Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground provides dedicated facilities for horse owners 47 miles southwest of Homewood, Illinois. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted. Trail riders can access multiple riding routes throughout the 4,000-acre state park, connecting to the extensive Kankakee River Trail system with routes suitable for various experience levels.
What to do
Trail riding on the limestone paths: Horse enthusiasts visiting Kankakee River State Park can explore miles of trails through diverse terrain. "The park is quite expansive and impressive for this state. It's great during all times of the year," notes Andrea F., who frequently visits the park for its variety of recreational opportunities.
Explore historical sites: The surrounding area contains interesting historical elements. "This site is near a small cemetery that has tombstones that are hundreds of years old," reports Phillip L., highlighting the historical significance of the region accessible from the trails.
Riverside activities: After riding, visitors can enjoy the Kankakee River itself. "The river was nice to visit and we were able to take the kids to some knee-deep water to play (swimming is NOT allowed in the river)," explains Linda N., who visited during summer.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Big Rock Forest Preserve, about 60 miles northwest of Homewood, equestrian visitors appreciate the spacious layout. "Nice campground with big, level sites. Even though they don't take reservations, there is plenty of space and availability," writes Melissa C.
Clean facilities: Despite being a rustic horse camping experience, visitors appreciate the maintained amenities. "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," reports Linda N. from her Kankakee River State Park visit.
Natural surroundings: The equestrian areas offer exposure to Illinois ecology. "Spacious sites with lush jungle-like greenery grown in between, which provides perfect privacy," notes Yang L. about the vegetation at Kankakee River, which creates natural separation between camping areas.
What you should know
Limited hookups: Horse campgrounds near Homewood typically provide basic services. At Leisure Lake Resort, located about 45 miles from Homewood, visitors note mixed amenities. "We've been staying at this resort for several months now... We've truly enjoyed the spacious layout of the RV park, a nice lake, beach, pool, gym, and a dog park," explains Iryna R.
Weather preparedness: Illinois weather can change rapidly, requiring proper preparation for both horses and humans. "It rained a ton during our trip so we didn't explore much, but would definitely recommend for a simple camping trip where you want flushable toilets, showers, and some electricity," shares Emma H. about her experience at Kankakee River State Park.
Firewood availability: Most equestrian campgrounds near Homewood offer firewood for purchase. "When we checked in with the host, there were bundles of firewood for $8 (either cash or cash app)," notes Emma H., while Phillip L. mentions, "We did not have to collect firewood because there is a man walking around with a wheel barrow selling it which was really convenient."
Tips for camping with families
Nature center visits: Potowatomi Campground offers educational opportunities beyond horse activities. "We did have a really awesome time at the main office/nature center, where my kiddos got to feed and hold a variety of reptiles!" shares Linda N., highlighting family-friendly amenities.
Site selection for kids: When selecting a horse camping site with children, consider layout and space. "We had four sites on Osage loop for tent camping. Two were very small (14&15)... 16&17 were amazing for tents!! Open, tall trees for our tight rope and hammocks and shade. Grass for tents," recommends Shannon H., noting the importance of researching site configurations.
Playground awareness: Families should note that recreational areas may have limited shade. "Playgrounds are unfortunately exposed so it was not suitable for the 100 degree days we had," cautions Linda N. about summer visits to Kankakee River State Park.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup considerations: At Big Rock Campground, RV campers with horses should prepare for distance to water connections. "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions!" advises Amanda K., who camps with her family. "I saw where some campers hooked about 150' of hose to spigots behind the loops to run to their campers," confirms Jeff G.
Equestrian-friendly RV sites: Horse owners with larger rigs should research site dimensions carefully. "The spaces are pretty level. The trees will be terrific in about 20 years," notes Jeff G. about Big Rock, while Rodney D. adds, "Campsites are flat. The water hookups are kind of far from the individual sites (make sure you have extra hose)."
Dump station access: RVers with horses should plan for waste management. "The dump station is good. It's expensive, for what is there, if you are not a Kane County resident," explains Jeff G. about facilities at Big Rock Campground, a consideration for those traveling with both horses and RVs.
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