6 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several horse-friendly campgrounds operate within 30 miles of Keithsburg, Illinois. Loud Thunder Forest Preserve Horse Corral Campground features standard campsites with fire rings, picnic tables, and electrical hookups specifically designed for equestrians. The facility maintains accessible trails directly from the camping area. The corral campground provides dedicated space for horses with nearby shelter facilities. Sites accommodate both tents and RVs, though no water hookups are available. Standard amenities include drinking water, toilets, and trash facilities.
Trail access connects riders to Lake George for recreational opportunities including fishing and paddling. Scott County Park's Equestrian Campground offers primitive camping with hard-surface vehicle and trailer parking, fire rings, picnic tables, and tie-up areas for horses. The campground connects directly to the park's trail system with multiple riding routes. Big Hollow Recreation Area provides additional options with equestrian trails, though without dedicated horse corrals. The campground includes both primitive sites for $10 per night and full-hookup RV sites. Reservations are recommended during peak seasons, particularly for equestrian sites which fill quickly. Restroom facilities vary by location, with some campgrounds offering only vault toilets near horse camping areas.
"Campgrounds also include a shooting range, beach, equestrian trails, canoe rentals, and launch, and I saw a sign for primitive cabins, though I didn't have time to check those out."
"The only downside is the lake was filled with algae. So if you’re wanting to fish or swim, this isn’t the place for you!"
from $15 - $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $20 - $26 / night
Check Availability"The sites are well spaced and surrounded by large trees. These are walk in sites with parking in the main campground."
from $15 - $20 / night
Check Availability"Tucked away in the southeast corner of Scott County Park – yes, the same park that already has more campgrounds than a camping catalog – lurks a little-known equestrian primitive campground."
"Site 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."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"I stayed at the RV section right next to the rodeo arena. Full hookups for only $20 per night with a self-service registration box. I forgot to count but looked like maybe 20 spots max."
from $20 / night
LegendThis campsite has a hard parking lot surface, picnic table, charcoal, grill, firing, and a pit toilet, horse tie up. Trail access starts here, recycling station is adjacent, and Scott County Park Road is just to the south.
ScoutNice staff members can't complain. It has everything needed to get away and still not stress about comfort well kept and maintained alcohol and campfire is a must to experience the full camping trip no hangover no fun just drink responsibly and be kind and respectful to other fellow campers
LegendTucked away in the southeast corner of Scott County Park – yes, the same park that already has more campgrounds than a camping catalog – lurks a little-known equestrian primitive campground. It’s the sort of place that feels like you stumbled onto a secret level in a video game: no hookups, no frills, just you, your horse and the occasional squirrel judging your life choices. If SOC-Fox is the Brady Bunch middle child (see my review for this CG), this one is the mysterious cousin who shows up at family reunions in cowboy boots and doesn’t say much.
The sites? Bare-bones, as expected. You’re not here for 'glamping.' You’re here for space to tie up your horse, throw up a tent and feel like you’ve traveled back to 1883 (minus the dysentery). Fire rings are your only luxury item here, and if you’re expecting bathhouses with spa vibes, forget it. You’ll find pit toilets that are … serviceable. Let’s call them ‘character-building.’ Roads in here are gravelly but manageable if you take it slow, but you don’t really want to be coming here if you’re toting a 5th wheel or driving an RV as this area is really more geared for mi tent pitchin’ bredren who want the opportunity to ‘rough it’ ... ideally with their noble steeds.
What makes it shine, though, are the equestrian trails. Miles of riding paths crisscross through woods, open meadows and rolling hills. Even if you’re not on horseback, you can hike them and pretend you’re in a Western where the budget ran out before they gave you an actual horse. And because this campground is the least famous of the seven, you’re more likely to get actual peace & quiet. No cannonballing kids, no RV generators humming in the night, just plenty of crickets, the odd, stray coyote and your horse deciding 2 a.m. is the perfect time to shuffle around loudly.
Insider Tips? Giddy-up, here’s a few: (1) Bring your own water as there’s no magic spigot here; (2) If you want solitude, this is the place. It’s basically the anti-aquatic center; (3) Hungry after a day on the trail? Eldridge’s Grille on the Green dishes out hearty comfort food, and you won’t even have to tie your horse out front; and (4) If you need supplies, hit the Tractor Supply in nearby Eldridge. They won’t blink when you walk in smelling like hay and campfire.
Happy Camping!
LegendThe site offers a hard service to park on, picnic table, fire, pit, charcoal, grill, outhouse, horse tie up, and equestrian trailhead. There is a recycling dump station nearby, and open space with shaded tree area. The park itself offers trails for hiking and biking, a pool, golf course, campgrounds, historical Pioneer Village, amenities, including firewood, ice, concessions. Pride Lake offers paddling and fishing.
GuideThis site has a large number of mostly cement camper spots, including pull through. There is a large playground and shower house. Primitive camping for single or group spots. Campgrounds also include a shooting range, beach, equestrian trails, canoe rentals, and launch, and I saw a sign for primitive cabins, though I didn't have time to check those out. This is the .most full service camp site that I have seen in Iowa so far.
