Cuivre River State Park Campground offers equestrian camping options with a dedicated area for horse owners. The campground features basic amenities including water access, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site. Trail riders find the park particularly appealing due to its extensive trail system that accommodates horseback riding throughout the natural areas. The campground maintains vault toilets near the equestrian sites and provides ample parking for horse trailers. Campsites are fairly spacious and positioned to give horse owners convenient access to bridle trails. The park consistently receives positive feedback for its well-maintained facilities and natural setting where wildlife frequently visits camping areas.
Equestrian trails at Cuivre River connect directly to the campground, allowing riders to explore the park's diverse terrain without having to trailer horses to trailheads. The trail system covers miles of wooded areas and open meadows, offering varied riding experiences for all skill levels. Riders should bring their own water buckets as water sources are available but not directly at tie-out areas. Seasonal considerations affect trail conditions, with spring often bringing muddy sections that may limit access to some trails. Located about an hour from St. Louis, the park provides a convenient weekend getaway for horse enthusiasts seeking natural surroundings and peaceful camping. Advance reservations are recommended, especially during peak summer months when equestrian sites fill quickly.
"Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$."
"Horseshoe Lake is one of my most visited parks and most favorite park in the STL and surrounding areas. First off absolutely beautiful land and peace is easily achieved."
$14 - $36 / night
"Plenty of gorgeous campsites and a lake to swim and kayak! And if you need a place to camp with your horse they have an entire equestrian section. Close to St."
"Our site, though, was the smallest in the loop, tucked away in the weeds, and the only area to pitch our tent was on a slight slope."
$20 - $100 / night
"Nice hiking trails near. Watch for ticks. Don’t be alarmed if you see cats or the neighbors dogs roaming around the site. They are friendly."
"There’s a house to rent or primitive camping trails have a map but need a little more marking on newer sections. Very well maintained. Neat look out points"
"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. "
"The park is reasonable priced, beautiful surrounding and friendly staff. Would definitely come again. The only downside is that it’s somewhat far from supply stores"
"Shut down some karaoke party in a loop around 9pm. Will go back."
LegendThis is a perfect place to enjoy with the family. Plenty of gorgeous campsites and a lake to swim and kayak! And if you need a place to camp with your horse they have an entire equestrian section. Close to St. Louis but far enough out to enjoy peace and quiet!
GuideBiggest draw back is no electricity in equestrian sites. There’s is water and toilets trails aren’t marked real well but very wide nicely maintained to.
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. $8 for IL residents is hard to beat, if you don't need an RV spot with electric. A water source is also by the parking spots. The weekend we were there the weather had cooled some and a great breeze was coming off the lake. Springfield being so close is a bonus.
The only negative is like any spot and how previous people leave the camp looking before you are there. Some garbage in the fire pit and random spots are par for the course in any state park. Pick up the trash and dump it in the dumpster by the parking lot. Leave the site better than you found it is our motto.
TravelerWe stayed in the full hookups. It’s a very uneven gravel pad to start with. The campfire sits right next to the camper and the sites are very close together. So the sites are far from glamorous. But there were two close by trails that were very nice. They had offered a class about Mo snakes and a class on how to build fire with flint that our kids really enjoyed. We didn’t make it to the beach because we enjoyed the creek so much. The kids loved using the net to catch small fish and crawdads, throwing rocks and playing in the water. It was fun to explore. So 3 stars cause the campsites were not great but lots of fun to be had on the actual campgrounds! We will still be going back.
GuideLots are spacious & grounds are well kept. Restrooms were clean. Lots of trails, Lake Sangchris is very close by for fishing & kayaking. Quiet campground; great place to unwind.
TravelerGreat spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$.
TravelerThe campsites and grounds are well-maintained. However, the campsites did not have designated gravel tent pads. Given that we had to set up in/right after a rain, our tarp was sitting in grass and mud. I never knew how much I appreciated a designated gravel tent pad until then. Having never camped here, we had reserved site 25 and had the whole loop to ourselves (it was a Monday night, though). Our site, though, was the smallest in the loop, tucked away in the weeds, and the only area to pitch our tent was on a slight slope. After walking the loop, I noticed that sites 26 and 29, offered more room and were better maintained. We probably could’ve changed sites had we not arrived so late and in the rain.
Firewood is available for $5. We saw a nice playground at the entrance. There were plenty of showers (water was nice and hot!) and flush toilets in the bathhouse. The bathhouse could use some TLC, but the warm water made up for it. There are laundry facilities, though we didn’t use them.
