Tonya S.
Traveler
TravelerJubilee College State Park Campground
Lots of available sites
You must pack in your own water and there are no electric hookups. Beautiful well maintained grounds with lots of open sky for starlink.
Equestrian Camping near Sheffield, IL
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Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground offers separate areas for equestrian campers and those without horses. The equestrian section includes wooden hitching posts for securing horses, with grassy sites surrounded by trees providing shade depending on the time of day. Vault toilets and water spigots are available, and the campground maintains a clean, well-maintained appearance. Franklin Creek State Natural Area Equestrian Campground provides horse corrals, picnic tables, and access to potable water. Both campgrounds accommodate tent and RV camping with horses, though facilities remain primitive. The equestrian campground at Matthiessen State Park is exclusively reserved for those with horses, with non-horse campers redirected elsewhere even when the campground is empty.
The Hennepin Canal Trail runs directly through Lock 21 Campground, connecting riders to multiple destinations along its length. Franklin Creek offers more than 12 miles of horse-friendly trails through 882 acres of prairie and hardwood forests. The terrain features slight variable grades with easy-to-maneuver turns, making it suitable for most riding skill levels. Trails at Matthiessen State Park provide a combination of easy, intermediate, and difficult riding paths with numerous places to tie up horses. The equestrian trails running along the Hennepin Canal allow horses to camp with their owners, though mosquitoes from the canal can be problematic during summer months. Most Sheffield horse campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis with fees around $8 per night, making them among the most affordable horse camping options in Illinois for equestrian campers seeking budget-friendly access to quality riding trails.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Sheffield (11)
1. Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground
"Located literally just a few stone’s throw due west of the tiny town of Wyanet, which is just a few miles west of better-known Princeton, you will access this little spec of undisturbed primitive camping"
"Plenty of hiking along the canal and 10 miles away from most stores. Fee is $8 however if you’re an Illinois resident over 62 camping is free Sunday through Thursday nights."
from $8 / night
Check Availability2. Hennepin Canal Lock 22 Campground
from $8 / night
Check Availability3. Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park Campground
"Nestled along a 104.5-mile corridor across parts of northwestern Illinois, Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park offers a unique and unexpectedly charming, albeit primitive camping experience."
"Shade trees, soft grass, a nice trail to walk & great views. The stars in the night sky are breathtaking! This isn't some posh camping for someone looking to get a resort-feel."
from $8 / night
Check Availability4. Jubilee College State Park Campground
"Excellent horse trails. Went with a group of around 8 people and it was beautiful! Well maintained."
"The abundant forest, trails and the creek going through the park make this an ideal place to visit during spring and fall. Summer is ok too but may get a bit hot in Central Illinois for my taste."
5. Morrison-Rockwood State Park
"We saw an article about "Dutch Days" in nearby Fulton on www.OnlyInYourState.com, (first weekend in May) and thought it looked like fun."
"We enjoyed the beautiful lake and cute restaurant/gift shop. We liked the different loops of campsites with pit toilets every where and a nice modern bathroom/shower house also."
from $20 / night
Check Availability6. Rockwood State Park Campground
"Nice long trail, friendly people, and a cute little ice cream shop that was a lifesaver after a long hike."
7. Matthiessen State Park Equestrian Campground — Matthiessen State Park
"hey, there were some pretty outstanding trails to hike during the day and the friendly on-site ranger made a call over to nearby Starved Rock SP to secure me a camping spot over there, so not all was"
"quite a bit of detail on this campground, I’m following up on that review by sharing more fotos as well as providing a topline update: Highlights: (1) Great hiking abounds in this particular Illinois"
from $10 / night
Check Availability8. Scott County Park- South East Corner Campground
"Tucked away in the southeast corner of Scott County Park – yes, the same park that already has more campgrounds than a camping catalog – lurks a little-known equestrian primitive campground."
"Site is located in the very SE corner of the park with: charcoal grill, fire ring, outhouse, picnic table, recycle station adjacent, tie-up, hard surface for RV. No water onsite. Trails available."
from $15 / night
Check Availability9. Franklin Creek State Natural Area Equestrian Campground
"Located just northwest of the little hamlet called Franklin Grove, which is just due north of Ronald Reagan’s birthplace in Dixon, Franklin Creek State Natural Area Equestrian Campground is ideal if you"
from $4 - $8 / night
Check Availability10. Hansen's Hideaway Ranch and Family Campground
"Ever dreamt of working / living / camping on an actual working horse ranch? Then you've arrived at the perfect spot. "
Drive Time
- 51 min from Davenport, IA
- 56 min from Peoria, IL
- 1 hr 22 min from Rockford, IL
- 1 hr 33 min from Bloomington, IL
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Sheffield, IL
1 Photos of 11 Sheffield Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Sheffield, IL
54 Reviews of 11 Sheffield Campgrounds
Stuart K.
