We are birders, so we planned our stay for when the migration was high. We were not disappointed! The lodge is set overlooking the Illinois River, and just by sitting on the terrace we were able to see birds galore--including a Mississippi Kite! We hiked the trails through the woods on the bluffs and were rewarded with great views and several unusual birds. Even if you are not a birder, the serenity of the setting is a wonderful experience by itself. We enjoyed staying in a cabin--it had the authentic feel of the CCC era but with modern amenities. The meals in the dining room were excellent, reasonably priced, and the staff very friendly. My only complaint is that we had to get to the lodge through the back roads since the river road was closed because of flooding (which was not their fault) but the signage on the back route was poor and confusing.
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