Horse camping is the perfect way to enjoy Illinois City. If you're an equestrian lover who prefers nature-based adventure, yet still wants comfort, this is the perfect opportunity for you. It's easy to find Illinois City campgrounds for horse camping with The Dyrt. Find our top-rated horse campsites from other campers like you. Plan the perfect trip in minutes.
The Main Campground at the Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area has the following amenities
· 24 camping spurs
· Electrical hookups
· Modern restrooms and showers
· Drinking water
· Dump station
· Firewood
· Playground
· Campground host
Campsites have picnic tables, fire rings, and on-site parking. Campsites are $20 per night. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis only. No reservations are taken.
$15 - $20 / night
Primitive area with water & 20 amp electrical service and RV pads with water, electricity and sewer hook-ups.
Camp the way you like. We understand that some people like to pitch a tent and cook over an open fire, and others just don’t. That’s okay with us because we have campsites for both. The only restriction is that equestrians must utilize the designated sites within the Horse Corral campground, all others may utilize any campsite of their choosing regardless of their camping unit. Only one camping unit is allowed per site, "children's tents are considered a camping unit".
District policy does not allow staff to issue refunds of any kind on reservations or the relocation/switching of reserved sites, reservations require a two-night minimum.
All campers must secure a camping permit and check-in (reservation or no reservation) at the Park Office before they set-up camp.
$20 - $26 / night
Access to the Equestrian area is one half mile east of the park entrance on 270th Street. A Scott County Recycling Station is located in the equestrian area parking lot.
A registration and information office is located at the south entrance off of 270th St. Open late April through mid-October. Select campgrounds/campsites are designated as "Reservable". All other sites are rented on a first-come-first-serve only basis. Please have your site number and identification with you when you register. Campground Hosts are located at each campground to assist you. Senior citizen (62 and over) and County resident discounts available. Concessions and firewood for sale. Gift Cards for sale - they make great presents and can be used anywhere in the Scott County park system. NOTE: All park gates are locked and no visitors allowed after closing time.
$15 / night
Legend
Primitive site offers table, fire ring, grill, tie up, outhouse, open space, hard surface parking. Trail is adjacent.
LegendSite is located in the very SE corner of the park with: charcoal grill, fire ring, outhouse, picnic table, recycle station adjacent, tie-up, hard surface for RV. No water onsite. Trails available.
Legend
Main CG has gravel lanes, showers, fire rings, tables, electric, nearby lodge and shelter with Cedar River access.
LegendSite has hard surface for vehicle/trailer, table, grill, non potable water, outhouse, tie-up, trails, shade trees. Located in SE corner of Scott County Park. Firewood, ice, concessions can be found in main park along with pool, golf, Pride Lake for fishing and paddling. Historical Pioneer Village is located at north end of main park.
Legend
CG has nice corral with day use and camping sites: shelter available, elect pull in sites fire rings, wood available in park, tables, trails Lake George for fishing, paddling, boat rental.
TravelerMy family enjoyed this campground. Even though some of the campground was slightly flooded during our stay, we still had fun!
RangerCampground Review:
Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area is 675 acres, nestled between rolling fields of corn, dairy farms, native prairie, and the Cedar River. Located in Muscatine County in southeast Iowa, this rec area offers well-maintained campgrounds, hiking trails, fishing, kayaking/canoeing and seasonal hunting.
There are three separate campgrounds. The main campground has electrical hookups, picnic benches, fire rings, modern restroom facilities including showers, a dump station, playground, and firewood for purchase. There are 24 sites, and they run $20 per night.
The primitive campground area sits along Chicken Creek and offers four, tent-only sites, and is just off the main campground. The sites are well spaced and surrounded by large trees. These are walk in sites with parking in the main campground. It’s a short hike in from the parking area, and within walking distance of the restrooms and firewood. Primitive sites are $10 per night.
Across the road from these two campgrounds is the main boat access and fishing dock for Chicken Creek. Only non-motorized boats are allowed here. If you don’t have your own, you can rent kayaks and canoes through the Muscatine County Conservation office. There is also a large shelter, which is reservable along with day use picnic areas, playgrounds, a sand volleyball court, and vault toilets. There’s large, open expanses of grassy fields and oak shade trees; perfect for relaxing on a hot summer day.
The river campground sits right along the Cedar River and allows easy access to fishing along with a boat ramp. This campground is a short hike to the old Saulsbury Bridge and Lodge. The bridge has a small gazebo-like structure and bench which provides a nice view of the river. There are vault toilets in this campground, but the modern restrooms are within walking distance as well. There are 10 sites in this campground and run $17 per night.
All campsites are self-registration and are on a first come, first served basis. There is a campground host on duty in the main campground and the park officer lives on site. Dogs are allowed, but must be on leash in the campgrounds and on trails. However, they are allowed to run in the designated hunting areas. These areas are marked with signs. If you plan to hike during hunting season, it’s a good idea to wear bright colors/blaze orange so you are visible to hunters and not mistaken for a deer or other wildlife.
This park also has prairie/natural habitat restoration areas that, in spring and summer, attract Monarch butterflies, and an abundance of birds including indigo bunting, red headed woodpecker, and goldfinch. In the colder months you can spot bald eagles flying along the river. There are also deer, wild turkey, and pheasants. While there, we walked around the campground areas that were open and over to the day use area along Chicken Creek to roast marshmallows. We hiked the short distance out to the Saulsbury Bridge to watch the Cedar River flow by and caught a beautiful sunset.
The one downfall to this park is the possibility for flooding. When the Cedar River is high, it pushes Chicken Creek out of its banks which can mean potential closure of campgrounds.
A call ahead to the conservation office to check on closures is a good idea. We had hoped to camp at a primitive site, but learned the trail leading into the campground was under water, which also meant the river campground was closed as well. Though there was some water over the road in the main campground, it was minimal and we were able to choose an electrical site. We opted to car camp as we were only staying one night. Only about a third of the campground was filled and we had no one on either side of us which meant for a more quiet camping experience.
This is one of my favorite local areas to hike and camp that’s close to home. It offers a full picture of Iowa’s varied landscapes and outdoor activity opportunities.
Product Review:
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. On this camping trip, I tried out VivoBarefoot Primus Trail SG Womens sneakers. VivoBarefoot’s goal is to provide an environment that allows the feet to remain in their natural state while providing a protective shoe. https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/womens/off-road/primus-trail-sg-womens?colour=Olive
ScoutA little pricy for tent camping. Ten dollars per tent per night and you’re restricted to the primitive area. It’s not bad if you’re just wanting to get away for a little bit but stay close to town. Otherwise if you’re looking for a better get away from it all I’d recommend some place else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Illinois City, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Illinois City, IL is Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area - Main Camping with a 3.5-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Illinois City, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Illinois City, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