GuideLots of cement camping pads, playground, and shower house. Primitive single and group camping sites. Canoe rental and shooting range.
LegendPrimitive site offers table, fire ring, grill, tie up, outhouse, open space, hard surface parking. Trail is adjacent.
ScoutI stayed at the main site that google maps took me to. Three spots but the park is big there might be more sites around it. It is near skunk river I only stayed there for a night but where I was to get to the river you have to hike or bike to it. I’ve heard you can ride horses here. They have fire rings, picnic tables, and a bathroom that’s deep and composting. No sinks or showers. Bugs were wild at night but it is summer. No one disturbed us and it was free the best park of it all. Hoping to make it back there to go through the trails. I believe you can hike and camp too in the area.
GuideI stayed at the RV section right next to the rodeo arena. Full hookups for only $20 per night with a self-service registration box. I forgot to count but looked like maybe 20 spots max. I was here mid-November in town for work and there was no more than four other campers at any point. Pretty basic surroundings though. There's barrel trash cans, didn't see a dumpster. Didn't see any toilet or shower buildings. Hardly any trees near the sites. Decent playground close by though, and a heavily wooded park with trails beyond that.
Equestrian camping near Keithsburg, Illinois offers multiple options across both Illinois and Iowa state lines. The area features a mix of prairie, woodland, and riverside terrain with elevation changes between 580-720 feet above sea level. Seasonal temperature variations influence camping conditions significantly, with summer highs frequently reaching 90°F and winter lows dropping below 20°F.
Paddle the Cedar River: At Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area, the main boat access provides easy entry for non-motorized watercraft. "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," shares Jessica H. The area includes a fishing dock at Chicken Creek.
Explore equestrian trails: Scott County Park's Equestrian Campground connects to multiple riding paths. "The site offers a hard service to park on, picnic table, fire pit, charcoal grill, outhouse, horse tie up, and equestrian trailhead," notes James M. The trails wind through "woods, open meadows and rolling hills" according to Stuart K.
Stargaze: Big Hollow Recreation Area offers unique astronomical viewing opportunities. "There's a place to use a few telescopes to see the stars!" mentions Lisa M. The primitive camping areas provide darker skies away from light pollution.
Diverse camping options: Big Hollow Recreation Area provides multiple camping styles. "This site has a large number of mostly cement camper spots, including pull through. There is a large playground and shower house. Primitive camping for single or group spots," notes Travis R. The variety accommodates different preferences and equipment types.
Wildlife viewing: Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area attracts numerous bird species. "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," says Jessica H. The natural areas support diverse wildlife.
Lake recreation: Big Hollow Recreation Area's lake supports multiple activities. "Nearby lake has a beach and a boat ramp for launching boats (whole lake is no wake zone) or kayaks. If you are into fishing, this place has large mouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish," describes Sarah J.
Seasonal flooding concerns: River proximity affects camping availability. "When the Cedar River is high, it pushes Chicken Creek out of its banks which can mean potential closure of campgrounds," warns Jessica H. at Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area. Always call ahead during spring or after heavy rains.
Reservation systems vary: Most equestrian sites require early booking. "A call ahead to the conservation office to check on closures is a good idea," advises Jessica H. Some facilities operate first-come-first-served with self-registration.
Site amenities differ significantly: Primitive sites have basic facilities. "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," explains Jessica H. about Saulsbury Bridge.
Playground access: Many campgrounds feature play areas. "There's a large playground and shower house," mentions Travis R. about Big Hollow Recreation Area, while Sam H. notes Rodeo Park has a "decent playground close by" and "a heavily wooded park with trails beyond that."
Beach options: During summer, swimming access provides cooling recreation. "We have kayaked and swam in" the lake at Big Hollow Recreation Area, says Jeremy. Lisa M. cautions water quality varies: "The lake was filled with algae. So if you're wanting to fish or swim, this isn't the place for you!"
Activity variety: Scott County Park offers diverse recreation beyond camping. "The park itself offers trails for hiking and biking, a pool, golf course, campgrounds, historical Pioneer Village, amenities, including firewood, ice, concessions. Pride Lake offers paddling and fishing," notes James M.
Hookup availability: Electrical access varies between campgrounds. "Full hookup!!!" Jeremy enthusiastically notes about Big Hollow Recreation Area. "They continue to improve the campground every year."
Site leveling: Terrain impacts setup ease. "Site C was level for our camper van. Large, spacious site," shares Fred S. about Big Hollow Recreation Area's primitive section. For larger rigs, "Sites are pretty level and easy to get parked," Jeremy adds.
Off-season advantages: Shoulder season camping offers more solitude. "I was here mid-November in town for work and there was no more than four other campers at any point," reports Sam H. at Rodeo Park, where full hookups cost "$20 per night with a self-service registration box."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Keithsburg, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Keithsburg, IL is Big Hollow Recreation Area with a 4.7-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Keithsburg, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Keithsburg, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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