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Best Equestrian Camping near Olney, IL

64 Reviews

The campgrounds near Olney, Illinois offer limited accommodations for equestrian visitors. Red Hills State Park in Sumner permits horse access on select trails but does not provide dedicated horse corrals or equestrian campsites. The park features both RV and tent camping areas with electric hookups, and several sites can accommodate larger vehicles suitable for horse trailers. Beautifully maintained trails are accessible for day riders, though overnight horse camping requires standard campsites without specialized equine facilities.

Trail access points throughout the region connect to wider riding networks, with Sam Dale Lake State Conservation Area and Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area both permitting horseback riding on designated trails. Riders must bring their own containment systems as none of the parks provide permanent corrals or stalls. Most camping areas feature electric hookups and basic amenities including water access points and sanitary dump stations. Sites 11-13 at Sam Dale offer more spacious parking suitable for horse trailers, with proximity to trail access points leading to the lake and wooded areas. Horse owners should contact park offices directly regarding current policies for overnight equestrian camping as regulations may vary seasonally.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Olney, Illinois (5)

    1. Red Hills Lake State Park — Red Hills State Park

    9 Reviews
    Sumner, IL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 936-2469

    "Water is near by to fill up. It is quite place. Beautiful views. Lake is near by to fish. If you have kids they have play ground to play on. Host are very nice and welcoming."

    "Lots of trails it seems. Lake is nice sized but not too big. Wish the restaurant was open, but told it may be next Spring."

    2. Oblong Park and Lake

    4 Reviews
    Newton, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 592-3431

    "Very humble rural park with a quiet atmosphere and Great Lake for fishing. The people of oblong are also the friendliest around!"

    "There's lots of playgrounds for kids and a big lake to fish or stroll around as well. Big thumbs up👍"

    3. Harmonie State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    New Harmony, IN
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (812) 682-4821

    $20 - $30 / night

    "It is located back in the hills, far off the highway. Very little cell phone signal. Very relaxing and enjoyable."

    "Located in Southwest Indiana, about 40 miles from Evansville.  This is a typical Indiana State Park. Some sites are pretty close together, some are spacious."

    4. Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area

    13 Reviews
    Kinmundy, IL
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 547-3381

    "Most of the sites are large and a good distance from the next one. Shower house is alright. The store/restaurant has been closed for a year or two now because of the Illinois budget."

    "It's a small campground that offers a playground,bathhouse, hiking trails, and a small swimming area. There is easy access walking down to the marina. With small towns close to this state park."

    5. Sam Dale Lake State Conservation Area

    4 Reviews
    Johnsonville, IL
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 835-2292

    "Dump station right outside the campground. Site 35 was perfectly level for the Class C (cruise America rental with no levelers. Great Campground host. We didn’t have a reservation."

    "Clean campground right on the lake."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Olney, IL

64 Reviews of 5 Olney Campgrounds

  • O
    Aug. 26, 2018

    Harmonie State Park Campground

    Nice state park

    Harmonie State Park is a nice campground. It has 200 sites, electric only, 5 bath houses and 2 pit toilets. There are also 11 cabins. They have a nature center in the middle of the campground that is open Thursday-Sunday in the summer. There are 3 playgrounds through out the campground. They have various events through the summer season with a big Halloween event in the fall. Most campsites are big and spacious, with several loops that allow campers to face one another. It is located back in the hills, far off the highway. Very little cell phone signal. Very relaxing and enjoyable. Olympic size pool open during summer-has water slide, diving boards, separate baby pool with shade awning, and concessions.

    The state park is located on the Wabash River and has a boat ramp. They also have a youth tent area that is primitive, and day use horse trails.

  • J
    Oct. 14, 2019

    Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area

    Good separation

    Most of the sites are large and a good distance from the next one. Shower house is alright. The store/restaurant has been closed for a year or two now because of the Illinois budget. There's a dollar store in Farina and a grocery store in Kinmundy; both towns are less than 10 miles away. The lake is big enough for ski boats but nice for kayaks also. Swim beach is not well maintained due to the budget but also doesn't cost anything since they can't pay anyone to man the gate, but it's not horrible.

  • Cynthia K.
    Apr. 27, 2022

    Harmonie State Park Campground

    Out of the way

    This is a small state park in an out of the way part of the state. Located in Southwest Indiana, about 40 miles from Evansville. 

    This is a typical Indiana State Park. Some sites are pretty close together, some are spacious. There's electricity, but water is shared. Some sites have 50 amp, so when you're looking to reserve, check that out. IMO, the best site is site 39. It's at the end of the row, with somewhat secluded. It's a walk to the bathroom, but worth it. Site 22 is also a good site at the end of a row & has a trail from the site to the small pond. 

    Be sure to watch for the grade also. Some of the sites had a noticeable incline. 

    Bathrooms are pretty dismal. They smelled bad too. They need to start replacing these old, worn out comfort stations with something from this century! The nature center is in the campground & is pretty small. We enjoyed it though.