LegendHennepin Canal Lock 22 Campground
Quiet Primitive Camping Off I-80
Set just off I-80 near Sheffield, the Lock 22 Campground offers some of the simplest, most serene camping you’ll find in the Hennepin Canal State Trail system. Here, you’re not at a full-service campground– this is the kind of place where the canal’s old lock whispers history and the towpath beckons walkers and anglers. First impressions? A flat, grassy expanse with scattered trees, picnic tables, pit toilets and a quiet canal-side vibe that is refreshingly basic, peaceful and full of charm if you’re into low-maintenance camping.
As a Class ‘C’ campground, Lock 22 offers primitive facilities only, meaning no showers, no hookups and no electricity(yes, a whole lot of‘Nos’), but it does include toilets and drinking water. Campsites are vehicle-accessible and the$8/night per-family fee is collected in person by a site security officer(if they show up), on a first-come, first-served basis. Youth groups follow a separate fee schedule with minimums and supervision rules. Camping is quiet, basic, and outdoors-first here.
What really sets this spot apart is its location and simplicity. It’s under the lock bridge itself, so be sure to bring a chair, toss a line in the canal and wander the towpath trails that take you past aqueducts and marshes. Cell service is reported as excellent, making it a surprisingly connected getaway. Nearby, Sheffield offers a few basic services, and you're within easy driving distance of I-80 and surrounding towns.
Insider Tips? Here’s a handful:(1) For the flattest, quietest camping, choose a grassy site closest to the canal but back off from the parking area;(2) Bring all the water you'll need as while Lock 22 has drinking water, it’s only at a designated faucet and not at the campsites themselves;(3) The canal towpath is fantastic for peaceful walking, biking, fishing and bird-watching, but for the best experience, get there early;(4) Check the Visitor Center north of I-80 for trail maps so that you can plan your canal hiking and camping;(5) No campfires outside of designated fire pits, so I would strongly encourage you to bring alternative cooking options like a butane or propane-fueled stove or range; and(6) If you drive into Sheffield check out Wings Café serving hearty comfort food, or try The Dug-Out Sports Pub for pub-style eats and local atmosphere.
Happy Camping!
- NNeil P.
ScoutJubilee College State Park Campground
Nice RV/ camping Park
I live near this park and have used it regularly for years. It is certainly nothing special... just a nice average park. I usually do a combination van and tent camp here and it is totally adequate for that. It looks to be fine for RVs as well. The pit toilets are usually clean and relatively bug free. The shower house is clean and adequate. I just think of this as my "local campground"... my go to for a quick weekend getaway to set up and use my gear, and have friends out to share a fire. The park itself is nice, quiet and clean. You will see deer and raccoons. Jubilee is off a County Highway (Rt 150), about 5 miles off I-74. Small town with DG and Gas stations are about 5 miles away; Peoria IL is 15ish miles away.
- Stuart K.Legend
Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park Campground
Camp Where 100-Year-Old Locks Gaze Over Your Tent
Nestled along a 104.5-mile corridor across parts of northwestern Illinois, Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park offers a unique and unexpectedly charming, albeit primitive camping experience. Spread across multiple sites like Lock 6, Lock 11, Lock 21, Bridge 14, and Lock 22, this park stretches its campsites along a historic towpath beside century-old canal locks. First impressions? Think gentle grass clearings, basic picnic setups and a nostalgic vibe that combines outdoor adventure with engineering heritage all the while living up to bare-bones camping ethos.
Facilities remain strictly primitive as this is ‘Class C’ camping, meaning no hookups, no showers, no modern frills … just a pit toilet and a fire ring at each site. Cost is only $8 per night per family. Youth groups pay a minimum daily fee starting at $20. Other perks: senior citizens and disabled campers may qualify for free stays, depending on day and status. You’ll need to stop by the Visitor Center near Sheffield to pay (no reservations and everything at each lock is considered first-come, first-served), and all the drinking water is only available at central locations at each lock, not at individual campsites, so plan accordingly. Quiet hours run from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and campfires must stay in designated pits.
The setting is deeply outdoorsy and expansive. The canal’s towpath is a cyclist’s and hiker’s dream, with up to 155 miles to explore (miles of level surface, biking, hiking, horseback riding in some sections and even snowmobiling when it’s seasonally open). Anglers love the Hennepin Canal system as the waters are regularly stocked with bass, bluegill, walleye, catfish and even trout during special stocking events. Canoeing and kayaking are permitted with portage around non-operational locks and birding or historical sightseeing along the route is a delightful bonus.
