Best Equestrian Camping near Cutler, IL

Looking for the best horse camping near Cutler? Camping with horses is a beautiful way to experience nature. These scenic and easy-to-reach Illinois campsites are perfect for your horse camping excursion.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Cutler, IL (15)

    Camper-submitted photo from South Sandusky Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from South Sandusky Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from South Sandusky Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from South Sandusky Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from South Sandusky Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from South Sandusky Campground

    1. South Sandusky Campground

    18 Reviews
    52 Photos
    101 Saves
    Sesser, Illinois

    Overview

    Congratulations! You've just discovered Rend Lake, the perfect place to enjoy a wide variety of activities, events, and nature at its best. Even a short visit to Rend Lake will impress you with the versatility of this magnificent area. Rend Lake is made up of 20,633 acres of water and 19,523 acres of land. Wildlife in the area includes deer, turkey, fox, raccoon, opossum, waterfowl, and others as seasons change througout the year. Whether you're looking for high adventure, a peaceful retreat, or something in between, you'll find it here in the heart of Southern illinois.

    Recreation

    Take a leisurely morning stroll, ski or sail lake waters, spend the afternoon viewing inspiring art exhibits and end your day by the warm glow of a campfire under starry night skies. The fields, forests and waters of Rend Lake provide a natural haven for wildlife and an outdoor wonderland for you. Boat, hike, fish, hunt, swim, and explore at your leisure. If you prefer a little less nature, visit one of the resorts around the lake and delight in superb lodging and dining. Just minutes away you'll find golf, trap and skeet, arts, antiques, museums, wineries, and more.

    Natural Features

    South Sandusky Campground is situated around Sandusky cove on Rend Lake in the heart of Southern Illinois. With nicely spaced campsites and plenty of activities easily accessible from the campground, South Sandusky is an excellent destination for camping at Rend Lake. Wildlife in the area includes white tailed deer, wild turkey, fox, raccoon, opossum, waterfowl, and others as seasons change throughout the year.

    Nearby Attractions

    South Sandusky Beach Rend Lake Visitors Center Rend Lake Project Office

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs

    $18 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Giant City State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Giant City State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Giant City State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Giant City State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Giant City State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Giant City State Park Campground

    2. Giant City State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    165 Photos
    139 Saves
    Makanda, Illinois
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo from Randolph County State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Randolph County State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Randolph County State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Randolph County State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Randolph County State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Randolph County State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Gun Creek
    Camper-submitted photo from Gun Creek
    Camper-submitted photo from Gun Creek
    Camper-submitted photo from Gun Creek
    Camper-submitted photo from Gun Creek
    Camper-submitted photo from Gun Creek

    4. Gun Creek

    20 Reviews
    66 Photos
    91 Saves
    Whittington, Illinois

    Overview

    Congratulations! You've just discovered Rend Lake, the perfect place to enjoy a wide variety of activities, events, and nature at its best. Even a short visit to Rend Lake will impress you with the versatility of this magnificent area. Rend Lake is made up of 20,633 acres of water and 19,523 acres of land. Wildlife in the area includes deer, turkey, fox, raccoon, opossum, waterfowl, and others as seasons change throughout the year. Whether you're looking for high adventure, a peaceful retreat, or something in between, you'll find it here in the heart of Southern Illinois.

    Recreation

    Take a leisurely morning stroll, ski or sail lake waters, spend the afternoon viewing inspiring art exhibits and end your day by the warm glow of a campfire under starry night skies. The fields, forests and waters of Rend Lake provide a natural haven for wildlife and an outdoor wonderland for you. Boat, hike, fish, hunt, swim, and explore at your leisure. If you prefer a little less nature, visit one of the resorts around the lake and delight in superb lodging and dining. Just minutes away you'll find golf, trap and skeet, arts, antiques, museums, wineries, and more.

    Natural Features

    Gun Creek sits along the Eastern banks of Rend Lake in the heart of Southern Illinois.

