Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground provides primitive camping for horseback riders along the Kankakee River. The campground does not offer electric hookups, but includes basic amenities such as toilets, showers, drinking water, and a sanitary dump station. The facilities allow pets and permit campfires. Trail riders find the park accessible through drive-in access, making it suitable for horse trailers. Despite being a dedicated equestrian area, the campground does not feature permanent horse corrals or stalls, requiring campers to bring portable containment systems. The storm shelter is typically locked when not in severe weather, which may be a consideration during unpredictable conditions.
The campground connects to an extensive trail system that follows the Kankakee River, offering varied terrain for riders. These trails provide access to rock formations along the river and creek areas where explorers can discover natural features including Indian caves. Water access for horses is available at certain points along the trails. While the campsite lacks formal equestrian amenities such as wash racks or highlines, the surrounding park is expansive and impressive for Illinois, with terrain suitable for different riding experiences. The campsites are well-spaced, providing privacy and a quieter camping environment than many other facilities. Bathrooms vary in cleanliness throughout different seasons, with vault toilets generally maintained better than other facilities.
"Quiet, family orientated, fishing lake, miniature golf, activities"
from $37 / night
"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
"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."
"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
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.
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.
Travelercame in without a reservation and got a nice spot for a camper, showers were decent and hosts were nice!!
Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground serves as a primary destination for horse camping near Lockport, Illinois. The facility sits along the Kankakee River, approximately 32 miles southwest of Lockport. Temperatures in this region range from winter lows around 14°F to summer highs near 84°F, creating varied seasonal riding conditions for equestrians.
Trail riding and exploration: The campground connects to an extensive trail network with routes suitable for various experience levels. One visitor noted, "There are 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" at Potowatomi Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Anglers can access the Kankakee River from multiple points near the equestrian campground. According to a camper at Leisure Lake Resort, their facility offers "Quiet, family orientated, fishing lake, miniature golf, activities" - similar fishing experiences can be found throughout the region's waterways.
Hiking combined with camping: For those who prefer foot travel, many local preserves offer extensive hiking options. A visitor to Paul Wolff Campground shared, "The highlight of our experience is the hiking. There are miles of trails. On one hike we were on paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails" - similar trail experiences exist near most equestrian facilities.
Spacious campsite layouts: Horse campers appreciate room to spread out with their trailers and equipment. At Paul Wolff Campground, a camper noted, "The sites are clean and very well maintained. We loved the staff patrolling the grounds. The trail system is great for walking the dogs."
Natural terrain features: The region offers varied landscapes for riders. A visitor to Potowatomi Campground observed, "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. They were private with brush between sites. 16&17 were amazing for tents!! Open, tall trees for our tight rope and hammocks and shade."
Wildlife viewing: Local equestrian campgrounds provide opportunities to spot native species. One camper at Big Rock Campground mentioned, "Lovely grasslands, ponds, hiking trails, but the lack of trees and privacy isn't my preference. Still great option not far from Chicago."
Seasonal weather considerations: The area experiences significant temperature variations. A camper at Paul Wolff noted, "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. Gentle hills and beautiful color. Always see turkey and other small game."
Varied bathroom facilities: Restroom quality varies across campgrounds and seasons. At Big Rock Forest Preserve, a visitor reported, "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?"
Limited shade at some locations: Several equestrian camping areas have minimal tree cover. One camper observed, "This is a pretty new camp site, so the trees need some time to get big enough to provide some shade" when visiting Big Rock Campground.
Water availability concerns: Some campgrounds have inconsistent water quality or access. A recent visitor to Leisure Lake Resort noted, "Water quality has been very bad. On one occasion, our pet had stomach issues after drinking tap water, which was concerning."
Playground options: Many horse camping facilities include play areas for children. A camper at Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park shared, "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!"
Site selection for family activities: Choose sites with adequate space for both horses and children. One visitor advised, "We had site 37 and enjoyed our stay. There are vault toilets but the large number of big RVs meant they were not used often leaving them almost like our private restrooms."
Weather preparation: Plan for variable conditions, especially during summer months. A camper at Kankakee River State Park noted, "Playgrounds are unfortunately exposed so it was not suitable for the 100 degree days we had."
Hookup considerations: While equestrian camping areas may have limited services, nearby RV-friendly campgrounds offer alternatives. At Big Rock Campground, a visitor mentioned, "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions!"
Level sites available: Many local campgrounds provide stable parking for horse trailers and RVs. One camper at Big Rock noted, "Nice campground with big, level sites. Even though they don't take reservations, there is plenty of space and availability."
Facility access planning: Research dump station and water availability before arrival. A visitor cautioned, "The storm shelter is typically locked, making it inaccessible in emergencies, which is a major concern" at Leisure Lake Resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lockport, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lockport, IL is Leisure Lake Resort with a 3.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Lockport, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Lockport, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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