The places you stay should feel just as memorable as the places you explore.
AIRBNB STATS:
•Verified•Superhost•Rating: 4.97•Response rate: 100%• Responds within an hour
Why Book Direct?
When you book direct with Stay Shawnee, you get more than a place to stay — you get hosts who are invested in your experience.
Personalized local knowledge: Our hosts live and breathe the area. We’ll recommend trails, river access points, seasonal activities, and the best spots for sunrise and stargazing tailored to your interests.
Flexible communication and support: Reach us directly before and during your stay for quick answers, special requests, or last-minute changes. No middleman, no delays.
Better value and transparent pricing: Booking direct often means lower fees and clearer pricing. The money you save helps us invest back into the properties and guest experience.
Community care and sustainability: Your direct bookings support local caretakers and help preserve the character of our cabins, riverfront lodge, and historic homes for future visitors.
Book directly with Stay Shawnee for a smoother booking process, attentive hosts, and a stay shaped around the best of Shawnee National Forest.
Who We Are
Shawnee Stays began with a simple idea — the places you stay should feel just as memorable as the places you explore.
We’re a local, family-owned hospitality group based in Southern Illinois, right here in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest region. After years of welcoming visitors through our small businesses and community connections, we realized travelers weren’t just looking for a place to sleep — they were looking for a place to slow down, reconnect, and experience the area like a local.
So we created Shawnee Stays.
Each home in our collection offers a different experience — a peaceful cabin in the trees, a riverfront retreat, or a spacious historic home for gathering — but they all share the same purpose: comfort, character, and a true sense of place. We live here, we love it here, and we’re always happy to share our favorite trails, views, coffee spots, and hidden gems to help you make the most of your stay.
I’m Stephanie, entrepreneur at heart. My husband and I own Riverside Mercantile in the heart of Elizabethtown, Illinois, where we also have three short term rental properties available, Riverside Lodge, The Martin House and Shade Rock Cabin. We also run a bed and breakfast called, The Historic Rose Hotel all located by The Shawnee National Forest and on the Ohio River. In addition, we own another store, Higginson Farms Mercantile, with two locations, one in Carmi, Illinois and one in McLeansboro, Illinois. All locations sell beef from our farm, as well as other local farm-to-table meats, baked goods, ice cream, Lotus Energy drinks, and local goods. Thank you for trusting us with your stay!
Because to us, you’re not just booking a property — you’re being welcomed to our corner of Shawnee.
Explore All of Our Properties
The Historic Rose Hotel
The Martin House
The Riverside Lodge
Shade Rock Cabin