1 campground with availability next weekend
Horse camping opportunities near Mascoutah, Illinois are limited as none of the reviewed campgrounds specifically feature horse corrals or dedicated equestrian facilities. Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground provides primitive camping with toilets and picnic tables but lacks specialized horse amenities. The campground maintains clean grounds with spacious, private sites priced at $8 per night. Sites are primitive with no electric hookups or running water, though drinking water spigots are available throughout the grounds. The campground is patrolled by rangers during the day with occasional security checks at night.
Trails in the area accommodate recreational activities but aren't specifically designated as bridle paths. Randolph County State Recreation Area, approximately 80 miles southwest of Mascoutah, offers camping with electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities that might accommodate horses, though no specific horse facilities are mentioned in reviews. The World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta provides full hookup sites with ample space but similarly lacks dedicated equestrian amenities. Campers should contact campgrounds directly before arrival to verify current horse policies and potential accommodation options, as many facilities require advance arrangements for equestrian visitors.
"Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$."
"Horseshoe Lake is one of my most visited parks and most favorite park in the STL and surrounding areas. First off absolutely beautiful land and peace is easily achieved."
"It is directly on Carlyle Lake, ,the largest lake in Illinois. It has activities for children on the weekends."
"Right next to the marina and with many sites right on the lake, you can’t go wrong here."
from $30 / night
"Our site was gravel to park on with grass around it. Close to train tracks and highway, but didn’t notice with AC on in the camper. Close to 6 flags."
"This campground is fairly close to downtown and very close to lots of shopping. A great place to stay to stock up on supplies before heading west."
"There is no equestrian camping and the parking for horse trailers is super small. There’s a neat 7 mile loop goes by old stable as well."
"Babler State Park Wildwood, MO
💰 $12-$21/night
🗓 Feb 19-21, 2022
Site 48 ⚡️💧
🦮 Pets Welcome (on leash at all times)
➕Concrete Pads, Quiet, Close to Interstate 40, Paved Roads, Easy to Access"
Available next weekend
from $14 - $29 / night
"Fifty-one Class BE campsites, 95 Class C campsites, an equestrian site with eight stalls for horses, and four Class D (primitive) campsites are available throughout the area."
"This campground is located on a small lake in Southern Illinois and managed by the department of natural resources. Good place for Camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking and boating."
"pros- activities for kids/fam nice pool tons of trees easy access from highway close amenities (Walmart, six flags, etc) close to StL (tons to do) we did grants farm and city museum one day"
"We spent a weekend here because we wanted to be close to six flags. I swear this place was more fun!!!"
"Heavy equestrian park, it’s not required (to have a horse) to stay here. A few piles of horses droppings but very well maintained."
"Pretty nice wooded campground close to St. Louis! Each site has a picnic bench, a fire pit and grill."
"Much enjoyed driving around exploring this large state park in IL. Seems to be awesome for fishing as there are many lakes. Great access to the lakes for canoe & kayak."
"The park office is a pretty long drive from the north end campground. The hiking is limited but the campground was peaceful and close to the lakes. Probably covered in bugs in the summer."
"single, double, and triple camping spots set up on three loops in this small campground nestled in the corner of shawnee national forest. there's a central bath house located near check in. only amenities"
"The site was fairly secluded, and right on Kincade lake."
TravelerCamp Host is very friendly and brought firewood to our site. Bath/shower house was clean. We were in the equestrian campground due to our 73 foot overall length. It was a great stay for visiting family. There are a lot of outdoor activities at the lake area, but no pool.
TravelerThe campsite is nice plenty of spaces spaced out nicely, but there’s absolutely no signage. took us forever to decide where we could park and what to do. tiny little sign on the Rangers house. Led us to a website and then charged us $50. Not what we were expecting. Plan ahead on this one.
GuideCamping area is closed until further notice. Construction
ScoutI have camped here for several years even the non potable water has been disconnected for a couple years now. There are no camping spots on or near the lake they are all uphill.
ScoutThis campground is nice for March, when it's a little cool. But there is no shade, so mid-summer would be hot! Level sites, full hookups, pretty nice.
ScoutThis was our first camp in our new to us travel trailer. Not many trees. Site has tons of camping sites so finding a spot should not be an issue. This is the site of the American Trap Shooters Association "Grand" Event. During that event the first couple weeks in August the campground is full. We were here last weekend in August. Only one other camper within sight of our spot Friday night and they were gone Saturday morning. There is a shower house I believe but could not access a couple of the doors I tried. I imagine they had some unlocked but I didn't try all the doors when I was there.
