Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground is one of the few dedicated horse camping areas near River Forest, Illinois, located about 60 miles south. The area features 12 miles of bridle trails following the Kankakee River through wooded areas and prairie landscapes. Trail riders have access to multiple loop options ranging from shorter routes to full-day excursions. The equestrian campground accommodates horse trailers with drive-in access and maintains basic facilities including water sources, toilets, and nearby shower facilities.
What to do
Trail riding access: Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground connects directly to over 12 miles of bridle paths. "The trail system at Kankakee River State Park connects riders to over 12 miles of equestrian-friendly paths that follow the scenic Kankakee River," providing numerous route options.
Kayaking opportunities: At Chain O' Lakes State Park, waterways offer excellent paddling experiences. "I love to kayak through here because I don't need to paddle through the river unless I'm feeling competitive. I enjoy this route for the wildlife and nature scenery. I've seen beavers, minks, ferrets, and sand cranes on my two trips so far," reports Cora M.
Fishing access: Several lakes and rivers provide fishing opportunities within an hour of River Forest. "The lake was very nice. We were able to kayak but be careful getting the kayaks in. Stairs down to the pier and the bottom of the lake is very mushy. The water was very clear and you could see the fish swim by," notes Julia B. at Turner Lake South.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Paul Wolff Campground offers secluded tent sites. "Beautiful hiking so close to everything. Campground is rather basic but the primitive camp sites were beautiful. Half of them were in the Prairie and the other half was tucked into wonderfully private spots with burn pits and picnic tables," according to Tricia E.
Clean facilities: Potowatomi Campground receives praise for maintenance. "This campground was easy to access, clean, and had a very easy going vibe. The camp hosts were really fantastic and made it feel like family," writes Linda N. who adds, "Bathrooms inclu vault were cleanest I've seen."
Natural surroundings: Many equestrian campgrounds near Chicago provide natural settings despite proximity to urban areas. "Busy campground in July. Smaller, mainly RVs. Friendly staff and friendly people staying on the grounds," reports Kaitlin M. about Paul Wolff Campground, noting the balance between accessibility and nature experience.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Some equestrian-friendly sites require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "The only big minus is the full hook ups fill up fast no spur of the moment camping unless it is early or late in the season," cautions Jeanne M. about Fox Den Campground.
Alcohol policies: State parks have specific rules regarding alcohol consumption. "The other thing is ALL Illinois State Parks are now enforcing a no alcohol policy even if you are on your own site," notes Jeanne M. about Fox Den Campground.
Water quality issues: Some campgrounds have inconsistent water supply. "Water quality has been very bad. On one occasion, our pet had stomach issues after drinking tap water, which was concerning. The water is so unclean that our shower develops yellow stains within a day," reports Iryna R. about Leisure Lake Resort.
Weather preparedness: Storm shelters vary in accessibility. "The storm shelter is typically locked, making it inaccessible in emergencies, which is a major concern," notes one camper about facilities during severe weather.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers numerous recreation options. "We stayed in one of the tent sites across the road from the lakefront sites. There are about 8 tent/pop up sites and the rest of the campground is for RVs. The beach is large enough and there are clean bathrooms right there," writes Chloe N.
Playground access: Consider campgrounds with maintained play areas. "We've also had to fix the swing set at the playground ourselves multiple times, as it's been broken for a while," notes Iryna R., highlighting the importance of checking playground conditions before visiting.
Swimming options: Not all water bodies permit swimming. "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)," explains Linda N. about Kankakee River State Park.
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer nature programs. "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!" shares Linda N. about the educational experiences available.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Big Rock Campground offers level sites but limited shade. "Nice campground with big, level sites. Even though they don't take reservations, there is plenty of space and availability. Lovely grasslands, ponds, hiking trails, but the lack of trees and privacy isn't my preference," advises Melissa C.
Water hookup extensions: Come prepared with extra hose length. "The water hookups are kind of far from the individual sites (make sure you have extra hose)," warns Rodney D. about Big Rock Campground.
Electric access considerations: Check electrical post locations before setting up. "Fox Den is superior to Honeysuckle Hollows because each site has an individual electric post. Sites in Honeysuckle have electric posts to far from parking pad," explains Debra M.
Dump station logistics: Plan for efficient departure using available facilities. "Water was at central locations and a dump is on the way out," notes Art S. about Fox Den Campground's layout for RVs.
Legend
