Matthiessen State Park Equestrian Campground accommodates riders with tent and RV sites situated along equestrian trails. Located within the larger Matthiessen State Park, this horse-friendly campground provides access to bridle paths that wind through diverse terrain including woodlands and canyons. The campground includes basic facilities with drinking water and vault toilets, though it lacks electric hookups or showers. Picnic tables and fire rings are available at each site. The equestrian camping area remains separate from the main campground, allowing horse owners more space and appropriate facilities for their animals. Sites are first-come, first-served rather than reservable.
The trail system connects riders to miles of scenic paths traversing the park's distinctive geology, including dramatic canyons, waterfalls, and diverse plant communities. Water crossings and varied terrain offer moderate challenges for horses and riders. Trailer parking accommodates various sizes, though the access roads can be narrow in some sections. The campground typically sees less traffic than the main recreational areas of the park, providing a quieter experience for equestrians. During peak fall color season, the bridle trails become particularly popular, showcasing spectacular views of the park's dramatic sandstone formations and seasonal foliage. Park rules require current negative Coggins tests and proper manure management during stays.
"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."
"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
from $22 / night
"Excellent horse trails. Went with a group of around 8 people and it was beautiful! Well maintained."
"The abundant forest, trails and the creek going through the park make this an ideal place to visit during spring and fall. Summer is ok too but may get a bit hot in Central Illinois for my taste."
"hey, there were some pretty outstanding trails to hike during the day and the friendly on-site ranger made a call over to nearby Starved Rock SP to secure me a camping spot over there, so not all was"
"quite a bit of detail on this campground, I’m following up on that review by sharing more fotos as well as providing a topline update: Highlights: (1) Great hiking abounds in this particular Illinois"
from $10 / 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…
TravelerYou must pack in your own water and there are no electric hookups. Beautiful well maintained grounds with lots of open sky for starlink.
ScoutI live near this park and have used it regularly for years. It is certainly nothing special... just a nice average park. I usually do a combination van and tent camp here and it is totally adequate for that. It looks to be fine for RVs as well. The pit toilets are usually clean and relatively bug free. The shower house is clean and adequate. I just think of this as my "local campground"... my go to for a quick weekend getaway to set up and use my gear, and have friends out to share a fire. The park itself is nice, quiet and clean. You will see deer and raccoons. Jubilee is off a County Highway (Rt 150), about 5 miles off I-74. Small town with DG and Gas stations are about 5 miles away; Peoria IL is 15ish miles away.
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.
LegendAs my post from a bit more than a year ago provided quite a bit of detail on this campground, I’m following up on that review by sharing more fotos as well as providing a topline update:
Highlights: (1) Great hiking abounds in this particular Illinois SP where there exists a combination of EZ, intermediate and difficult hiking and riding paths; (2) There’s great kayaking in nearby Illinois River, which you can access at multiple points, but my favorite is to shove off either at Starved Rock SP boat launch or head south of that SP by about 3 miles to one of the several launches that exist on the southern shore; (3) Supreme amount of peace & quiet here at this CG for you and your steed with simply amazing great galloping trails as well as numerous places to tie up your four-hoofed friend; (4) Sites are spacious and nicely shaded; (5) The facilities are basic-to-bad, so lower your expectations and bring your own sanitary wipes; (6) Ample space to wander around and get lost in nature
Lowlights:(1) This CG is EZ to miss if you don’t look for it – DON’T drive all the way into Matthiessen SP either on its west or east sides – this CG has its own discreet entry with parking near the road on the east side; (2) The grounds themselves could benefit from some TLC as there’s a lot of downed branches and even trash scattered around the place (that we cleaned up before leaving); (3) Depending upon how you look at it, this CG had no one there on the 3 occasions we visited – which was fine for us, but some might find the solitude here a bit daunting
Happy Camping!
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.
GuideI have camped at this park several times over the last few years. Especially like winter truck camping here. The pit toilets are always available in the winter, and I usually have the park to myself. There’s a small fishing pond off the road a bit. The trails will be closed for deer season though. I enjoy riding my bike around the park and down to the actual college. There is a really old cemetery at the college if you just want to creep yourself out at night.
GuideExcellent campground for those who want to relax and have quiet time. Nature trails are nicely groomed and mowed. Not a lot of amenities for families with young kids but bring your own corn hole bags and badminton. Nice for adults who want some peace and quiet.
