Kankakee River State Park Equestrian Campground serves riders with drive-in trailer access across bridle paths connecting to larger forest preserve trails. Trail riders need to transport water to their sites as dedicated horse water troughs are limited throughout the grounds. Proper preparation is necessary for the primitive equestrian camping conditions and limited amenities, with paths often becoming muddy after rainfall.
What to do
Trail riding: Kankakee River State Park features multiple riding paths along the river. "The area is well kept, clean, and well managed. I have frequented this park because it offers a lot of activities from primitive camping, RV parking, fishing, hiking, biking, backpacking, etc," reports Andrea F.
Water activities: The river provides recreational opportunities at Chain O' Lakes State Park within 35 miles of Woodridge. "We chose Chain O Lakes because we enjoy kayaking and with 7 lakes connected by small tributaries this fit the bill," shares Aida K. The park maintains a boat launch with rental options for day exploration.
Wildlife viewing: Equine campers can observe diverse wildlife while trail riding. "We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies. Hard to believe that there is hiking trails like those in such a densely populated area just outside Elgin, IL," notes Tricia E. from Paul Wolff Campground.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Big Rock Forest Preserve offers ample room for horse trailers and camping setups. "Nice campground with big, level sites. Even though they don't take reservations, there is plenty of space and availability," reports Melissa C. The preserve accommodates equestrian needs with designated parking areas.
Proximity to Chicago: Horse owners appreciate equestrian campgrounds near Woodridge providing reasonable access without extensive travel. "This is a very popular campground. Lots of big rigs who seem to be staying for quite a while. A very nice, well manicured campground," notes MalibuDave42 L. at Paul Wolff Campground.
Clean facilities: Paul Wolff Campground maintains proper sanitation for riders after trail excursions. "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... It is a super clean campground with multiple hosts and forest preserve staff," states Marisa A.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Storm shelter access varies across equestrian sites. "The storm shelter is typically locked, making it inaccessible in emergencies, which is a major concern," notes Iryna R. at Leisure Lake Resort.
Water quality: Bring additional water filtration for both horses and humans. "Water quality has been very bad. On one occasion, our pet had stomach issues after drinking tap water, which was concerning. The water is so unclean that our shower develops yellow stains within a day," reports Iryna R.
Rule enforcement: Rules vary between horse campgrounds near Woodridge. "We've also noticed that rules aren't enforced consistently, and it sometimes feels like certain guests are treated unfairly," shares Iryna R. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at state park equestrian sites while permitted at private campgrounds.
Trail conditions: Seasonal changes affect trail accessibility. "This year the prices have also gone up for people that live outside the park district - bummer. Hard to pay that much when you can't shower or clean up," notes Tara M. regarding Paul Wolff Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers family-friendly amenities alongside equestrian opportunities. "We stayed in one of the tent sites across the road from the lakefront sites. The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side," shares Chloe N.
Site selection: Choose sites based on shade and terrain for family comfort. "Sites are straightforward and vary quite a bit: some are huge with open green space and others I feel like just for a car and a tent. Our site was perfect with trees to hang a hammock on and for the kids to run around," explains Linda N.
Budget considerations: Pricing varies significantly for out-of-county residents. "It's pricey if you are from out of the county. We were hoping to camp at the primitive sites but they are walk-in only. Our teardrop wasn't allowed," reports Art S. about Paul Wolff Campground.
Playground access: Some equestrian campgrounds offer limited playground facilities. "We've also had to fix the swing set at the playground ourselves multiple times, as it's been broken for a while. Many of the park's facilities and amenities are showing their age," notes Iryna R.
Tips from RVers
Hookup logistics: For RVers bringing horses, water access requires planning. "The water hookup is far behind camping pad - bring extensions!" advises Amanda K. about Big Rock Campground. Most equestrian sites have limited hookup placement designed for horse trailers rather than recreational vehicles.
Site leveling: Select appropriate campsites when bringing both horses and RVs. "The sites are pretty level. The spaces are pretty level. The trees will be terrific in about 20 years," explains Jeff G. regarding the developing vegetation at regional equestrian campgrounds.
Winter considerations: While some horse trails remain accessible year-round, campground availability changes seasonally. "As a Troop we would rent one of the cabins for late season campouts. Clean facilities but the nice part is the scenic hiking for being close to town. Gentle hills and beautiful color," shares Mike D.
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