Do you love the outdoors and horses? If you're looking for a rustic but comfortable experience, horse camping in Ste. Genevieve is the way to go. Finding a place to stay in Missouri while traveling with your horse has never been easier. At The Dyrt, you can find top-rated spots for horse camping, as reviewed by campers.
Located on a northwest finger of beautiful Kinkaid Lake, Johnson Creek Recreation Area offers a variety of outdoor activities. Here you will find something for everyone in the family, from camping and kayaking to hiking along the lake, biking the scenic roads and horseback riding. Recreation Area Brochure/Map
$25 - $36 / night
$11 - $65 / night
Horseshoe Lake State Park is located off Highway 111 in the southwestern part of Illinois in Madison County. With easy access from the Metro East for visitors from throughout the region, the park offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities on 2,960 acres.
Horseshoe Lake State Park accommodates 26 tent or trailer campsites. A sanitary dump station, pit toilets, and hydrants are conveniently located. The campground is open from May 1 - Sept 30. Campers can stay a maximum of 7 days in a 30-day period. We do not take reservations for camping. Although, group camping reservations are accepted through the ExploreMoreIL™ website.
Scout
This campground provides large spots, drinking water, vault toliets, dumpsters, picnic table, lantern hook, fire ring, and contactless check in. I also appreciate the value of these sites. It really is a reasonable rate for forest camping.
Scout
I stayed from 9/4/24-9/8/24. I stayed in the primitive campground. It was very quiet and peaceful. My site was close to the camp host and the shower house. Shower house was nice with 4 separate showers with locking doors. Water pressure was great and they were clean. There is a handicap shower unit as well that had a bench and hooks and a shelf to keep your things dry. The bathrooms were separate from the showers with 4 locking stalls. These too were kept clean and toilet paper was always full. Four sinks and mirrors and one outlet close to the sinks for hairdryer etc. The grounds were clean and grass was nicely cut. My campsite had a picnic table a campfire with grill grate and a light post to hang a lantern. The camp host were very friendly and drove around often on golf carts to make sure ppl were ok or needed anything. There was a place to fill your bottled water containers. The checkin office sold ice, campfire wood and a variety of ice creams, stickers and t shirts and sweatshirts. The park has trailheads to hike and an equestrian area. River access for swimming and fishing. There is a separate area with electrical sites and also handicap sites in the electrical and primitive campgrounds. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay and will be returning often.
Traveler
Great spot in a beautiful area close to St. Louis. No power but access to drinking water and waste water dump for just 8$.
TravelerAwesome place to camp. Bummed the sites didn’t have their own water hookups. Staff is super kind. Quiet time is at 10pm and fellow campers are certain to enforce that rule but that’s unfortunate for those of us who still want to listen to music and sit by the fire. Overall great camping spot!
ScoutVery clean and well kept!
Guide
We stayed at the campground on the north end of Pyramid. The campsites were close together but we visited in February so we were the only campers. The fire pits were a little run down but the sites were nice and level with a table. No lantern posts. Pit toilets that were decent. The park office is a pretty long drive from the north end campground. The hiking is limited but the campground was peaceful and close to the lakes. Probably covered in bugs in the summer. Overall pretty nice stay
Traveler
My girlfriend and I were going to backpack camp at St Joe. We learned that the dispersed campsites had been dismantled. That's a real bummer.
GuideIt's a level spot with gravel, so it's a "clean" place in damp weather. No much right there, but Apple Creek is a very short distance north on the gravel road. The creek is a good place to fish and you can launch a kayak the boat ramp. A picnic table and trash can were also on the site.
Guide
Best sites are first come first serve other half are reservable. 50amp water fill available with frost free. And dump station at front. $18 a night. Tight spots and harsh back up angles. Only 3 paved spots
ScoutThe campground is relatively small but has great sites to camp. Very private and clean. 5 ⭐ in my opinion simply because of the overnight price and privacy. Not much to do if you have kids. If you're looking for quite camping trip this is a great park to camp.
GuideThe campsites were very clean and sewer the other facilities there are two great trails in the park and there was staff on site doing educational programs that my kids really loved
TravelerSt. Francis is a beautiful Missouri state park, not to mention campground. It features many access points to its anchor, the BIg River, picnic areas, multiple pavilions and some fantastic trails. I grew up here, and I am biased toward it, but we camped many places, and it remains one of my favorites then, and now. The campground has more of a communal vibe, for better or worse, depending on your perspective. If privacy is your main concern, you may be better served looking elsewhere, but I have always enjoyed the friends I have made there, both young and old due to the proximity of the campsites and the many programs offered there by the Conservation Department.
