TnT’s Lake Cabins at Kincaid, A Perfect Winter Escape!

Are you a fan of winter beauty?  What better place to enjoy the scenery than Kincaid Lake in Murphysboro, Illinois with a nearby stay at affordable, comfortable, TnT Lake Cabins. The location is perfect only ¼ mile from Kincaid Lake, the marina, and public boat ramp.

I came to stay in cabin #7 with my cousin Carrie Steinweg.  We were hosted by the owner Tonya Knust and Tammy Ryan thus the name, TnT. Carol Hoffman from Southernmost Tourism Bureau set us up for this visit.

The Cabin

Both Carrie and I were impressed by how roomy the space is, along with how well stocked the cabin is. They have bedding, towels, and kitchen items.

With two bedrooms and a bath and a half, there is plenty of room for a family, or girlfriends’ getaway.

If it is a small duo like we are, it was great with privacy yet a comfortable gathering space.

We also enjoyed the kitchen, it is so much easier to travel when you can bring snacks, drinks, and have a quiet place to regroup. 

While at the cabin, we took advantage of the free Wi-Fi and great kitchen table workspace.  With projects that needed completion, this was an oasis at the end of our busy days.

Our hosts

We had a chance to meet Tonya and Tammy at our book signing for Unique Eats and Eateries of Illinois at Cummare’s.

In our information packet I learned that Tonya is a Murphysboro native. In the packet they share, “She grew up on Kinkaid Lake, where summers were filled with boating and fishing, camping, hunting and sun kissed days spent with family and friends”

The packet goes on to explain that Tonya’s wife Tammy, “… hails from Kentucky where she was raised on UK basketball, bourbon, sweet tea and summers spent skiing, boating and camping on Kentucky Lake.”

With backgrounds like this it is easy to see why this area of the state near the beautiful Shawnee Hills would beckon to them. They wanted to create a place where visitors could relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Kinkaid Lake

The best part of the location is near Kincaid Lake. This 2,750-acre reservoir was created in the late 1960’s when Kincaid Lake was dammed. This beautiful area has 82 miles of shoreline with stunning sandstone bluffs, a thriving forest and many lovely waterfalls to enjoy.

Tonya and Tammy want visitors to share the beautiful sunsets no matter the time of year.  Our visit was in the fall. We saw the sun setting on the hills and the sky emblazoned in beauty.

A year round stay

TnT cabins and Kinkaid Lake can be enjoyed year-round. When the temperatures begin to dip, outdoor lovers can enjoy the stillness of the area. View the icy spillway where fantastic ice formations are created in a frozen beauty. The water was a bit low when we visited the spillway. But,we had the advantage of walking out and seeing it up close.

Winter hiking on the 17-mile Kinkaid Lake Trail or paths nearby can offer a bit of wildlife views and you have a clearer view without so much vegetation blocking it.

The impressive mostly oak and hickory forest is beautiful in any season. During the winter it is easier to spot wildlife, like the geese and deer we spied during our visit.

What else can you do?

The location of TnT cabins allow you enjoy some of the fun dining spots in town profiled in the new book Unique Eats and Eateries of Illinois. Those spots include Pat’s BBQ,

Small Town Scoop,

Cummare’s, Italian Ristorante,

Faye by 17^th Street,

17^th Street BBQ,

Rendleman’s Orchard

in nearby Alto Pass, and just a few miles away in Pinckneyville, The Dixie Cup Café. On a previous visit when working on our new book, I learned that Murphysboro is credited with being the BBQ Capital of Illinois.

If you’re a history fan check out the story of John A. Logan.

A political figure, John A. Logan was a Union Civil War general, Senator, and a man credited with creating one of our most enduring holidays, Memorial Day. The holiday was previously known as Decoration Day. To learn more, stop by the Jackson County Courthouse to see his memorial. For more details, visit the fascinating John A. Logan Museum. John A. Logan College is also named after him. He left a legacy in his hometown.

The Big Muddy Monster!

You can’t leave the area without learning about the Big Muddy Monster lore. You will find references all over town. A statue, pictures, and items named after the monster as well. The story all goes back to 1973 sightings documented by eyewitnesses that filed police reports. The beast that is described as an albino Big Foot with red glowing eyes and a terrible smell has become popular enough to have a festival in his honor!

Keep Southernmost Illinois in your winter calendar.  With milder temperatures, surrounded by nature, a visit to the TnT Lake cabin and Lake Kincaid may be just what the doctor ordered.  Just don’t answer the door if a big smelly monster comes calling!