    The camp store is in the park office& is ridiculous. Bring everything you need, cause you won't find it there!

    8 trails the longest is 2.5 miles, the shortest.25 miles. There's also mountain bike trails & a 4 mile horse trail.

  • Dusti M.
    Aug. 19, 2022

    Oblong Park and Lake

    Small town park

    Nice little community park. Nice paced walking path around the lake. Fenced in dog play area. Large park area with multiple playgrounds. Clean bathroom, flush toilets and showers.

  • Jon H.
    May. 8, 2024

    Harmonie State Park Campground

    Nice, clean, state park.

    Everything was well kept and clean. Multiple bath/shower houses on each loop. Push button showers. Takes about a minute to get water hot, but good after that. Dated, but clean and functional. The lights stay on 24/7 so bugs are in the shower house.

    Multiple walking trails and bike trails. Nice shelter houses and picnic areas. Multiple playgrounds. Nature center in the campground. Many events scheduled for summer. New Harmony (town) is close by and a must stop. Nature walks, lots of unique history you will find nowhere else, quaint shopping, coffee shops, wine bar, dining, etc...

    The pool has been filled in at the park. Very disappointing.

    I was demolished by mosquitos and was covered in deet. Tried picaridin too. If you get the biters off you, the gnats were all over me too. Not sure if just time of year or maybe always this way (did rain multiple times).

    Couldn't use mountain bike trails and most hike trails as it was too wet.

    Suggest calling before making reservations because many of electric sites are not level, at all. Ask which would be best.

  • Kelsey R.
    Apr. 14, 2024

    Harmonie State Park Campground

    Great Trip

    We had a great time here. Nice spaced out place. We stayed at site 192. It was at the back of the campground, but close to the bathrooms/showers and just across from the playground. It was close enough to walk to the Nature Center and grab ice cream. There’s even a hiking trail right behind. And not much through traffic since it’s in the back. Staff was extremely friendly. They had ice and firewood to purchase. Even the other campers were extremely friendly. We were only a few mins from downtown New Harmony. The coffee shop there was very good. Evansville was about 30 mins. We had to go get a new car battery there and DNR used a jump box to get us going. Very clean bathrooms and grounds. The only reason it didn’t get 5 stars were the showers. Older, took awhile to heat up, only had water for about 15 seconds at a time. Not easy to get a squirming toddler bathed. Better than nothing though. Great campground, highly recommend!

  • J
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area

    Small Lake And Beautiful

    It's a small campground that offers a playground,bathhouse, hiking trails, and a small swimming area. There is easy access walking down to the marina. With small towns close to this state park.

  • Nichole M.
    Feb. 14, 2019

    Harmonie State Park Campground

    Great Halloween Weekend for Kids

    We stayed the weekend before Halloween. We missed reserving the weekend they have the campground trick or treating, which was the weekend before, but this was just as fun. Apparently that weekend has to be reserved the day reservations open for it. They had a trunk or treat in the pool parking lot and although there weren't a ton of vehicles, it was definitely enough for the kids to have fun trick or treating. Next time we'll be sure to park and hand out candy as well. There was also a hayride in the evening for a small fee and that included making smore's at the bonfire.

    We camped with 3 other families and had adjacent sites that worked perfectly for us, plenty of space for the kids to play, although a little far from the playground.

    Their hiking trails are nice, at least they were years ago when I camped here as a kid. The Wabash River has a great view, so be sure to check that out too. The little town of New Harmony is so quaint, you definitely have to stroll around town and visit the sites there! It's one of our favorites that is close to home

  • Frank H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 13, 2021

    Harmonie State Park Campground

    Top Flight State Park

    This is a huge state park! There are lots and lots of campsites in this state park bordering the Wabash River. Sites are divided into smallish areas some for tents, some for RVs and some mixed. Lots of trees for shade. Bathhouses in each area with showers and toilets. Very clean & well maintained. Some areas with children playgrounds. The park has multiple picnic areas and shelters. There are a couple of ponds. There is a boat launch at the Wabash River. There is a good size swimming pool (though closed at my visit for the pandemic). Park sells firewood for individual fire pits at each site. Electric hookups at most tent sites. Water spigots near each bathhouse.

Guide to Olney

Horse camping in Illinois offers a unique experience for equestrian enthusiasts, combining beautiful landscapes with facilities designed for both riders and their horses.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • Harmonie State Park Campground offers electric hookups and water sources, ensuring that both horses and riders have the necessary comforts during their stay.
  • Oblong Park and Lake is equipped with facilities that cater to equestrian needs, including ample space for horse trailers and easy access to riding trails.
  • Sam Dale Lake State Conservation Area features picnic tables and sanitary dump stations, making it convenient for horse campers to enjoy their time outdoors.

Equestrian campgrounds include unique features

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Olney, IL is Red Hills Lake State Park — Red Hills State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 9 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Olney, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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