For sale

Proven Short Term Rental Investment With 3 A-Frame Cabins On 25 Acres

Acreage

25.66 ±

County

Union

Price Reduced

$945,000

Description

Welcome to The Cabins at Sunrise Hill — a rare opportunity to acquire a fully operational short-term rental property in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest. This 25-acre property includes a 4-acre stocked, private lake, a 1-acre stocked pond, and three well-appointed A-Frame cabins known as the Blue Heron Cabin, the White Oak Cabin, and the Wildflower Cabin. From July 2024 through June 2025, the cabins combined produced $141,806 in gross revenue, with an average occupancy rate of 73% and an average nightly rate of $175. The property maintains 363 online reviews with a 5-star overall rating, reflecting its established reputation among guests. Jay P. says “ First time staying in an A-frame and this blew our expectations out of the water. The cabin was clean, luxurious, spacious, and packed with thoughtful amenities. It’s part of a beautiful small A-frame resort with stunning lake views. We loved the cozy campfire setup and the relaxing hot tub. Amazing stay all around. And the host went over and beyond making sure everything ran smoothly.” Each cabin offers a self-contained lodging space with a full kitchen equipped with cooktop, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, cookware, dishes, and pantry space. Other amenities include Wi-Fi, workspace, Smart TV, heating, air conditioning, linens, towels, toiletries, and private entrances. Outdoor features include firepits, Adirondack seating, and each cabin has a hot tub overlooking scenic views of the property. Sleeping arrangements in each cabin include one queen bed on the main level and one queen bed in a loft, accommodating up to four adults per unit. Combined, the three cabins can host from 3 to 12 guests. The property includes parking for each unit and follows a pet-friendly policy for dogs only (up to two per cabin, with fees and advance approval). The land is a mix of open and wooded areas, providing habitat for wildlife and space for recreation. The property is adjacent to Shawnee National Forest and Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour ziplines, with immediate access to popular hiking areas such as Panther’s Den Wilderness, River to River Trail, Ferne Clyffe State Park, and Giant City State Park. Lakes in the region include Lake of Egypt, Devil’s Kitchen, and Little Grassy, all within approximately 20 minutes. The surrounding area also offers numerous wineries within 10–30 minutes, including Blue Sky Vineyard, Feather Hills Winery, and Starview Vineyards. The property’s location attracts guests seeking outdoor activities, rural relaxation, and local tourism experiences. This sale includes the established brand identity, direct booking website, documented operational procedures, and marketing channels currently in place. Property management has been handled by Southern Illinois Vacation Rentals since opening. They are the area leader in property management with nearly 50 rentals currently under management. Their fee is 20% of gross rent and they handle all of the cleaning, bookings and guest communications. With its proven income stream, loyal guest base, and prime recreational location, this property offers both a functioning business and an investment in rural land in a naturally scenic area of Southern Illinois.

Summary

Property

Outbuildings

Garage

Road Surface

Blacktop/Asphalt

Property Type

Recreational Land, Residential Land, Commercial Land, Hunting Land, Lakefront

Road Frontage

County Road

Approximate Distances

10 mi	Carbondale
24 mi	Marion
120 mi	St. Louis, MO
330 mi	Chicago

Utilities

electric: onsite

sewer: onsite

internet: onsite

water: onsite

Address 890 Robinson Hill Road Makanda, IL 62958

View on Google Maps

Details

25 acres in Union County, IL with 4-acre private lake and 1-acre stocked pond
Three A-Frame cabins: Blue Heron Cabin, White Oak Cabin, Wildflower Cabin
July 2024–June 2025 gross revenue: $141,806; 73% occupancy; $175 avg. nightly rate
Each cabin is 672 square feet and sleeps up to 4 guests; combined capacity is 12 guests
Full kitchens, Wi-Fi, Smart TVs, workspace, heating, air conditioning, linens, and toiletries included
Outdoor amenities: firepits, seating, and all three cabins have a hot tub
Adjacent to Shawnee National Forest
Directly across the road from Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour, near Panther’s Den, River to River Trail, and state parks
Close to Lake of Egypt, Devil’s Kitchen, Little Grassy, and multiple wineries
Pet-friendly (dogs only, up to two per cabin, with fees and approval)
Established short-term rental business with direct booking website and operational systems
Property management has been handled by Southern Illinois Vacation Rentals since opening
The land is a rolling mix of open fields and wooded tree lines, with room for expansion to add more cabins
A 4th building on the property houses 2 washers and 2 dryers, and storage for extra bedding
363 online guest reviews with a solid 5 star rating
Impressive social media following with 5,437 followers on Instagram and 1,600 followers on Facebook
Full boundary survey on file
2024 Property Taxes were $4,463