Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground provides specialized facilities for horseback riders 60 miles south of Matteson, Illinois. The facility offers primitive camping with basic amenities including water access points and sanitation facilities. Trail access connects directly to over 12 miles of riding paths that follow the Kankakee River with terrain varying from wooded sections to open grasslands suitable for riders of all experience levels.
What to do
Trail riding along the river: Riders can access multiple trail systems directly from the campground. The park features varied terrain with scenic spots overlooking the Kankakee River. "The area is well kept, clean, and well managed. I have frequented this park because it offers a lot of activities from primitive camping, RV parking, fishing, hiking, biking, backpacking, etc," notes Andrea F. about Kankakee River State Park.
Rock formation exploration: The park contains natural rock features that create interesting riding destinations. "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," shares one visitor who frequently rides in the area.
Wildlife observation: Early morning or evening rides offer the best chances to spot local wildlife. "We had a really awesome time at the main office/nature center, where my kiddos got to feed and hold a variety of reptiles!" writes Linda N. about her experience at Big Rock Campground.
What campers like
Campfire amenities: Many equestrian campsites include fire rings for evening relaxation after trail riding. "The sites are straightforward and vary quite a bit: some are huge with open green space and others I feel like just for a car and a tent. Our site was perfect with trees to hang a hammock on and for the kids to run around," says Linda N.
Trail variety: The combination of wooded sections and open prairie provides diverse riding experiences. "Lovely grasslands, ponds, hiking trails, but the lack of trees and privacy isn't my preference. Still great option not far from Chicago," notes Melissa C. about Leisure Lake Resort.
Clean facilities: Shower buildings are regularly maintained for post-ride comfort. "The shower house was good. We went during July 4th so it was busy (the toilet paper was completely out when I stopped by and it looked like some kids had a water balloon fight in there) but the team came out to clean up promptly," shares a visitor about their summer holiday stay.
What you should know
First-come basis: No reservations are accepted for equestrian camping sites. "Wish we knew more about individual site layout. Grills were new. Bathrooms inclu vault were cleanest I've seen," notes Shannon H. about her camping experience at Potowatomi Campground.
Seasonal crowds: Summer weekends fill quickly, especially holiday periods. "The sites are really limited around here so I recommend reserving weeks earlier or just come early," advises phillip L. about camping in the area.
Water considerations: While swimming is prohibited in the river, designated water access points exist for horses. "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)," confirms a regular camper.
Tips for camping with families
Nature center activities: The park office offers educational programs suitable for children. "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!" recommends Linda N.
Trail difficulty assessment: Before riding with children, check trail ratings at the ranger station. "Bike path/hike path is long and wide and very nice. We had kids under age 8. River is fast, tried to fish," notes Shannon H., suggesting careful supervision around water.
Weather preparedness: Summer temperatures can exceed 90°F with limited shade on some trails. "Had rain Saturday but we all just hang out and manage just fine," reports a camper at Big Rock Forest Preserve, highlighting the importance of rain gear when equestrian camping near Matteson.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for trailers: Some sites accommodate horse trailers better than others. "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., indicating which areas work better for different equipment.
Hookup limitations: Most equestrian sites lack full hookups, so prepare accordingly. "Water quality has been very bad. On one occasion, our pet had stomach issues after drinking tap water, which was concerning," warns Iryna R., suggesting bringing filtered water for both horses and humans.
Noise considerations: Some camping areas have inconsistent quiet hour enforcement. "The quite time was not strictly enforced. It could be we are there on a Saturday night," notes Ray S. about weekend camping in the state park facilities.
Ranger
