Matthiessen State Park Equestrian Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with primitive sites designed exclusively for campers with horses. Located just south of Utica and east of Oglesby, the campground provides direct access to nearly 2,000 acres of trails through prairies and dense forests with unusual rock formations. Registration requires filling out an envelope at the park entrance and depositing the nightly fee in the drop-off kiosk. Campers without horses will be turned away even when the campground is empty. The campground features spacious, shaded sites with ample room for horse trailers and plenty of places to tie up horses throughout the grounds.
Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground and Franklin Creek State Natural Area Equestrian Campground offer additional horse camping options near Ottawa. Hennepin Canal features dedicated horse corrals and access to the Hennepin Canal Trail, a crushed gravel path that connects to the Mississippi River. The grassy campsites at Hennepin provide some shade depending on time of day, with trees at the edges. Franklin Creek provides horse corrals and is reservable, unlike Matthiessen's walkup-only policy. Both locations accommodate tent and RV camping with horses. The Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground, located in Bourbonnais, offers additional facilities including sanitary dump stations, showers, and toilets for riders seeking more amenities while still enjoying direct trail access with their horses.
"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
"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"
"Away from All the City Noise And Not Very Far Away Dump Station And Potable Water Supply"
from $18 - $35 / night
"Many miles of paved and crushed limestone trails. The actual Kankakee River access is sort of outside of the campground- that would be my only complaint."
"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."
"Quiet, family orientated, fishing lake, miniature golf, activities"
from $37 / night
"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
"Located just northwest of the little hamlet called Franklin Grove, which is just due north of Ronald Reagan’s birthplace in Dixon, Franklin Creek State Natural Area Equestrian Campground is ideal if you"
from $4 - $8 / night
ScoutNice, clean, quiet, simple state park set up. Many miles of paved and crushed limestone trails. The actual Kankakee River access is sort of outside of the campground- that would be my only complaint. You have to walk or bike a little distance to be near the river. Seemed very well maintained and we loved it!
ScoutAway from All the City Noise And Not Very Far Away Dump Station And Potable Water Supply
ScoutJJust ok. Facilities were disappointing
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!
TravelerI had a private, large spot in one of their "neighborhoods " Host was knowledgeable, friendly and I was a walk in. Beautiful stroll along the river with my pup.
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.
TravelerThis was my first camping trip with family. After lots of research, I picked Kankakee river state park. This is a reasonablly priced campground with all facilities in great condition. And it is very spacious with woods separating your neighbors. The only complaint is the noise level after 10pm. The quite time was not strictly enforced. It could be we are there on a Saturday night.
TravelerMy fiancé and I stayed in the Hickory Loop spot 3. We are very new campers, so we just have a very basic tent setup. When we checked in with the host, there were bundles of firewood for $8 (either cash or cash app). The spots are not huge, and not super private (you have next door and across the street neighbors), but we didn’t mind that! There were two outlets available, and a small rectangular fire pit with a grate on top. There are a few water pumps and vault toilets within walking distance, but we were pretty close to the shower house, which had stalls for toilets and showers. The showers were pretty great for a camp ground!
It rained a ton during our trip so we didn’t explore much, but would definitely recommend for a simple camping trip where you want flushable toilets, showers, and some electricity.
TravelerThis is a pretty new camp site, so the trees need some time to get big enough to provide some shade.
The flush toilet building was very clean, but there was no TP in the ladies' room. And I have to wonder why you would build a new campground without showers?
It is very close to the cities so we will stay here again.
Equestrian camping opportunities abound within a 60-mile radius of Ottawa, Illinois, where prairie landscapes meet dense woodland trails. The region sits at approximately 600 feet above sea level with summer temperatures averaging 83°F and annual rainfall of 38 inches. Most equestrian campgrounds operate from April through October, with spring offering the best balance of comfortable temperatures and minimal insects.
Trail riding access: Matthiessen State Park Equestrian Campground connects riders to nearly 2,000 acres of mixed terrain. "Great hiking abounds in this particular Illinois SP where there exists a combination of EZ, intermediate and difficult hiking and riding paths," notes Stuart K. The same reviewer adds that you'll find "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."
Explore limestone formations: The area features unique rock structures formed over thousands of years. "What makes this area particularly unique is the unusual rock formations that you will discover all over the place," with "exposed lime and sandstone" adding to the "verdant colors that you will find decorating the canyon walls," according to one visitor to Matthiessen.
Boat launch access: Kankakee River State Park offers river recreation options. "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)," writes Linda N. The park also maintains a visitor center where "my kiddos got to feed and hold a variety of reptiles!"
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the ample room at equestrian campgrounds. At Big Rock Campground, "campsites are flat" and "the sites look large and level," according to reviews. Melissa C. notes, "Nice campground with big, level sites. Even though they don't take reservations, there is plenty of space and availability."
Clean facilities: Kankakee River State Park maintains well-kept facilities. "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," reports one camper. Another mentions "stalls for toilets and showers. The showers were pretty great for a camp ground!"
Affordability: Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground offers budget-friendly options at $8 per night. "Only $8 however if you're an Illinois resident over 62 camping is free Sunday through Thursday nights," notes Jeff F. The campground features "picnic tables, vault toilets and water."
Reservation systems vary: Some equestrian campgrounds require advance booking while others are first-come, first-served. At Franklin Creek State Natural Area Equestrian Campground, reservations can be made through the IL SP website. Stuart K. advises, "When you are ready to book this particular equestrian campground, just go to the IL SP site to book it: https://camp.exploremoreil.com/location/221."
No-horse policy enforcement: Matthiessen 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. This policy applies even when the campground is empty.
Limited amenities: Most equestrian sites offer basic facilities. At Franklin Creek, there are "very little in the way of amenities in the actual equestrian campground apart from water spigots with a picnic shelter, restrooms, running water, show area and the occasional picnic table." Hennepin Canal Lock 21 provides "grassy sites with trees at the edges. This gives you some shade depending on the time of day."
Reptile encounters: Kankakee River's nature center offers educational opportunities. Linda N. shares, "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!" These supervised wildlife interactions occur during regular visitor center hours.
Playground options: Consider shade when planning playground time. "Playgrounds are unfortunately exposed so it was not suitable for the 100 degree days we had," notes one reviewer about Kankakee River State Park. Visit in morning or evening hours during summer months.
Site selection for kids: Leisure Lake Resort offers family-friendly amenities. Karel M. describes it as "Quiet, family orientated, fishing lake, miniature golf, activities." The resort includes a "nice lake, beach, pool, gym, and a dog park" making it suitable for extended family stays.
Water hookup extensions: Bring additional hose length for sites with distant connections. At Big Rock Campground, "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions!" advises Amanda K., who noted strong Verizon coverage but spotty AT&T signal.
Level sites available: Most area campgrounds offer flat terrain good for RVs. At Big Rock, Rodney D. confirms "Campsites are flat" and Joel R. notes "There were paved roads and the sites looked large and level. There was water and electric And a dump stations at the entrance/exit."
Hookup limitations: Research utility availability before arrival. Hennepin Canal Lock 21 offers "No hook-ups, just grass with a fire pit and table" but "Water available a couple of places along the canal," according to Jeff and Linda L., who observed "We only saw two other campers, so lots of spaces" and noted "We saw a class A, so they do fit."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ottawa, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ottawa, IL is Matthiessen State Park Equestrian Campground — Matthiessen State Park with a 3.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Ottawa, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Ottawa, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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