Cuivre River State Park Campground offers equestrian camping options with a dedicated area for horse owners. The campground features basic amenities including water access, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site. Trail riders find the park particularly appealing due to its extensive trail system that accommodates horseback riding throughout the natural areas. The campground maintains vault toilets near the equestrian sites and provides ample parking for horse trailers. Campsites are fairly spacious and positioned to give horse owners convenient access to bridle trails. The park consistently receives positive feedback for its well-maintained facilities and natural setting where wildlife frequently visits camping areas.
Equestrian trails at Cuivre River connect directly to the campground, allowing riders to explore the park's diverse terrain without having to trailer horses to trailheads. The trail system covers miles of wooded areas and open meadows, offering varied riding experiences for all skill levels. Riders should bring their own water buckets as water sources are available but not directly at tie-out areas. Seasonal considerations affect trail conditions, with spring often bringing muddy sections that may limit access to some trails. Located about an hour from St. Louis, the park provides a convenient weekend getaway for horse enthusiasts seeking natural surroundings and peaceful camping. Advance reservations are recommended, especially during peak summer months when equestrian sites fill quickly.
"Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$."
"Horseshoe Lake is one of my most visited parks and most favorite park in the STL and surrounding areas. First off absolutely beautiful land and peace is easily achieved."
$15 - $42 / night
"Plenty of gorgeous campsites and a lake to swim and kayak! And if you need a place to camp with your horse they have an entire equestrian section. Close to St."
"It’s close to our house and there’s always something new to do each time. The bathrooms are well maintained and the campsites are fairly large and provide lots of shade."
$15 - $35 / night
"There is no equestrian camping and the parking for horse trailers is super small. There’s a neat 7 mile loop goes by old stable as well."
"Babler State Park Wildwood, MO
💰 $12-$21/night
🗓 Feb 19-21, 2022
Site 48 ⚡️💧
🦮 Pets Welcome (on leash at all times)
➕Concrete Pads, Quiet, Close to Interstate 40, Paved Roads, Easy to Access"
$20 - $100 / night
"Nice hiking trails near. Watch for ticks. Don’t be alarmed if you see cats or the neighbors dogs roaming around the site. They are friendly."
"There’s a house to rent or primitive camping trails have a map but need a little more marking on newer sections. Very well maintained. Neat look out points"
"These walk in sites check all the boxes. At the western part of the RV loop, is a peninsula of primitive tent camping spots to choose from. "
"Lots of trails, Lake Sangchris is very close by for fishing & kayaking. Quiet campground; great place to unwind."
"The primitive sites were perfectly quiet and away from others. Toilet was close and so was parking. I kind of miss tent camping!!!"
"Bathrooms are basic and in the front of the camp loops so you have a walk if you stay in the back like I did. Also, water is in the center of the loop so not very convenient. "
"The park is reasonable priced, beautiful surrounding and friendly staff. Would definitely come again. The only downside is that it’s somewhat far from supply stores"
"Shut down some karaoke party in a loop around 9pm. Will go back."
LegendThis is a perfect place to enjoy with the family. Plenty of gorgeous campsites and a lake to swim and kayak! And if you need a place to camp with your horse they have an entire equestrian section. Close to St. Louis but far enough out to enjoy peace and quiet!
GuideThere is no equestrian camping and the parking for horse trailers is super small. There’s a neat 7 mile loop goes by old stable as well.
GuideBiggest draw back is no electricity in equestrian sites. There’s is water and toilets trails aren’t marked real well but very wide nicely maintained to.
GuideBabler is located off I-64 in the chesterfield area about 30 minutes from Saint Louis. There are many spots to choose from. Basic and electric/water sites. Tent and Rv set ups are mixed. The site provides wood, ice, water, shower house and outhouses. There are equestrian and hiking trails. No rivers or water available. It is quiet and some areas are on hills. I would say the only issue is the raccoons. They dont give a darn who you are. They will walk right up to, smile, and take your chips. Scandalous! We love this site because its close and convenient.
GuideWe loved our stay at Babler, aside from the snow & wind - the park is great! Review below ⬇️
⛺️ S I T E R E V I E W ⛺️
📍 Dr. Edmund A. Babler State Park Wildwood, MO
💰 $12-$21/night
🗓 Feb 19-21, 2022
Site 48 ⚡️💧
🦮 Pets Welcome (on leash at all times)
➕Concrete Pads, Quiet, Close to Interstate 40, Paved Roads, Easy to Access, Gated Overnight with access code
➖Small/Close Sites, No Water in Off Season, Only Vault Toilets - No Showers in Off Season
📶 AT&T Service 4 out of 5
🚮 Dump Station located behind bathhouse. NO WATER during off season!
