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Hayes Canyon Campground maintains onsite horse corrals and welcomes campers with horses near Stonefort, Illinois. The campground offers drive-in access with tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations. Horse owners benefit from dedicated facilities designed for equestrian comfort. Little Lusk Trail Lodge & Campground provides spacious sites that accommodate very large rigs with high lines available behind campsites. Stalls can be reserved at this location, and some sites feature full hookups including electric and water. Both campgrounds are located in proximity to the Shawnee National Forest, creating accessible options for horse camping in southern Illinois.
The trail systems connecting to these campgrounds allow riders to experience the natural beauty of the Shawnee National Forest. Hayes Canyon receives positive feedback for its well-marked trails and available maps that help riders navigate the terrain. Little Lusk serves as a direct access point to multiple trail heads in the forest, allowing riders to explore varied terrain. The campground is spacious enough for large horse trailers with ample parking areas designated for vehicles with trailers. Riders appreciate the high lines behind sites that provide secure options for horses when not on the trails. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak riding seasons, as these specialized facilities attract equestrians from throughout the region.
"We followed our GPS to the clearly marked CG entrance but our GPS showed we still had about a half mile to go."
"Super friendly camp host, conveniently located off the interstate and feels pretty secure and tranquil. I will say some of the gravel was washed out which is surprising given how dry it’s been."
from $40 / night
Check Availability"Ferne Cliffe State Park is situated in the Shawnee National Forest, in the southern part of Illinois."
"Dog friendly, pretty well spaced out campsites but some are used as paths with to get to farther back campsites. Good set up, not too close to neighbors and it’s heavily wooded in between."
"Address: 50 Barger Rd, Stonefort, IL.
Little Lusk is the most Spacious and beautiful equestrian campground in southern IL. Bring your horses, or just come and camp and stay in the lodge. ""There are horses on the property, and it’s very cheap for tent camping. The staff was amazing. She showed us around with her 4x4 the whole property, the horses, and the pony or a donkey."
from $30 / night
"We pulled in around midnight and left at 8 am."
"It’s off the highway down Amish/Dutch country. It has a maintained gravel road beautiful lake and in June it’s covered with lightening bugs. Lots of wild flowers and the sunset- WOW!"
"A luxurious crowded but nice campsites older stalls cabins available great trails and maps available store and cowboy church. Permanent sites available"
from $15 - $32 / night
Check Availability"There are currently 25 equestrian camp sites in this park in a different area than the normal RV and Tent campground."
"Each site has electricity and access to water. Some have more.
All the hiking in the park is some of the best in Illinois. The visitors center has a lot of great information."
"Under new ownership buy many cabins from 40 a night on up nice shower houses electric sewer and water at a lot of sites great trails well marked maps available stalls available store and restaurant to"
from $30 - $200 / night
Check Availability"This is a quiet family campground, most spots are lake side. Very spacious and lots of trees. First come first serve, and the park was full most of the time we were here."
"Overall the campground was full but not very many people around. Appears many locals take spots on the weekends & then hold onto them during the week."
"You have to walk from the parking lot into the basic sites but they are super close. Trying here was nice, and campsites a quiet and well taken care of."
"deffinitly caters to equestrians, my only complaint is the shower houses. The potty area is clean but showers are usually kinda gross."
"High Knob is a Horse campground in Shawnee National Forest near Garden of the Gods off Il1. The entire area has extensive trails through some awesome, hilly, rocky, cliffy areas."
GuideQuiet clean campground, 8 sites, one water spigot, pit toilets, hiking and biking, 9 miles to Garden of the Gods. Campground is right next to road. Local traffic is minimal, most sites will accommodate 30ft trailer or motor home.
ScoutRend Lake, in Whittington, Il is just a great place to camp. From primitive to full hook ups they have what you need for a Corps of Engineers campground.
GuideI stayed at a walk-to tent site for which the price was $8 per night. Pretty solid Verizon cell signal. Clean showers and well kept. The place did sound pretty loud as far as older partiers, though around 9pm, it was near silent. I'd definitely stay here again.
