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Best Equestrian Camping near Effingham, IL

49 Reviews

Wolf Creek State Park Campground features a dedicated equestrian camping area with 13 horse campsites and additional trailer parking for approximately six more rigs. The horse camp includes tie-out posts for day riders who won't be camping overnight. Several miles of horse trails traverse the park, separated from hiking paths and other camping areas. The equestrian section operates as part of the larger park, which contains hundreds of campsites maintained by the US Corps of Engineers. Horse trails remain accessible year-round, with October providing exceptional riding conditions when fall foliage reaches peak color.

The equestrian trails at Wolf Creek connect to an extensive network within the 11,100-acre park system surrounding Lake Shelbyville. Horse owners must bring their own feed and water containers, as on-site water access points may be some distance from the equestrian campsites. Campground hosts are available to assist with questions about trail conditions and campsite amenities during peak seasons. The park's horse camping area maintains a strict policy requiring actual horse presence for overnight stays in the equestrian section, with enforcement particularly vigilant during busy holiday periods. Many riders appreciate the spacious layout of the horse camping area and the opportunity to ride through forest areas where deer are frequently spotted.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Effingham, Illinois (8)

    1. Wolf Creek State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Findlay, IL
    27 miles
    Website

    "The park is huge and is one of the only state park's in Illinois with horse camping and horse trails."

    "Lots of equestrian parking and camping flush toilets neat trails very swell nice better if s en during the fall. Fishing and boatibg here as well."

    2. Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area

    13 Reviews
    Kinmundy, IL
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 547-3381

    "Most of the sites are large and a good distance from the next one. Shower house is alright. The store/restaurant has been closed for a year or two now because of the Illinois budget."

    "It's a small campground that offers a playground,bathhouse, hiking trails, and a small swimming area. There is easy access walking down to the marina. With small towns close to this state park."

    3. Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Ramsey, IL
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 423-2215

    "The park is reasonable priced, beautiful surrounding and friendly staff. Would definitely come again. The only downside is that it’s somewhat far from supply stores"

    "Shut down some karaoke party in a loop around 9pm. Will go back."

    4. Whitley Creek - Lake Shelbyville

    3 Reviews
    Sullivan, IL
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 774-3951

    "But a beautiful lake and campground."

    5. Oblong Park and Lake

    4 Reviews
    Newton, IL
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 592-3431

    "Very humble rural park with a quiet atmosphere and Great Lake for fishing. The people of oblong are also the friendliest around!"

    "There's lots of playgrounds for kids and a big lake to fish or stroll around as well. Big thumbs up👍"

    6. Red Hills Lake State Park — Red Hills State Park

    9 Reviews
    Sumner, IL
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 936-2469

    "Water is near by to fill up. It is quite place. Beautiful views. Lake is near by to fish. If you have kids they have play ground to play on. Host are very nice and welcoming."

    "Lots of trails it seems. Lake is nice sized but not too big. Wish the restaurant was open, but told it may be next Spring."

    7. Sam Dale Lake State Conservation Area

    4 Reviews
    Johnsonville, IL
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 835-2292

    "Dump station right outside the campground. Site 35 was perfectly level for the Class C (cruise America rental with no levelers. Great Campground host. We didn’t have a reservation."

    "Clean campground right on the lake."

    8. Mill Creek Park

    1 Review
    Marshall, IL
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 889-3901

    "Incredible people who will gladly be your new best friend, super clean, Great Lake to be on, tons of trails to hike."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Effingham, IL

3 Photos of 8 Effingham Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Effingham, IL

49 Reviews of 8 Effingham Campgrounds

  • Michael M.
    Oct. 9, 2017

    Wolf Creek State Park Campground

    Great camping all year round

    We have camped here many times and this time was awesome as well. The park is huge and is one of the only state park's in Illinois with horse camping and horse trails. There are 13 horse camp sites and additional trailer parking for about 6 more rigs with tie out posts for riders that will not be camping. There are several miles of horse trails and the area is set apart from hiking trails and the other camping areas. There are hundreds of campsites in this park in addition to the horse campgrounds and the entire area is maintained by the US Corps of Engineers. There are full hookup RV sites everywhere with tons of flush toilet bathrooms and shower houses in each large section. There is also a tent camp area without electricity, these sites are cheaper and there are lake front sites available here too. There is a beach that closes after Labor Day, but there are lots of sites available all year round. There are lots of hiking trails and deer run through the park in herds in the winter months. The hiking is OK in this park and good if you like short 1 to 1 1/2 mile hikes. I recommend visiting in the fall after Labor Day, October when leaves are changing is my favorite time for this campground. Clean restrooms, showers and a small store at the entrance for bait, firewood or forgotten items make this a great place to spend a few days.

    Website: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/Parks/Pages/WolfCreek.aspx

  • A
    Aug. 12, 2018

    Wolf Creek State Park Campground

    Clean park

    Lots of equestrian parking and camping flush toilets neat trails very swell nice better if s en during the fall. Fishing and boatibg here as well.

  • A
    Aug. 12, 2018

    Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area

    Shad cap sites

    Biggest draw back is no electricity in equestrian sites. There’s is water and toilets trails aren’t marked real well but very wide nicely maintained to.

