Matthiessen State Park Equestrian Campground provides primitive horse camping exclusively for horse owners on a first-come, first-served basis. Located near Utica, Illinois, approximately 50 miles from Minonk, this campground features spacious grassy sites with ample shade from surrounding trees. Horse corrals are available for securing animals, with sites designed to accommodate both riders and their mounts. The campground operates without a reservation system, requiring campers to complete registration envelopes upon arrival and pay the $8 nightly fee. Basic amenities include vault toilets, picnic tables, and tie-up areas for horses. The grounds remain largely undeveloped, creating a secluded atmosphere for equestrians seeking a natural setting.
The equestrian trail system connects directly to the campground, offering riders immediate access to nearly 5 miles of paths through varied terrain. Trails wind through densely wooded areas, open prairie sections, and limestone formations characteristic of the region. Riders frequently encounter wildlife including white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species while traversing the network. Water access for horses is limited, so campers should bring sufficient water supplies for their animals. The campground typically experiences low occupancy, even during peak seasons, allowing for quiet, uncrowded trail riding experiences. Horse owners appreciate the separate camping areas designated specifically for equestrians, keeping mounted visitors away from other recreational campers. Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground, located west of Princeton, offers another horse-friendly equestrian campground option with dedicated sites complete with wooden hitching posts.
"Comlara is a beautifully laid out hidden gem in Illinois. Evergreen Lake is the perfect back drop to the campground."
"Located just northwest of Bloomington, which is located absolutely smack-dab in the middle of the state of Illinois, you’ll discover a nature wonderland over here nearly hidden from plain site."
"I never did all of the trails but spent an afternoon hiking with a friend last summer."
"It’s also never super convenient to need to pack up just to go to a dump station but as long as your fine walking to the community restrooms, you should be fine."
from $40 - $20 / night
from $22 / 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
"Excellent horse trails. Went with a group of around 8 people and it was beautiful! Well maintained."
"The abundant forest, trails and the creek going through the park make this an ideal place to visit during spring and fall. Summer is ok too but may get a bit hot in Central Illinois for my taste."
"Plenty of hiking along the canal and 10 miles away from most stores. Fee is $8 however if you’re an Illinois resident over 62 camping is free Sunday through Thursday nights."
"Located literally just a few stone’s throw due west of the tiny town of Wyanet, which is just a few miles west of better-known Princeton, you will access this little spec of undisturbed primitive camping"
from $8 / night
"Nestled along a 104.5-mile corridor across parts of northwestern Illinois, Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park offers a unique and unexpectedly charming, albeit primitive camping experience."
"Shade trees, soft grass, a nice trail to walk & great views. The stars in the night sky are breathtaking! This isn't some posh camping for someone looking to get a resort-feel."
from $8 / night
Guide$25 a night for 30 amp hookup is pretty good! The sites are clean and spacious. It’s quiet too! Pretty lake, but sites aren’t right on the lake.
The bathrooms need some work. Water had a boil order on it and showers only worked in the men’s room. Water was HOT! Which is great! However, the water smelled metallic…
TravelerYou must pack in your own water and there are no electric hookups. Beautiful well maintained grounds with lots of open sky for starlink.
ScoutI live near this park and have used it regularly for years. It is certainly nothing special... just a nice average park. I usually do a combination van and tent camp here and it is totally adequate for that. It looks to be fine for RVs as well. The pit toilets are usually clean and relatively bug free. The shower house is clean and adequate. I just think of this as my "local campground"... my go to for a quick weekend getaway to set up and use my gear, and have friends out to share a fire. The park itself is nice, quiet and clean. You will see deer and raccoons. Jubilee is off a County Highway (Rt 150), about 5 miles off I-74. Small town with DG and Gas stations are about 5 miles away; Peoria IL is 15ish miles away.
LegendNestled along a 104.5-mile corridor across parts of northwestern Illinois, Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park offers a unique and unexpectedly charming, albeit primitive camping experience. Spread across multiple sites like Lock 6, Lock 11, Lock 21, Bridge 14, and Lock 22, this park stretches its campsites along a historic towpath beside century-old canal locks. First impressions? Think gentle grass clearings, basic picnic setups and a nostalgic vibe that combines outdoor adventure with engineering heritage all the while living up to bare-bones camping ethos.
