Top Horse Camping near Apple River, IL

Looking for a rustic and comfortable horse camping experience near Apple River? Finding a place to stay in Illinois while traveling with your horse is easy. Search horse campsites and discover top-rated spots, as reviewed by other campers.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Apple River, IL (8)


Recent Equestrian Reviews In Apple River

103 Reviews of 8 Apple River Campgrounds


  • Sarah B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowstone Lake State Park
    Jul. 19, 2024

    Yellowstone Lake State Park

    Def do not recommend for summer 2024!

    I wanted so badly to love this campground experience, but just didn't. Site 19 was an easy walk-in that theoretically had nearby vault toilets, parking, and water.

    Each site only had space for one car to park before walking in. Not a huge deal, but annoying as there were 2 of us who drove separate and we had to problem solve. When we got to the site I was shocked to see that what was labeled as a tent site had literally NO flat space to actually set up a tent. Spacious site, but fully sloped.

    Also, what I would have loved to know, is that the vault toilets are closed because they are doing construction to build something new in that space. Construction that starts loudly each day at 7am. Honestly every site from about #35 down was affected by the noise because the construction is happening in the middle of the loop (and actually blocking some of the one-way road as well).

    The park in general was okay. Per the usual, the pet areas were lacking. No beach at all, just grass covered in goose poop and one cut out on the raised shore between tall grasses and foliage where a dog could potentially jump in. Certainly nowhere for a human to enjoy the water with their pups unfortunately.

  • Stacie H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Morrison Rockwood State Park
    Aug. 19, 2023

    Morrison Rockwood State Park

    A lovely campground with the CLEANEST bathrooms and showerhouse!

    This campground is a lovely gem! Most of the camp sites are fairly secluded from one another by distance and from surrounding foliage (see pic). The exceptions would be sites 55-64 that loop around the playground. We, unfortunately, didn't know this and so had site 61. It was nice little spot with plenty of shade but I was a bit jealous of those with more secluded spots, especially since we are tent campers and all of the others on the loop were big RVs.

    The pros:

    - The campground hosts were lovely. Friendly but not overbearing, as some can be.

    - The on site restaurant/bait shop/ boat rental was very convenient! Husband forgot to pack something and the little bait shop had what we needed. Plus, we were able to buy firewood there, too.

    - Lovely scenery! The hiking trails were well maintained and there were lots of beautiful flowers, bird, and butterflies. We even saw a raccoon!

    - The (and I cannot emphasize this enough) CLEANEST campground bathrooms I've ever seen! I'm not squeamish and have been camping for years so my expectations for campground bathroom cleanliness is well calibrated but these bathrooms (even the vault toilets!) were amazingly clean! There weren't even spiderwebs on the ceiling of the shower house. Just *chef's kiss*

    - The water from the pump was very clean.

    The cons:

    -  Lack of privacy/seclusion for the 55-64 sites along the loop.

    - For that same loop, since it circles the playground, if kids playing noises bother you, might want to choose a different site.

    - The food at the restaurant was meh. It was fine- it was sustenance. Nothing to write home about.

    - LOTS of big RVs. It wasn't an issue for us on this trip, but on other camping trips sometimes being surrounded by big RVs just isn't a great vibe.

  • Brian O.
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowstone Lake State Park
    Jun. 30, 2023

    Yellowstone Lake State Park

    Nice alternative to Gov. Dodge or Devil's Lake (No rocks or vews though)

     This is a very large state park located halfway between Mineral Point and New Glarus, both nice visiting destinations in their own right.
    It has a large lake with three boat launches, a main one with a motor ramp, a canoe launch near the marshy end, and a fishing pier. There's also a boat rental place run by the nearby Cork Down Saloon. There are no boat-in or lake accessible campsites however.
     The campground is up a long 30 degree hill across from the main launch and Beach/ main picnic area. The sites are more secluded from each other than you'll find at most parks , which is very nice. Beware that some sites are so secluded that they are bi-level. That is, parking pad and then step(s) down to the site. Be sure to check the photos provided when reserving.  There are very nice walk-in sites, but no carts are provided.
    the facilities are clean, but there's only one building with running water and showers. Water throughout has a mild iron taste.
    There's no playground in the camp area, it's located in a picnic area near the canoe launch that you pass as you com in. Not walking distance, remember the big hill.
     There's an Ice Cream/concession at the east end of the lake with limited hours. Beyond that is the Cork Down Saloon, just outside the secondary entrance to the park. It's your closest option to eat out. Also there is the private Chalet campground (see others for a review) Neither has a view of the lake as they are below the Dam.
    A fun place to visit in the area is the Toy Train Barn Museum in Argyle, indoors if you have a rainy day.

