Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground offers dedicated facilities for horse riders located about 60 miles south of Evergreen Park, Illinois. The equestrian camping area contains vault toilets accessible year-round, with additional shower facilities available during summer months. Trail riders can access multiple bridle paths directly from the campground without needing to trailer horses to separate trailheads.
What to do
Hiking along river corridors: At Kankakee River State Park, visitors can explore extensive trail systems with varied terrain. "There are Indian caves through the creek where you can still find arrowheads. Exploring the area is pretty cool and the park is quite expansive and impressive for this state," notes Andrea F.
Horseback riding on dedicated trails: Equestrian enthusiasts can enjoy the trail network at Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground which connects to several miles of bridle paths. The trails offer a mix of wooded sections and riverside views where horses can cool off at designated water access points.
Fishing opportunities: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort provides lakefront sites where anglers can cast directly from their campsites. "Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water," reports Leo V., highlighting the active fish population in the small lake.
Wildlife viewing: Big Rock Forest Preserve offers open grasslands and ponds ideal for nature observation. "Duck viewing. Quiet. Almost 100 improved sites," mentions Amanda K., who visited with her family.
What campers like
Clean, accessible bathroom facilities: Paul Wolff Campground maintains well-kept restrooms. "The vault toilets are clean but smell like vault toilets at 95 degrees. There is one very clean flush toilet building but no showers," notes David W.
Spacious campsites: Many equestrian camping options near Evergreen Park feature generous site layouts. At Kankakee River State Park, Shannon H. observed that "16&17 were amazing for tents!! Open, tall trees for our tight rope and hammocks and shade. Grass for tents."
Privacy between sites: Natural vegetation creates good separation at Potowatomi Campground. "Spacious sites with lush jungle-like greenery grown in between, which provides perfect privacy," Yang L. commented about their experience.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Fish Lake Beach offers activities designed for children. "Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake," shared Leo V.
What you should know
Water access varies by campground: At Big Rock Campground, "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions!" advises Amanda K. This practical consideration affects setup time and equipment needs.
Reservation systems differ: While some parks require advance booking, others operate on a first-come basis. "Walkup only - no reservations taken. $35 a night is a bit steep," notes Amanda K. about Big Rock Forest Preserve.
Limited shade at newer facilities: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers more trees, but Big Rock lacks mature foliage. "Not worth the drive here to tent camp if you live outside of Kane county. Even their 9 hike-in primitive sites hugging the treeline lack privacy," Marisa A. cautions.
County resident discounts: Several parks offer significant price breaks for local residents. Jeff G. points out that Big Rock is "expensive, for what is there, if you are not a Kane County resident."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with designated play areas: Leisure Lake Resort offers multiple recreational facilities. "Quiet, family orientated, fishing lake, miniature golf, activities," notes Karel M.
Consider water activities: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort features a swimming beach popular with children. "The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there. The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!" recommends Chloe N.
Check for dedicated tent areas: Some campgrounds separate tent and RV camping. "We stayed in one of the tent sites across the road from the lakefront sites. There are about 8 tent/pop up sites and the rest of the campground is for RVs," explains Chloe N. about Fish Lake Beach.
Verify bathroom proximity: When camping with young children, bathroom location matters. Linda N. notes at Potowatomi Campground, "The shower house was good. We went during July 4th so it was busy but the team came out to clean up promptly. There are vault toilets, water, and trash cans in each loop."
Tips from RVers
Check electrical service types: Paul Wolff Campground offers 50-amp service suitable for larger rigs. Marisa A. shares, "Because there is electrical it is a peaceful campground with no generator noise."
Site leveling considerations: RV campers should note the terrain at each park. At Big Rock Forest Preserve, "The spaces are pretty level," according to Jeff G., making setup easier for larger vehicles.
Water hookup limitations: Big Rock Campground requires planning for water connections. "I saw where some campers hooked about 150' of hose to spigots behind the loops to run to their campers," observes Jeff G.
Seasonal accessibility: For equestrian camping near Evergreen Park, Illinois, note that some facilities close during winter months. Big Rock remains "year round" according to their season information, but others like Fish Lake Beach operate only from "May 1 to October 15."
Ranger
