The Most Luxurious Places To Go Glamping In Illinois

Glamping is all the rage, and rightfully so – it gives city and country people a perfect meeting ground. Away from the frenzy of Chicago, Illinois has some phenomenal parks and green spaces, like Shawnee National Forest and Matthiessen State Park. So if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, grab a sleeping bag and settle in to one of these gorgeous Illinois glamping grounds.

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Rim Rock’s Dogwood Cabins

Want to get away but afraid to leave your furry loved one at home? At Rim Rock’s Dogwood Cabins, your pets can enjoy the scenery with you. The cabins are large enough to fit four to nine people, so make it a family affair. Just a short distance away in Shawnee National Forest, be sure to visit the Garden of the Gods for a truly spectacular natural site.

About 90mi (145km) northwest of Chicago, Kinnikinnick Farm is near the Wisconsin border and is perfect for a nature escape. The best part of this site is that it offers the Farm Stay program for adults and kids to dive into the life of a farmer by completing some of the daily tasks, such as milking a goat or collecting eggs. The tents are rustic but comfortable, making this an exciting, historical experience.

Shale Lake

Why travel all the way to Napa when the Winery at Shale Lake is right in Illinois? Hunker down in a cabin only a short walk to the lake while sipping wine made on site. Each cabin has a screened-in porch to keep those pesky bugs away – the views are absolutely breathtaking, and the wine isn’t half bad, either.

Willowbrook Cabins

Willowbrook has the largest cabins on the list, and its amenities are jaw-dropping – some even include hot tubs. With multiple cabins sleeping up to six or nine people, it’s perfect for small groups or family reunions. Willowbrook is a great site any time of year, and perfect for nights spent snuggling up while watching TV – which might be the greatest glamping perk of all.

Timber Ridge Outpost and Cabins

Timber Ridge is for fans of Peter Pan (1911) and even Netflix’s hit Ozark. Nestled deep in the Illinois Ozarks, these Illinois treehouses will take you to an otherworldly place far from the hustle and bustle of the city. You’ll be surrounded by the most wonderful greenery here, and there is still a bathroom and a kitchen for all of your homey needs.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.