  • Mike K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Twin Valley - Governor Dodge State Park
    Jun. 7, 2023

    Twin Valley - Governor Dodge State Park

    Rangers to not enforce the park rules!

    wonderful park! Only problem is the park does not enforce their rules. Several sites had 3 to 4 cars/ trucks and as many as 15 people per site. And these were not the double sites which allow greater numbers. This was observered on single sites. Rules say max of 6 people and 2 cars. This creates very loud partying late at night. I asked at the ranger station about the rules and discussed what I saw what I experienced. Pretty much just blew me off! Reserving only one site and packing as many people as they can get away with does not create a very family friendly camping experience.  Only leads to trouble.  No Rangers in the Park after 8pm which to me is a safety issue!  After 8pm the local police in Dodgeville take over.  We were there 5 nights and only saw the police roll through 1 night!  Too bad.  Such a nice Park is going down hill!

  • Brian O.
    Camper-submitted photo from Morrison Rockwood State Park
    May. 19, 2023

    Morrison Rockwood State Park

    A nice state park that makes a nice base

    We saw an article about "Dutch Days" in nearby Fulton on www.OnlyInYourState.com, (first weekend in May) and thought it looked like fun. The nearest campground at Thomson causeway recreational area was closed both for repairs and for flooding so this was our best choice.
    It was not crowded this early in the season, though most of the sites are pretty private and that wasn't an issue. We stayed in the 60's loop which is more open than most since it has the playground. There's only one shower building, which is clean and well-kept, and it is on the 80's loop, though there are paths to it from the others.
    There are a few pull-through sites, but I'm not sure they're indicated. The ADA sites are large and well paved, though the tables do not have wheelchair overhangs.
    Fire rings are hit and miss, our site had a low square pit with a non-adjustable flip-over grill, other sites had taller, circular rings, check site photos.
    There are two trails downhill to the lake from the 60's loop, no lakeside campsites.
    The lake is small but pleasant and stocked with fish. There are boat rentals available and a small restaurant and general store.
    We went on day trips to Fulton and Clinton, IA. Eagle point park has a good view of the Mississippi, but  more spectacular views are at Mississippi Palisades State Park, a 50 min drive.
    If you don't feel like cooking, a great choice is the Candlelight Inn(s), half an hour to the east or west in Clinton, Sterling or Rock Falls. A great family restaurant/ steakhouse famous for it's "Chicken George" (they'll give you a free sample to get you hooked)

  • Tiffany K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowstone Lake State Park
    May. 8, 2023

    Yellowstone Lake State Park

    Family Camping near Lake

    This campground offers sites with electricity for RVs but some of the sites seem pretty narrow to use RV awnings. We booked an RV site but decided to camp. The site had a picnic table and fire ring but since it was an RV spot not a lot of good tent placement options. There are numerous pit toilets to use. The park has hiking trails that are accessible from the campground. The lake has a walking trail, kayak ramps and boat ramps.

  • Stephanie S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Morrison Rockwood State Park
    May. 8, 2023

    Morrison Rockwood State Park

    Woodsy and cozy camping

    We enjoyed the beautiful lake and cute restaurant/gift shop. We liked the different loops of campsites with pit toilets every where and a nice modern bathroom/shower house also. There were several camp hosts scattered among the camp site loops. Our campsite had a more open feel than some of the others. It wasn’t as heavily treed and we liked that. The sites were very well spaced apart. There were many well worn paths that lead to the lake, but it was too wet from previous rain for us to explore those. We did enjoy walking along the various loops among the trees. We will definitely return and bring some friends with us next time.

