Best Equestrian Camping near Nauvoo, IL

Nauvoo, IL is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Nauvoo is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Nauvoo, Illinois (11)

    1. Rodeo Park

    1 Review
    Fort Madison, IA
    8 miles
    +1 (319) 372-7700

    $20 / night

    "I stayed at the RV section right next to the rodeo arena. Full hookups for only $20 per night with a self-service registration box. I forgot to count but looked like maybe 20 spots max."

    2. Lick Creek Unit - Upper Equestrian Campground — Shimek State Forest

    2 Reviews
    Farmington, IA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 878-3811

    $14 / night

    "Good sights, great horse trails, awesome camping"

    "We had a wonderful time camping and riding thw trails."

    3. Indian Lake Park

    4 Reviews
    Farmington, IA
    20 miles
    Website

    $8 - $50 / night

    "There is a playground, a few nice hiking trails, and a lake with a nice sandy beach. Almost empty during the week, but very busy on summer weekends."

    "Very nice park and not to near a train. Very modern facilities that were clean."

    4. River Valley Horsecamp

    1 Review
    Farmington, IA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 878-3888

    "Open sites near the Des Moines river and local road meant spots were just for sleeping. Excellent barns, accommodations, well-kept grounds and animals. Nearby locals kind and welcoming."

    5. Bentonsport

    6 Reviews
    Keosauqua, IA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 293-3589

    "close to the river with lots of fun history and shops to keep you busy."

    "Historical walking bridge that is amazing. No wifi.. poor Internet although I did have one bar so could be worse .I have total by Verizon."

    6. Big Hollow Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Sperry, IA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 985-2502

    $15 - $20 / night

    "Campgrounds also include a shooting range, beach, equestrian trails, canoe rentals, and launch, and I saw a sign for primitive cabins, though I didn't have time to check those out."

    "The only downside is the lake was filled with algae. So if you’re wanting to fish or swim, this isn’t the place for you!"

    9. Weinberg-King State Fish and Wildlife Area

    2 Reviews
    Augusta, IL
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 392-2345

    $18 / night

    "There are usually a lot of horse back riders on the hiking trails. Overall a great place to spend a weekend"

    10. Waubonsie Trail Park

    3 Reviews
    Cantril, IA
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 397-2295

    "We hiked the equestrian trails one afternoon and the regular trails the next day. I camped in the equestrian campground and loved it with my popup. Outhouse type toilets are available there."

    "Waubonsie trail behind park is a short hike to the covered bridge and Dutchman's Store. Perfect Way to stretch your legs after a long day on the road. Bathrooms and showers were exceptionally clean."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 11 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Nauvoo, IL

1 Photos of 11 Nauvoo Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Nauvoo, IL

25 Reviews of 11 Nauvoo Campgrounds


  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2021

    Weinberg-King State Fish and Wildlife Area

    Great for equestrian and hiking but not much shade in the other loop

    This is a large state park with separate camping loops. The equestrian loop was popular and we saw many there. It has plenty of shade and even what looked to be a horse water trough. 

    The non-equestrian loop was not as nice. There are a few spots with morning shade but the whole place will get that hot afternoon sun. We saw a couple RVs running a/c with the electric sites. There is a central picnic shelter. Maybe this will be better when the younger trees grow tall enough to be shadier. 

    There are some grass covered hiking trails that are wonderful. A few picnic areas add up with some fishing spots to make this a great place to enjoy. We found that it was close enough to another state park to camp there and travel back for day visits.

  • Joyce M.
    Oct. 11, 2020

    Waubonsie Trail Park

    Very pretty scenery

    I was only able to stay one night but i loved it. We hiked the equestrian trails one afternoon and the regular trails the next day. I camped in the equestrian campground and loved it with my popup. Outhouse type toilets are available there. I only drove past the RV campground and the campsites were close together. The equestrian area is the way to go in my opinion but i love the quiet. Picnic tables and fire rings are at each campsite.

