Are you an equestrian lover who prefers a more rustic experience when you visit Butler? Equestrian camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. At The Dyrt, you can find top-rated spots for horse camping, as reviewed by campers.
Dam West Spillway is situated on the southern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. Located 50 miles east of St. Louis, the area offers the peaceful retreat of a small town combined with the grandeur of Illinois' largest man-made lake.
Dam West Spillway provides fun both on the water and on shore. Boat ramps and courtesy docks are located nearby, and the vast lake allows for plenty of water sports. Fishing is a popular pastime, and the lake and Kaskaskia River offer year-round varieties of fish such as bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, white bass, largemouth bass, freshwater drum, carp and walleye. There is plenty of open space for children to play and a multi-use biking and walking trail is located a short distance away at the dam.
Dam West Spillway has one reservable group picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 75 people, as well as an accessible fishing pier and several amenities. It is within walking distance of a marina and boat storage facility and connected to the Dam West Day Use Area and Recreation Area, which offers a campground. The Carlyle Municipal Pool is a short drive away.
Created in 1967, the 26,000-acre lake is recognized as one of the nation's top ten inland sailing lakes and hosts several annual races and regattas. Carlyle Lake is home to an array of wildlife that can be seen throughout the year. Its waters and shores are a resting spot for migratory waterfowl and other birds. There are six established Watchable Wildlife Sites with viewing towers open to the public around the lake.
For facility specific information, please call (618) 594-2484.
The Carlyle Lake Visitor Center, located in the Dam West Recreation Area, has information available and nature exhibits on display, including a 215-gallon aquarium with native fish.
$30 / night
Horseshoe Lake State Park is located off Highway 111 in the southwestern part of Illinois in Madison County. With easy access from the Metro East for visitors from throughout the region, the park offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities on 2,960 acres.
Horseshoe Lake State Park accommodates 26 tent or trailer campsites. A sanitary dump station, pit toilets, and hydrants are conveniently located. The campground is open from May 1 - Sept 30. Campers can stay a maximum of 7 days in a 30-day period. We do not take reservations for camping. Although, group camping reservations are accepted through the ExploreMoreIL™ website.
This recreation area is part of Lake Shelbyville
Traveler
I've stayed here a couple times now. Each time there has only been one other person. It's quiet and peaceful, however there's not much to do. As far as I know there's no running water. There are portable toilets that are kept clean. There's also a 4 consecutive day per month limit.
Guide
These walk in sites check all the boxes. At the western part of the RV loop, is a peninsula of primitive tent camping spots to choose from. About half the sites were filled by the second day we were there. We settled on 62, which is spacious and provides access to the path from the front and behind where you can walk into site 64 as well. A parking area with a single spot for each camp site is well marked and by two vault toilets. Park staff and host were great. A decent fishing spot is just in front of site 64. $8 for IL residents is hard to beat, if you don't need an RV spot with electric. A water source is also by the parking spots. The weekend we were there the weather had cooled some and a great breeze was coming off the lake. Springfield being so close is a bonus.
The only negative is like any spot and how previous people leave the camp looking before you are there. Some garbage in the fire pit and random spots are par for the course in any state park. Pick up the trash and dump it in the dumpster by the parking lot. Leave the site better than you found it is our motto.
Traveler
Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$.
Scout
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RangerCame here in winter and it’s really beautiful. Lots of amenities and big spots, will come again
RangerThe park is reasonable priced, beautiful surrounding and friendly staff. Would definitely come again. The only downside is that it’s somewhat far from supply stores
Traveler
The camp host was super friendly, the sites were large and the primitive sites at the back were incredibly beautiful! The prices were very low.
GuideThere's really no way to describe this campground except for: Accommodating. Beautiful. Clean. Convenient. Peaceful. Relaxing. We have spent many weekends here and have never had a bad experience. Tony and Danielle and the rest of the entire campground host staff and crew do absolutely everything to make sure you have a great stay!!! We appreciate them and this wonderful campground. Our favorite sites are 13, 18, 23. Please visit and enjoy!
Guide
Had a lake front site with beachfront access. It was flat ground, everyone was so nice and it was so clean and the area was lovely. There were bathrooms with clean toilets locks and showers, laundry access, a marina, massive amounts of fish spots, several playgrounds, drivers were slow and courteous. Trip couldn’t have gone better!
TravelerI stayed at the tent sites. They are first come, first served, and a short walk from the parking spots. There are times of RV sites also, although the host said most all are reservable and only a handful are firstcome, first served. There are restrooms and a shower house that are clean.
ScoutThe campground is relatively small but has great sites to camp. Very private and clean. 5 ⭐ in my opinion simply because of the overnight price and privacy. Not much to do if you have kids. If you're looking for quite camping trip this is a great park to camp.
