Horseman's Park in Sand Ridge State Forest offers primitive equestrian camping with drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables. The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping with parking areas sized for horse trailers. While lacking electrical hookups, the grounds provide basic restrooms and trash collection services. Sites can be reserved in advance, though no horse corrals are provided on the premises. Campers must bring their own containment systems or plan to tie horses to their trailers. Sites are spacious enough to accommodate multiple horses and camping setups simultaneously. Campers reference The Dyrt for top tips on camping near Washington, Illinois.
Located approximately 60 miles southwest of Washington, the equestrian trails at Sand Ridge State Forest connect directly to the campground, offering immediate access to over 50 miles of riding paths. Matthiessen State Park Equestrian Campground, located northeast of Washington, provides another option with toilet facilities and picnic tables available to horse campers. Both locations permit pets alongside horses, though specific policies may vary. Riders praise the well-maintained trails at Jubilee College State Park as excellent for horses, with good footing and varied terrain. The regional trail systems typically remain open from spring through late fall, closing during deer hunting season in winter months. During peak summer weekends, equestrian campers should book sites well in advance to ensure availability.
"Comlara is a beautifully laid out hidden gem in Illinois. Evergreen Lake is the perfect back drop to the campground."
"Located just northwest of Bloomington, which is located absolutely smack-dab in the middle of the state of Illinois, you’ll discover a nature wonderland over here nearly hidden from plain site."
"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."
"I never did all of the trails but spent an afternoon hiking with a friend last summer."
"It’s also never super convenient to need to pack up just to go to a dump station but as long as your fine walking to the community restrooms, you should be fine."
from $40 - $20 / night
from $22 / night
"This is the campground for horses and their riders. Tie up posts are in each campsite along with picnic tables."
"Lots of trails nearby, and plenty of beautiful green trees. Outhouse on site. One of the more quiet sites that doesn’t get a lot of action."
from $8 / night
"Near the back you can camp right alongside the river. Amenities are minimal, there are just port-a-potties for restrooms but they are very clean."
"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."
"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"
from $8 / 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"
from $10 / night
Guide$25 a night for 30 amp hookup is pretty good! The sites are clean and spacious. It’s quiet too! Pretty lake, but sites aren’t right on the lake.
The bathrooms need some work. Water had a boil order on it and showers only worked in the men’s room. Water was HOT! Which is great! However, the water smelled metallic…
TravelerYou must pack in your own water and there are no electric hookups. Beautiful well maintained grounds with lots of open sky for starlink.
ScoutI 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.
ScoutListed on app as free, but it actually requires a reservation and fee.
GuideWater 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.
RangerBeautiful, quiet, and clean park. I stopped for a quick overnight but will definitely be back to stay when I have more time. Sites could use more space as there is no privacy at all but that's the only thing that needs improvement.
GuideNo 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.
LegendAs my post from a bit more than a year ago provided 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 SP where there exists a combination of EZ, intermediate and difficult hiking and riding paths; (2) There’s great kayaking in nearby Illinois River, which you can access at multiple points, but my favorite is to shove off either at Starved Rock SP boat launch or head south of that SP by about 3 miles to one of the several launches that exist on the southern shore; (3) Supreme amount of peace & quiet here at this CG for you and your steed with simply amazing great galloping trails as well as numerous places to tie up your four-hoofed friend; (4) Sites are spacious and nicely shaded; (5) The facilities are basic-to-bad, so lower your expectations and bring your own sanitary wipes; (6) Ample space to wander around and get lost in nature
Lowlights:(1) This CG is EZ to miss if you don’t look for it – DON’T drive all the way into Matthiessen SP either on its west or east sides – this CG has its own discreet entry with parking near the road on the east side; (2) The grounds themselves could benefit from some TLC as there’s a lot of downed branches and even trash scattered around the place (that we cleaned up before leaving); (3) Depending upon how you look at it, this CG had no one there on the 3 occasions we visited – which was fine for us, but some might find the solitude here a bit daunting
Happy Camping!
