Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground provides primitive camping facilities for horse owners in Bourbonnais, Illinois, approximately 50 miles from Bedford Park. The campground features drinking water access, toilet facilities, and trash collection services for equestrians. While the campground does not offer electric hookups or water hookups at individual sites, it does provide sanitary dump stations and shower facilities for campers. The equestrian campground allows fires and permits pets, making it suitable for riders traveling with dogs. Sites are accessible via drive-in access, though reservations are not available, operating on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground lacks designated horse corrals, requiring riders to bring portable containment systems or high-lines for their horses.
The main Potowatomi Campground at Kankakee River State Park offers additional camping options with more amenities, including electric hookups and water access. Spacious sites with lush vegetation between them provide privacy for campers and their horses. The park features access to trail systems suitable for horseback riding, with connections to the crushed gravel bike path that can be used by equestrians. The trail system provides opportunities to observe wildlife, including deer and various bird species. Riders appreciate the quiet atmosphere and natural setting along the Kankakee River. For those seeking more developed facilities, Paul Wolff Campground in Elgin offers an equestrian area, though it is farther from Bedford Park at approximately 40 miles north.
"The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms."
"Half of them were in the Prairie and the other half was tucked into wonderfully private spots with burn pits and picnic tables. We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies."
from $12 - $35 / night
"Clean, with large sites, about a 5 mile walk around the nearby lake- saw several deer and rabbits - T-Mobile worked just fine- no Wi-Fi"
"Away from All the City Noise And Not Very Far Away Dump Station And Potable Water Supply"
from $18 - $35 / night
"Many miles of paved and crushed limestone trails. The actual Kankakee River access is sort of outside of the campground- that would be my only complaint."
"Right at the start of Osage is an entrance to the crushed gravel bike path. It gave us a great hike through the trees. You can find picnic areas and playground equipment by following the bike path."
"Quiet, family orientated, fishing lake, miniature golf, activities"
from $37 / night
"Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water."
"We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."
from $43 - $73 / night
ScoutNice, clean, quiet, simple state park set up. Many miles of paved and crushed limestone trails. The actual Kankakee River access is sort of outside of the campground- that would be my only complaint. You have to walk or bike a little distance to be near the river. Seemed very well maintained and we loved it!
ScoutAway from All the City Noise And Not Very Far Away Dump Station And Potable Water Supply
ScoutJJust ok. Facilities were disappointing
RangerFirst, you have to make reservations in advance online. The website says otherwise. They are spacious sites and well maintained the water. Spicket are a significant distance from each campsite so come prepared for that.
TravelerI had a private, large spot in one of their "neighborhoods " Host was knowledgeable, friendly and I was a walk in. Beautiful stroll along the river with my pup.
TravelerThis was my first camping trip with family. After lots of research, I picked Kankakee river state park. This is a reasonablly priced campground with all facilities in great condition. And it is very spacious with woods separating your neighbors. The only complaint is the noise level after 10pm. The quite time was not strictly enforced. It could be we are there on a Saturday night.
TravelerMy fiancé and I stayed in the Hickory Loop spot 3. We are very new campers, so we just have a very basic tent setup. When we checked in with the host, there were bundles of firewood for $8 (either cash or cash app). The spots are not huge, and not super private (you have next door and across the street neighbors), but we didn’t mind that! There were two outlets available, and a small rectangular fire pit with a grate on top. There are a few water pumps and vault toilets within walking distance, but we were pretty close to the shower house, which had stalls for toilets and showers. The showers were pretty great for a camp ground!
It rained a ton during our trip so we didn’t explore much, but would definitely recommend for a simple camping trip where you want flushable toilets, showers, and some electricity.
ScoutI reserved 5 nights, paid in full. After just one night, management cancelled my stay because my service dogs(Maltese) supposedly barked. I was fully cooperative, kept them quiet, and even documented this in emails. There was a stray cat near my RV that caused the issue, but instead of solving it, they forced me to leave. No refund for 4 nights. This is unfair, discriminatory, and against ADA law.
TravelerThis is a pretty new camp site, so the trees need some time to get big enough to provide some shade.