GuideWe are enjoying our stay at Hickory Point Campground Lot 23 at Sangchris Lake State Park. A close and convenient location to amenities and supplies. Sites are spacious and campground is quiet and leisurely during the week. Beautiful shoreline lots. 30 amp service. Decent AT&T cellular coverage (it varies but able to stream, etc )
ScoutIt’s a beautiful location right by the water. The only issue is it slants a little. Very clean camp grounds . Bathrooms are just ok.
Scout
I was looking to stay at a state park with swimming and had never been to this one. I stayed here from Wednesday to Saturday. I was surprised when I arrived that there wasn’t a ranger, host, or campground office to check in with. There was a self registration kiosk on the site that was supposed to be the host. I never saw a ranger the entire time I was there and the host didn’t show up until Friday. The bathrooms were dirty and weren’t cleaned until Friday. The beach was small and also not well kept. I only saw one hiking trail. Many of the other campers had boats, so I guess it might be a good place to stay if you’re a boater, but not so much if you’re looking to do much hiking. The campsites weren’t bad, but most were kind of small and close together.
Guide
This park is pretty quiet, the lake itself looked nasty - no swimming allowed. Primitive sites were walk in. Other sites had electric. There were some cabins available. The bathrooms were not cleaned the whole time I was there, and they were disgusting. Showers required a push button activation every 10-15 seconds, but after About the 10th time I did get a little hot water.
ScoutHorseshoe Lake is one of my most visited parks and most favorite park in the STL and surrounding areas. First off absolutely beautiful land and peace is easily achieved. Self service pay system makes it simple, easy, and fast. Camping can be reserved but no need. Just pick your spot go to the office building, and fill out the form, pay and slide in envelope and drop in box. Staff/ Security is super friendly and helpful with directing throughout the park. Also not nosy and mind their own unless you are just being that guy. Clean and well kept up with spots, water Spickets never far from your camp also nice cast iron fire pits. Good fishing, trails and memories waiting to be made.
8$ a night
TravelerMy wife and I really enjoy this campsite.
TravelerBeautiful campground. Very open & spacious. Sites are very large with plenty of room between neighbors. Also all sites are gravel & graded well and level except for the 2 Handicapped sites—Concrete pads on those (IL Disable RESIDENTS ONLY). Very good lake access & multiple public docks. Restrooms/shower houses are nice & well taken care of. Hosts Don & Jill were great.
TravelerMy wife and I were homeless for a month and needed to break out the tents. We had a pleasant and fairly private experience. Each site is spread out and fairly well. Be mindful of field roaches and raccoons at night, as we had to learn the hard way the morning after our first night. Oh, and the mosquitoes are BRUTAL. Come prepared.
TravelerThis campground is very clean and super easy to fit any rig. Most sites have lake views and have electric hookup but no water hookup. However communal bathrooms and showers are clean. Sites are fairly close together tough. You can purchase firewood and ice at campground.
GuideThis is our close to home, fave weekender site. Electric only but still love. Spaced out, gravel sites and asphalt roads. We always get sites with our own private dock to fish from. Spotty reception but it’s great to unplug.
GuideWe stayed the weekend here and it got really busy. When we tried to book online, all were taken but saw they had a few sites that were first come. Luckily, we got one of the last two. This campground is kept very clean and the hosts were excellent! The sites that overlook the lake are absolutely gorgeous! We didn’t land one but had lots of room where we were in site #24. There are a couple of beach areas you can walk or ride a bike to. The campground is close to a wal mart and a Mexican restaurant.
GuidePretty nice area, there were alot of people when we were there. But alot of good trails and fishing at the spillway.
ScoutBig, spacious campsites with really pretty, big trees for lots of shade. The bathroom and shower facilities are FABULOUS, and super clean. They smell like the laundry facilities as well, so great all around there. Rangers are walking/driving around, and really friendly. Marina and beach are close, and the most of the drive up sites are concrete or at least rocked. Fire rings/grates are provided and next to the picnic table.
ScoutSpent a tent night here at the Deer Run portion of the camp. It's a nice, well kept campground with clear level spots. Bathrooms are basic and in the front of the camp loops so you have a walk if you stay in the back like I did. Also, water is in the center of the loop so not very convenient. Each space did have power and the price was reasonable. I'd recommend staying near the front or in a trailer.
TravelerHad a great experience . It was my first time. Rangers were helpful and friendly. Came back a second time . Great for first time campers good rates and amenities
TravelerVery primitive camping. Toilets only, but the campsites are spaced comfortably apart. The grounds are well maintained.
Horse camping in Illinois offers a unique way to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds that cater to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Butler, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Butler, IL is Sangchris Lake State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Butler, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Butler, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
