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Questing Hills Equestrian Campground at Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area offers 51 electric sites specifically designed for horse owners. The campground maintains separate shower facilities with three showers and three bathroom stalls, plus strategically placed vault toilets throughout the grounds. Most sites feature partial shade and include hitching rails for securing horses. Water access points are distributed throughout the park rather than at individual sites. The campground connects directly to over 26 miles of well-marked and maintained trails suitable for horseback riding. Sites are consistently maintained and include both electrical hookups and designated areas for horses. The campground's layout provides ample space for horse trailer parking while maintaining reasonable proximity to equestrian trails.
The trail system at Jim Edgar Panther Creek spans extensive acreage, giving riders multiple route options through varied terrain. Trails remain well-marked, making navigation straightforward even for first-time visitors to the park. The equestrian campground offers a more specialized experience than the park's family campground, with facilities specifically designed for those traveling with horses. Campers should note that while the sites accommodate both tents and RVs, the primary focus is on equestrian needs with appropriate spacing and layout. Springfield is approximately 30 miles away, making it the closest major city for supplies. Security regularly patrols the grounds, ensuring a safe environment for both campers and their horses. The campground's location provides relative seclusion while maintaining reasonable access to necessary amenities, though visitors should arrive prepared with supplies.
"Like the quite agricultural Illinois environment but suggest shopping for your needs prior to leaving larger cities as most of the few small towns are limited to a Bar and Dollar store."
"From our cabin we walked grassy paths to a lovely bridge. Around the pond's perimeter are dispersed sites for tent-camping or possibly day-use."
from $6 / night
Check Availability"Not too close to your neighbor. Take time to walk around the fairgrounds as they are pretty. The 4H building has a lovely garden out front."
"20 per night for a a pull behind RV on an electric/water site. $30 for a full hookup. Large clean bathrooms, dated but useable."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Praire Lake Campground has 3 facilities on the lake. FAMILY camp for Rv, Tentand cabins. 1. 84 sites with Electric or 19 have FHU. 2."
"We camp at the equestrian loop, unlike some campgrounds we have our own shower house with three showers and three bathroom stalls."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"These walk in sites check all the boxes. At the western part of the RV loop, is a peninsula of primitive tent camping spots to choose from. "
"Lots of trails, Lake Sangchris is very close by for fishing & kayaking. Quiet campground; great place to unwind."
"The primitive sites were perfectly quiet and away from others. Toilet was close and so was parking. I kind of miss tent camping!!!"
"Bathrooms are basic and in the front of the camp loops so you have a walk if you stay in the back like I did. Also, water is in the center of the loop so not very convenient. "
"This is the campground for horses and their riders. Tie up posts are in each campsite along with picnic tables."
"Lots of trails nearby, and plenty of beautiful green trees. Outhouse on site. One of the more quiet sites that doesn’t get a lot of action."
from $8 / night
"Near the back you can camp right alongside the river. Amenities are minimal, there are just port-a-potties for restrooms but they are very clean."
GuidePraire Lake Campground has 3 facilities on the lake. FAMILY camp for Rv, Tentand cabins. 1. 84 sites with Electric or 19 have FHU. 2. Primitive Camp has seven three-sided shelters to camp near or in for a fee of $6 per night 3. Group camp area. A separate location has the equestrian campground, Questing Hills, with 51 electric sites.
LegendThis is the campground for horses and their riders. Tie up posts are in each campsite along with picnic tables. The campground is one loop so the inner ring of sites are almost like a group site setup. The outer ring sites are more private and up against the woods. A set of vault toilets is commonly located. Along with garbage cans there are multiple spots to pile manure. There were a couple sites occupied the first night but it emptied out on Saturday.
Most trails in this natural area are accessible to horses. Trails head out from camp. The longest being almost 15 miles. Hiking and hunting also happen here so keep an eye open on the trails. If you have an energetic horse that you want to work hard, head into the yellow loop. The ranger said it tires everyone because it’s steep hills of sand.
Across the road is a spot for day use riders to park their trailers. There were a bunch parked when we passed it.
This is a hidden gem and worth giving a chance.