The flush toilet building was very clean, but there was no TP in the ladies' room. And I have to wonder why you would build a new campground without showers?
It is very close to the cities so we will stay here again.
Equestrian enthusiasts visiting the Bedford Park area have several options for camping with their horses. The terrain throughout this region of Illinois features a mix of prairie lands and woodlands with elevations ranging from 580-700 feet above sea level. Summertime temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions in the 60-75°F range.
Trail riding opportunities: At Kankakee River State Park, riders can access trails that wind along the river corridor. "We were able to take the kids to some knee deep water to play," notes Linda N., though she mentions "swimming is NOT allowed in the river." The park offers diverse terrain for riders of varying skill levels.
Fishing excursions: When not riding, campers can try fishing in the local waterways. One camper at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort described the peaceful evening atmosphere: "Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water," while Leo V. also appreciated the "Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake."
Hiking and exploring: The trail systems throughout the region provide excellent opportunities for dismounted activities. At Kankakee River State Park, there are "miles of trails" and Shannon H. shared that "Bike path/hike path is long and wide and very nice." Some areas feature interesting geological formations that add variety to the landscape.
Privacy between sites: Vegetation between campsites is a significant benefit at many campgrounds near Bedford Park. Yang L. appreciated the "Spacious sites with lush jungle-like greenery grown in between, which provides perfect privacy" at Kankakee River State Park. This natural separation helps maintain a peaceful camping experience.
Campground cleanliness: Big Rock Campground maintains clean facilities according to reviewers. Mike D. noted "Nice clean bathrooms as well!" while another camper mentioned the "paved roads and the sites looked large and level." Regular maintenance contributes to overall visitor satisfaction.
Family-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds cater to families with various activities. Tyler S. found Big Rock Campground to be "Very family friendly" with "Activities for the kids and adults." Similarly, Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort was described as having "Lots of fun activities" by Glenn T., making it suitable for family camping trips.
Water hookup distances: At Big Rock Campground, water access points may be far from individual sites. Rodney D. pointed out "The water hookups are kind of far from the individual sites (make sure you have extra hose)." Amanda K. reinforced this, advising: "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions!"
Limited shade at newer campgrounds: Several campgrounds in the region are relatively new developments with young trees. David W. noted about Leisure Lake Resort: "This is a pretty new camp site, so the trees need some time to get big enough to provide some shade." Joel R. similarly observed about Big Rock: "No Shade, and no showers."
Campground hosts make a difference: The quality of campground hosts significantly impacts the camping experience. Linda N. found at Kankakee River State Park that "the camp hosts were really fantastic and made it feel like family," while Bennie shared "First off the camp hosts were amazing! Very friendly and helpful!"
Bike-friendly paths: Paul Wolff Campground offers excellent biking opportunities for families. Mike D. noted it's great for "Scout skills and badges. Always see turkey and other small game," making it educational for children. The trails are well-maintained and suitable for various age groups.
Swimming options: For families wanting water recreation, Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort has good facilities. Chloe N. mentioned "The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms" and that it "makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!" The swimming areas are supervised during peak season.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Family camping trips can include wildlife education. Marisa A. observed at Paul Wolff Campground: "I've seen lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels." These sightings provide natural learning experiences for children.
Site selection for shade: RVers seeking shade should choose sites carefully. Cari B. advised at Paul Wolff Campground: "Odd numbered sites had better shade than evens," while Shannon H. noted at Kankakee River that "13, 6, 5, 4 Osage are good RV but not good tent" sites due to limited shade coverage.
Full hookup availability: Big Rock Forest Preserve offers good options for RVers needing hookups. Jeff G. explained "There is electric at the sites and water spigots throughout, although not really at each space... The dump station is good." This information helps RVers plan appropriate hose and cable lengths.
Space considerations: RV campers should note the varying site sizes at different campgrounds. At Paul Wolff Campground, MalibuDave42 L. observed that "Sites are well spaced. Full trees around the perimeter, but not a lot for shade over the campsites. Water and electrical at every site. Very easy in and out, for any sized rig."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Bedford Park, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Bedford Park, IL is Paul Wolff Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 21 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Bedford Park, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Bedford Park, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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