Red Hills State Park and Mill Creek Park provide equestrian camping facilities near Carlisle, Indiana. The terrain includes mixed hardwood forests with rolling hills and valleys across east-central Illinois. Red Hills features a 40-acre lake surrounded by over 900 acres of parkland, while Mill Creek offers a reservoir covering 811 acres with 13.5 miles of shoreline.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Red Hills Lake provides diverse fishing with maximum depths of 21 feet. "Great walking woods. but the restaurant is awesome. plenty of fish in the lake," notes Brittany E. about Red Hills State Park.
Lake activities: Electric motors are permitted on Red Hills Lake. "Just got here but very pleased so far. Nice fresh gravel sites. Lots of trails it seems. Lake is nice sized but not too big," reports Tracie E., who adds details about boating: "For now, off for a quick canoe ride to check out the lake."
Walking trails: Oblong Park offers a paved path around its lake. "Nice little community park. Nice paced walking path around the lake. Fenced in dog play area. Large park area with multiple playgrounds," writes Dusti M. about Oblong Park and Lake.
What campers like
Affordability: Many equestrian campgrounds near Carlisle, Indiana maintain reasonable rates. "Price per night is $10 that includes electric and water only...there is a dump station in the park as well..you drop your payment at the bathhouse on the honor system," explains Cris C. about Oblong Park.
Quiet atmosphere: The parks offer peaceful settings for horses and riders. "Very humble rural park with a quiet atmosphere and Great Lake for fishing. The people of oblong are also the friendliest around!" notes Kyler F.
Fishing quality: Mill Creek Park provides excellent fishing on its reservoir. "Incredible people who will gladly be your new best friend, super clean, Great Lake to be on, tons of trails to hike," reports Kyler F., highlighting the park's combination of water access and trail systems.
What you should know
Site conditions: Sites at Red Hills have been recently upgraded. "At first I thought the sites were a bit rough and not very level. But while were there, they started to regrade the pads at the sites. The new gravel was leveled and packed flat. The sites are greatly improved," explains Doug W. from Red Hills Lake State Park.
Cell service: Coverage varies between parks. "Cell service was very good, Verizon, and very quiet. Most sites are 30 amp but the Lake view loop are 50 amp," notes Doug W. about Red Hills, while AT&T users report "GREAT — 4 bars LTE @ the campsite; great for streaming later."
Campsite size limitations: Not all sites accommodate large rigs. "There are a few sites that will handle large rigs but most are for medium sized rigs," states Doug W., providing useful information for those bringing horse trailers to the equestrian-friendly campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple parks offer children's play areas. "There's lots of playgrounds for kids and a big lake to fish or stroll around as well," notes Cris C. about Oblong Park, while another visitor adds: "Beautifully maintained, would like to see a small concession stand for soft drinks and ice cream for the kiddos."
Pet facilities: Dog owners will appreciate designated areas at some parks. "We have three medium size dogs that go with us we have plenty of space at our campsite that is big enough for them," shares Samantha H. about Red Hills State Park, while Dusti M. mentions the "fenced in dog play area" at Oblong Park.
Kid-friendly activities: Parks offer various recreational options. "Lots to do for kids, as the park has basketball courts, volleyball court, and lots of playground equipment around the park," explains Donald T., describing Red Hills' facilities beyond horse trails.
Tips from RVers
Water access: Water hookups vary between parks. "We camped at lot 85 $20 a night $30 Friday-Sunday... will need to fill up with fresh water at park," advises Cris C. about Red Hills, noting important water logistics for RVers with horses.
Dump station considerations: "Water pressure at the Dump site is a little low, but not bad," mentions Tracie E. about Red Hills State Park, providing practical information for RV owners planning to stay at equestrian campgrounds near Carlisle.
Site leveling: Be prepared for some uneven terrain. "Spots are a little unleveled but not bad," reports Dusti M. about Red Hills, offering useful advice for those bringing RVs or horse trailers to the equestrian facilities.
