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Heron House Total Eclipse Camping

Hosted by Joanna · Murphysboro, Illinois
100%
·
9 reviews
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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!
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    Reviews

    100% Recommend11 ratings · 9 reviews
    Recommends
    · April 2024
    Fantastic hosts!
    Tent · Group trip ·
    Heron House 1
    Wonderful experience, super easy, super fun. Thank you David and Joanna!
    R
    Rebecca S.
    2 reviews
    Recommends
    · April 2024
    The most amazing hosts!
    Tent ·
    Heron House 1
    We had a wonderful time here. The hosts were extremely accommodating (they even had morning coffee and phone charging available)! They were also very prepared with information about local trails, wine tastings, restaurants and more readily available. The property was very well landscaped and maintained and extremely clean. The areas for fire, kids playing, etc were clearly and organically defined. The portable toilets were easily accessible but tucked away from the areas of main activity. It was obvious that the hosts put a lot of thought and effort into every aspect of their hipcamp. This was the best Hipcamp experience we have had in over 7 years of experiences. If you have the opportunity - stay here!
    Avatar
    Chantee P.
    13 reviews
    Recommends
    · April 2024
    roadtrip to totality !
    Tent ·
    Heron House 1
    oh man what a joy to have stayed here with this beautiful family. very kind souls opening their home for us crazy eclipse chasers to have a safe space to experience totality. thankful I chose this spot to pitch my tent in the beautiful yard with a fun fire pit & endless coffee in the morning. the people I met (along with the dog and cats) will be in my mind forever , what a magical experience we shared !
    T
    Taylor A.
    1 year on Hipcamp
    Recommends
    · April 2024
    Tent ·
    Heron House 1
    The site was as pictured and described; no surprises, which is always my preference when booking a site. Very well kept area, clean yard and outdoor living spaces. Felt completely safe as well. Pretty stars at night! If the description matches what you’re looking for, absolutely book it! (Assuming they open again for something other than an eclipse, that is! :)) What really made the experience stand out were the hosts! It is clear that they enjoy hosting and put their full hearts into it. The site in no way required, but certainly fostered, an opportunity for community amongst the campers. I attribute the camaraderie with fellow campers as being directly related to the efforts Joanna and David made to create a relaxing and inclusive environment. Coffee time in the morning and community fires at night created a perfect atmosphere for forming friendships. Top notch! Additionally, they were happy to provide insight about the area and excellent recommendations. I 100% recommend them as hosts; couldn’t ask for better! Kind, welcoming, communicative and a joy to talk to! The 2024 Eclipse was exceptional and I’m thrilled I spent it at Heron House amongst all the wonderful people there, hosts most certainly included!
    Avatar
    Amanda A.
    1 year on Hipcamp
    Recommends
    · April 2024
    Solar eclipse camping
    Tent ·
    Heron House 1
    With a last minute decision to travel to see the 2024 solar eclipse we were lucky to find accommodation with David and Johanna at Heron House 1. The hospitality was excellent, the atmosphere friendly and the morning coffee and conversation very good.
    S
    Sonia V.
    1 year on Hipcamp
    Recommends
    · August 2017
    Group trip ·
    Heron House 1
    My stay at Heron House was absolutely perfect. The hosts are so unbelievably kind and accommodating. They were so knowledgeable about the area and gave us great information about things to do and places to see during our stay. They have a large, beautiful, grassy backyard with many places to pitch a tent. Several trees offer morning and evening shade. They have a large fire pit to relax by or cook meals. Their property was so serene and peaceful. The Heron House is conveniently located near Kinkaid Lake, where you can boat, swim, cliff jump, etc., and the Kinkaid Spillway, a small waterfall/lake swimming hole. Shawnee National Forest is also nearby, which has many hiking trails and viewpoints of the southern Illinois landscape. This area invites adventure seekers and outdoor lovers. This is the best it gets in Illinois!
    Avatar
    Emily O.
    8 years on Hipcamp
    Recommends
    · August 2017
    Heron House 1
    Nice rural spot to camp and view the eclipse in a small non crowded environment. Joanna and David were the perfect hosts!
    M
    Michael K.
    8 years on Hipcamp
    Recommends
    · August 2017
    Heron House 1
    Our stay for the eclipse at Heron House was beyond our expectations. Joanna and David were exceptional hosts - the coffee every morning was delish and so were all the great recommendations of restaurants and pubs. They managed to crest a community for all us camping to experience the eclipse together. Highly recommended this stay and can't wait to come back! Thanks, Joanna & David!
    M
    Maddie M.
    8 years on Hipcamp
    Recommends
    · August 2017
    Heron House 1
    Felt more like a family reunion than a bunch of strangers. Best hosts ever!!
    Avatar
    Michael B.
    8 years on Hipcamp

    Location

    Murphysboro, Jackson, Illinois, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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    Hosted by Joanna & David T.

    Joined in May 2017

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      1. United States
      2. Illinois
      3. Murphysboro

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