, level. A lot of common ground, shaded, picnic shelters. Short drive to Rend Lake, bike trails, kayaks, fishing," according to Jan S.
Lake views: Many cabins at South Marcum Campground offer views of Rend Lake. One camper noted: "If I was in any other spot this would probably be a 4/5, but spot 56 has a crazy lake view and is on the tip of an outlook with pretty nice privacy!"
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most cabin rental areas near Whittington have limited seasons. Gun Creek operates from "March 14 to November 30" according to their information, while South Marcum runs from "March 28 to November 2."
Distance to amenities: When staying in cabins near Whittington, plan to bring supplies. A reviewer at South Marcum noted: "The campground is well kept, about 20 minutes from any groceries so come with your necessities."
Cash payment requirements: Some cabin rental facilities require cash payment. A visitor to Washington County noted: "No cards accepted. We had to run back to the town of Nashville to get some cash from the ATM."
Bathroom access: Arrowhead Lake Campground cabins have clean bathrooms but note their hours. A visitor mentioned: "It's valuable to note that the worker said they close the bathhouse at 8. Fantastic prices and such a hidden gem."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly amenities: South Marcum has a playground in one area. "Also a playground in the Whispering Pines loop. The campground is on Rend Lake with swimming, fishing and boating," mentions Joel R.
Check site location for privacy: When booking cabins with families at Gun Creek, verify the site location. "Site 29 is very close and the picnic bench is literally 8 feet away from the back of the pad of site 30. Don't expect much in the way of privacy," warns one reviewer.
Seasonal noise considerations: Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground can get busy during peak seasons. "We went on Labor Day weekend and there were a number of sites open. Many of the sites are walk up only. The sites have a lot of room to enjoy a relaxing weekend or set up yard games," notes Cody S.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park cabins and RV sites may require leveling equipment. One camper warned: "Lots of interstate noise. Many sites are very off level. CHECK carefully."
Hookup configurations: Benton KOA offers various cabin options with different utility setups. "This is not a typical KOA. The spaces were large and roomy. Showers and bathroom were very nice, too," mentions Joel R.
Site reservation strategies: At Wayne Fitzgerrell, a reviewer explained the cabin and site reservation process: "The stay was pleasant and the lake was very nice but the reservation system and finding a spot was overly complicated for a first timer. Basically people show up and throw a cooler or tent onto a site to claim it and then leave. They have to pay for the spot by 8pm."