  • Chelsie W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cox Hollow - Governor Dodge State Park
    Feb. 12, 2023

    Cox Hollow - Governor Dodge State Park

    Lovely Gov’ Dodge

    We love to go kayaking here, the lakes are lovely. There are also lots of trails to explore. It can get busy, especially during the summer holidays. The beaches tend to be where the people are most dense. The campgrounds are pretty large but most sites offer good privacy. We stayed at Cox Hollow campground and enjoyed our stay. The stars were glorious. P.S. Bob’s Bitchin BBQ in Dodgeville is banging if you’re looking for a yum treat.

  • Alex H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowstone Lake State Park
    Sep. 26, 2022

    Yellowstone Lake State Park

    No Flat Spots

    Very nice park. Well marked and maintained trails. A large lake with boat launch and beach area. Separate pet area.

    We spent the weekend at site 101, which is a tent site. I wouldn't recommend this site. based on a quick walkaround, it seemed a bit smaller than other sites. That's not really a deal-breaker, but it didn't really have any flat spots to pitch the tent. We ended up pitching it up on the parking area, but it was still a bit slanted and we could feel the tire divot a little through the air mattresses. Aside from that, it was great. The site had a picnic table and fire ring that we used a lot. It was secluded from the surrounding sites.

    We hiked the Windy Ridge trail and the Prairie Loop trail. both were well maintained and enjoyable trails. We also spent some time on the beach.

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cox Hollow - Governor Dodge State Park
    Aug. 23, 2022

    Cox Hollow - Governor Dodge State Park

    Loud, party vibe

    The campsites here are deep with lots of greenery. However we chose this site thinking that it was on the end. The loops curl around so there were campers around us. On the other side was a playground that had children enjoying it all day. While this is great for some, our reactive dog was quite distracted.

    Upon arriving at the check in, there is still a couple miles to wind around until the campground, longer to get to twin lakes campground. The road is hilly too. It’s not a problem in our vehicle but it would be tiring on a bicycle. There are showers in the center of our loop. It could be expanded a bit - we had short lines for the restrooms. Water , garbage and recycling are available as well as a dump station.

    It was raining when we arrived but we drove around to see the park. We hiked the short distance to Stephen’s Falls and was not impressed. Maybe they need more rain this year but all we saw was a splatter.

    We saw folks who kept their kayaks and canoes locked up by the lake. The beach looked nice too. The other end of the park has an equestrian campground. We did see some horses riding the trail around the park.

    The vibe here wasn’t for us. Various sites had music playing loud enough for us to hear. Trails from camp would be great. We ended up walking along the narrow road.

  • Kelly M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowstone Lake State Park
    Aug. 19, 2022

    Yellowstone Lake State Park

    Love this State Park

    Great beach, lots of space with picnic tables. Awesome concession stand- great ice cream. We enjoy this park. Lots of bat houses so the mosquitoes weren't a problem.

  • S
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowstone Lake State Park
    Aug. 2, 2022

    Yellowstone Lake State Park

    Great low key park!

    Loved this quiet park! Camped at site 62 which is tent only. The site was huge and could easily fit 4 tents. Most sites had good privacy. Bathrooms could use a little work along with signage. However, I will absolutely be going back.

  • kThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Twin Valley - Governor Dodge State Park
    Jul. 19, 2022

    Twin Valley - Governor Dodge State Park

    Terrible campsite

    Made a reservation on line. $25. Added a conservation fee of $7. Taxes added to that. Pulled in on my motorcycles with my son and they charged us an additional $22 vehicle charge. This site cost us almost $60 for one night and the place was filthy. There were worms crawling around in the men’s urinal. The bathrooms were disgusting and there were signs all over complaining about how short staffed they were. Never go to this campground.

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Le-Aqua-Na
    Jul. 18, 2022

    Lake Le-Aqua-Na

    Camping with plenty of area to explore

    This was an unexpected good find in Illinois. The campground was nice with the standard set up - picnic tables, restrooms, water available. You can follow the road or the trails and make your way to the lake. We didn't go in the lake but we saw people fishing.

    The hiking trails were enjoyed often by us. We found one section that had some interesting wildflowers. We paused and turned around when we found the archery area. We suggest keeping an eye on hunting season if you head this way.

