Equestrian camping near Granite City, Illinois offers access to diverse terrain across the Mississippi River watershed. Located in the American Bottom floodplain region, campsites range from lakeside locations at 400 feet elevation to higher wooded areas in nearby Missouri highlands reaching 700 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide more moderate conditions for horseback riding and camping activities.
What to Do
Trail riding for all levels: Cuivre River State Park offers varied terrain for equestrians with trails connecting directly to camping areas. As Kyle notes, the park has "an awesome trail system around the lake" with options for riders of different experience levels.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple locations provide access to stocked lakes and river fishing. At Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground, Annie mentions it's a "nice lake for fishing and boating" with no swimming allowed, making it less crowded for anglers.
Wildlife viewing: Spring and fall migrations bring excellent birdwatching opportunities. One camper at Horseshoe Lake emphasized it's "a great place when the geese are migrating thru," making it ideal for nature photographers.
Swimming and water recreation: Several campgrounds feature designated swimming areas during summer months. The Dam West Spillway provides "beachfront access" according to Sarah, who appreciated that her lakefront site was on "flat ground" with easy water access.
What Campers Like
Affordable options: Many campgrounds offer reasonable rates, especially for basic amenities. At Horseshoe Lake, Travis notes camping is just "$8 a night" with a "self service pay system [that] makes it simple, easy, and fast."
Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds feature well-spaced sites with natural barriers. WanderlustDu0 highlights the "great private camping" at Horseshoe Lake, noting the sites are "very private and clean."
Clean facilities: Maintained shower houses and restrooms receive consistent praise. At St. Louis West / Historic Route 66 KOA, Mary appreciated the "separate handicap shower facilities" and mentioned "bathrooms were clean" despite heavy usage.
Proximity to urban amenities: Many campgrounds balance natural settings with accessibility to services. Helge noted Horseshoe Lake offers "a beautiful area close to St. Louis" while still providing a camping experience.
What You Should Know
Seasonal closures: Some campgrounds have limited availability outside summer months. Jennifer reported finding "a homemade sign that says no camping" at Horseshoe Lake during off-season, noting "I wish we would have known that before we got here."
Noise considerations: Train tracks and highways can impact some camping experiences. Brian warns that at Route 66 KOA, "be prepared for a lot of noise from the busy main road and passing trains in the near distance."
Limited amenities at primitive sites: Basic campgrounds may lack services common at developed sites. At Horseshoe Lake, Chrissy noted "there is no electric or running water," which requires appropriate preparation.
Reservation requirements: Weekend popularity necessitates advance planning. At McCully Heritage Project, Eric mentioned their group easily fit "a dozen people over the 4th of July," but this popular site fills quickly on holidays.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playgrounds and recreational areas: Several campgrounds feature family-friendly facilities. At Dam West, Heather notes they have "really pretty, big trees for lots of shade" and mentioned the rangers are "walking/driving around, and really friendly."
Educational opportunities: Nature programs offer learning experiences for children. Leo appreciated McCully Heritage Project's accessibility: "We had a picnic and the kids got to play on the playground equipment."
Safety considerations: Well-maintained campgrounds provide secure environments. At Dam West, Chris observed the campsite is "very clean and safe for young children" with "spacious spots" that accommodate family setups.
Bathroom accessibility: For families with young children, clean facilities within walking distance matter. Jeanie highlighted Dam West's "clean facilities" with "a lot of mature trees in the campground that provides plenty of shade in the summer."
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookups: Note the amperage available at different campgrounds. At Greensfelder County Park, Matthew observed "only sites 20-29 have electric" with most offering "2-20 amp plugs and 1-30amp plug" but no 50-amp service.
Site dimensions: RV length restrictions vary significantly between campgrounds. Matthew notes most sites at Greensfelder "are great for trailers 26' or less and 1 slide" though some sites can accommodate larger rigs.
Water and dump station access: Full hookups are limited in the region. Matthew mentioned that at Greensfelder there's "no water at sites" and "no dump but KOA and RV dealer 5-7 mins away" for those services.
Level sites: Some campgrounds offer more level options than others. At World Shooting and Recreational Complex, Chip noted their first travel trailer camping experience was smooth as the site has "tons of camping sites so finding a spot should not be an issue."