Insider Tips? Here’s a smattering: (1) Pick campsites closest to the canal but slightly back from parking that will deliver land that is flatter, vistas that are more scenic and spaces that are quieter; (2) Swing by the Visitor Center near Sheffield first for maps and essential info as you’ll need drinking water from there in case you didn’t bring your own;(3) If traveling with a dog or horse, check designations as only certain sites (e.g. Lock 21) allow equestrian camping; (4) Fishermen should bring rods early as anglers that I encountered say the catches here are worth the effort; (5) No pumps / dump stations so pack accordingly and use nearby towns for full services; and (6) Post-camping grub: head to Sheffield afterward for local eats like Belluccio’s for deep dish pizza, Italian beef & sausage sandwiches, Café 129 with its smoked prime rib and Red’s Bar & Grill for fantastic deep fried pork tenderloin sandwiches, which is a staple in these parts.
Happy Camping!
James M.LegendScott County Park- South East Corner Campground
Very basic camp area with equestrian Trail access.
This campsite has a hard parking lot surface, picnic table, charcoal, grill, firing, and a pit toilet, horse tie up. Trail access starts here, recycling station is adjacent, and Scott County Park Road is just to the south.
- Stuart K.Legend
Scott County Park- South East Corner Campground
Scott County Park’s Secret Saddle Spot
Tucked away in the southeast corner of Scott County Park – yes, the same park that already has more campgrounds than a camping catalog – lurks a little-known equestrian primitive campground. It’s the sort of place that feels like you stumbled onto a secret level in a video game: no hookups, no frills, just you, your horse and the occasional squirrel judging your life choices. If SOC-Fox is the Brady Bunch middle child (see my review for this CG), this one is the mysterious cousin who shows up at family reunions in cowboy boots and doesn’t say much.
The sites? Bare-bones, as expected. You’re not here for 'glamping.' You’re here for space to tie up your horse, throw up a tent and feel like you’ve traveled back to 1883 (minus the dysentery). Fire rings are your only luxury item here, and if you’re expecting bathhouses with spa vibes, forget it. You’ll find pit toilets that are … serviceable. Let’s call them ‘character-building.’ Roads in here are gravelly but manageable if you take it slow, but you don’t really want to be coming here if you’re toting a 5th wheel or driving an RV as this area is really more geared for mi tent pitchin’ bredren who want the opportunity to ‘rough it’ ... ideally with their noble steeds.
What makes it shine, though, are the equestrian trails. Miles of riding paths crisscross through woods, open meadows and rolling hills. Even if you’re not on horseback, you can hike them and pretend you’re in a Western where the budget ran out before they gave you an actual horse. And because this campground is the least famous of the seven, you’re more likely to get actual peace & quiet. No cannonballing kids, no RV generators humming in the night, just plenty of crickets, the odd, stray coyote and your horse deciding 2 a.m. is the perfect time to shuffle around loudly.
Insider Tips? Giddy-up, here’s a few: (1) Bring your own water as there’s no magic spigot here; (2) If you want solitude, this is the place. It’s basically the anti-aquatic center; (3) Hungry after a day on the trail? Eldridge’s Grille on the Green dishes out hearty comfort food, and you won’t even have to tie your horse out front; and (4) If you need supplies, hit the Tractor Supply in nearby Eldridge. They won’t blink when you walk in smelling like hay and campfire.
Happy Camping!
- JJeff F.
GuideHennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground
Nice quiet place
Water was available on my visit 10-7 thru 10-10. The place is clean and well kept, including the pit toilets. Plenty of hiking along the canal and 10 miles away from most stores. Fee is $8 however if you’re an Illinois resident over 62 camping is free Sunday through Thursday nights.
Jeff and Linda L.GuideHennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground
Unique Park
No hook-ups, just grass with a fire pit and table. Water available a couple of places along the canal. No reservations. We only saw two other campers, so lots of spaces. Pit toilets along the canal. Well kept. Small gravel bike trail along most of the canal. Nice place to kayak and canoe. Very nice visitor center open until 3 during the week, no weekends. Only $8 We saw a class A, so they do fit.
- James M.Legend
Scott County Park- South East Corner Campground
Open primitive County park site
The site offers a hard service to park on, picnic table, fire, pit, charcoal, grill, outhouse, horse tie up, and equestrian trailhead. There is a recycling dump station nearby, and open space with shaded tree area. The park itself offers trails for hiking and biking, a pool, golf course, campgrounds, historical Pioneer Village, amenities, including firewood, ice, concessions. Pride Lake offers paddling and fishing.