GuideCampground was quiet and peaceful when I was there. Numerous trails within the park and I had them to myself while out hiking.
GuideWe arrived at 7 picked a spot in the fcfs area and were surprised that it was almost empty. We got a premium site on the water, with no other campers in sight. The website says the reservation areas were full but that was not true, you have to book 4 days in advance. The camp host was great! It will be on my list of places to overnight in the future. But the lake is beautiful and you could spend multiple days there if you wanted!
GuidePaved roads and campsites. Convenient to the interstate but removed enough to be peaceful. Beautiful sunset at the lake. Bathhouse is outdated but functional.
ScoutVery family oriented place to camp and adventure with the kiddos
GuideMet up with some family at this campground had a nice time. Everything was clean. The bathrooms were magnificently clean at the South Sandusky in Rend Lake. The lake was nice. There was lots of trees very very nice campground.
GuideWe were on our hike in Shawnee National Forest, and we found this campground. And it was an amazing experience. It has a beautiful view of the sunset, and there are ponds. There are horses on the property, and it’s very cheap for tent camping. The staff was amazing. She showed us around with her 4x4 the whole property, the horses, and the pony or a donkey. The showers were pretty decent and cleaned
I would recommend this place for everyone
Stonefort, Illinois sits on the northwestern edge of the Shawnee National Forest at approximately 400 feet elevation. The region features limestone bluffs, sandstone formations, and seasonal waterfalls that create unique landscapes for camping. Southern Illinois experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F, while spring and fall offer milder conditions ideal for outdoor recreation.
Fishing opportunities: Dutchman Lake Camp provides accessible fishing spots just off Interstate 24. "Great little spot right off the interstate. Lots of nice scenery and decent fishing," notes Jonathan H. The location combines convenience with natural settings.
Hiking trail exploration: Deer Ridge Campground at Ferne Clyffe State Park connects directly to numerous trails. "Short trail leads from campground to the limestone cliffs. Once darkness hit the fireflies in the forest were magnificent!" shares Stephanie S. The park features multiple interconnected paths of varying difficulty.
Rock formations viewing: Giant City State Park Campground offers unique geological features within walking distance. "Lots of amazing, beautiful hikes in this park, especially if you're into bluffs and large boulders," explains Kyle K. The park contains sandstone formations created over 300 million years ago.
Well-maintained facilities: Shawnee Forest Campground receives positive feedback for its upkeep. "The bathrooms are very clean and well lite. The gentleman/host that greeted us at the office upon arrival was polite and helpful," mentions Tonya B. The campground was built on a former golf course, providing open spaces with strategic tree placement.
Trail access for riders: Equestrian camping near Stonefort, Illinois provides direct connections to forest paths. "Ride out of several trail heads" notes Dana W. about Little Lusk Trail Lodge & Campground. Horse enthusiasts appreciate the accessibility to varied terrain.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Crab Orchard Lake campground offers lakeside sites with abundant wildlife. "We spent 5 nights on Site A5 at Crab Orchard Campground. Someone in one of the sites by the lake said they saw snakes but we never saw any," reports Tracie E. The refuge hosts diverse animal populations throughout different seasons.
Reservation policies vary: Most campgrounds near Stonefort operate on different reservation systems. "You take an open spot and pay the park ranger or host when they come around," explains Glenda about Deer Ridge Campground. Meanwhile, Crab Orchard Lake operates on "first come first serve..and one loop is closed for renovations. Most you can spend here is 14 days, which lots of locals do."
Site characteristics: Campground layouts and amenities differ significantly. "The sites are nice and level. Quiet in the area. Picnic table and fire ring at every site," reports Jessica R. about Shawnee Forest Campground. Others note that some sites may have terrain issues during wet weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Stonefort, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Stonefort, IL is Shawnee Forest Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 37 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Stonefort, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 27 equestrian camping locations near Stonefort, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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