Moraine View State Recreational Area provides equestrian camping opportunities near Penfield, Illinois, with trail access directly from designated horse camping areas. Located in Le Roy about 35 miles from Penfield, the park sits on 1,687 acres surrounding a 158-acre lake created by glacial moraines. The park's trail system covers varied terrain through woodland and prairie ecosystems, with dedicated bridle paths separated from hiking trails to prevent user conflicts.
What to do
Fishing from campsites: At Moraine View State Recreational Area, waterfront sites allow for fishing directly from your campsite. "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," notes Jennifer M.
Kayaking on the lake: Paddle the calm waters at Moraine View State Park where campers can launch directly from certain areas. "You can kayak or fish from campground. Sites all seemed flat and most were shady," reports Sarah M., though some visitors note that algae can be an issue during certain seasons.
Trail exploration: The park offers multiple hiking paths with varying difficulty levels, ideal for day hikes. "Has sections of niceness hiking and kayaking," mentions Sara C. For those seeking more primitive experiences, "Tall Timber... primitive along with nice trail" provides a more secluded option according to Alice L.
What campers like
Recently paved roads: The improved infrastructure makes accessing the campgrounds easier with trailers or RVs. "They have recently paved the roads which was nice. The main shower house was nice and well maintained," reports Brandi M., who stayed at site P16 with lake views.
Swimming access: While the official beach may have limited hours, campers find alternative water entry points. "The swimming beach is apparently only open on the weekends but there are plenty of places to get in the water so it wasn't a big deal," notes Brandi M. The designated beach area charges $3 for entry when open.
Affordability: Turkey Run State Park Campground offers reasonable rates for overnight stays with amenities. "This campground was reasonably priced, had clean facilities and quite unusual and interesting hiking nearby," mentions leif D., while Brandi M. appreciates Moraine View's value at "$20 a night. We stayed 3 nights."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Campsite quality varies significantly depending on location within the park. "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," warns Ryan M., who adds, "Upon finding the rustic tent sites, we'd wished we'd known about that area before going."
Limited bathroom facilities: During busy periods, facilities may be insufficient. "Bathrooms seemed dirty even for campground bathrooms & 1 stall was broken, leaving 3 showers & 2 toilets for the whole campground," notes Sarah M. about Moraine View.
Water conditions vary: Turkey Run Canoe & Camping provides water access, but quality fluctuates seasonally. "Lake has had a lot of algae over the last couple years," mentions Julie, while another camper notes it's "Not really clean enough to enjoy swimming."
Electric hookup limitations: Power connections may require planning. "All sites are electric at Turkey Run. $23 per night," reports Joel R., while at Turkey Run Canoe & Camping, "The electric is shared with another site which could be a problem if you have the same type of service since there is only one 50 amp, one 30 amp, and one 20 amp service per hookup," cautions Scott B.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Sites near recreational facilities provide convenient entertainment for children. "There's a playground by bathrooms which have showers," notes Sarah M. about Moraine View State Park, making it easier to supervise children while handling camp duties.
Corner sites for space: Look for end spots that offer more room for activities. Monica C. recommends Turkey Run State Park: "Booked late for this one but ended up with a great corner spot in the middle of a turn off from the main drive," which provides more buffer space from other campers.
Timing for trail access: Plan hiking excursions early to avoid crowds at Turkey Run State Park. "In order to avoid crowds on the trails, we got there Thursday night so we could hike Friday morning/early afternoon," suggests Samantha S., who adds that Saturday canoe rentals proved a good alternative to "fighting crowds at the park."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites require adjustment for larger vehicles. "The site was very uneven. It definitely sloops to the back corner. It was difficult to level our camper but we got it in the end," reports Michelle M. about her experience at Turkey Run site #35.
Water fill logistics: Prepare for potential delays when accessing water supply points. At Turkey Run Canoe & Camping, "There is portable water at the entrance but the road coming and going to the campsite is only wide enough for one rig and you will block traffic while you are filling up," warns Scott B.
Charging options: Electric sites can serve multiple purposes beyond standard RV hookups. "No water hookups at the site but all except the 'youth sites' had 110, 30, and 50 amp power. I was able to charge my EV without issue," shares leif D. about Turkey Run State Park, demonstrating alternative power uses beyond traditional camping.
