Equestrian camping opportunities abound within a 45-minute radius of Chatham, Illinois. The area sits at approximately 600 feet above sea level with mostly flat terrain punctuated by rolling hills and forested areas surrounding several lakes and reservoirs. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F with moderate humidity and occasional thunderstorms that can create muddy trail conditions for horse riders.
What to do
Trail riding at Jim Edgar Panther Creek: Equestrians can access over 26 miles of maintained trails from Questing Hills Equestrian Campground. "Trails are well marked and maintained over 26 miles of trails," notes camper Alicia B., who appreciates the dedicated facilities for riders.
Fishing at multiple lakes: Anglers find productive waters at Sangchris Lake State Park Campground. "Good clean campground, restrooms were clean and they have a playground to keep the kids entertained and fishing nearby," reports Gary B. The lake offers multiple fishing docks and shoreline access points.
Historical exploration: The Illinois State Fairgrounds serves as a convenient base for visiting nearby Lincoln sites. "Short drive 2.5 miles to Lincoln home. 1 mile from Lincoln's Tomb," writes Jeffrey F., who stayed at the fairgrounds campground while touring historical attractions.
What campers like
Affordable primitive options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the low-cost primitive sites at Jim Edgar Panther Creek - Family Campground. "Just $6 a night. Hiking trails, kayaking and fishing are available," writes Amanda C. about the primitive campground area, noting the "picnic table, fire ring, trash can and three sided shelter in each site."
Lakeside camping: Water views rank high among camper preferences. "All sites at Hickory Point very close to lake. Several fishing docks in campground," explains Greg S. about Sangchris Lake. Jessica N. adds, "The place is as pristine as it was when I was a kid- perfect bathhouse, beautiful lakeshore, and cozy tent camping."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained amenities. "The showers and bathrooms were clean," reports M. Susan A. who camped at Deer Run Campground — Sangchris Lake State Park. The camp host at Questing Hills notes that equestrian campers have "our own shower house with three showers and three bathroom stalls."
What you should know
Weather impacts: Central Illinois experiences variable conditions that affect camping. "It stormed pretty bad the second night there. Woke up to find my tent wasnt so waterproof," shares Jamie C. who camped at Sangchris Lake State Park. Wind can also be an issue at certain sites.
Reservation requirements: Popular equestrian campgrounds fill quickly on weekends. "The campground hosts were fantastic in resolving the situation," notes Susan L. who had to relocate within Sangchris Lake State Park Hickory Point due to electrical issues during peak season.
Limited shade at newer sites: Some campgrounds haven't fully matured. "Being newer has small trees with little shade," explains Lucas T. about Prairie Lake Campground. Another camper notes it's "under developed CG" with grounds "years always from being fully grown."
Seasonal bugs: "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," warns Darren D. about Waverly Lake City Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer play areas for children. "Nice walk around paved campground road" and "playing wiffle ball in the open field" are activities Jennifer K. observed at Prairie Lake Campground. Another camper mentioned kids "had a blast at playground with other kids."
Shower facilities: Family campers should note varying shower quality. "Showers required a push button activation every 10-15 seconds, but after about the 10th time I did get a little hot water," shares Carol about her experience at Sangchris Lake. Other campgrounds like Questing Hills feature "clean" facilities with multiple stalls.
Swimming limitations: Not all lakes permit swimming. "The lake itself looked nasty - no swimming allowed," notes Carol about one location. Families seeking water recreation should verify swimming access before visiting.
Alternative activities: When weather doesn't cooperate, nearby attractions provide options. Illinois State Fair Campground offers "a great place to spend a night or even longer to see Lincoln historical sites," according to Bill S., with the campground located just 2.5 miles from the Lincoln Home.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric service varies between campgrounds. "One row of full hookups, like a parking lot layout. Not much space between campers however if you don't need full hookups lots of elec only spots," explains Never Sitting S. about the state fairgrounds setup.
Site selection strategy: Experienced RVers recommend specific areas. "We chose the grass for the shade trees. Very quiet. Not too close to your neighbor," shares Faith J. about the Illinois State Fair Campground, noting "water is centrally located in the center of the loop."
Electrical capacity concerns: During peak summer usage, power can be unreliable. "Because of the heat over this holiday weekend and a completely full campground, the electricity couldn't meet the demand and a transformer blew," cautions Susan L. about her July experience, suggesting spring or fall visits for more reliable service.