  • Travis R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 18, 2024

    Big Hollow Recreation Area

    Full Featured Camping

    This site has a large number of mostly cement camper spots, including pull through. There is a large playground and shower house. Primitive camping for single or group spots. Campgrounds also include a shooting range, beach, equestrian trails, canoe rentals, and launch, and I saw a sign for primitive cabins, though I didn't have time to check those out. This is the .most full service camp site that I have seen in Iowa so far.

  • Lesley R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2022

    River Valley Horsecamp

    Family Equine Fun

    Camped here for a family reunion. Open sites near the Des Moines river and local road meant spots were just for sleeping. Excellent barns, accommodations, well-kept grounds and animals. Nearby locals kind and welcoming. Excellent time spent with family and horses, will return again.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2022

    Bentonsport

    Not sure what to make of this campground

    Down the road from the sleepy little town of Bentonsport, IA is this small riverfront campground. On a Sunday afternoon in October, there were several RVs but almost all of the riverfront sites (which I would consider prime) were empty. But there were also chickens (apparently belonging to one of the campers) and two horse and buggies (I thought they might have been statues and then one of the horses whinnied!). There was no camp host or anyone else to speak with about the campground. 

    The view of the Des Moines River and the Bentonsport Bridge was beautiful, and it is an easy and short walk into town, although the town does not offer much in the way of amenities (unless you like fudge, and then you have to pick some up at Addie Mays in the Greef General Store). As far as restrooms go, there appeared to be only a small outhouse. I did not check it out since it looked like I would have had to walk through someone’s site to access it. If you have a fully contained RV, the river sites would be nice but otherwise, this campground does not have much to offer.

  • Sam H.
    Nov. 16, 2023

    Rodeo Park

    Perfect for a work trip

    I stayed at the RV section right next to the rodeo arena. Full hookups for only $20 per night with a self-service registration box. I forgot to count but looked like maybe 20 spots max. I was here mid-November in town for work and there was no more than four other campers at any point. Pretty basic surroundings though. There's barrel trash cans, didn't see a dumpster. Didn't see any toilet or shower buildings. Hardly any trees near the sites. Decent playground close by though, and a heavily wooded park with trails beyond that.

  • Jacob R.
    Sep. 5, 2019

    Weinberg-King State Fish and Wildlife Area

    Great park

    This park is very clean and well maintained. There is a lot to do from hunting, fishing, hiking, and more. There are usually a lot of horse back riders on the hiking trails. Overall a great place to spend a weekend

  • L
    Aug. 12, 2021

    Big Hollow Recreation Area

    Nice simple place for tent camping

    We tent camped here a few weeks ago and it was pretty nice. You self check in and cost is only $10/night for primitive. They don’t have electric or water hookups for tent camping which was ok for us. It was easy to find and quiet. The only downside is the lake was filled with algae. So if you’re wanting to fish or swim, this isn’t the place for you! There’s a gun range, horse farm, playground, bathrooms, and even a place to use a few telescopes to see the stars!


Guide to Nauvoo

Horse camping in Illinois offers a unique experience for equestrian enthusiasts, combining the beauty of nature with the joy of riding.

Equestrian campgrounds include essential amenities

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails and facilities

  • The Indian Lake Park offers spacious sites and access to scenic trails, ideal for horseback riding and exploring the surrounding nature.
  • Waubonsie Trail Park features equestrian trails that lead to beautiful scenery, making it a great spot for both camping and riding.
  • The Big Hollow Recreation Area includes equestrian trails along with a variety of camping options, ensuring a well-rounded experience for horse lovers.

Equestrian campers enjoy these nearby activities

  • Campers at Bentonsport can explore the historical town nearby, which offers unique shops and a picturesque walking bridge.
  • The Indian Lake Park is perfect for fishing, swimming, and kayaking, providing plenty of activities for those who enjoy water sports alongside horseback riding.
  • At Waubonsie Trail Park, visitors can hike scenic trails and enjoy a playground, making it a family-friendly destination for equestrian camping.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Nauvoo, IL is Rodeo Park with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Nauvoo, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.