Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground provides dedicated facilities for horseback riders seeking trails near Riverdale, Illinois. Located within a 4,000-acre park along the Kankakee River, this specialized camping area offers direct access to multi-use trails through diverse terrain including limestone bluffs and wooded ravines. The campground operates at elevations between 580-640 feet above sea level, with late spring through early fall typically offering the most favorable riding conditions.
What to do
Horseback trail riding: Trail riders can access over 12 miles of designated equestrian paths at Kankakee River State Park. "The area is well kept, clean, and well managed. I have frequented this park because it offers a lot of activities from primitive camping, RV parking, fishing, hiking, biking, backpacking, etc. They're are some rock cliffs that are suspended over the Kankakee river and also over a creek that feeds it," notes Andrea F.
Fishing spots: Anglers can fish the Kankakee River for smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and northern pike. "River is fast, tried to fish. Stars were out," reports Shannon H. Fishing licenses required for ages 16+ and available online through Illinois DNR.
Nature exploration: The park offers opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography. "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.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Paul Wolff Campground receives praise for its layout. "It's a super clean campground with multiple hosts and forest preserve staff. There are a large number of RV pads overlooking the prairie and a few along a grove of trees. I was lucky once to see the equestrian area full of campers with their horses," writes Marisa A.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness consistently earns positive mentions. "The vault toilets are clean but smell like vault toilets at 95 degrees. There is one very clean flush toilet building," notes David W.
Trail access: Equestrian trails connect directly to camping areas, minimizing transport needs. "There are miles of trails. On one hike we were on paved, sifted gravel, grass and single trek trails. There are a lot of loops giving you options. When we left we still hadn't hiked all of them," reports Art S.
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds have reported water issues. At Leisure Lake Resort, one camper noted: "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."
Reservation policies: Many horse campgrounds require advance bookings, especially during peak seasons. "Walkup only - no reservations taken. $35 a night is a bit steep," notes Amanda K. about one nearby option.
Seasonal limitations: Weather impacts trail conditions significantly. "The sites are really limited around here so I recommend reserving weeks earlier or just come early," advises phillip L.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Big Rock Campground provides open spaces for children. "Wide, open spaces for kids to ride bikes and explore wildflowers. Duck viewing. Quiet," shares Amanda K.
Nature programs: Check for ranger-led activities that introduce children to local wildlife. "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!" mentions Linda N.
Site selection for tent campers: Some sites work better than others for families with tents. "We had four sites on Osage loop for tent camping. Two were very small (14&15), and little grass for tent setup, fine for RV or trailer campers. 16&17 were amazing for tents!! Open, tall trees for our tight rope and hammocks and shade," reports Shannon H.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: At Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground, water access points may require planning. "Water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions!" advises one camper about a nearby facility.
Campsite selection: When looking for equestrian-friendly RV sites, consider shade and space needs. "The sites are straightforward and vary quite a bit: some are huge with open green space and others I feel like just for a car and a tent," notes Linda N.
Seasonal availability: RV sites at horse campgrounds often close during winter months. "Campsite access is available via drive-in routes," states park information, but many facilities reduce operations from December through March.
Ranger
