Best Equestrian Camping near West Chicago, IL

Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground accommodates horses with dedicated facilities in a natural setting. Located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, this equestrian-specific area provides camping options for riders seeking trail access. The campground features drinking water access, fire rings, and toilets, with sanitary dump stations available for longer stays. Horse owners find the campground conveniently positioned for accessing the park's trail system. The equestrian sites are drive-in accessible, making trailer parking straightforward. While the campground does not offer electric hookups, the primitive camping setup appeals to riders seeking a more natural experience with their horses. The campground maintains clean facilities despite its rustic nature.

Chain O' Lakes State Park offers multiple camping options with horse-friendly areas. The park features extensive bridle paths connecting to the wider trail network, allowing for varied riding experiences. Equestrians can access Turner Lake South and Fox Den campgrounds, both accommodating horses with appropriate facilities. The park's trail system provides diverse terrain for riding, from wooded areas to prairie landscapes. Water access points throughout the park serve both riders and horses during excursions. Trails are generally well-maintained but can become muddy after rainfall, affecting riding conditions. The park's location provides convenient access to the Fox River and surrounding lakes, expanding riding possibilities. Campground hosts and forest preserve staff maintain clean facilities and enforce rules that help ensure a positive experience for all visitors, including those camping with horses.

Best Equestrian Sites Near West Chicago, Illinois (9)

    1. Paul Wolff Campground

    20 Reviews
    Elgin, IL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 444-1200

    $12 - $35 / night

    "The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms."

    "Half of them were in the Prairie and the other half was tucked into wonderfully private spots with burn pits and picnic tables. We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies."

    2. Big Rock Campground

    18 Reviews
    Big Rock, IL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (630) 232-5980

    $18 - $35 / night

    "Clean, with large sites, about a 5 mile walk around the nearby lake- saw several deer and rabbits - T-Mobile worked just fine- no Wi-Fi"

    "Open campground with nearly zero tree. We had a great campfire but didn’t take advantage of the whole park to explore. She wants to again this year but we will spend more time hiking."

    3. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort

    8 Reviews
    Round Lake, IL
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 546-2228

    $43 - $73 / night

    "Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water."

    "We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."

    4. Leisure Lake Resort

    3 Reviews
    Joliet, IL
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 741-9405

    $37 / night

    "Quiet, family orientated, fishing lake, miniature golf, activities"

    5. Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    13 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    38 miles
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."

    "Trails were geared more towards horses and bikes, but there are plenty of walking paths, and we were able to find some hidden trails along the lake (read: unofficial)."

    6. Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    12 Reviews
    Spring Grove, IL
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (847) 587-5512

    "We can both drive to work and then come back to relax. Close to some great places for antiquing if you don't want to hike the trails or fish."

    "There is a lot to do at this park from hiking to water sports to horse back riding. We did a nice short hike in area. We had a great time at this campground and would visit again."

    7. Big Foot Beach State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Lake Geneva, WI
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 248-2528

    "Conveniently located next to Lake Geneva with a tiny roadside beach area. I recommend camping sites on the west side of the camping loop to cut down on sun. Not enough electric sites for campers."

    "We stayed at site 98- just barely big enough to fit our travel trailer in and right next to the showers and bathrooms. Not a great location, but fine."

    8. Kishwaukee Valley Farms

    Be the first to review!
    Woodstock, IL
    36 miles

    $74 - $100 / night

Show More
Showing results 1-9 of 9 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Equestrian Camping Reviews near West Chicago, IL

97 Reviews of 9 West Chicago Campgrounds


  • Brian O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2024

    Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    Fine camping in Northern Illinois

    We stayed in the Turner lake south loop, which has nice and private sites. This is in contrast to Honeysuckle hollow which is open and row after row of RV sites. Fox den and Prairie view loops are nice as well with mostly primitive sites. Be aware that the map on www.ExloreMoreIL,com(where you make your reservations) doesn't show where the restrooms are. In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61. Facilities are clean and well lit. Fire pits are slightly raised steel troughs with a heavy adjustable grill. This is a BIG park, the campgrounds are two miles from the front gate, and it's a drive to the main boat launch at Maple Grove, where you have access to the Fox River and Grass lake. This location has a huge parking lot for boat trailers, a very well stocked general store with fishing supplies, a cafe, boat rentals and good firewood. To get away from the crowd if you're a canoeist or kayaker it's nicer to leave the park and go back in at Oak Point picnic area and boat launch at the northern border. This will put you on the Fox river with developments to the north(including a bar& grill) or to the south which is all nature. I think the distance by boat between the two launches is 4-5 miles, but I'm not sure, Halfway there you'll meet up with the Goldfinch trail which is the shortest loop and the most diverse in term of flora. There are horse/ snowmobile trails, but no equestrian campground. Chain o' Lakes is one of the busiest waterways in Illinois, with motorboats everywhere in the height of the summer season. We canoe, and both times we stayed there it was October, so I can't tell you how crowded, but the vast number of picnic areas must be there for a reason. An odd thing is that you can hear a Steam Train whistle quite often, this is from Richardson's Adventure Farm in Spring Grove. We don't have kids so we went to Stade's Farm& Orchard(which is also large and kid friendly) because they have an orchard and vegetable market. One last thing, the gates close at 10:PM and there are tire shredders, you can leave but you can't get back in… unless you want to walk 2+ miles in the dark:)

  • Marisa A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Paul Wolff Campground