    We would certainly return in the future.

  • D
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowstone Lake State Park
    Jul. 10, 2022

    Yellowstone Lake State Park

    Great WI State Park camp

    Great camping here. Water readily available. Clean bathrooms. Welcome center when you arrive. People friendly. Lot of different types of sites. Lot of sites. Did about 10mi of hiking. Buggy, but it's June in WI.

  • Rx Q.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cox Hollow - Governor Dodge State Park
    Jun. 19, 2022

    Cox Hollow - Governor Dodge State Park

    Noisy

    This was my first and probably last time camping at Cox Hollow. Let’s start with positive: easy access to the campsite I was able to park my car right by the tent. Bathrooms and showers seemed clean enough, but I would recommend wearing some sort of footwear while you shower. Now the negatives: loud and obnoxious families with screaming bratty kids, people leave food scraps so raccoons are not scared and come right up to you sniffing for food, people have zero courtesy and slam bathroom door non stop, not to mention slamming down dumpster lids literally all day and late into the evening. Oh and did I mention screaming kids? Apparently “quiet hours” are from 11pm-8am, well the noise continued almost into midnight hours and as early as 6:30am. Thumping stereos with loud music, also can’t blame dogs for barking, but we had a howler and it kept going all the time. Forget about sleeping in or enjoying the sounds of nature. I’d like try different campsite at this park, but won’t be returning to Cox Hollow.

  • Mike F.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Le-Aqua-Na
    Jun. 15, 2022

    Lake Le-Aqua-Na

    Very Clean State Park

    All sites are clean. They clean out fire pits after every weekend. Some sites were not the most level. All Roads are newly paved. New/Updated Dump station. Once you enter the park, there are some drastic hills to navigate. We didn't get to use the lake. It was refilling, via letting nature fill the lake back up. I'm not sure why, but the lake was drained some time back, when the park was closed for over a year for the maintenance that was done.

  • Amber C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowstone Lake State Park
    May. 27, 2022

    Yellowstone Lake State Park

    Peaceful, large lots

    This Campground was spacious and quiet. We camped in April so it wasn't as crowded but I can imagine in summer this is a popular destination with the large lake. Lots of nice hiking trails. The water was still turned off since it was the off season so we didn't look at any of the facilities but everything seemed well maintained.

  • Brian O.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cox Hollow - Governor Dodge State Park
    May. 12, 2022

    Cox Hollow - Governor Dodge State Park

    check the photos before you book

     Unlike Twin Valley, this campground is up on the hills, many sites drop off steeply. It really should be called Cox Bluff, oh well.  Sites are well spaced and when it's summer and leafy, fairly private.  Site #21 has the best view of the lake, but it's the one everyone arriving shines their headlights into. The sites to either side fare better. Many of the sites on the outer loops are split-level. Check the photo, if it looks like there's a log across the site, it means you have to step down to get to the large part of the site. Pay attention to the drive-in dimensions posted. Bigger rigs will do better inner loop. There are no pull-throughs.
    Firepits are low steel rings, 30" across with no grate., tables are long, family sized.
    Toilets and showers are clean and well lit, with an outlet for razors. Hot water is inconsistent.

  • Amy W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Morrison Rockwood State Park
    Apr. 2, 2022

    Morrison Rockwood State Park

    Family friendly; great first timers

    first timers/ young kids- yes. Primitive campers- no. My husband had never been camping. I grew up with very primitive camping- no electricity, only pit toilets, sometimes fresh water, and no showers (milk jug showers!) Little by little, I’m warming him up to camping. This is a great place for new campers, families of young kids, or just looking for an easier trip. There’s a shower house with flush toilets, warm showers, and surprisingly CLEAN! The site was medium size. Enough room to spread out. Ground was flat so finding a tent site was no problem. Electric hookup worked. Picnic table was good. Check your site before booking! One section of sites is like an open field? No trees and full view of others. But these surround a playground- also very nice. Glamping with young kids? These sites would be a perfect. AT&T and Verizon cell service worked fine

  • N
    Camper-submitted photo from Twin Valley - Governor Dodge State Park
    Mar. 1, 2022

    Twin Valley - Governor Dodge State Park

    Gorgeous Wisconsin Gem

    We really love camping at Governor Dodge. It has some fantastic hiking trails, nice lakes, and family friendly camping. Facilities are ok, not the worst, not the best. Medium sized sites. Overall a great State Park.

