Matthiessen State Park Equestrian Campground accommodates horses with primitive camping facilities near La Salle, Illinois. The campground includes toilet facilities and trash collection for campers, with areas for both tent and RV camping accessible by walking trails. The equestrian sites are located in a separate section from standard camping areas to create a dedicated environment for horse owners. Water is available for horses and campers, though electric hookups are not provided at the equestrian sites. The trails remain accessible throughout most of the year, with some seasonal closures during wet weather to prevent damage to the paths.
Located approximately 85 miles southwest of Montgomery, Kankakee River State Park also offers an equestrian campground with basic facilities for horse owners. The campground provides access to sanitary dump stations, showers, and toilet facilities. Water sources for horses are situated throughout the camping area, though electric connections are not available at the horse sites. Trail riders can access several miles of bridle paths directly from the campground, offering rides through wooded areas and along riverside terrain. Most equestrian campsites accommodate both a horse trailer and vehicle, with sufficient space for portable corrals or highlines. Seasonal closures may affect trail access, particularly during spring thaws and after heavy rainfall when paths can become muddy and unsuitable for horses.
"Clean, with large sites, about a 5 mile walk around the nearby lake- saw several deer and rabbits - T-Mobile worked just fine- no Wi-Fi"
"Away from All the City Noise And Not Very Far Away Dump Station And Potable Water Supply"
from $18 - $35 / night
"The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms."
"Half of them were in the Prairie and the other half was tucked into wonderfully private spots with burn pits and picnic tables. We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies."
from $12 - $35 / night
"Quiet, family orientated, fishing lake, miniature golf, activities"
from $37 / night
"Many miles of paved and crushed limestone trails. The actual Kankakee River access is sort of outside of the campground- that would be my only complaint."
"Right at the start of Osage is an entrance to the crushed gravel bike path. It gave us a great hike through the trees. You can find picnic areas and playground equipment by following the bike path."
"Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water."
"We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."
from $43 - $73 / night
"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
from $74 - $100 / night
ScoutNice, clean, quiet, simple state park set up. Many miles of paved and crushed limestone trails. The actual Kankakee River access is sort of outside of the campground- that would be my only complaint. You have to walk or bike a little distance to be near the river. Seemed very well maintained and we loved it!
ScoutAway from All the City Noise And Not Very Far Away Dump Station And Potable Water Supply
ScoutJJust ok. Facilities were disappointing
RangerFirst, you have to make reservations in advance online. The website says otherwise. They are spacious sites and well maintained the water. Spicket are a significant distance from each campsite so come prepared for that.
TravelerI had a private, large spot in one of their "neighborhoods " Host was knowledgeable, friendly and I was a walk in. Beautiful stroll along the river with my pup.
TravelerThis was my first camping trip with family. After lots of research, I picked Kankakee river state park. This is a reasonablly priced campground with all facilities in great condition. And it is very spacious with woods separating your neighbors. The only complaint is the noise level after 10pm. The quite time was not strictly enforced. It could be we are there on a Saturday night.
TravelerMy fiancé and I stayed in the Hickory Loop spot 3. We are very new campers, so we just have a very basic tent setup. When we checked in with the host, there were bundles of firewood for $8 (either cash or cash app). The spots are not huge, and not super private (you have next door and across the street neighbors), but we didn’t mind that! There were two outlets available, and a small rectangular fire pit with a grate on top. There are a few water pumps and vault toilets within walking distance, but we were pretty close to the shower house, which had stalls for toilets and showers. The showers were pretty great for a camp ground!
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.
ScoutI reserved 5 nights, paid in full. After just one night, management cancelled my stay because my service dogs(Maltese) supposedly barked. I was fully cooperative, kept them quiet, and even documented this in emails. There was a stray cat near my RV that caused the issue, but instead of solving it, they forced me to leave. No refund for 4 nights. This is unfair, discriminatory, and against ADA law.
TravelerThis is a pretty new camp site, so the trees need some time to get big enough to provide some shade.
The flush toilet building was very clean, but there was no TP in the ladies' room. And I have to wonder why you would build a new campground without showers?