RangerStayed here a week with two toddlers and it was great! Easy walk to the lake with a gorgeous view, , 2 different playgrounds walkable distance from campground. The workers were super nice and helpful, the nature is beautiful and cute little forest bunnies running around !
Also there was fire wood for purchase if needed.
TravelerHas everything you need. Even got a hot shower while tent camping
ScoutHad a great fishing trip and swimming trip
Camping options near Mascoutah, Illinois range across 1,101 acres of rolling hill country in the region. The area sits at approximately 400-450 feet above sea level with a humid continental climate featuring hot summers and mild winters. Fall camping offers comfortable temperatures in the 60-70°F range with minimal rainfall compared to spring months.
Fishing opportunities: Johnson Creek Recreation Area provides access to Kincaid Lake for fishing enthusiasts. "Located on Kincaid Lake in the northwestern edge of the Shawnee National forest. The campground has three small loops," notes camper Stacia R., who also mentioned hearing owls at night before bed.
Wildlife viewing: Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground offers excellent opportunities for wildlife observation, particularly bird watching. "This is a great place when the geese are migrating thru," reports Kent B., who visited the park. The lake and surrounding wetlands attract diverse bird species throughout the year.
Hiking trails: Pyramid State Recreation Area features multiple hiking trails through varied terrain. "We spent about 4 hours just taking every little trail we could and couldn't have been happier," shares Andrew S. The park's network of trails winds around several lakes, offering different difficulty levels for hikers of all experience levels.
Peaceful settings: Campers consistently highlight the tranquility found at area campgrounds. "The campground is relatively small but has great sites to camp. Very private and clean," reports WanderlustDu0 about Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground, adding that it's "a great park to camp" for those seeking quiet.
Affordable rates: Johnson Creek offers budget-friendly camping options. "This campground provides large spots, drinking water, vault toilets, dumpsters, picnic table, lantern hook, fire ring, and contactless check in. I also appreciate the value of these sites. It really is a reasonable rate for forest camping," shares Tabitha R.
Lake access: Dam West Spillway provides direct lake access, which campers appreciate. "Right next to the marina and with many sites right on the lake, you can't go wrong here," writes Annie C., who stayed at a site "only steps from the beach with a few trees that might work for hammocking."
Seasonal closures: Some facilities close during winter months or have limited access. Jennifer R. reported about Horseshoe Lake: "There is a homemade sign that says no camping. I wish we would have known that before we got here. As far as I could tell the website said it's open."
Limited amenities: Most equestrian camping areas near Mascoutah offer basic facilities. "There is no electric or running water. The lake is ok but no swimming, boating and fishing only," notes Chrissy W. about Horseshoe Lake State Park.
Trail conditions vary: Johnson Creek Campground in Shawnee National Forest has mixed reports about trail maintenance. "The trails we were on were unclear and poorly maintained. We tried to go to the beach for a swim and it was inaccessible although there was a clear paved trail," reports Robert G.
Playground access: Dam West Spillway offers family-friendly facilities. "Across the drive was a nice amphitheater and playground and a basic bathroom," shares Annie C. The campground also features "outdoor informational presentations about plants and animals geared toward children," according to Chris B.
Swimming areas: When planning water activities, verify access is available. "Not much to do if you have kids," notes WanderlustDu0 about Horseshoe Lake, while Robert G. mentioned at Johnson Creek Campground that the swimming area was "overgrown and apparently unused for a long time."
Educational opportunities: Greensfelder County Park offers hiking and equestrian facilities that can interest children. "The park is known for its well-groomed trails, which are used by hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians alike. Plenty of stables surround the area, where you may rent a horse and go for a stroll through the woods," explains Lucas M.
Campsite selection: For larger rigs, Dam West Spillway has some limitations. "Sites looked a bit more level on the inside of the loop than the lakeside sites," advises Annie C. She notes that while her site wasn't perfectly level, it offered "a nice paved parking pad, fire pit, picnic table, and electric hook up."
Hookup availability: Du Quoin State Fair Campground provides electricity and water hookups, making it suitable for RVs requiring these amenities. Issac S. notes that the "grounds are clean and bathrooms easy to get to and clean," providing basic needs for RV campers.
Site spacing considerations: At Randolph County State Recreation Area, "the RV sites are very close together, so don't expect privacy or quiet days/evenings at least in the Pine Ridge campground," according to Rachael G., who adds that the grounds are well-maintained with "lots of nice tall trees for shade."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mascoutah, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mascoutah, IL is Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground with a 3.7-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mascoutah, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 equestrian camping locations near Mascoutah, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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