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The Art Farm Women's Retreat

The farm is women owned and operated. This 34 acres of rolling farmland, woods and pasture is surrounded by farmland and woodlands on all sides.

Enjoy nature. Watch wildlife. Listen to the birds singing. You will often see deer in the evenings. 

Walk or drive to the main residence to enjoy the pool, hot tub and hot outdoor shower. (5 minute walk or 1 minute drive)

We have a few dedicated women's campouts each year, and some art-making workshops, retreats, and quilting weekends, too. Other times we are open and inclusive of all. 

 Native land of Chickasaw, Quapaw and Osage nations.

LGBTQ friendly.  :)

On demand hot outdoor shower.  (Closed in colder months)

Unique railing, locally sourced from the surrounding woods.

The hot tub and shower are next to the RV site. See the Cozy Cottage in the background

Glamping Tent Platform (seen here without tent) tucked into the edge of the Meditation Woods. Privacy. Serenity. Peace.

Its harvest time.  Pictured is the Cozy Cottage overlooking the soybean field.

Lovely camping spots all around this beautiful farm!

Marion

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Heron House Total Eclipse Camping

 2024 Total Eclipse Camping in the Path of Totality and Longest Duration

Four minutes and six seconds of totality!

Pitch your tent in the path of totality at the edge of Kinkaid Lake and the Shawnee Forest.  Campsites have shade and views of open skies for the eclipse.  Immerse yourself in the experience at the edge of a lake away from light pollution.  The entire eclipse will last over 2 hours, start to finish.

Additional attractions and amenities are detailed below.   We look forward to hosting you!

Heron House Campground is in the path of totality and just a few miles from the point of greatest duration.  This listing is for 1 of a handful of sites that can be booked on a first-come, first-served basis.

Heron House is located a few miles northwest of Murphysboro at the edge of Kinkaid Lake and the Shawnee National Forest  in the Illinois Ozarks (away from city lights).  It is gorgeous country!

Here the skies are dark,  the laughs are belly-deep, the wildlife is boisterous, and deep breaths  of contentment live among the breezes in the bluffs.  

Heron House is a relaxing camping environment with friendly hosts.

$90 per camper per day, tents only.  Campsites are available April 6-April 11.  There will be numerous events taking place in the region.  3-night minimum.  Feel free to participate in all of them or simply kick back and enjoy the serenity of springtime at the edge of a lake in the Shawnee National Forest.

Campsites have shade trees and access to  uninhibited views (open skies for the eclipse).  The night skies are  stunning here.  Heron House also has a shaded porch that campers are  welcome to sit and enjoy a cold beverage on. :) Campsites  will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Attractions and Amenities: 

~Multiple gorgeous hiking trails—from easy to rigorous—and biking opportunities close by

~Owners/hosts on-site

~Walking distance to restaurant, bar, laundry (coin), showers, and convenience shop

~Kinkaid Lake Spillway is the area’s most beautiful “swimming hole” and can be accessed by car (6-min. drive) or boat

~Fishing docks and lake within walking distance  

~Beautiful lakeside and sunset strolls

~Scads of wineries and breweries in the area, including the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail

~Parking on-site (one standard-size parking place per campsite)

~Award-winning restaurants nearby, including 17th Street Barbecue, three-time World Grand Champions

~Science and history museums (adult and kid-friendly)

~The area is a nature lover’s paradise, surrounded by national forest and state parks and stunning beauty.

Campers have access to shared, serviced toilet  facilities and hand-washing stations that meet county code. Laundry (coin) and shower facilities are located within walking distance.  Potable water, dumpster for trash, and a large, in-the-ground, shared campfire pit for campers to share.  Campers are very welcome to bring self-sustaining cooking/campfire  equipment as long as it is in a contained unit that is raised off of the  ground.  In other words, no fires or dig pits  on/in the ground.  Thanks!

A power-strip station is available for campers to  share to charge mobile phones, laptops, and tablets; these are the only  electronic devices that can be charged at the power station, so please  be sure to have adequate batteries or charging  equipment for other devices.  For the courtesy of others, gas-powered  generators are not permitted, and power is not available on-site for  electric generators.

Please note that each individual camper must sign a  release of liability (guardians sign for minors).  If  the release has not been signed before arrival, it must be signed upon arrival.  Please note that refunds will not be granted, including for refusal to sign the release on the part of any camper in the party.