It is very close to the cities so we will stay here again.
Equestrian camping near Montgomery, Illinois offers options for horseback riders seeking rural trails and dedicated facilities. Within an 85-mile radius, several state parks and forest preserves maintain horse-friendly campgrounds with trail access through prairie landscapes and wooded terrain. Winter temperatures in this region regularly drop below freezing from November through March, while summer camping season brings humidity with daytime highs commonly reaching the mid-80s.
Trail riding on dedicated bridle paths: Kankakee River State Park offers multiple trail options for equestrians. "There are a few Indian caves through the creek where you can still find arrowheads. Exploring the area is pretty cool and the park is quite expansive and impressive for this state," notes Andrea F.
Fishing from shorelines: Anglers can cast lines at Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, where lakefront sites provide direct water access. "The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side. The lakefront tent sites are spacious and you can fish right from your site!" according to Chloe N.
Hiking through diverse terrain: The forest preserves offer hiking opportunities through prairie and woodland. "There are miles of trails. On one hike we were on paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails. There are a lot of loops giving you options," says Art S. about Paul Wolff Campground.
Spacious, level sites: Big Rock Campground receives praise for its generous camping areas. "Nice campground with big, level sites. Even though they don't take reservations, there is plenty of space and availability," reports Melissa C., while Jeff G. adds, "The spaces are pretty level. There is electric at the sites and water spigots throughout."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Nature observation is common at several parks. "I've seen lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels," writes Marisa A. about Paul Wolff Campground. At Kankakee River State Park, Shannon H. mentions, "Stars were out. River is fast, tried to fish."
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate well-maintained amenities. "The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms. It is a super clean campground with multiple hosts and forest preserve staff," notes Marisa A. about Paul Wolff Campground.
Water access limitations: Water hookups can be challenging at some campgrounds. "The water hookups are kind of far from the individual sites (make sure you have extra hose)," warns Rodney D. about Big Rock Campground. Amanda K. reinforces this: "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions!"
Limited shade at newer sites: Several campgrounds have young trees providing minimal coverage. David W. notes about Matthiessen State Park Equestrian Campground: "There is some shade, but you have to search for it." At Big Rock, Joel R. states, "No shade, and no showers. This is a relatively new campground not too far (about an hour drive) from Chicago."
Reservation systems vary: Some parks require advance planning while others operate first-come, first-served. At Matthiessen State Park, Stuart K. explains, "There is no reservation system and all sites are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. There's a registration envelope that you'll pick up when you arrive."
Playground accessibility: For families with children, consider seasonal timing. Linda N. shares about Potowatomi Campground: "Playgrounds are unfortunately exposed so it was not suitable for the 100 degree days we had. 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!"
Beach and swimming options: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers water recreation for children. "The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there. The camp store sells treats and pizza, very convenient and makes for a more relaxing camping experience when traveling with young kids!" mentions Chloe N.
Educational opportunities: Nature programs enhance family experiences. Tyler S. notes about Big Rock Campground: "Nice clean place. Activities for the kids and adults." At Paul Wolff Campground, Mike D. adds, "As a Troop we would rent one of the cabins for late season campouts. Clean facilities but the nice part is the scenic hiking for being close to town."
Hookup availability: Power and water connections vary by campground. Amanda K. from Big Rock Campground shares, "As someone who normally camps in state parks with only electricity hookups, this site was a welcome treat," while Marisa A. notes about Paul Wolff Campground: "Because there is electrical it is a peaceful campground with no generator noise."
Site spacing considerations: RV campers should research site layouts before booking. MalibuDave42 L. observes about Paul Wolff Campground: "Though a commercial-style, it does not feel like it. Sites are well spaced. Full trees around the perimeter, but not a lot for shade over the campsites. Water and electrical at every site. Very easy in and out, for any sized rig."
Seasonal timing for equestrians: Horse owners should check trail conditions before visiting. The Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground provides "access to sanitary dump stations, showers, and toilet facilities" with trail riders able to "access several miles of bridle paths directly from the campground."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Montgomery, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Montgomery, IL is Big Rock Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Montgomery, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Montgomery, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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