GuideA friend and I were looking for somewhere to spend a weekend backpacking that wasn’t a 4+ hour drive away from central IL. This fits the bill but does leave some to be desired. The terrain is an interesting change from most IL hiking since the trails are incredibly sandy while the forest itself is mostly pine. Watch out for cacti along the trail! My only real complaints are the lack of water sources, and the inconsistencies between the trail map and the actual trail. Each trail is marked very clearly with directional sign posts as often as necessary, however, the first night we were hiking in to find BC1 and according to the map we should have passed it in our hike but never saw any sort of campsite at all. We ended up setting up camp off the trail in an unmarked clearing that worked quite well. The next day we moved on to look for site BC7. After hiking much farther than the map indicated, we finally stumbled on BC7. It turned out to be a pretty picturesque little clearing among the pines with an actual fire slab and a signpost marking the entrance trail. Overall it was a good trip, just don’t be fooled by how close things look on the map! Also, the bugs (of all kinds including ticks and mosquitoes) are pretty terrible and I would recommend going either in the early spring or late fall. Not June.
The forest grounds also have an equestrian campgrounds and the trails would be perfect for riding.
GuideWe camp at the equestrian loop, unlike some campgrounds we have our own shower house with three showers and three bathroom stalls. Their is also a vault toilet in the middle of camp and the opposite end of the main bathrooms. Most sites have at least partial shade. The sites are always maintained with hitching rails and electricity water is not at every site but through out the park. Trails are well marked and maintained over 26 miles of trails.
GuideWe came Labor Day weekend to site see Lincoln museum and when we arrived there were motorcycle races going on next to the camp office and shower house and it was packed! The host took us to the opposite side of the fair and found us a site with electric and water on grass near the harness track barns and across from the grandstand. There were alot of a class RVs there for the Morgan horse show going on in the Coliseum parked by us. No tables or fire rings. We were near public toilets but no showers in our area. It was fine for two nights
GuideThese walk in sites check all the boxes. At the western part of the RV loop, is a peninsula of primitive tent camping spots to choose from. About half the sites were filled by the second day we were there. We settled on 62, which is spacious and provides access to the path from the front and behind where you can walk into site 64 as well. A parking area with a single spot for each camp site is well marked and by two vault toilets. Park staff and host were great. A decent fishing spot is just in front of site 64. $8 for IL residents is hard to beat, if you don't need an RV spot with electric. A water source is also by the parking spots. The weekend we were there the weather had cooled some and a great breeze was coming off the lake. Springfield being so close is a bonus.
The only negative is like any spot and how previous people leave the camp looking before you are there. Some garbage in the fire pit and random spots are par for the course in any state park. Pick up the trash and dump it in the dumpster by the parking lot. Leave the site better than you found it is our motto.
Guidehttps://camp.exploremoreil.com/ 84 electric RV sites all reservable except 21 First Come sites. 18 sites are full hookup. Several 50 amp sites but majority are 30 amp. Modern Shower house and 7 Vault toilet buildings. Newer Campground so Shade Trees are smaller still. Have camped here 4 times past 3 years. Like the quite agricultural Illinois environment but suggest shopping for your needs prior to leaving larger cities as most of the few small towns are limited to a Bar and Dollar store.
ScoutIt was March, it was cold at night, but this ADA cabin had heat & electric, 5 beds with mattresses, beds with mattresses (2 pr bunks beds in the second room). Cement sidewalks from parking area to toilets & cabins, each with a waterfront view, fire pit & picnic table. From our cabin we walked grassy paths to a lovely bridge. Around the pond's perimeter are dispersed sites for tent-camping or possibly day-use. It was a challenge to find the park entrance, at night, and the closest small town is about 10-miles away. The very reasonable cost was transacted online.
GuideLots are spacious & grounds are well kept. Restrooms were clean. Lots of trails, Lake Sangchris is very close by for fishing & kayaking. Quiet campground; great place to unwind.
Questing Hills Equestrian Campground at Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area provides 51 electric sites specifically designed for horse campers. The campground features its own shower house with three showers and three bathroom stalls, plus vault toilets positioned throughout the camping area. Most sites offer partial shade with individual hitching rails and electricity, while water access points are distributed throughout the park rather than at each site. The campground maintains well-marked trails totaling over 26 miles for riders to explore. Sites are consistently maintained and spaced to accommodate both camping equipment and horse trailers, with parking areas designed for various trailer sizes.
The trail system throughout Jim Edgar Panther Creek connects riders to diverse terrain and landscapes across the 16,000-acre park. Trails are well-maintained and clearly marked to prevent riders from becoming disoriented during longer excursions. Campground hosts sell firewood and ice, with several restroom facilities available throughout the grounds. Horse owners can access the trails directly from the campground, eliminating the need to transport horses to separate trailheads. The equestrian camping loop remains separate from the family campground areas, creating a dedicated space for those camping with horses. Reservation requirements apply for the electric sites, which are particularly popular during peak riding seasons in spring and fall when weather conditions are most favorable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Petersburg, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Petersburg, IL is Primitive Campground — Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area with a 4.4-star rating from 21 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Petersburg, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Petersburg, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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