🚻AMENITIES •Playground •Hiking, Biking & Equestrian Trails •Wood & Ice •Interpretive Programs •Visitor Center •Special Use Area •Laundry, Flush Toilets & Showers ON SEASON ONLY!
🏕SITES Reservable 12 Months-FCFS in off season 72 Reservable 8 Accessible sites Basic - Electric Concrete Back In Lantern Hook, Picnic Table & Fire Ring
⏰ HOURS/DATES April - October 7:am - 9:pm Nov - March 7:am - 6:pm
🔺Park Office 8:30am - 4:pm M-F
🔺Visitor Center April - Oct 9:am - 4:30pm W - Sun Nov - March 9:am - 4:pm - Sat-Sun Dec - Feb CLOSED
GuideBabler is always a place you should try. we camp here every weekend because its so close to our house when we cant travel. but there are a few things to keep in mind.
The good: good trails, the whole park is a memorial so good history, very large, equestrian available, showers and bathrooms, playground, paved drive in, wood and ice available, near a grocery store and restaurants
The bad: racoons everywhere! they are scandalous and will be happy to shake your hand they dont care. thats how close they get to you. we used homemade cayenne pepper water for a perimeter but it only works until we went to bed. if you are tent camping your spot is very hit or miss. we always plan ahead and look at the pictures because some sites say its for tent but its just a dropping slope. you might as well pitch on the concrete. the sites are good are Very good! the sites that are bad... just annoying while sleeping. it lools like they are fixing it this year though. the ticks are pretty bad in spots nesstled into the trees. fpr RV's half the spots for you are out in the sun. you have to look at the pictures and choose wisely.
i know its a lot but babler is really a great park.
GuideThis is truly a hidden gem. Tucked away, not far from St. Louis, you wouldn't know you were that close to a big city. It is clean and feels extremely safe. There aren't many sites, but the ones they have are quiet and spacious. There is one bathroom, centrally located, that was a 2-3 minute walk from our campsite. There was a picnic table and firpit provided. The main gate closes at 9 p.m. but if you call ahead there is a code you are given....or you can contact the camp host. I would love to go back and explore the lush, green trails.
LegendWhat we liked about this campground was the comfortable feel of being at a state park with plenty of trees, hiking trails, space between sites, but also the convenience of having a level, paved site with electricity and television/phone reception. We happened to be there during the week in the fall so there were not many other campers. This gave the park the quiet feel we like so much. There are miles of hiking and biking trails right outside your doorstep and plenty of woods to explore. The park is located about 10 miles from where my parents live so we come here a couple of times a year.
The campground has 30 basic and 43 electric sites (which are either 50 amp or 30 amp). There is no sewer or water at individual sites but water spigots are scattered throughout the campground and there is a dump station with potable water fill-up. All campsites and patios are paved and level with a comfortable amount of space between sites. Picnic tables and fire pits are located at each site. Sites are a mix of shaded, partial-shade, and full sun. The roads are paved and big rig-friendly (with the exception of one loop that is clearly marked “short turning radius”). Sites 13-33 are popular open and sunny campsites with nice grassy areas between them. In contrast sites 52-75 are much more treed and have a private feel to them. It seems this is where most of the tent campers like to be. These sites are farther from the main bathhouse but there is a pit toilet in that loop.
There is one main bathhouse with free showers that was very clean. There are also two vault toilets located in the campground. The campground is open year-round but the bathhouse with flush toilets closes November 1 and doesn’t open until the spring. During the winter the only water spigot is available located near the camp hosts at site #36. Our Verizon 4G phone and hotspot worked great. We were able to get satellite reception at our site (#24) and the antenna picked up a dozen or so local channels including all the major networks. This is one of the few state park campgrounds that we have visited that has WiFi (and that actually worked well).
We love the setting of this park and how you feel like you are in a nice wooded setting but not too far from surrounding amenities. It is an 868-acre urban park with miles of hiking/paved biking/equestrian trails, picnic shelters, a playground, and ball fields. There is a visitor center with exhibits and an amphitheater in the campground where interpretive programs are held.
You can reserve sites on-line and the prices are reasonable. A $2 discount is given to seniors.
April - October November - March
Basic $13 $12
Electric (30A) $21 $19
Electric (50A) $23 $21
We love this park and would definitely recommend it to anyone coming through the area. Not all sites are long enough for large RVs and the roads in some loops prevent you from turning around. The camp hosts we encountered are very helpful and have a list of site lengths and can tell you which ones are appropriate for large RVs. If this campground had sewer and water, it would get 5 stars.