    Great value Chicago suburb campsite

    I've camped here four different occasions this 2020 covid-19 year. The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms. It is a super clean campground with multiple hosts and forest preserve staff. There are a large number of RV pads overlooking the prairie and a few along a grove of trees. I was lucky once to see the equestrian area full of campers with their horses. There are 9 walk-in tent sites about 10-20 yards from parking (the two at the end p7 and p9 are connected for groups that know each other). There are multiple ada sites and two "walk-in/ie roll-in" site in the tent-only area. It's a good mix of young people, retired people, and families. I've seen weekends with mainly RVs and one weekend with a quarter of the drive-in sites being tents. The most shaded sites are p1,3,5,7 and 9. Many of the sites in the middle are wide open with little shade but nice summer breezes. Prices are a great deal if you live in Kane county but still worth the trip if you live in another county. Firewood is $7 for about .75 cu ft (what you can fit in a milk crate.) There are a few trails and I've seen lots of butterflies, gold finches, hawks, deer, flocks of giant sandhill cranes, rabbits, ground squirrels, and of course actual squirrels. Lots of people (including me) bring their leashed dogs. The other campers have been polite and friendly. I wish there was more distance between sites in the water/electrical loops for more privacy, but I'd go every weekend if I lived in Kane county because it would be worth the resident price even tho there are so many RVs. Because there is electrical it is a peaceful campground with no generator noise.

  • M
    Jun. 2, 2021

    Paul Wolff Campground

    Not for #vanlife

    Full hook ups and electric sites plus some restricted Equestrian and walk in sites
    Not for #vanlife. I tried to pay for a tent site and was told “you’re not supposed to sleep in your car” “this campground is for RV’s only”

  • Jeff G.
    May. 21, 2019

    Big Rock Campground

    Wide open with very young trees

    Grass camping. The spaces are pretty level. The trees will be terrific in about 20 years. There is nothing much to do here, or nearby. It’s clean and the comfort stations are new. There is electric at the sites and water spigots throughout, although not really at each space. I saw where some campers hooked about 150’ of hose to spigots behind the loops to run to their campers. The dump station is good. It’s expensive, for what is there, if you are not a Kane County resident. There appears to be some equestrian space and trails. Quiet.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2018

    Big Rock Campground

    No shade, no shower

    No Shade, and no showers. This is a relatively new campground not too far (about an hour drive) from Chicago. We looked at this place when we were looking for a spot to camp for a local wedding. But, no shade in the Illinois heat and no shower made it unacceptable. There were paved roads and the sites looked large and level. There was water and electric And a dump stations at the entrance/exit.

  • C
    May. 31, 2017

    Turner Lake South — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    Typical State Park Campsites

    The state park is larger than expected with decent amenities (boat rentals, concessions, relatively clean pit toilets) and areas designated for trailer camping and tent camping.

    We stayed in the Turner South Loop, one of the older tent camping loops, and the age definitely showed. Most of the sites on this loop are pretty worn, with not much privacy. We stayed in T10, but would consider T9 if we returned to this loop for a different reserved site. The prairie loop looked a bit newer with bigger, less worn sites. Both loops had grill pits that were well-maintained for fires and campfire cooking.

    Trails were geared more towards horses and bikes, but there are plenty of walking paths, and we were able to find some hidden trails along the lake (read: unofficial). Overall, a place for relaxing and leisurely strolls and not hiking.

  • Bob C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 10, 2023

    Big Foot Beach State Park Campground

    Crowded weekend

    The campground was full for the weekend but emptied out on Sunday. Conveniently located next to Lake Geneva with a tiny roadside beach area. I recommend camping sites on the west side of the camping loop to cut down on sun. Not enough electric sites for campers.

  • Jeanne M.
    Apr. 20, 2018

    Fox Den Campground — Chain O' Lakes State Park

    Great for local get aways

    Great for the times that we have to work weekends and still want to go camping. We can both drive to work and then come back to relax. Close to some great places for antiquing if you don't want to hike the trails or fish. The only big minus is the full hook ups fill up fast no spur of the moment camping unless it is early or late in the season. The other thing is ALL Illinois State Parks are now enforcing a no alcohol policy even if you are on your own site.

  • Kim L.
    Jul. 28, 2019

    Big Foot Beach State Park Campground

    Great state park for family RV camping

    I love everything about this park except the beach, so it didn’t get a 5 star. We stayed at site 98- just barely big enough to fit our travel trailer in and right next to the showers and bathrooms. Not a great location, but fine. Took a walk around and found plenty of other large, private shaded electric sites. If we came here again I would go for a site away from the bathroom. The tent sites looks fantastic- large and private. Plenty of hiking trails here, a decent playground, and tons of large fields to picnic in. Park has a Facebook page where they post activities. Friday night we saw a presentation on the cranes of Wisconsin, and Saturday morning we did a parkwide scavenger hunt. All fun for the family. We would definitely camp here again. The beach is across the very busy road, and has about 10 ft of sand before the road. Fine for a dip, but not relaxing. Very crowded. Other beaches are nearby but not free. Town of Lake Geneva is very cute in an upscale tourist way. Our kid found the museum a lot of fun.


Guide to West Chicago

Horse camping in Illinois offers a unique way to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the trails.

Tips for equestrian camping near West Chicago, Illinois

  • The Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground provides a drive-in access point, making it easy to bring your horse along for the adventure.
  • Many campgrounds, like Paul Wolff Campground, allow pets, so you can enjoy the company of your horse while camping.
  • Be prepared for a variety of terrains; some campgrounds feature wooded trails, perfect for leisurely rides.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails and water access

  • The Kishwaukee Valley Farms provides access to trails specifically designed for horseback riding, making it a great choice for equestrian campers.
  • Campgrounds like Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offer water hookups, ensuring your horse stays hydrated during your stay.
  • Many sites, including those at Turner Lake South, are equipped with picnic tables and fire pits, perfect for relaxing after a day of riding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near West Chicago, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near West Chicago, IL is Paul Wolff Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 20 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near West Chicago, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.