Best Equestrian Camping near Lemont, IL

Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground provides dedicated facilities for riders visiting with horses. The campground offers basic amenities including drinking water, sanitary dump stations, showers, toilets and trash service. While electric hookups are not available at the equestrian sites, the campground accommodates vehicles and trailers with designated parking areas for horse transport. Trail riders find direct access to the park's extensive trail system from the camping area.

The 4,000-acre Kankakee River State Park features 11 miles of multi-use trails suitable for horseback riding alongside the scenic Kankakee River. Water sources for horses are available along the route, though riders should bring buckets for convenient watering. No formal horse corrals are provided at the sites, so equestrians need to bring portable containment systems or tie-outs. The campground is located near Bourbonnais, Illinois, approximately 30 miles from Lemont. Riders should note that the main Potowatomi Campground within the same park offers additional accommodation options including cabins and RV sites with electricity and water hookups, though these areas do not permit horses. Reservations are not accepted for the equestrian camping area, so arrival during weekdays is recommended to secure space.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Lemont, Illinois (6)

    1. Leisure Lake Resort

    3 Reviews
    Joliet, IL
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 741-9405

    $37 / night

    "Quiet, family orientated, fishing lake, miniature golf, activities"

    2. Big Rock Campground

    18 Reviews
    Big Rock, IL
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 232-5980

    $18 - $35 / 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"

    "Open campground with nearly zero tree. We had a great campfire but didn’t take advantage of the whole park to explore. She wants to again this year but we will spend more time hiking."

    3. Paul Wolff Campground

    20 Reviews
    Elgin, IL
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 444-1200

    $12 - $35 / night

    "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."

    4. Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    14 Reviews
    Bourbonnais, IL
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 933-1383

    "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."

    "Easy access to water pump. Have to drive to get to the toilet/ shower station though."

    5. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    8 Reviews
    Round Lake, IL
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 546-2228

    $43 - $73 / night

    "Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water."

    "We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Lemont, IL

63 Reviews of 6 Lemont Campgrounds


  • Marisa A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Paul Wolff Campground

    Great value Chicago suburb campsite

    I've camped here four different occasions this 2020 covid-19 year. The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms. It is a super clean campground with multiple hosts and forest preserve staff. There are a large number of RV pads overlooking the prairie and a few along a grove of trees. I was lucky once to see the equestrian area full of campers with their horses. There are 9 walk-in tent sites about 10-20 yards from parking (the two at the end p7 and p9 are connected for groups that know each other). There are multiple ada sites and two "walk-in/ie roll-in" site in the tent-only area. It's a good mix of young people, retired people, and families. I've seen weekends with mainly RVs and one weekend with a quarter of the drive-in sites being tents. The most shaded sites are p1,3,5,7 and 9. Many of the sites in the middle are wide open with little shade but nice summer breezes. Prices are a great deal if you live in Kane county but still worth the trip if you live in another county. Firewood is $7 for about .75 cu ft (what you can fit in a milk crate.) There are a few trails and I've seen lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels. Lots of people (including me) bring their leashed dogs. The other campers have been polite and friendly. I wish there was more distance between sites in the water/electrical loops for more privacy, but I'd go every weekend if I lived in Kane county because it would be worth the resident price even tho there are so many RVs. Because there is electrical it is a peaceful campground with no generator noise.

  • M
    Jun. 2, 2021

    Paul Wolff Campground

    Not for #vanlife

    Full hook ups and electric sites plus some restricted Equestrian and walk in sites
    Not for #vanlife. I tried to pay for a tent site and was told “you’re not supposed to sleep in your car” “this campground is for RV’s only”

  • Jeff G.
    May. 21, 2019

    Big Rock Campground

    Wide open with very young trees

    Grass camping. The spaces are pretty level. The trees will be terrific in about 20 years. There is nothing much to do here, or nearby. It’s clean and the comfort stations are new. There is electric at the sites and water spigots throughout, although not really at each space. I saw where some campers hooked about 150’ of hose to spigots behind the loops to run to their campers. The dump station is good. It’s expensive, for what is there, if you are not a Kane County resident. There appears to be some equestrian space and trails. Quiet.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2018

    Big Rock Campground

    No shade, no shower

    No Shade, and no showers. This is a relatively new campground not too far (about an hour drive) from Chicago. We looked at this place when we were looking for a spot to camp for a local wedding. But, no shade in the Illinois heat and no shower made it unacceptable. There were paved roads and the sites looked large and level. There was water and electric And a dump stations at the entrance/exit.

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2023

    Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park

    Simple state park along the river

    Potowatami campground is divided into four loops. We camped in the Osage loop. Garbage cans are at the start of the loop. A central shower house is on the main road midway between the loops. 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 camp host checks you in. He gave us the signal in case we drive out of camp. Wave the sign out your window and re-enter camp. He also told us about rock creek nature trail. It’s just across the main road near the ranger office entrance. There are another couple miles of trails if you want some diversity.

  • L
    Jun. 8, 2022

    Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    Child Friendly Campground

    Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water. Clean bathrooms and shower.

  • Tricia E.
    Jul. 4, 2016

    Paul Wolff Campground

    Beautiful hiking so close to everything

    Campground is rather basic but the primitive camp sites were beautiful. 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. Hard to belive that there is hiking trails like those in such a densely populated are just outside elgin, il

  • Tara M.
    Oct. 11, 2018

    Paul Wolff Campground

    clean close to home

    We like this campground because its close to home and its clean/large campsites. But there aren't any showers and you need to pay with cash or check. No credit cards. This year the prices have also gone up for people that live outside the park district - bummer. Hard to pay that much when you can't shower or clean up. Depending on where you camp there are pit toilets and also a real nice flush toilet bathroom. There is a lake for fishing and some trails.

  • K
    Aug. 23, 2023

    Big Rock Campground

    Pleasant experience

    Stayed 4 nights- first come first served- no reservations- bring plenty of hose for water connections- first site we tried was just too far to connect- toilets but no showers available- electric/ water no full hook ups. 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


Guide to Lemont

Horse camping in Illinois offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian-friendly amenities, making it an ideal choice for horse lovers looking to explore the great outdoors.

Tips for equestrian camping near Lemont, Illinois

  • Paul Wolff Campground provides a welcoming environment for horse campers, featuring spacious sites and easy access to trails for riding.
  • At Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground, riders can enjoy well-maintained paths and a serene setting, perfect for a relaxing getaway.
  • Big Rock Campground allows for horse camping with ample space and nearby trails, making it a great spot for both riders and their horses.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

  • Potowatomi Campground — Kankakee River State Park offers access to scenic trails along the river, ideal for horseback riding and enjoying nature.
  • Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort features a beautiful lakefront, where campers can unwind after a day of riding and enjoy various recreational activities.
  • Leisure Lake Resort is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and activities, making it a great base for equestrian adventures.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like water hookups and trails

  • Paul Wolff Campground includes drinking water and sanitary dump facilities, ensuring a comfortable stay for horse campers.
  • Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground provides essential amenities like toilets and trash disposal, catering specifically to equestrian needs.
  • Big Rock Campground features electric hookups and picnic tables, enhancing the camping experience for those traveling with horses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lemont, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lemont, IL is Leisure Lake Resort with a 3.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Lemont, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Lemont, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.