Facilities remain strictly primitive as this is ‘Class C’ camping, meaning no hookups, no showers, no modern frills … just a pit toilet and a fire ring at each site. Cost is only $8 per night per family. Youth groups pay a minimum daily fee starting at $20. Other perks: senior citizens and disabled campers may qualify for free stays, depending on day and status. You’ll need to stop by the Visitor Center near Sheffield to pay (no reservations and everything at each lock is considered first-come, first-served), and all the drinking water is only available at central locations at each lock, not at individual campsites, so plan accordingly. Quiet hours run from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and campfires must stay in designated pits.
The setting is deeply outdoorsy and expansive. The canal’s towpath is a cyclist’s and hiker’s dream, with up to 155 miles to explore (miles of level surface, biking, hiking, horseback riding in some sections and even snowmobiling when it’s seasonally open). Anglers love the Hennepin Canal system as the waters are regularly stocked with bass, bluegill, walleye, catfish and even trout during special stocking events. Canoeing and kayaking are permitted with portage around non-operational locks and birding or historical sightseeing along the route is a delightful bonus.
Insider Tips? Here’s a smattering: (1) Pick campsites closest to the canal but slightly back from parking that will deliver land that is flatter, vistas that are more scenic and spaces that are quieter; (2) Swing by the Visitor Center near Sheffield first for maps and essential info as you’ll need drinking water from there in case you didn’t bring your own;(3) If traveling with a dog or horse, check designations as only certain sites (e.g. Lock 21) allow equestrian camping; (4) Fishermen should bring rods early as anglers that I encountered say the catches here are worth the effort; (5) No pumps / dump stations so pack accordingly and use nearby towns for full services; and (6) Post-camping grub: head to Sheffield afterward for local eats like Belluccio’s for deep dish pizza, Italian beef & sausage sandwiches, Café 129 with its smoked prime rib and Red’s Bar & Grill for fantastic deep fried pork tenderloin sandwiches, which is a staple in these parts.
Happy Camping!
ScoutListed on app as free, but it actually requires a reservation and fee.
GuideWater was available on my visit 10-7 thru 10-10. The place is clean and well kept, including the pit toilets. Plenty of hiking along the canal and 10 miles away from most stores. Fee is $8 however if you’re an Illinois resident over 62 camping is free Sunday through Thursday nights.
GuideBeautiful, quiet, and clean park. I stopped for a quick overnight but will definitely be back to stay when I have more time. Sites could use more space as there is no privacy at all but that's the only thing that needs improvement.
GuideNo hook-ups, just grass with a fire pit and table. Water available a couple of places along the canal. No reservations. We only saw two other campers, so lots of spaces. Pit toilets along the canal. Well kept. Small gravel bike trail along most of the canal. Nice place to kayak and canoe. Very nice visitor center open until 3 during the week, no weekends. Only $8 We saw a class A, so they do fit.
LegendAs my post from a bit more than a year ago provided 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 SP where there exists a combination of EZ, intermediate and difficult hiking and riding paths; (2) There’s great kayaking in nearby Illinois River, which you can access at multiple points, but my favorite is to shove off either at Starved Rock SP boat launch or head south of that SP by about 3 miles to one of the several launches that exist on the southern shore; (3) Supreme amount of peace & quiet here at this CG for you and your steed with simply amazing great galloping trails as well as numerous places to tie up your four-hoofed friend; (4) Sites are spacious and nicely shaded; (5) The facilities are basic-to-bad, so lower your expectations and bring your own sanitary wipes; (6) Ample space to wander around and get lost in nature
Lowlights:(1) This CG is EZ to miss if you don’t look for it – DON’T drive all the way into Matthiessen SP either on its west or east sides – this CG has its own discreet entry with parking near the road on the east side; (2) The grounds themselves could benefit from some TLC as there’s a lot of downed branches and even trash scattered around the place (that we cleaned up before leaving); (3) Depending upon how you look at it, this CG had no one there on the 3 occasions we visited – which was fine for us, but some might find the solitude here a bit daunting
Happy Camping!