    Nearby Attractions

    Rend Lake Golf Complex, which includes a 27-hole golf course, restuarant, and lodge.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs

    $30 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Pyramid State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Pyramid State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Pyramid State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Pyramid State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Pyramid State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Pyramid State Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Johnson Creek
    Camper-submitted photo from Johnson Creek
    Camper-submitted photo from Johnson Creek

    6. Johnson Creek

    5 Reviews
    3 Photos
    16 Saves
    Ava, Illinois

    Located on a northwest finger of beautiful Kinkaid Lake, Johnson Creek Recreation Area offers a variety of outdoor activities. Here you will find something for everyone in the family, from camping and kayaking to hiking along the lake, biking the scenic roads and horseback riding. Recreation Area Brochure/Map

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • RVs
    Camper-submitted photo from Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR
    Camper-submitted photo from Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR
    Camper-submitted photo from Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR
    Camper-submitted photo from Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR
    Camper-submitted photo from Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR
    • No image available
      Camper-submitted photo from Rend Lake
      Camper-submitted photo from Rend Lake
      Camper-submitted photo from Rend Lake
      Camper-submitted photo from Rend Lake
      Camper-submitted photo from Rend Lake
      Camper-submitted photo from Rend Lake

      10. Rend Lake

      5 Reviews
      15 Photos
      32 Saves
      Whittington, Illinois
      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Electric Hookups
      • Phone Service
      • Reservable
      • ADA Access
    Show More
    Showing results 1-10 of 15 campgrounds

    Recent Equestrian Reviews in Cutler

    124 Reviews of 15 Cutler Campgrounds


    • J
      Camper-submitted photo from Gun Creek
      Nov. 8, 2024

      Gun Creek

      Beautiful Sunsets over the Lake

      What a beautiful campground, it’s our second time here. Some spots do have a fairly good slope to them

    • Tabitha R.
      Camper-submitted photo from Johnson Creek
      Oct. 12, 2024

      Johnson Creek

      Nice!

      This campground provides large spots, drinking water, vault toliets, dumpsters, picnic table, lantern hook, fire ring, and contactless check in. I also appreciate the value of these sites. It really is a reasonable rate for forest camping.

    • Barb N.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Gun Creek
      Apr. 30, 2024

      Gun Creek

      Blue Jay #49 Water site

      Love this state park! Clean, quiet, water views and lots of bike paths to ride.

    • Logan W.
      Camper-submitted photo from Giant City State Park Campground
      Feb. 23, 2024

      Giant City State Park Campground

      Great trails and well kept campsites

      We stayed at Giant City in February on a very cold weekend. It was still a fantastic trip! The campsites, fire pits and pit toilets were well maintained. The shorter trails in the park were beautiful even in the winter. The Lodge also had excellent food and a very cozy feel. Definitely visit the Lodge!!

    • Logan W.
      Camper-submitted photo from Pyramid State Recreation Area
      Feb. 4, 2024

      Pyramid State Recreation Area

      Nice campsites and lots of lakes

      We stayed at the campground on the north end of Pyramid. The campsites were close together but we visited in February so we were the only campers. The fire pits were a little run down but the sites were nice and level with a table. No lantern posts. Pit toilets that were decent. The park office is a pretty long drive from the north end campground. The hiking is limited but the campground was peaceful and close to the lakes. Probably covered in bugs in the summer. Overall pretty nice stay

    • RThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Apple Creek Conservation Area
      Jun. 2, 2023

      Apple Creek Conservation Area

      Level spot to camp

      It's a level spot with gravel, so it's a "clean" place in damp weather. No much right there, but Apple Creek is a very short distance north on the gravel road. The creek is a good place to fish and you can launch a kayak the boat ramp. A picnic table and trash can were also on the site.

