Moraine View State Recreational Area provides equestrian facilities for riders exploring central Illinois. The 1,687-acre park located 25 miles east of Bloomington offers a mix of wooded terrain and lake views. Trail riders can access approximately 9 miles of designated bridle paths through the park, with connectivity between campsites and riding areas. Winter camping is available at Moraine View when weather conditions permit.
What to do
Fishing and kayaking: At Moraine View State Recreational Area, visitors can enjoy both fishing and non-motorized boating activities on the 158-acre lake. "Nice lake for fishing and kayaking. Excellent restaurant on site also," notes Kelly M., who awarded the park five stars.
Fall foliage viewing: The diverse woodland areas provide scenic viewing opportunities during autumn. One camper at Moraine View State Recreational Area shared their experience: "We got there in the dark and woke up to Fall colors, Canadian geese, trails, playgrounds. We got in without a reservation and upgraded to a beautiful spot on the water."
Hiking opportunities: The park offers multiple trail options beyond equestrian paths. "Has sections of niceness hiking and kayaking," reports Sara C. The Tall Timber area features primitive camping with trail access. A visitor noted: "We walked in to do camping and we only had spots available at Tall Timber. It's primitive along with nice trail."
What campers like
Lakefront sites: Many campers appreciate the water-adjacent camping spots at Wolf Creek State Park on Lake Shelbyville. "We chose our spot specifically for the access to the water and seclusion from the rest of the sites," reports one visitor. Other campers note the park offers "lake front sites" in the tent camping area.
Spacious equestrian camping: Horse owners will find dedicated facilities at Wolf Creek State Park. "The park is huge and is one of the only state park's in Illinois with horse camping and horse trails. There are 13 horse camp sites and additional trailer parking for about 6 more rigs with tie out posts for riders that will not be camping," explains Michael M.
Variety of camping options: Wolf Creek provides different camping experiences based on preference. "We are tent people and love primitive camping in spots where we can really be away from everyone," writes Sadie R., who visited during a weekday when the campground was nearly empty. The park offers both reservable and first-come sites.
What you should know
Campsite selection matters: Different camping areas within these parks offer significantly varied experiences. At Wolf Creek State Park, "We stopped in to Wolf Creek State Park later in the day on a Wednesday after trying to stop at a different campground that was closed," explains one camper who found the campground nearly empty midweek.
Wildlife precautions: Take proper food storage measures when tent camping. One visitor to Whitley Creek warned: "Raccoons are really brave and are not afraid of humans. They know how to rip open a tent for food. Nothing is safe here."
Water access limitations: At Moraine View, horse owners should note that direct water access at equestrian campsites can be limited. Campers might need to transport water from central spigots to their horses. Some sites require substantial water hose length, as one Wolf Creek camper advised: "Nice park, spacious sites, bring plenty of water hose. The water faucets for fill up can be a bit far away."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access considerations: Moraine View offers a swimming area for families, though it requires an additional fee. "Swim beach is not right in campground but nearby. $3 entry for beach," reports Sarah M. She adds: "There's a playground by bathrooms which have showers. Showers were a good temp."
Alternative activities: When swimming conditions aren't ideal, nearby attractions provide options. At Wolf Creek State Park, one visitor mentioned: "The beach was small and also not well kept." However, the park's proximity to boat launches and trails offers alternatives for family recreation.
Weekday vs. weekend camping: For families seeking quieter experiences, consider timing. "Beautiful/Quiet during week!" notes one Wolf Creek camper. "The area - which if full would've been pretty cramped for our taste - was absolutely empty."
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup details: Moraine View provides electric service for RVs, while some sites offer lake views. "I was on site P16 which offers a lake view," shares Brandi M., adding: "They have recently paved the roads which was nice. The main shower house was nice and well maintained."
Site spacing considerations: RV campers should consider how close sites are positioned. At Wolf Creek, Felicia observed: "Clean campground but camping proximity is very close." Sonya A. notes: "Nice big spots. 30 and 50 amp available. Right on lake Shelbyville. 309 spots 141 are reservable."
Amenity access: Check facility locations relative to campsites. "My only complaint would be that the trash dumpsters are too far away from the camping areas," mentions Lori W. about Wolf Creek. Another camper noted that bathroom maintenance might vary: "The bathrooms were dirty and weren't cleaned until Friday."