Guide
Multiple weekends spent at this campsite, both with and without family. RV sites are clean, mostly level, and well spaced out, with quiet hours rules to accommodate families. The "Zoo" is for the younger and rowdier crowd, and is located north of HWY 8, away from the family-friendly sites, and has later quiet hours and is known for its party-like atmosphere. Campers in this area are effectively "locked in" after a certain time, to prevent the rowdiness from spilling over after hours. Amenities are plentiful, and the camp store is larger than most convenience stores you'd find on the highway. Floating options are plentiful, with multiple routes and raft/canoe/tube options available. Either float away from your campsite, with a shuttled return, or take the shuttle to the put-in, upstream, and float back to your campsite. An annual tradition!
ScoutHorseshoe Lake is one of my most visited parks and most favorite park in the STL and surrounding areas. First off absolutely beautiful land and peace is easily achieved. Self service pay system makes it simple, easy, and fast. Camping can be reserved but no need. Just pick your spot go to the office building, and fill out the form, pay and slide in envelope and drop in box. Staff/ Security is super friendly and helpful with directing throughout the park. Also not nosy and mind their own unless you are just being that guy. Clean and well kept up with spots, water Spickets never far from your camp also nice cast iron fire pits. Good fishing, trails and memories waiting to be made.
8$ a night
ScoutNice Hiking on trails. Close access to river for fishing and kayaking. Not setup for biking except on roads. Large open field for kids to play. Crank brakes up when you get off the highway prior to starting down the hill. Dump station backs up for up to an hour on Sundays.
Traveler
We love the beautiful lake, the swimming area is big and has a nice patio for access. You can rent a cart to go running around the huge campground. Very friendly staff.
ScoutPlenty of tent camping sites. There are primitive also. Great Lake to fish and plenty of trails to hike. Looks like the rv site can get booked up on weekends.
ScoutCampsites were large and well set up. Some sites were not as level as others.
GuideVery nice and well kept campground. Excellent place if you dirtbike, or ride atv’s with over 2000 acres of land to ride on.
ScoutOther than not having water at my current campsite, this place rocks. Campground number two has very large and relatively private sites. It feels like you’re definitely in the woods. Good Verizon service.
ScoutCampsites were well-kept, grassy and even leveled. There are clean showers and coin laundry available. (AT&T) Cell reception was good too! A few trails, Mooners Hollow is one I’d suggest. They have ice and firewood at the check in station and staff is super friendly.
GuideBeautiful woodland setting with large concrete pads and nice grave picnic spot with fire pit. There’s a couple nice lakes with big beaches great swimming for the kids and you can rent a canoe or a kayak to paddle around on the lake. If you have an off-road vehicle there’s many trails for you to expire. 
RangerSo, as one of Missouri’s atv parks, this can be a load one. But, you can camp at campground 2, and you’re dealing with a MUCH more classic camping scenario. The park is big enough you don’t hear the small engine vehicles over here.
The campground 2 sites are set up for horses, something I know almost nothing about, but they make the sites larger to accommodate equestrian needs and that’s nice. Hiking, MTB, and horse trails are separate from the atv trails. There’s even a nice 11 mile long paved trail that has some hills but will work for kids/strollers/etc.
There are a number of more interesting parks in the area for what I think of as a true camping experience, but this is a good one if you’re also on the pokemon plan (gotta camp ‘em all). If you like atv/utv/dirt bike stuff, man, campground one is for you, and it looks like a blast, read up on the lead mine tailing warnings.
TravelerCame in on a Friday afternoon. Well maintained park. Very enjoyable.
GuideThis is my second time staying here. It is a nice campground, clean and level sites. It is noisy because they have a lot of off road trails so there is a lot of 4 wheeler traffic. The problem is the state has changed up the way they are doing reservations. When I arrived there was someone in our spot. I had to drive back to the office, they spent a few minutes on the radio with the campground host to get it straight. Then to turn around I had go out to the main road and drive 4 to 5 miles to find a turn around. A pain.
TravelerHad a great experience . It was my first time. Rangers were helpful and friendly. Came back a second time . Great for first time campers good rates and amenities
ScoutThe grounds are well maintained. Lots of nice tall trees for shade and grass is mowed on the regular. There are a few spigots around for fresh water. There a couple hiking trails. But, the RV sites are very close together, so don't expect privacy or quiet days/evenings at least in the Pine Ridge campground--not sure about the other campgrounds. Plenty of people and dogs to be heard, most hours of the day.
Horse camping in Missouri offers a unique opportunity for equestrian enthusiasts to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of their horses. With various campgrounds equipped with essential amenities, riders can experience the beauty of nature alongside their equine companions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ste. Genevieve, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ste. Genevieve, MO is St. Francois State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Ste. Genevieve, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Ste. Genevieve, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