  • c
    Camper-submitted photo from Cox Hollow - Governor Dodge State Park
    Nov. 28, 2021

    Cox Hollow - Governor Dodge State Park

    Big Beautiful park has it all!

    We love camping at Governor Dodge state park. The campsites are big and fairly private some areas are better for groups of families camping together with play grounds and nice clean bathrooms with showers. If you camp at Twin Valley You will have to drive to the beach. We like the Cox Hollow beach the best ..so if you want to walk to beach camp there. There are lots of beautiful hiking trails including one that passes an old farm homestead complete with the old spring house and a waterfall. You can also rent horses and rid them in the park…the rental place is just outside the park. They have groomed cross country trails and mountain biking trails as well. You won’t be disappointed if you visit this park!

    V

  • Bentz E.
    Camper-submitted photo from Yellowstone Lake State Park
    Oct. 25, 2021

    Yellowstone Lake State Park

    Great spot, close to water

    Great spot to camp. Right by a lake. There is a dock out onto the water for easy access if you want to bring your kayaks, paddleboards, etc. Easy to get to and a beautiful drive through the country to get there in the fall. There are a lot of bugs due to the proximity to the lake

  • kassondra T.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cox Hollow - Governor Dodge State Park
    Sep. 26, 2021

    Cox Hollow - Governor Dodge State Park

    Good campground, good hiking

    We had a great site with room for both our truck camper and canopy/tent setup. Great hiking, although the falls would’ve been more impressive if we’d had more recent rainfall. Had a fun time fishing but there wasn’t much of a pier. Found a picnic spot along the shoreline and fished from there instead. Loved that the campgrounds had little free libraries!



Guide to Apple River

Camping near Apple River, Illinois, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a quiet getaway or a family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Nature Walks: Explore the trails at Apple River Canyon. One camper mentioned, "The stars on a clear night is what keeps me coming back every year." The trails are well-maintained and provide a great way to enjoy the outdoors.
  • Fishing and Water Activities: At Grant River Recreation Area, you can fish and enjoy views of the Mississippi River. A visitor noted, "Nice campground. Cement pads and blacktop roads. Clean shower houses."
  • Kayaking and Canoeing: Many campgrounds, like Crazy Horse Campground, offer water activities. One review highlighted, "Crazy horse is a very clean and well-maintained campground with a lot of things to do like river tubing, kayaking, and canoeing."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A review from Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area stated, "All sites are clean. They clean out fire pits after every weekend."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds provide ample space between sites. A visitor at Rustic Barn Campground RV Park mentioned, "The sites are all clean and most all are level."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often rave about the helpfulness of the staff. One camper at Grant River Recreation Area said, "Wonderful PPL THAT CARE ABOUT OTHERS!! THANKS YALL."

What you should know:

  • Bug Season: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A camper at Apple River Canyon warned, "The bugs are no joke though. Mosquitoes, gnats, and other flying friends were definitely swarming."
  • Train Noise: Some campgrounds, like Grant River Recreation Area, are near train tracks. A visitor noted, "The campground was neat and tidy... A railroad mainline ran along the campground."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have stores or restaurants nearby. A review for Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground mentioned, "There is no store on site, they do sell wood but it is cash only."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. One camper at Crazy Horse Campground said, "They gave a lot of amenities for the kids like mini golf, jump pad, playgrounds, and a pool."
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Be mindful of noise levels, especially during quiet hours. A camper at Cox Hollow Campground — Governor Dodge State Park shared, "The vibe here wasn’t for us. Various sites had music playing loud enough for us to hear."
  • Bring Bug Spray: With the potential for bugs, it's smart to pack bug spray. A visitor at Apple River Canyon advised, "The bugs are no joke though."

Tips from RVers:

Camping near Apple River, Illinois, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Apple River, IL?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Apple River, IL is Yellowstone Lake State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 31 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Apple River, IL?

    TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Apple River, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.