Moraine View State Recreational Area offers equestrian camping facilities northwest of Downs, Illinois. The park features accessible bridle trails through forested areas and around the 158-acre lake, making it popular for trail riders seeking day excursions. The campground accommodates both overnight horse campers and day riders with ample trailer parking. Equestrian campsites are separated from the main camping areas, providing a more secluded experience for those traveling with horses. While the campground does not have dedicated horse corrals, riders are permitted to set up temporary containment systems. The water on-site appears rusty and is not recommended for horse consumption, so campers should bring their own water supply.
The bridle trails at Moraine View connect to over 7 miles of maintained paths suitable for riders of all experience levels. Trails wind through mature oak forests and along the shoreline, offering scenic views and varied terrain for horseback riding. Horse owners must follow park regulations, including cleaning up manure from campsites and staging areas. The primitive Tall Timber area offers additional trail access points for day riders who prefer not to camp overnight. All riders must carry proof of negative Coggins test as required by Illinois state regulations. The campground is accessible year-round, though spring conditions can be muddy on portions of the trail system. Group equestrian camping is available by reservation, providing an excellent option for riding clubs and equestrian organizations planning weekend events.
"I never did all of the trails but spent an afternoon hiking with a friend last summer."
"It’s also never super convenient to need to pack up just to go to a dump station but as long as your fine walking to the community restrooms, you should be fine."
from $40 - $20 / night
"Comlara is a beautifully laid out hidden gem in Illinois. Evergreen Lake is the perfect back drop to the campground."
"Located just northwest of Bloomington, which is located absolutely smack-dab in the middle of the state of Illinois, you’ll discover a nature wonderland over here nearly hidden from plain site."
from $22 / night
"Near the back you can camp right alongside the river. Amenities are minimal, there are just port-a-potties for restrooms but they are very clean."
Guide$25 a night for 30 amp hookup is pretty good! The sites are clean and spacious. It’s quiet too! Pretty lake, but sites aren’t right on the lake.
The bathrooms need some work. Water had a boil order on it and showers only worked in the men’s room. Water was HOT! Which is great! However, the water smelled metallic…
ScoutListed on app as free, but it actually requires a reservation and fee.
RangerBeautiful, quiet, and clean park. I stopped for a quick overnight but will definitely be back to stay when I have more time. Sites could use more space as there is no privacy at all but that's the only thing that needs improvement.
LegendWe were looking for a quick place to spend the night, like a Walmart or gas station when we found this gem. It is only a few miles off the highway, making it super convenient for a quick overnight stop. The campground is very big with lots of sites and since we were there at the end of October, there were not many other people around. We got a beautiful spot right on the lake.
The campground has nice bathrooms and hookups.
LegendLocated just northwest of Bloomington, which is located absolutely smack-dab in the middle of the state of Illinois, you’ll discover a nature wonderland over here nearly hidden from plain site. One moment you’ll be driving down the well-paved country road with golden tassles of corn popping up on either side of you and the very next, you’ll turn into a wooded sanctuary that is punctuated by the marvelous Evergreen Lake, which was built in 1970 and is some 925 acres in size with an average depth of nearly 20 feet and 50 feet at its deepest.
It is this fresh body of water that really makes Comlara County Park stand-out from just about anything else in the surrounding area. It has not one but two outstanding boat launches as well as a separate launch for canoes and kayaks. There are simply tons of little nooks and crannies all around the lake to get some decent fishing in – which you will predominantly find largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, saugeye, muskellunge and crappie – as well as a small individual isle called Deer Island, although when we explored the small land mass, no deer were to be found. There’s boat rentals and a bait shop that is available on the weekends only as well as a proper beach head with swimming available 7 days a week during the summertime (Memorial Day – Labor Day).
