Best Equestrian Camping near Rend Lake

Rend Lake, IL is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Rend Lake campgrounds just for you. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Rend Lake camping trip.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Rend Lake (28)

    1. Gun Creek

    21 Reviews
    Whittington, IL
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 724-2493

    $18 - $30 / night

    "Several sites are right on Rend Lake. Most sites have concrete picnic tables and fire rings. The bath houses are really nice, they are individual shower houses that are clean and well lit."

    "This is a nice campground on Rend Lake. The sites themselves are nice and the lake is beautiful! Our only issue is that the sites on not very level."

    2. South Sandusky Campground

    19 Reviews
    Sesser, IL
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 724-2493

    $16 - $26 / night

    "Well maintained on beautiful Rend Lake in southern Illinois. Reservations accepted on reservation.gov. Walk ins also welcome."

    "South Sandusky campground is a Corps of Engineers campground on Rend Lake, just off I-57 in Southern Illinois. There are 8 tent sites & 119 sites with electric and full hook-ups."

    3. Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    Whittington, IL
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 629-2320

    "Wayne Fitzgerald State Park is on Rend Lake, just off I-57 in Southern Illinois. It’s a great place for camping, fishing and bikes."

    "Many of the sites are walk up only.  The sites have a lot of room to enjoy a relaxing weekend or set up yard games.  Rend lake is a good size lake with numerous areas to explore the water."

    4. Rend Lake

    5 Reviews
    Whittington, IL
    4 miles
    Website

    "Rend Lake is one of our favorite lakes at which to camp. All of the COE engineer campgrounds are well maintained and have waterfront sites!"

    "I love camping at Rend Lake. More specifically, South Sandysky campground. It is clean, the shower houses are immaculate. It’s always fully stocked and clean. The beach isn’t littered with trash."

    5. South Sandusky Day Use

    4 Reviews
    Rend Lake, IL
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (618) 724-2493

    6. Du Quoin State Fair Campground

    1 Review
    Pinckneyville, IL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 542-1515

    7. Crab Orchard Lake Crab Orchard NWR

    6 Reviews
    Bargerville, IL
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 985-4983

    "This is a quiet family campground, most spots are lake side. Very spacious and lots of trees. First come first serve, and the park was full most of the time we were here."

    "Overall the campground was full but not very many people around. Appears many locals take spots on the weekends & then hold onto them during the week."

    8. Giant City State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Makanda, IL
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 457-4836

    "There are currently 25 equestrian camp sites in this park in a different area than the normal RV and Tent campground."

    "Each site has electricity and access to water. Some have more.

    All the hiking in the park is some of the best in Illinois. The visitors center has a lot of great information."

    9. Pyramid State Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Ava, IL
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 357-2574

    "Much enjoyed driving around exploring this large state park in IL. Seems to be awesome for fishing as there are many lakes. Great access to the lakes for canoe & kayak."

    "The park office is a pretty long drive from the north end campground. The hiking is limited but the campground was peaceful and close to the lakes. Probably covered in bugs in the summer."

    10. Shawnee Forest Campground

    36 Reviews
    Vienna, IL
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (618) 658-0619

    $40 / night

    "We followed our GPS to the clearly marked CG entrance but our GPS showed we still had about a half mile to go."

    "Super friendly camp host, conveniently located off the interstate and feels pretty secure and tranquil. I will say some of the gravel was washed out which is surprising given how dry it’s been."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Rend Lake

3 Photos of 28 Rend Lake Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Rend Lake

211 Reviews of 28 Rend Lake Campgrounds


  • M
    Aug. 19, 2018

    South Sandusky Campground

    Picture perfect

    Full hookups to tent camping and spacious sites. This is a Corps of Engineer Campground so bring your America the Beautiful pass! Well maintained on beautiful Rend Lake in southern Illinois. Reservations accepted on reservation.gov. Walk ins also welcome.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 10, 2021

    Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground

    Quiet camping convenient to I-57

    Wayne Fitzgerald State Park is on Rend Lake, just off I-57 in Southern Illinois. It’s a great place for camping, fishing and bikes. It’s convenient for a short stop if you are traveling through, or as a destination. Although it’s right off the interstate there is no traffic noise. The campground has 40 tent sites and over 240 modern campsites, which offer electrical hookups, water and sewer facilities. Modern sites are $20/night, with 30/50 amp service. Primitive sites are $6. There is no internet. There are a few pull through sites.. there is lots of room and the sites appear to be level. There are 3 shower buildings. Many sites can be reserved online. There is a playground, and boat ramp. The park has hunting, fishing, camping, picnicking, horseback riding, hiking and boating. there is a golf course nearby and a lodge. Rend Lake is well-known for crappie, particularly in the early spring, as well as largemouth bass, channel catfish and bluegill.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 6, 2021

