Best Equestrian Camping near Sheffield, IL

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 equestrian campgrounds in the region operate on a first-come, first-served basis with fees around $8 per night.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Sheffield, Illinois (10)

    1. Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground

    3 Reviews
    Sheffield, IL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 782-6302

    $8 / night

    "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"

    "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."

    2. Hennepin Canal Lock 22 Campground

    3 Reviews
    Mineral, IL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 454-2328

    $8 / night

    3. Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Sheffield, IL
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 454-2328

    $8 / night

    "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."

    4. Jubilee College State Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    Brimfield, IL
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 446-3758

    "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

    10 Reviews
    Morrison, IL
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 772-4708

    $20 / night

    "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."

    6. Rockwood State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Morrison, IL
    35 miles
    Website

    "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

    3 Reviews
    Oglesby, IL
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 667-4726

    $10 / night

    "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"

    8. Franklin Creek State Natural Area Equestrian Campground

    1 Review
    Nachusa, IL
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 456-2878

    $4 - $8 / night

    "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"

    9. Scott County Park- South East Corner Campground

    4 Reviews
    Long Grove, IA
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 328-3282

    $15 / night

    "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."

    10. Hansen's Hideaway Ranch and Family Campground

    3 Reviews
    Mount Morris, IL
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 732-6489

    "Ever dreamt of working / living / camping on an actual working horse ranch?  Then you've arrived at the perfect spot.  "

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Sheffield, IL

47 Reviews of 10 Sheffield Campgrounds



Guide to Sheffield

Horse camping in Illinois offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian-friendly amenities, perfect for those looking to explore the state's beautiful landscapes with their horses.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

Equestrian campgrounds include essential amenities

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like corrals and trails

Frequently Asked Questions

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 3.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Sheffield, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Sheffield, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.