Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis approximately 60 miles southwest of Downers Grove, Illinois. The campground sits along the Kankakee River in a region characterized by limestone outcroppings and mixed hardwood forests. Winter temperatures in the area typically range from 14-33°F, while summer brings 65-85°F days with moderate humidity.
What to do
Trail riding access points: The equestrian trails at Fox Den Campground connect to multiple loop options ranging from 2-5 miles through wooded areas. "Rangers were helpful and delivered firewood to our site daily. Bathrooms could use a bit of paint but were clean enough," notes visitor Aida K.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple water access points throughout the region allow for fishing breaks during trail rides. At Burnidge Forest Preserve, "There is a lake for fishing and some trails," mentions Tara M., though she cautions about higher fees for non-residents.
Explore prairie ecosystems: The region features restored tallgrass prairie sections with seasonal wildflowers from April through October. "The sites are clean and very well maintained. We loved the staff patrolling the grounds. The trail system is great for walking the dogs," reports David W. about his experience at Burnidge Forest Preserve.
What campers like
Spacious trailer parking: At Big Rock Campground, sites are designed for horse trailers with extra-wide spaces. "Nice campground with big, level sites. Even though they don't take reservations, there is plenty of space and availability," shares Melissa C., who appreciated the grassland setting.
Proximity to urban areas: Horse owners value being able to access trail systems without long-distance hauling. "We like this campground because its close to home and its clean/large campsites," reports Tara about her experience at Burnidge Forest Preserve, though she notes the lack of showers as a downside.
Year-round availability: Some equestrian camping areas maintain seasonal operations even in winter months. "Took my daughter for a simple overnight and it was great. Open campground with nearly zero tree. We had a great campfire but didn't take advantage of the whole park to explore," writes Mike D. about Big Rock Forest Preserve.
What you should know
Water quality varies: Bring drinking water for yourself and your horses as tap water quality fluctuates seasonally. At Leisure Lake Resort, one camper reported "Water quality has been very bad. On one occasion, our pet had stomach issues after drinking tap water, which was concerning."
Limited horse containment options: Most equestrian sites require portable corrals or high-lines as permanent containment isn't available. As Mike D. notes about Big Rock Forest Preserve, it's an "Open campground with nearly zero tree" - making high-line setup challenging in some areas.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience periodic train noise. As Art S. mentioned about Burnidge, "This campground is in a populated area but the nature preserve is big. We rarely saw traffic once here. A train goes by a couple times but it was always during the day."
Tips for camping with families
Junior ranger activities: Several parks offer educational programs focused on local wildlife and habitat during summer months. At Turner Lake South, "There is so much to do at this campground. Horseback riding, archery, hiking, boating, fishing. There is also a park for the kids in several areas," reports Meg K.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many equestrian trails feature designated wildlife viewing areas. "We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies. Hard to believe that there is hiking trails like those in such a densely populated area," writes Tricia E. about her experience at Burnidge Forest Preserve.
Multi-use trail safety: Teach children trail etiquette when sharing paths with horses and other users. Brian O. notes about Turner Lake South that "Chain o' Lakes is one of the busiest waterways in Illinois, with motorboats everywhere in the height of the summer season."
Tips from RVers
Extra hose requirements: Water hookups at some equestrian campgrounds require longer-than-standard hoses. Rodney D. from Big Rock Campground advises, "The water hookups are kind of far from the individual sites (make sure you have extra hose)."
Electrical access limitations: Many equestrian-focused sites offer limited or no electrical hookups, requiring generator use. At Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, Marisa A. noted the advantage that "Because there is electrical it is a peaceful campground with no generator noise."
Site leveling challenges: Horse camping areas often prioritize trailer access over perfectly level pads. Christopher R. reports that Fox Den Campground "has the electrical hookups that we need and has a bath house that is close to where you camp (hundreds of feet versus getting into a car and driving to it)."
Legend