Guide to Sheffield
Equestrian camping near Sheffield, Illinois offers multiple opportunities for riders and their horses across primitive campgrounds in the region. The area sits within Bureau County, characterized by a mix of flat prairies and wooded ravines with elevations ranging from 600-700 feet above sea level. Camping sites typically remain open from April through October, though seasonal closures may occur during hunting seasons or extreme weather conditions.
What to Do
Trail riding along Rock River: The Morrison-Rockwood State Park provides several connecting trails with varying difficulty levels. "We saw an article about 'Dutch Days' in nearby Fulton on www.OnlyInYourState.com, (first weekend in May) and thought it looked like fun. The nearest campground at Thomson causeway recreational area was closed both for repairs and for flooding so this was our best choice," shares Brian O.
Kayaking at nearby lakes: Within a 30-minute drive of Sheffield, several waterways offer paddling opportunities. "Nice place to kayak and canoe. Very nice visitor center open until 3 during the week, no weekends. Only $8. We saw a class A, so they do fit," notes Jeff and Linda L. about Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground.
Fishing in stocked waters: Local ponds and lakes contain multiple fish species. "The lake is small but pleasant and stocked with fish. There are boat rentals available and a small restaurant and general store," explains Brian O. at Morrison-Rockwood State Park.
What Campers Like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between camping areas. At Jubilee College State Park Campground, campers appreciate the seclusion. "This campground is our 'go-to' when we need a last minute getaway from city life. Located outside of Peoria, Jubilee is far enough away from town that you get clear, start night skies," writes Brooke C.
Night sky viewing: The rural setting provides excellent stargazing opportunities away from light pollution. "The viewing of stars is incredible," Joe M. says about Jubilee College State Park Campground.
Spacious equestrian sites: Franklin Creek State Natural Area Equestrian Campground provides ample room for horses and equipment. "What I enjoyed most about Franklin Creek State Natural Area is the 882 acres of fresh prairieland that feels fairly untouched and ready for some eager exploration," notes Stuart K.
What You Should Know
First-come, first-served basis: Most equestrian campgrounds don't take reservations. At Matthiessen State Park Equestrian Campground, "There's a registration envelope that you'll pick up when you arrive at Matthiessen SP, where you'll simply need to fill this out with your name, # of days that you are planning to stay and then deposit the envelope in the drop-off kiosk along with the nightly fee and you're all good," explains Stuart K.
Equestrian-only restrictions: Some campgrounds strictly enforce horse requirements. "Got kicked out cause I didn't have a horse. Even though it was completely empty. Gave me my $8 back though," reports Amanda C. about Matthiessen State Park.
Limited amenities: Facilities at most equestrian campgrounds remain basic. "The site was nice little spot with plenty of shade but I was a bit jealous of those with more secluded spots, especially since we are tent campers and all of the others on the loop were big RVs," writes Stacie H.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Some campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Morrison-Rockwood State Park, "We had site 57 which is in a loop which goes around a playground. It was great for the kids who could go play and the sites in this loop provide plenty of space and privacy," shares Ben W.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region offers chances to spot various animals. "Occasionally, if you are especially quiet, you'll come across no shortage of white-tailed deer or wild turkeys foraging through the crabapple and plum trees that are scattered throughout the forest here," Stuart K. notes about Hansen's Hideaway Ranch and Family Campground.
Swimming options: Some locations provide swimming areas for hot summer days. "The 'crown jewel' amenity at this camping ranch is the man-made swimming pond with a small little beachhead encircling it, which the kids will love," Stuart K. explains about Hansen's Hideaway.
Tips from RVers
Level sites can be limited: Prepare leveling equipment for potentially uneven terrain. At Hennepin Canal Lock 22 Campground, "We set up in the parking lot and nobody asked us to move. There is a camping area next to the parking and a smaller area across the canal," explains Art S.
Camp loops vary in privacy: Research specific site locations before arrival. "Of all the camping options up and down the Hennepin Canal, while Canal Lock 21 is likely the largest and has more campsite offerings, it is still very basic and primitive, apart from the restroom, boat launch, picnic tables and fire rings that you will find," notes Stuart K.
Water access considerations: Not all sites provide direct hookups. "No hook-ups, just grass with a fire pit and table. Water available a couple of places along the canal," Jeff and Linda L. mention about Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Sheffield, IL?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Sheffield, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Sheffield, IL is Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.
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equestrian camping near
Sheffield, IL?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Sheffield, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Sheffield, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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