Pine Manor Estate

Pine Manor Estates is a private estate resort set on 125 acres along the shoreline of a private lake within the Shawnee National Forest near Carbondale, Illinois — roughly two hours from St. Louis and four hours from Chicago. The Gibson family acquired the property in 1998 and developed it into a destination for weddings, family reunions, corporate retreats, and group getaways over more than two decades. The estate comprises a collection of individually styled guest houses — including Oak Manor, Wood Road Lodge, Poolside Cottage, Casey Carriage House, and the Sir Laurence Wright Conference Center — each with its own character, available individually or as a full-property buyout accommodating more than 80 guests. The setting draws from Southern Illinois's natural landscape: championship golf, bass fishing, whitetail hunting, the Shawnee Wine Trail, and direct access to National Forest trails are all within reach. All events require advance approval through the property manager, making Pine Manor well suited for groups seeking a private, coordinated experience far from the city.