    • B
      Camper-submitted photo from Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground
      May. 24, 2023

      Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground

      Good Luck

      The stay was pleasant and the lake was very nice but the reservation system and finding a spot was overly complicated for a first timer. Basically people show up and throw a cooler or tent onto a site to claim it and then leave. They have to pay for the spot by 8pm. And people can stay as long as they want as long as they pay for the next day by then. But if they don’t pay they have to leave by 9am the next morning. So you never know when people are actually leaving or a spot was opening up. Every spot was taken when we go in and we heard from the check in lady that someone was leaving so we went and waited watching them pack up to get their spot. We were there for one night and had 5-6 people come to us asking what time we were leaving the next morning. It was crazy. This was also the week before memorial day weekend so that’s probably why. Primitive camping was closed. We were in a truck with a roofnest.

    • Barb N.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Gun Creek
      May. 5, 2023

      Gun Creek

      Amazing Lake Views!! Bring a fishing pole.

      Excellent park but many sights aren’t flat. Not all have water, septic. Clean facilities. Self checkin. Golf onsite, clubhouse with food.

    • Sarah J.
      Camper-submitted photo from Dam West Spillway
      Apr. 23, 2023

      Dam West Spillway

      Two night stay

      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!

    • T
      Camper-submitted photo from Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR
      Apr. 18, 2023

      Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR

      Early April Nice Weather

      We spent 5 nights on Site A5 at Crab Orchard Campground. All sites are FC/FS. Full hookups are in Loop B & it was full. Overall the campground was full but not very many people around. Appears many locals take spots on the weekends & then hold onto them during the week. The 2 nearest to us we saw on Sunday (Easter) and the only 1 more time during the 5 days. Someone in one of the sites by the late (A9, A11 or A13 I think) said they saw snakes but we never saw any and our dogs would have noticed.

      Showers and restrooms are nice. Ones in Loop A are no new (Loop Bs are new) but still nice. Lots of hot water.

      Lots of trails (within 10-30 minute drive). Fishing was good (especially catfish and crappie). Went into Carbondale a few times. Also went South to Alto Pass but wineries all closed on Tuesday; locals told us they are open more hours during summer.

    • Barb N.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Gun Creek
      Apr. 5, 2023

      Gun Creek

      Lots of space by a Lake

      RV or tent, book online at Recreation.Gov not all spots are level. Electric on most but not all have water. Campfire area and picnic table provided. Bathhouse is clean and park areas are all clean, dump station on site. We will be back and book closer to the lake in a level site.

    • Matthew H.
      Camper-submitted photo from Randolph County State Recreation Area
      Jan. 2, 2023

      Randolph County State Recreation Area

      Best sites are walk in only

      Best sites are first come first serve other half are reservable. 50amp water fill available with frost free. And dump station at front. $18 a night. Tight spots and harsh back up angles. Only 3 paved spots

    • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from South Sandusky Campground
      Dec. 23, 2022

      South Sandusky Campground

      One of Our Favs

      This campground(CG) is super easy to find. We arrived at the CG at about 1:45 PM, which was early as this CGs check-in is 5:00 PM. The gate office was open and after a very quick check-in, we proceed to one of the few FHUs(50/30/20 AMP), back in site 135. This site slopes downhill we so moved our rig onto the pad towards the back as far as possible to level. The water pressure was poor so we filled our fresh water tank and used our internal water pump. We got 2 bars on Verizon and T-Mobile and quite a few OTA channels. Satellite is iffy due to the number of mature trees in all CG areas. We’ve been to this CG many times but normally stay in the non-full hookup sites closer to the lake. There are five CG/loops within South Sandusky plus a walk-in tent area. We have stayed mostly in the first loop, Dogwood, as you enter, but the others are nice as well with some sites having water and electricity. The only FHUs are in Dogwood and most will take larger rigs. All campsites are reservable but reserved campsites are not marked on the post when you arrive(see the sign pic we posted). A comp host comes by after you set up and tag your post. There is a lot to do here. There are miles of paved bicycle trails, a marina, fishing, and a 27-hole golf course a couple of miles away.

    • G
      Camper-submitted photo from South Sandusky Campground
      Oct. 5, 2022

      South Sandusky Campground

      COE does it again

      Another great COE Park and this one offers some full hook up sites. ATT & Verizon both came in good. Water & electric (30 amp) were convient & functioned perfectly. Not all sites are very level. We got a great water view site, but lacked afternoon shade. A large park with well spaced site. Well worth the money, especially with the geezer pass.