As far as the campground(s) are concerned – if you look closely, there's actually not 1, not 2, not even 3, but actually 4 to choose from – but if you add up all of the 144 campsites (apart from the primitive camping options) collectively, they are spaced a little too close to comfort for my taste, which when you add on top of that there isn’t much brush or anything separating you from your neighbors camping alongside of you. This is likely my biggest complaint: privacy. If that doesn’t matter to you and you enjoying being in a large wide open space chock full with other tents, RVs and 5th wheelers, then Comlara County Park is a great choice for you.
I would first begin by pointing out that the entire Comlara Park is very well organized, kept impeccably clean and very easy to navigate with relatively good roads and decent signage. It feels as though whether you are looking for a trail to hike, a spot to launch your kayak, biking trails to navigate or finding a fishing hole to cast a line, everything seems as though it is in very close reach and just a short walk away. All of the 144 campsites are made available on a first-come, first served basis, with 94 including 30 / 50 amp electric while 23 are non-electric sites, with the 11 remaining devoid of any hook-ups.
For my tent-pitching primitive bredren, there’s 16 walk-in sites in the main recreation area (I guess that is situated amongst or in-between the other 3 campgrounds that exist here), but there is a completely separate whole other area (oh, and located completely in a different county altogether), which is technically a completely different campground in a completely separate physical location with these 16 primitive campsites.
With amenities in mind, aside from the greatest asset being Evergreen Lake itself and beyond the associated amenities that have already been highlighted (e.g. boat launch, beach, canoe / boat rental, bait shop) there’s 3 kid’s playground, at least 5 large shelters by my count, at least 3 his / her bathroom and shower facilities as well as scattered in-ground fire rings, water spigots (basically planted every 3rd or 4th site) stand-up BBQ grills as well as the prerequisite picnic tables, all of which were in very condition during our stay. There’s only one dump station, which seemed odd considering that there’s at least 3 campgrounds if not 4 here and 144 sites collecting garbage at a single time. There is firewood, ice and fishing worms available at the visitors center and campground station in the main area.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If like me you are a primitive tent camper and on the look out for some pretty amazing, not-so-EZ places on earth to really feel like you are out enjoying pristine, undisturbed nature, then you’ll want to have a very close look at the primitive camping areas west of Evergreen Lake over near White Oak. There’s 16 or so simply excellent lakefront sites over here along with your own boat dock; (2) Should you be ‘herd camping’ with a much larger group, there’s actually a simply fantastic hidden group camping oasis over here in White Oaks as well that you can get away from it all; (3) In the event that you grow weary of cooking up franks & beans again for dinner, you’ll have a decent drive to either El Paso, where there’s a Monical’s Pizza, Dairy Queen, Casey’s, El Paso Mexican or, upgrade yourself to The Local Tap, which is a craft kitchen and alehouse serving up some excellent fare. Of course, you could head into Bloomington, of which you will find everything, but that’s a bit of a hike unless, like me, you would make that drive to either have some of the best deep dish pizza Chicago has to offer, Giordano’s, or one of the greatest sausage and Italian beef joints in the world, Portillo’s.
Happy Camping!
LegendBeautiful lake view site. Steep drop to water so not good for those w/little kids. Great trees for hammock-overlooking lake! Pad level. Water very close. Outhouse close walk. Kayak launch close walk. Boat dock close. Shower house short walk
LegendVery large non electric site near water. Quieter area of campground. Site level. Water close by. Pit toilets close.
LegendSite 31 is for those who want more privacy. It has woods on 2 sides with a trail thru woods to outhouse. Nice shade, site is level and on cul-de-sac so way less traffic. Water spigot very close. Very short walk to lake/dock and shower house. Park kept clean and very friendly staff.
LegendSite 28 unlevel. Requires several lifts. Site is very large however. Does have nice shade.
Moraine View State Recreational Area provides equestrian camping near Downs, Illinois, with facilities designed specifically for horse owners. The park sits on glacial moraine terrain formed during the Wisconsin glaciation period, creating rolling hills and valleys throughout the 1,687-acre property. While the main equestrian facilities are located in a designated section, the park also offers various camping options including primitive sites, RV hookups, and lake access points for different types of outdoor enthusiasts.