Matthiessen State Park Equestrian Campground offers dedicated facilities for horseback riders. Located on the east side of the park with a separate entrance from the main park areas, this horse-only camping area provides first-come, first-served sites with basic vault toilets and drinking water. The campground connects directly to bridle paths that wind through the park's distinctive sandstone formations, canyons, and forested areas. Registration is handled through an on-site envelope system rather than reservations.
Trail riding for equestrians: Matthiessen State Park Equestrian Campground connects to approximately 5 miles of dedicated bridle paths across varied terrain. "For those that bring their noble steed to this campground, you'll have it basically all to yourself," notes camper Stuart K., who adds that the limestone-stained trails offer "a really good cross-section of prairie land that meets densely-packed forests."
Kayaking nearby waters: Comlara County Park offers water recreation options on Evergreen Lake. "The dock was just a short walk away. It's very cool that the folks at Comlara put that dock there for the tent campers to use," reports Scott N., who enjoyed launching his kayak. Water access fees apply, with boat/kayak access costing $20 per watercraft.
Hiking natural formations: Nearby state parks feature networks of marked trails through unique geological features. "The trails are well maintained and most are used on regular basis," notes Brooke C. about Jubilee College State Park, which offers hiking paths across its nearly 2,000 acres of woods and prairie.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes and ponds in the region provide good fishing spots for campers. At Jubilee College State Park, campers appreciate "a small fishing pond off the road a bit," according to Jonathan J., who visits throughout the year, including for winter truck camping when "the pit toilets are always available in the winter."
Quiet, spacious sites: Moraine View State Recreational Area offers camping with good separation between sites in some areas. Camper Brandi M. reports, "I was on site P16 which offers a lake view. They have recently paved the roads which was nice. The main shower house was nice and well maintained."
Star-gazing conditions: The rural setting around Gridley provides excellent night sky visibility. "The viewing of stars is incredible," notes Joe M. about his experience at Jubilee College State Park, describing it as a "quiet and peaceful" place to "get out of the city" and experience natural darkness.
Seasonal closures and conditions: Some facilities have limited operations outside peak season. At Moraine View, "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," reports Brandi M., who paid "$20 a night" for her three-night stay.
Wildlife awareness: Local campers report encounters with wildlife in wooded areas. Ashley C. recounts at Jubilee College: "This camping spot was very quiet and secluded, just like I wanted, but at about midnight there were at least 3 bobcats snarling and growling near our tents and then they circled our tents, sniffing them."
Varied terrain for horses: Deer Creek Campground offers sites along the river with opportunities for wading. "Large, quiet campsites that are not too crowded. Near the back you can camp right alongside the river," notes Kate M., adding that "amenities are minimal" but the sites remain "relaxing."
Playground access: Some parks offer dedicated play areas for children. At Comlara County Park, Sage C. notes there are "a few playgrounds for the kids to stay busy as well as small marked trails to follow," making it suitable for families with younger children.
Swimming beaches: Seasonal swimming areas provide cooling options during summer months. Leslie mentions that at Deer Creek Campground, the "beach is so clean" and calls it a "wonderful place for family camping" that's "very enjoyable and relaxing."
Budget-friendly activities: American Legion Freedom Farm Campground offers an affordable base from which families can explore the region. Several nearby state parks provide low-cost day-use activities including hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing without additional entrance fees.
Site selection strategies: At Comlara County Park, Mike K. advises looking at site layouts carefully: "Site 123 in particular is directly across from the bathroom, but has thick wooded areas to keep things private and well shaded... with an open area for some suntanning." He notes that the "layout is fairly straightforward" with "many spots for RV/campers."
Electric hookup availability: Most equestrian campgrounds near Gridley, Illinois offer limited services. Moraine View provides electric sites but no water hookups at individual sites. Jubilee College State Park offers electric and sewer according to park information, though one camper warns that "all had some gravel that had obviously not been maintained in several years."
Highway access convenience: Some campgrounds provide easy stopover locations for travelers. Sarah S. found Comlara County Park particularly useful: "We 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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Gridley, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Gridley, IL is Comlara County Park with a 3.6-star rating from 35 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Gridley, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Gridley, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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