Matthiessen State Park Equestrian Campground sits on relatively flat terrain with occasional limestone outcroppings typical of north-central Illinois. The area experiences hot summers with temperatures routinely exceeding 85°F and moderate winters, with occasional snow accumulation from December through February. Trail conditions vary seasonally, with spring often bringing muddy sections after rainfall, while fall offers the driest, most stable footing for horses and riders.
Trail riding opportunities: Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground provides access to the Hennepin Canal Trail for equestrians. "This small campground has separate space for equestrian campers and those without horses. The Hennepin Canal Trail goes right through camp...we did see a couple riding on the trail today," notes reviewer Art S.
Fishing access: Comlara County Park offers lakeside fishing opportunities near camping areas. "You can rent boats and kayaks to take out on the lake during the day and grills throughout the park to have a bbq at night with friends," explains reviewer Sage C. The park features both open water and smaller fishing ponds.
Winter camping: Jubilee College State Park remains accessible during colder months. "I have camped at this park several times over the last few years. Especially like winter truck camping here. The pit toilets are always available in the winter, and I usually have the park to myself," writes Jonathan J.
Trail system variety: Jubilee College State Park Campground features diverse riding terrain. "Excellent horse trails. Went with a group of around 8 people and it was beautiful! Well maintained," shares Rachel H. The park combines prairie restoration areas with wooded sections.
Wildlife viewing: The region offers opportunities to spot native animals. "Occasionally, if you are especially quiet, you'll come across no shortage of white-tailed deer or wild turkeys foraging through the crabapple and plum trees that are scattered throughout the forest," mentions Stuart K. about Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground.
Water recreation: Moraine View State Recreational Area provides lake-based activities alongside camping. "Nice lake for fishing and kayaking. Excellent restaurant on site also," reports Kelly M. The lake permits non-motorized watercraft.
Reservation systems vary: Most equestrian campgrounds in the area operate differently than standard camping. "No hook-ups, just grass with a fire pit and table. Water available a couple of places along the canal. No reservations. We only saw two other campers, so lots of spaces," explains Jeff and Linda L. about Hennepin Canal Parkway Lock 21 Campground.
Horse requirements: Matthiessen State Park strictly enforces its equestrian-only policy. "Got kicked out cause I didn't have a horse. Even though it was completely empty. Gave me my $8 back though," reports Amanda C. Proof of horse ownership may be requested by park staff.
Campsite layout variations: Campgrounds near Minonk offer different configurations. "Large lots are nice, out houses need cleaned. Good rates but the kicker is the $20.00 fee per boat/kayak to get on the lake plus the fee for the swimming area was a bit much for us," notes Marcie J. about Comlara County Park.
Campsite selection: Look for family-friendly sites with space for children. "Our site was huge. Right by jones pond, but the fishing was not the best right by our site. Beautiful park but littered with bottle caps and cigarette butts. Definitely do not enforce the no alcohol policy. Great biking trails and a couple of great geocaches," shares Melissa B.
Safety considerations: Jubilee College State Park has wildlife that may concern some families. "This camping spot was very quiet and secluded, just like I wanted, but at about midnight there were at least 3 bobcats snarling and growling near our tents and then they circled our tents, sniffing them," warns Ashley C.
Activities planning: Schedule appropriate family activities based on season. "This campground surprised us. We got there in the dark and woke up to Fall colors, Canadian geese, trails, playgrounds. We got in without a reservation and upgraded to a beautiful spot on the water," recommends Jennifer M. about Moraine View.
Site selection: Moraine View State Recreational Area offers various camping environments. "We went here with a group of tent campers sight unseen, so that's always rolling the dice. We stayed until the main part where you could reserve online through reserve America. Would not recommend that area to anyone. Sites are right on top of each other in every direction," cautions Ryan M.
Accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds provide better RV access than others. "Sites could use more space as there is no privacy at all but that's the only thing that needs improvement," notes Kimberly L. about Comlara County Park, which offers big-rig friendly sites with electric hookups.
Seasonal planning: Fall and spring offer better camping conditions for equestrians. "The abundant forest, trails and the creek going through the park make this an ideal place to visit during spring and fall. Summer is ok too but may get a bit hot in Central Illinois for my taste," advises Ranko K. about Jubilee College State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Minonk, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Minonk, IL is Comlara County Park with a 3.6-star rating from 35 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Minonk, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Minonk, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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