  • M
    Aug. 2, 2019

    Wolf Creek State Park Campground

    Wonderful State Campground

    This is a wonderful campground with drive in availability, equestrian camp and reservable sites!  The have great camp hosts Dave and Sharon on the reservable side that will help out in anyway and are so friendly!  This campground also has boat access and a beach and hiking trails.   It is built into the woods so most lots are very shady and all are very level.

  • B
    Jul. 8, 2025

    Wolf Creek State Park Campground

    Bad Management Ready To Ruin Your Holiday

    This park is beautiful, clean and the people were friendly. My issue is with the site supervisor and superintendent. On July 4th 2025 we were given the option of moving our entire campsite or being kicked out of the park. JULY 4TH! We booked our campsite in the last week of April, paid in full. We were the second party to book any spot in the entire campground! We chose our spot specifically for the access to the water and seclusion from the rest of the sites. Come to find out(a day after we set up camp) we booked in "horse camp" which apparently requires you to have horses. It never stated this on the website or rental confirmation we received. Nobody reached out to us in the three months we held the booking to confirm if we had horses. There was no on-site check in that could have saved us the trouble. No, instead we had to take 4 hours out of our holiday to pack all of our stuff and move into overflow camping or be forced to leave. Because of their mistake. Absolutely ruined our holiday with zero remorse or understanding. The icing on the cake was as we were leaving horse camp we noticed multiple other camp sites where people had not brought horses. They stated this happens all the time. If site management had two braincells to rub together they would fix their website instead of consistently ruining peoples trips and holidays. And then these people had the audacity to say they weren't going to charge us for the campsite they moved us to?!?! In reality, we should be receiving a full refund for the campsite we did pay for and free passes for the rest of the year. There is a second state campground on the other side of the lake I would suggest before coming to this place.

  • J
    Oct. 14, 2019

    Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area

    Good separation

    Most of the sites are large and a good distance from the next one. Shower house is alright. The store/restaurant has been closed for a year or two now because of the Illinois budget. There's a dollar store in Farina and a grocery store in Kinmundy; both towns are less than 10 miles away. The lake is big enough for ski boats but nice for kayaks also. Swim beach is not well maintained due to the budget but also doesn't cost anything since they can't pay anyone to man the gate, but it's not horrible.

  • S
    Oct. 2, 2020

    Wolf Creek State Park Campground

    Beautiful/Quiet during week!

    We stopped in to Wolf Creek State Park later in the day on a Wednesday after trying to stop at a different campground that was closed. We were worried about finding a spot as the sun was going down so we called even though no one usually answers phones at state parks (esp during COVID). The woman that answered was SO nice and I was so happy to hear a voice on the other end. So that’s a huge plus. You can reserve spots online in advance but clearly we did not because we didn’t know we’d be headed there. Same day is first come first serve. We are tent people and love primitive camping in spots where we can really be away from everyone and at least pretend like we’re alone. Rolling in in the dark, we weren’t motivated to checkout the walk-in campsites. And it wasn’t necessary because the area - which if full would’ve been pretty cramped for our taste- was absolutely empty. So we were happy. Many many spots for RVs all next to one another but there was tree cover for some and the possibility of a little bit of privacy but not much in that area.

    We had an almost full moon, but otherwise I think the stars would’ve been pretty awesome. The next morning we woke up and took a little hike down to Shelby Resevoir to see what was around. We were at campsite 18 and it was about 10 min hike down over there. Beautiful and big! Maybe good swimming I would assume? Too late in the year for us.

    We will definitely be back to checkout more of the primitive/walk-in/hike in sites! Hiking trails look interesting and fun and Eagle Creek State Park is just across the water (that’s the bigger one). The 4 stars was because the sites are pretty close together which- even with RVs- I think people mind- but maybe not? We love to be back in the woods ans I do think there is an option for that. We just didn’t have time to check it out. Will update!

  • Dusti M.
    Aug. 19, 2022

    Oblong Park and Lake

    Small town park

    Nice little community park. Nice paced walking path around the lake. Fenced in dog play area. Large park area with multiple playgrounds. Clean bathroom, flush toilets and showers.

  • J
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area

    Small Lake And Beautiful

    It's a small campground that offers a playground,bathhouse, hiking trails, and a small swimming area. There is easy access walking down to the marina. With small towns close to this state park.

Guide to Effingham

Horse camping in Illinois offers a unique opportunity to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds equipped with horse-friendly amenities, equestrian enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to saddle up and enjoy nature.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

Tips for equestrian camping near Effingham, Illinois

  • When visiting Wolf Creek State Park Campground, be sure to arrive early to secure a good spot, as the area can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons.
  • At Oblong Park and Lake, remember to bring plenty of water for both you and your horse, as the water sources may be a bit far from some campsites.
  • Check the weather before heading to Mill Creek Park to ensure a comfortable camping experience, as conditions can change rapidly in the area.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like spacious sites

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Effingham, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Effingham, IL is Wolf Creek State Park Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 10 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Effingham, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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