    • TJ G.
      Camper-submitted photo from Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR
      Jul. 24, 2022

      Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR

      Cheap beautiful campground

      Cheap campground that is clean and quiet. The back in site we had overlooked the lake. For the price, you can’t beat the view. If I return to the area, I would stay here again

    • Hannah H.
      Camper-submitted photo from Equestrian Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park
      Jul. 7, 2022

      Equestrian Campground — Ferne Clyffe State Park

      Well taken care of and quiet

      I’ve stayed here a couple of time, car camping and tent camping. You have to walk from the parking lot into the basic sites but they are super close. Trying here was nice, and campsites a quiet and well taken care of. My only complain is the trails in this park are not clearly marked and they do not offer maps you can take with you. Other than it’s a great place!

    • Jan S.
      Camper-submitted photo from Giant City State Park Campground
      Jun. 7, 2022

      Giant City State Park Campground

      Great Camping

      Came here for a weekend getaway, to camp, hike and visit wineries, and was not disappointed. The campground is good, and camp hosts very friendly and helpful. Lots of trees for shade. Narrow roads with tight curves, along with the trees, made for a bit of a challenge. The hiking trails are beautiful, and not too crowded. There are many wineries within a short drive of the camp, which made for a fun afternoon. Really enjoyed our weekend here, and plan to return.

    • Cooper F.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Gun Creek
      Apr. 27, 2022

      Gun Creek

      Well maintained!

      Very well kept, friendly staff, very convenient from interstate. Limited interstate noise, not all sites have water/sewer, but many water points available throughout camp. They’re indicated on website, we just overlooked the detail.

    • EThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Gun Creek
      Apr. 22, 2022

      Gun Creek

      Lake Views

      We loved staying here. Pet friendly and beautiful lake views from many of the camp sites. I recommend checking the grade of the camp site because some of the ones next to the lake were at a pretty big angle. Our site was nice and flat so no issues there. We loved it and would definitely stay again.

    • J
      Camper-submitted photo from South Sandusky Campground
      Oct. 28, 2021

      South Sandusky Campground

      Peaceful, safe, convenient

      We had a peaceful stay with a view of the water! We took our toddler and infant. It was very safe and had close restrooms and playgrounds. The neighbors were super nice and it appeared there were many long-term campers!

    • N
      Camper-submitted photo from South Sandusky Campground
      Oct. 28, 2021

      South Sandusky Campground

      Top tier

      Great campground! Second time staying here. Nice blacktop roads, clean restroom/shower. Friendly attended. Great view of the lake on a number of sites.

    • Bill P.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground
      Sep. 17, 2021

      Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground

      Large sites

      This is a very nice campground with very large back in spots in the reserved area. There are restrooms but no trash dumpsters in the camping area. Very well shaded but no real view of the lake.



    Guide to Cutler

    Horse camping in Illinois offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian-friendly amenities, making it a great choice for riders and their horses.

    Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

    • At Randolph County State Recreation Area, visitors can enjoy fishing, hiking, and picnicking, all while having access to horse camping facilities.
    • Johnson Creek is nestled in the Shawnee National Forest, providing scenic trails perfect for horseback riding and exploring the natural beauty of the area.
    • Pyramid State Recreation Area features numerous lakes and trails, ideal for equestrian activities and enjoying the great outdoors.

    Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

    Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails

    • Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground features extensive trails for horseback riding, ensuring a fulfilling experience for equestrian campers.
    • Gun Creek is known for its spacious sites and nearby trails that cater to horse riders looking to explore the area.
    • Apple Creek Conservation Area offers access to trails and a scenic environment, perfect for those who want to enjoy a peaceful ride with their horses.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

      According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Cutler, IL is South Sandusky Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 18 reviews.

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

      TheDyrt.com has all 15 equestrian camping locations near Cutler, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.