Free coffee in the morning for early risers from 6  a.m. 'til it's gone—and free treats in the evening for after-supper  snackers ('til they're gone).   :)

We look forward to hosting your magnificent stay in Southernmost Illinois for the 2024 Total Eclipse!

Setting up the tent in the huge, beautiful backyard

Nature's harmony lives on the breath of night and day in these trees--coyotes, bobcats, frogs, foxes, owls, herons, coots, hawks, eagles, and the occasional panther. 

This is a happy place. Whatever heaven is, it's a little closer here. 

Lights are strung all throughout the trees in the backyard and create a magical ambiance at night

Delight yourself with a sunset tree swing!

The Shawnee National Forest puts on a color show in the fall. Heron House is surrounded by the Shawnee. This hike is a must. It will remain with you forever. 

Warm up or do some cooking at the large communal firepit

The drive to the Kinkaid spillway, a watering hole in the nearby area

The Kinkaid Spillway--a favorite local watering hole...just across the lake from Heron House

Little Texas Farm and Lodge

Located in the Southern Illinois Ozarks, this lodge and 600 acres are part of the Cache River Drainage area, an area recognized internationally as being ecologically unique.  The Barn is located atop a limestone bluff; the property includes upland flora, wetland wildlife, row-crop fields, and has access on 2 sides to the Shawnee National Forest.  Conveniently located to participate in the natural opportunities of S. Illinois.Learn more about this land:Bring the hot dogs and the beans, but leave the sleeping bag and tent behind.  At Little Texas, you will spend your down-time in a 1600 foot, 3 BR, 3 bath lodge located 2/3 mile off the closest gravel road.  Little Texas is a place for those who love the isolation of camping but also the amenities of a lodge/home.  Full kitchen.  Sleeps 8.  Step outside for a view of the yard, the working windmill, the fields, trees, and the pond.  Test your skill at sorting constellations from the spectacular array of stars.  Located in Southernmost Illinois, the property sits on a limestone outcrop of the Ozarks which extend from Arkansas and Missouri across S. Illinois into westernmost Kentucky.   Bordered on 2 sides by the 260,000 acre Shawnee National Forest, nature is literally just outside the door.  When the hiker sits still, nature comes alive:  deer, turkey, raccoons, skunks, beavers, and lots of birds.

The Barn is located on a limestone bluff 110 feet above the old Ohio River bottom.

Autumn foliage across the field from the Barn

Tupelo swamp just off the north edge of the property

One of two matching bunkrooms downstairs.  The Barn sleeps 8 luxury campers!

Dining table with the full kitchen in the background.  No need to cook outdoors unless you insist!

Pond Ridge Adventure

We have 50 acres located in Southern Illinois 4 miles south of Murphysboro connected to 100 acres of Shawnee National forest.We set up a small family primitive campground for our family to enjoy every evening we ride our utv over from our house and watch the wildlife there are deer turkeys bobcats and many other small animal.Learn more about this land:Mostly suitable for Rv with generators and self contained units

Wildlife & Superman Camp

This was once a 40 acre farm, it is now a 10 acre farm with lots of space.  It includes 2 ponds and sits next door to nature preserve.

Learn more about this land:

Pitch your tent or small rv, camper, etc. Bring your fishing pole!  Only 7 minutes from town.  Metropolis is home to Superman, Fort Massac State Park and Harrah's Casino. 

Also, right across the Ohio River is Paducah, KY.  We have plenty of wildlife being next door to IL Dept of Conservation.

Please call me at 618.638.8323 to discuss your stay 

Albert slept right through the wilderness noises. 

Albert’s first camping trip. Plenty of space for everyone, site backed up to empty land so it was private. 


Ruff Neck Campsite

Located in Southern Illinois, home to the Saluki. Ruff Neck Campsite offers a great location just 2 miles from Walker's Bluff, Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge (Shawnee Forest), and town amenities. The campsite is a great place to see the wildlife and if you are lucky, catch a glimps of the Bald Eagle 🦅Learn more about this land:Pitch your tent at the Ruff Neck Campsite. Located 2 miles from Walker's Bluff, Crab Orchard  National Wildlife Refuge, and town with eateries.

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