LegendWe were looking for a quick place to spend the night, like a Walmart or gas station when we found this gem. It is only a few miles off the highway, making it super convenient for a quick overnight stop. The campground is very big with lots of sites and since we were there at the end of October, there were not many other people around. We got a beautiful spot right on the lake.
The campground has nice bathrooms and hookups.
Horseback riding trails wind throughout the rural landscape surrounding Washington, Illinois, approximately 150 miles southwest of Chicago. The region features rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 600-750 feet above sea level. Central Illinois experiences four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures often reaching 85-95°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing.
Trail riding at Sand Ridge State Forest: Located about 60 miles from Washington, this forest offers over 50 miles of equestrian trails with varying difficulty levels. "Excellent horse trails. Went with a group of around 8 people and it was beautiful! Well maintained," notes Rachel H. from Jubilee College State Park Campground.
Fishing at Evergreen Lake: The lake at Comlara County Park provides multiple fishing spots with various species. "The campground is very big with lots of sites and since we were there at the end of October, there were not many other people around. We got a beautiful spot right on the lake," shares Sarah S. from Comlara County Park.
Kayaking on local waterways: Several parks offer water access for paddlers. "Large, quiet campsites that are not too crowded. Near the back you can camp right alongside the river," explains Kate M. from Deer Creek Campground, highlighting riverside paddling opportunities.
Secluded equestrian sites: Horse campers appreciate the dedicated facilities at Horseman's Park. "This is the campground for horses and their riders. Tie up posts are in each campsite along with picnic tables... The outer ring sites are more private and up against the woods," explains Art S. from Sand Ridge Horse Campground.
Quiet weeknight camping: Many campgrounds in the area are busier on weekends. "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," notes Jeff and Linda L. from Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground.
Clear night skies: The rural setting provides excellent stargazing. "Great campground to get out of the city. The viewing of stars is incredible," says Joe M. from Jubilee College State Park Campground, highlighting the minimal light pollution in the area.
Hunting seasons affect trail access: Most equestrian campgrounds and trails close during deer hunting season. "From the many valleys you will surprisingly encounter and the small trickling waterfalls you will stumble across to the non-stop trails, canyons, bridges, stairways, dams and dells that you will come across in this place," describes Stuart K. from Matthiessen State Park Equestrian Campground.
Campground amenities vary widely: Some locations offer basic services while others are more primitive. "This campground surprised us. We got there in the dark and woke up to Fall colors, Canadian geese, trails, playgrounds. We got in without a reservation and upgraded to a beautiful spot on the water," shares Jennifer M. from Moraine View State Park.
Water access often requires fees: Some parks charge for lake or beach access beyond camping fees. "Good rates but the kicker is the $20.00 fee per boat/kayak to get on the lake plus the fee for the swimming area was a bit much for us," mentions Marcie J. from Comlara County Park.
Playgrounds and open spaces: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. "There are a few playgrounds for the kids to stay busy as well as small marked trails to follow. Not too populated," recommends Sage C. from Comlara County Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids enjoy spotting local fauna. "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," notes Stuart K. from Matthiessen State Park Equestrian Campground.
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites strategically for family comfort. "Sites could use more space as there is no privacy at all but that's the only thing that needs improvement," advises Kimberly L. from Moraine View State Park regarding site spacing considerations.
Limited hookups at horse campgrounds: Most equestrian-focused campgrounds offer minimal services. "No hook-ups, just grass with a fire pit and table. Water available a couple of places along the canal... We saw a class A, so they do fit," reports Jeff and Linda L. about Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Weather affects site conditions significantly. "Very enjoyable and relaxing, people were great and nice beach," mentions Leslie about Deer Creek Campground, noting summer amenities that aren't available year-round.
Parking for horse trailers: Designated areas accommodate larger vehicles at equestrian sites. "Across the road is a spot for day use riders to park their trailers. There were a bunch parked when we passed it," observes Art S. at Sand Ridge Horse Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Washington, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Washington, IL is Comlara County Park with a 3.6-star rating from 35 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Washington, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Washington, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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