Fishing and kayaking opportunities: The 158-acre lake at Moraine View State Recreational Area offers excellent fishing spots and calm waters for paddling. "Nice lake for fishing and kayaking. Excellent restaurant on site also," notes Kelly M., highlighting additional amenities beyond the typical campground offerings.
Walk-in tent camping: For those seeking a more secluded experience, the Tall Timber area provides primitive camping options. "We walked in to do camping and we only had spots available at Tall Timber. It's primitive along with nice trail," reports Alice L., describing the less-developed section of the park.
Seasonal bird watching: During fall migration, the lake attracts numerous Canadian geese and other waterfowl. Jennifer M. shares, "We got there in the dark and woke up to Fall colors, Canadian geese, trails, playgrounds," suggesting autumn as a particularly rewarding time for nature observation.
Lakefront camping sites: Several Comlara County Park campers appreciate the waterfront access. Sarah S. recalls, "We got a beautiful spot right on the lake," while Scott N. details, "The best part was the view of the lake. There was a spot that a person could get a kayak or canoe into the water but I opted to use the dock."
Spacious camping areas: Many sites throughout the area offer ample room for equipment and activities. Mike K. describes his experience: "Site 111, which had a nice long concrete pad for parking cars on - fits easily 2-3 cars. Firepit, a tree, pretty standard stuff. Close to the bathrooms."
Peaceful atmosphere: The area's campgrounds maintain a family-friendly environment with reasonable noise levels. "Very family oriented atmosphere - there was no nonsense loud drunkards in the evenings, relatively quiet and relaxing," notes Mike K. about Comlara County Park, making it suitable for equestrian campers seeking tranquility after trail rides.
Variable campsite quality: At Deer Creek Campground, sites along the river offer the most privacy and natural setting. Kate M. explains, "Large, quiet campsites that are not too crowded. Near the back you can camp right alongside the river."
Limited facilities at some locations: Amenities vary significantly between campgrounds. Kate M. notes about Deer Creek: "Amenities are minimal, there are just port-a-potties for restrooms but they are very clean. There are not a lot of stores in the area (closest is about ~15 minutes) so pack all of your stuff."
Lake conditions: Water quality should be considered when planning activities. Julie mentions, "'Lake' has had a lot of algae over the last couple years," while Debbie B. states, "Large body of water. Not really clean enough to enjoy swimming."
Beach access considerations: Swimming areas may have limited hours or additional fees. "The swimming beach is apparently only open on the weekends but there are plenty of places to get in the water so it wasn't a big deal," shares Brandi M. about her experience at Moraine View State Recreational Area.
Playground availability: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. Sarah M. points out, "There's a playground by bathrooms which have showers," making it convenient for families to supervise children while handling camp duties.
Site selection for privacy: For families needing more separation from other campers, seek specific camping areas. Ryan M. advises, "Upon finding the rustic tent sites, we'd wished we'd known about that area before going. Those were still a little close together but were at least wooded and you could walk from your car."
Electric hookup limitations: Most equestrian camping sites near Downs offer electric hookups only. Debbie B. confirms, "Only electric hook ups," meaning RVers should arrive with full water tanks and empty holding tanks.
Road conditions: Recent infrastructure improvements have enhanced access at some parks. Brandi M. notes, "They have recently paved the roads which was nice," making travel with horse trailers and larger RVs more manageable.
Reservation planning: The most desirable RV sites with lake views book quickly. Jennifer M. recommends, "We got in without a reservation and upgraded to a beautiful spot on the water," suggesting flexibility with arrival times can sometimes result in better site options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Downs, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Downs, IL is Moraine View State Recreational Area with a 3.9-star rating from 27 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Downs, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Downs, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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