Horseman's Park in Sand Ridge State Forest provides primitive equestrian camping experiences with designated sites for horses and riders. The campsites form a loop with outer sites offering more privacy along the forest edge. The $8 per night fee covers basic amenities including picnic tables, vault toilets, and manure disposal areas. The sandy terrain creates an unusual riding environment for Illinois, with nearly 15 miles of trails connecting directly to the campground. Equestrian riders particularly appreciate the challenging yellow loop with its steep sandy hills for conditioning work.
What to do
Trail riding with varying difficulty levels: The Jubilee College State Park Campground offers excellent horse trails for riders of all experience levels. "Excellent horse trails. Went with a group of around 8 people and it was beautiful! Well maintained," notes Rachel H. The park maintains a network of trails that support not only horseback riding but also hiking and mountain biking.
Fishing in nearby lakes and ponds: Comlara County Park provides access to Evergreen Lake for fishing enthusiasts. According to Kathie M., "Nice lake-good fishing." The park offers both shoreline fishing spots and boat access points. Some campsites are positioned right along the water, making it convenient to fish directly from your campsite.
Biking along canal trails: The Hennepin Canal Trail system offers miles of flat, crushed gravel paths ideal for cycling. One visitor explains, "The Hennepin Canal Trail goes right through camp. On a previous visit I rode my bike along the crushed gravel trail. With a few connecting roads, I traveled from a Chicago suburb to the Mississippi River." These trails provide an excellent way to explore the region's unique canal system and surrounding farmland.
What campers like
Unique terrain for Illinois: The sandy soil and pine forests at Horseman's Park — Sand Ridge State Forest create an environment unlike most Illinois landscapes. Jesse B. notes it has "Lots of trails nearby, and plenty of beautiful green trees." The sandy trails provide a different riding experience compared to typical Midwestern settings.
Star viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds in the area offer excellent night sky viewing away from urban light pollution. One camper at Jubilee College State Park observed, "Great campground to get out of the city. The viewing of stars is incredible." The open prairie areas provide unobstructed views of the night sky.
Privacy options: Campers appreciate the various levels of seclusion available at different sites. At Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground, "Some of the sites were completely separate from anyone else by the camp road. You were entirely visible to anyone else in the park but it was empty during our stay," reports Art S. This allows visitors to choose their preferred balance of community and solitude.
What you should know
Varying bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality differs significantly between campgrounds. Nathan E. mentioned about Jubilee College State Park: "Bathrooms clean, but shower house water smelled like sulfur." At other sites, facilities are more primitive, with Deer Creek Campground offering only "port-a-potties for restrooms but they are very clean."
Wildlife encounters: The natural setting means potential wildlife interactions. Ashley C. shares an unexpected experience: "At about midnight there were at least 3 bobcats snarling and growling near our tents and then they circled our tents, sniffing them." While such close encounters are rare, campers should be prepared for wildlife presence.
Limited supplies nearby: Deer Creek Campground has minimal nearby shopping options. Kate M. advises, "There are not a lot of stores in the area (closest is about ~15 minutes) so pack all of your stuff." Most campgrounds in the region require advance planning for supplies and provisions.
Trail inconsistencies: Maps and actual trails sometimes differ, requiring adaptability. Joy H. notes: "My only real complaints are the lack of water sources, and the inconsistencies between the trail map and the actual trail. Each trail is marked very clearly with directional sign posts as often as necessary, however, the first night we were hiking in to find BC1 and according to the map we should have passed it in our hike but never saw any sort of campsite at all."
Tips for camping with families
Look for playground access: Some parks offer play areas for children. Sage C. mentions that Comlara County Park has "a few playgrounds for the kids to stay busy as well as small marked trails to follow." These amenities help keep younger campers engaged during downtime at camp.
Consider bugs when planning: Insect activity varies seasonally in the region. One camper advises, "The bugs (of all kinds including ticks and mosquitoes) are pretty terrible and I would recommend going either in the early spring or late fall. Not June." Bug repellent is essential, particularly during peak summer months.
Choose sites with appropriate spacing: Family groups should consider campground layout when selecting sites. Mike K. observed at Comlara County Park: "The open field camping really lends itself to a community feel, some people have wonderful setups and especially at night, the more luxurious configurations attract the kiddos to checkout. People overall very considerate and nice, welcoming, friendly. VERY family oriented atmosphere."
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup availability: For those requiring power, Jubilee College State Park provides electric hookups. Brooke C. explains, "The campsite has three main loops with RV pads and electric goo ups. We tent camp and majority for the sites also have plenty of room for one or two tents." The park accommodates both RV and tent campers with flexible site configurations.
Dump station locations: Plan your waste management strategy before arrival. Jeff and Linda L. note that at some parks like Hennepin Canal Lock 21, there's "No hook-ups, just grass with a fire pit and table. Water available a couple of places along the canal." RVers needing dump stations may need to use facilities at nearby towns or larger campgrounds.
Site levelness considerations: Many older campgrounds have maintenance issues with pads. One camper reported: "There was not a level campsite available in the whole place- all had some gravel that had obviously not been maintained in several years." Bring leveling blocks and be prepared to spend time getting your rig properly situated.
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