    South Sandusky Campground

    Relaxing spot on the water

    South Sandusky campground is a Corps of Engineers campground on Rend Lake, just off I-57 in Southern Illinois. There are 8 tent sites & 119 sites with electric and full hook-ups. Most of the sites are wooded with space between them, and many have lake views. They are not very level so some adjustments were needed. There is a dump station, flush toilets, showers, a sand beach, boat ramp, 2 picnic shelters, a paved bike trail, and playgrounds. There is no internet. Sites can be reserved on the Internet at www.recreation.gov.

  • Cindy C.
    Aug. 7, 2018

    South Sandusky Campground

    Wonderful for all ages. Located on Rend Lake Illinois.

    North and South Sandusky campground is located in southern Illinois on Rend Lake. It is a large state park with tons to do. From boating and swimming to hiking and relaxing. The sites have many areas that fit different needs. I have stayed this year in both. My site at North Sandusky was on the water and I could pull my pontoon right behind my campsite. The kids were close enough to the bathrooms and showers to walk. And there was fresh water located there as well. There was a park a bit further down the way as well. But no need as the lake was in the backyard.

    South sandusky site was across from a park, bathrooms, showers and water. The beach was a 2 mi hike on a beautiful trail. But we could walk across the street to a fishing swimming spot as well.

    The beach is super clean and monitored well.

    The bathrooms were cleaned every morning before 7 am. Water had great pressure and was always nice and hot.

    I love these campgrounds and can’t wait to go back.

  • b K.
    Mar. 13, 2021

    Rend Lake

    Rend Lake is lovely for boating, fishing & camping! The sunsets are amazing

    Rend Lake is one of our favorite lakes at which to camp. All of the COE engineer campgrounds are well maintained and have waterfront sites!

  • E
    Apr. 10, 2018

    South Sandusky Campground

    Rend Lake South Sandusky Campground

    Plenty of trees, lots of sites directly on the water. Very clean, nice shower houses, playgrounds, picnic tables, fire pits. Quiet, shady, paved roads. All of the Rend Lake campgrounds are similar. Restaurants and shopping nearby. Great fishing. Friendly area!

  • Cody S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 5, 2025

    Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park Campground

    Lake camping with space

    We went on Labor Day weekend and there were a number of sites open.  Many of the sites are walk up only.  The sites have a lot of room to enjoy a relaxing weekend or set up yard games.  Rend lake is a good size lake with numerous areas to explore the water.

    The showers and bathrooms are centrally located, so they are a bit of a hike.  They are clean and not too busy.

  • A
    Mar. 14, 2019

    Rend Lake

    This is our camping spot!

    I love camping at Rend Lake. More specifically, South Sandysky campground. It is clean, the shower houses are immaculate. It’s always fully stocked and clean. The beach isn’t littered with trash. It’s always a wonderful, relaxing experience every time.

  • D
    Aug. 13, 2020

    Rend Lake

    Nice campground a little cramped

    The grounds at Rend lake are very well maintained and the staff is super friendly. Lots of families hanging about, so if peace and quit is kind of your thing might look for a better place to camp. Newer shower facilities in the north Sandusky section. Our site was OK, but I noticed several as I was riding around that  are *very* snug. I remember from the map it kind of looks like a lot of sites are very evenly spaced.


Guide to Rend Lake

Horse camping near Rend Lake in Illinois offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and scenic beauty, perfect for equestrian enthusiasts looking to explore the area.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy miles of trails at Pyramid State Recreation Area, where you can ride through picturesque landscapes and enjoy the tranquility of nature.
  • Johnson Creek Campground provides access to Kincaid Lake, ideal for fishing and relaxing after a day of riding.
  • Experience the diverse wildlife and serene surroundings at Johnson Creek Campground, where you can also hike and explore the scenic Shawnee National Forest.

Tips for equestrian camping near Rend Lake in Illinois

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails and water access

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Rend Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Rend Lake is Gun Creek with a 4.7-star rating from 21 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Rend Lake?

TheDyrt.com has all 28 equestrian camping locations near Rend Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.