GuideThese walk in sites check all the boxes. At the western part of the RV loop, is a peninsula of primitive tent camping spots to choose from. About half the sites were filled by the second day we were there. We settled on 62, which is spacious and provides access to the path from the front and behind where you can walk into site 64 as well. A parking area with a single spot for each camp site is well marked and by two vault toilets. Park staff and host were great. A decent fishing spot is just in front of site 64. $8 for IL residents is hard to beat, if you don't need an RV spot with electric. A water source is also by the parking spots. The weekend we were there the weather had cooled some and a great breeze was coming off the lake. Springfield being so close is a bonus.
The only negative is like any spot and how previous people leave the camp looking before you are there. Some garbage in the fire pit and random spots are par for the course in any state park. Pick up the trash and dump it in the dumpster by the parking lot. Leave the site better than you found it is our motto.
Cuivre River State Park provides extensive equestrian facilities beyond just camping areas. The trail system spans multiple terrain types with dedicated bridle paths that connect directly to the equestrian camping section. Each site includes ample space for trailers and tethering areas for horses. The campground maintains a rustic atmosphere with basic amenities including water access points strategically placed throughout the equestrian area, though electricity is not available in the horse camping section. Rangers regularly patrol the grounds and can provide maps highlighting seasonal trail conditions and recommended routes.
Boat at Sangchris Lake: The 3,000-acre lake offers multiple access points for fishing and boating with dedicated launch areas. At Sangchris Lake State Park Campground, campers can find "good clean campground, restrooms were clean and they have a playground to keep the kids entertained and fishing nearby" according to Gary B.
Explore hiking trails: The trail system at Cuivre River State Park Campground features several difficulty levels within its 12+ mile network. As Tony M. notes, "This park has plenty of well groomed trails and facilities spread out nicely. You could camp here for a weekend and stay busy."
Wildlife watching: Observe diverse wildlife species throughout the camping areas, especially near water features. Maria E. from Cuivre River State Park Campground shares, "Campground is beautiful and very woodsy. We saw bunnies hopping around and when we first arrived to our site a deer was grazing nearby, such a bonus!"
Peaceful atmosphere: The campgrounds in this region offer quiet, secluded sites away from urban noise. At McCully Heritage Project, Luke G. appreciates "A small and not crowded place to camp with all you need and hospitality. Great for tent camping and hiking."
Waterfront camping: Several parks provide direct lake access from campsites. Susan L. describes her experience at Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground: "Site 24 is huge and level with a picnic table and fire ring. Electric but no water at site. The site is totally private on one side because of a lake inlet and there's a large back area right on the lake."
Affordable camping options: Many parks offer budget-friendly stays with minimal fees. At Horseshoe Lake, Travis notes, "Self service pay system makes it simple, easy, and fast. Camping can be reserved but no need. Just pick your spot go to the office building, and fill out the form, pay and slide in envelope and drop in box... 8$ a night."
Site selection matters: Some campgrounds have significant variation between sites. At Deer Run Campground — Sangchris Lake State Park, Colin H. recommends: "The sites were large and the primitive sites at the back were incredibly beautiful! The prices were very low."
Weather preparation: The region experiences seasonal variations that affect camping conditions. At Cuivre River State Park, Jamie C. advises caution: "It stormed pretty bad the second night there. Woke up to find my tent wasn't so waterproof."
Wildlife awareness: Local wildlife is abundant and may interact with campsites. Darren D. from Waverly Lake warns, "Be mindful of field roaches and raccoons at night, as we had to learn the hard way the morning after our first night. Oh, and the mosquitoes are BRUTAL. Come prepared."
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Several parks feature dedicated play areas for children. At Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area, J N. shares: "Kid had a blast at playground with other kids. Cold showers but said they were looking into it."
Consider fishing opportunities: Lakes and ponds provide family-friendly fishing options. Jessica D. notes about Sangchris Lake, "Great Fishing Lake. Not a lot to do with littles though. It does have a great play area but nothing else for kids."
Pack extra supplies: Limited amenities mean bringing all essentials. John H. at Waverly Lake cautions, "As far as I know there's no running water. There are portable toilets that are kept clean. There's also a 4 consecutive day per month limit."
Check hookup availability: Electrical service varies significantly between campgrounds. Greg S. at Sangchris Lake notes, "Electric only but water available and nice dump station. All sites at Hickory Point very close to lake."
Site size considerations: Some campgrounds can accommodate larger rigs while others are more suitable for smaller setups. Kaitlin D. shares about Sangchris Lake: "This is our close to home, fave weekender site. Electric only but still love. Spaced out, gravel sites and asphalt roads."
Weather challenges: Prepare for electrical issues during peak demand periods. Susan L. warns, "Because of the heat over this holiday weekend and a completely full campground, the electricity couldn't meet the demand and a transformer blew."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Shipman, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Shipman, IL is Horseshoe Lake State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Shipman, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Shipman, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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