TravelerWe have been backpack camping here twice and RV camping once. It’s close to our house and there’s always something new to do each time. The bathrooms are well maintained and the campsites are fairly large and provide lots of shade. They have a large lake to swim in and you can kayak as well! Their trails are well marked and a pretty walk. This State Park is one of our favorites to visit.
RangerGreat place for a leisurely hike around the lake. They also have reservable spots in their campground, which is a quick drive from the beach area, and you are also able to rent kayaks and canoes! Great secret swimming hole worth the walk down the creek bed!
Cuivre River State Park provides extensive equestrian facilities beyond just camping areas. The trail system spans multiple terrain types with dedicated bridle paths that connect directly to the equestrian camping section. Each site includes ample space for trailers and tethering areas for horses. The campground maintains a rustic atmosphere with basic amenities including water access points strategically placed throughout the equestrian area, though electricity is not available in the horse camping section. Rangers regularly patrol the grounds and can provide maps highlighting seasonal trail conditions and recommended routes.
Boat at Sangchris Lake: The 3,000-acre lake offers multiple access points for fishing and boating with dedicated launch areas. At Sangchris Lake State Park Campground, campers can find "good clean campground, restrooms were clean and they have a playground to keep the kids entertained and fishing nearby" according to Gary B.
Explore hiking trails: The trail system at Cuivre River State Park Campground features several difficulty levels within its 12+ mile network. As Tony M. notes, "This park has plenty of well groomed trails and facilities spread out nicely. You could camp here for a weekend and stay busy."
Wildlife watching: Observe diverse wildlife species throughout the camping areas, especially near water features. Maria E. from Cuivre River State Park Campground shares, "Campground is beautiful and very woodsy. We saw bunnies hopping around and when we first arrived to our site a deer was grazing nearby, such a bonus!"
Peaceful atmosphere: The campgrounds in this region offer quiet, secluded sites away from urban noise. At McCully Heritage Project, Luke G. appreciates "A small and not crowded place to camp with all you need and hospitality. Great for tent camping and hiking."
Waterfront camping: Several parks provide direct lake access from campsites. Susan L. describes her experience at Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground: "Site 24 is huge and level with a picnic table and fire ring. Electric but no water at site. The site is totally private on one side because of a lake inlet and there's a large back area right on the lake."
Affordable camping options: Many parks offer budget-friendly stays with minimal fees. At Horseshoe Lake, Travis notes, "Self service pay system makes it simple, easy, and fast. Camping can be reserved but no need. Just pick your spot go to the office building, and fill out the form, pay and slide in envelope and drop in box... 8$ a night."
Site selection matters: Some campgrounds have significant variation between sites. At Deer Run Campground — Sangchris Lake State Park, Colin H. recommends: "The sites were large and the primitive sites at the back were incredibly beautiful! The prices were very low."
Weather preparation: The region experiences seasonal variations that affect camping conditions. At Cuivre River State Park, Jamie C. advises caution: "It stormed pretty bad the second night there. Woke up to find my tent wasn't so waterproof."
Wildlife awareness: Local wildlife is abundant and may interact with campsites. Darren D. from Waverly Lake warns, "Be mindful of field roaches and raccoons at night, as we had to learn the hard way the morning after our first night. Oh, and the mosquitoes are BRUTAL. Come prepared."
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Several parks feature dedicated play areas for children. At Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area, J N. shares: "Kid had a blast at playground with other kids. Cold showers but said they were looking into it."
Consider fishing opportunities: Lakes and ponds provide family-friendly fishing options. Jessica D. notes about Sangchris Lake, "Great Fishing Lake. Not a lot to do with littles though. It does have a great play area but nothing else for kids."
Pack extra supplies: Limited amenities mean bringing all essentials. John H. at Waverly Lake cautions, "As far as I know there's no running water. There are portable toilets that are kept clean. There's also a 4 consecutive day per month limit."
Check hookup availability: Electrical service varies significantly between campgrounds. Greg S. at Sangchris Lake notes, "Electric only but water available and nice dump station. All sites at Hickory Point very close to lake."
Site size considerations: Some campgrounds can accommodate larger rigs while others are more suitable for smaller setups. Kaitlin D. shares about Sangchris Lake: "This is our close to home, fave weekender site. Electric only but still love. Spaced out, gravel sites and asphalt roads."
Weather challenges: Prepare for electrical issues during peak demand periods. Susan L. warns, "Because of the heat over this holiday weekend and a completely full campground, the electricity couldn't meet the demand and a transformer blew."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Shipman, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Shipman, IL is Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Shipman, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Shipman, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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