Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground provides primitive camping facilities specifically designed for horseback riders traveling near Lansing, Illinois. The campground is situated approximately 30 miles southwest of Lansing, with direct access to the park's trail system. Trail riders can access both wooded paths and riverside routes without needing to trailer horses between riding locations.
What to do
Trail riding along the river: Kankakee River State Park offers several miles of multi-use trails that follow the riverbanks. "The park is quite expansive and impressive for this state. It's great during all times of the year," notes Andrea F. about Kankakee River State Park.
Visit historic sites: The surrounding area contains cultural points of interest including a small historic cemetery. "This site is near a small cemetery that has tombstones that are hundreds of years old," reports Phillip L., who stayed at Davis Creek within the park.
Explore rock formations: Beyond horseback riding, visitors can explore unique geological features. "There are some rock cliffs that are suspended over the Kankakee river and also over a creek that feeds it. These are great for climbing and scaling. Additionally, there are Indian caves through the creek where you can still find arrowheads," according to a visitor at Leisure Lake Resort.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: The vegetation and spacing at equestrian camping areas provide good separation between groups. "Spacious sites with lush jungle-like greenery grown in between, which provides perfect privacy," notes Yang L. about their experience at Potowatomi Campground.
Clean shower facilities: The shower building receives positive mentions from most campers. "The showers were pretty great for a camp ground!" reports Emma H. at Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park.
Camp host interaction: Staff at equestrian camping areas generally receive positive reviews. "The camp hosts were really fantastic and made it feel like family," says Linda N. about her visit to Kankakee River State Park.
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Be prepared with your own drinking water for horses and humans. At some nearby facilities, water quality can be inconsistent. One visitor at Leisure Lake Resort noted, "Water quality has been very bad," demonstrating why bringing supplemental water is important.
Limited amenities: The equestrian camp area is intentionally rustic with only basic facilities. "Not many amenities other than showers, toilets and hookups, but it just adds to the appeal here. A great spot to get away and experience some silence and solitude," explains Jacqueline F. about Kankakee River State Park.
Site variation: Sites within the park vary considerably in size and features. "Some are huge with open green space and others I feel like just for a car and a tent," reports Linda N., highlighting the importance of researching specific sites before booking.
Tips for camping with families
Nature center activities: Take advantage of educational opportunities at the park. "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. from her experience at Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground — Kankakee River State Park.
Water safety considerations: The Kankakee River has strong currents in many sections. "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)," notes a family camper, highlighting important safety rules.
Weather preparation: Illinois weather can change quickly, particularly affecting trail conditions. "It rained a ton during our trip so we didn't explore much," reported Emma H., suggesting the need for flexible planning when camping with children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Choose camping loops carefully as not all accommodate larger horse trailers with living quarters. "We had four sites on Osage loop for tent camping. Two were very small (14&15), and little grass for tent setup, fine for RV or trailer campers," explains Shannon H. at Kankakee River State Park.
Hookup limitations: Horse camping areas typically don't offer the same electrical and water connections as standard RV sites. "Hickory Loop spot 3...There were two outlets available, and a small rectangular fire pit with a grate on top," notes Emma H., indicating the limited electrical access.
Traffic patterns: The one-way road system in camping areas requires planning when maneuvering larger rigs or trailers. Maya L. mentions the campground is "cute" and she "came in without a reservation and got a nice spot for a camper," suggesting last-minute arrivals with trailers are possible during less busy periods.
Legend
