illinois horse ONLINE: Trail Guide

Welcome to the Trail Guide.
This page is dedicated to the trail riders and horses of Illinois. It contains listings of Illinois Horse Trails and Organisations dedicated to preserving the Illinois Horse Trail.

Write us a review of your favourite (or not so favourite)
horse trails, we will happily post it in our trail guide!
contact us at: webmaster@illinoishorse.com

State of Illinois List of Equestrian Trails

Pick A Region: Northwest, Northeast, East Central, West Central , South

Abbreviation Key: HC= Horse Campground, HR= Horse Rentals, HT= Horse Trails

Northwestern Illinois Horse Trails

Argyle Lake State Park
640 Argyle Park Rd.
Colchester IL 62326
309-776-3422
HC, HT

Big River State Forest
R.R. 1 Box 118
Keithsburg IL 61442
309-374-2496
HC, HT

Franklin Creek State Park
1872 Twist Rd.
Franklin Grove IL 61031
815-456-2878
HC, HT

Green River State Wildlife Area
375 Game Rd.
Harmon IL 61042
815-379-2324
HC, HT

Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park
R.R. 1 Box 200
Strassburg IL 62455
815-454-2328
HC, HT

Jubilee College State Park
13921 W. Rte. 150
Brimfield IL 61517
309-446-3758
HC, HT

Lake Le-Aqua-Ne State Park
8542 N. Lake Rd.
Lena IL 61048
815-369-4282
HC, HT

Matthiessen State Park
P.O. Box 116
Utica IL 61373
815-667-4868
HT

Morrison-Rockwood State Park, in Morrison,Il.
Lots of trails for an Illinois park, I believe there are about 30 miles
of well maintained trails. There is a wide variety of trails, wooded and
open, hilly and flat. Lots of deer in the park!! There is a primitive
campgroud, with water for the horses and latrines.

Rock Cut State Park
7319 Harlem Rd.
Loves Park IL 61111
815-885-3311
HC, HT

Rockford Park District
Lockwood Park
5209 Safford Rd.
Rockford IL 61101
815-987-8809
HT

Starved Rock State Park
P.O. Box 116
Utica IL 61373
815-667-4726
HC, HR, HT
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Northeastern Illinois Horse Trails

Chain 'O' Lakes State Park
8916 Wilmot Rd.
Spring Grove IL 60081
847-587-5512
HR, HT

Forest Preserve of DuPage County
P.O.Box 2339
Glen Ellyn IL 60137
630-942-6106
HT

Kane County Forest Preserve District: Horse Trails
There are over 20 different public trails to explore in Kane County.

Kankakee River State Park
P.O.Box 37
Bourbonnais IL 60914
815-933-1383
HC, HR, HT

Kankakee River State Park is great. There are approximately 15 miles of trails. They are pretty well marked and groomed annually. The terrain is wooded and grassland and the surface is dirt. A little muddy in the early spring, but not bad. Some single file, some double. There are two separate "loops" each about 7 miles long, both ending up back at the parking lot. Several spots to park, but it can get crowded on the weekends. Hand pumped drinking water for the horses only, so bring your own for yourselves. Water in a pond and in a creek on the trail. There's also access to the Kankakee river in a couple of spots.Parking lot has trees in spots for shade. Hope to see you out there!
Trail Report submitted by: Steve Searle

Lakewood Forest Preserve, Wauconda Area
About 6.5 miles of trails (loops), equestrian use only. There is a HUGE gravel parking lot for trailers, water pump for horses, toilets for humans. Horse rentals are nearby. The trails are nicely maintained, some hills, mostly through wooded areas. Walk/trot on the trails with one long open strecth for cantering. Riders must have permit tags on their saddles, obtainable from the Lake County Forest Preserve office.
Daytime use only, no camping.

McHenry County Conservation District: HT
Call the MCCD Main Office at 815-338-MCCD (6223) for trail status

Silver Springs State Park
13608 Fox Rd.
Yorkville IL 60560
630-553-6297
HT

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East Central Illinois Horse Trails

Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
R.R. 1 Box 4
DeWitt IL 61735
217-935-8722
HT
10 miles of lakeside trails. Beautiful scenery while catching a breeze off the lake. A bird watcher's paradise. I would like to see more
miles added to this trail, and a campsite or two, however it is a must see! Some steep uphill downhill, by-passable by inner trails.
Watercrossings at certain times of the year.

Fox Ridge State Park
R.R. 1 Box 234
Charleston IL 61920
217-345-6416
HT

Middle Fork State Park
10906 Conservation Rd.
Oakwood IL 61858
217-442-4915
HC, HT
The Middlefork Fish and Wildlife Recreation Area consists of over 3000 acres and 35 miles of equestrian trails. There are 3 equestrian campgrounds that have water and outhouses. There is no electricity in the campgrounds. The campgrounds are shaded and there are plenty of trees to put up picket lines. There are no pens or hitch rails for tying horses. The trails vary from flat open to steep ravines. The park is bordered by the Middlefork River which is the only National Scenic river in Illinois. There are 2 river crossings to enable equestrians to access Kennekuk Country Park on the other side where there are a few more miles of trails. When riding in Kennukuk be sure NOT to ride near the dam or the lake. There used to be posted signs, but they have mostly disappeared over time. The campground is located east of 900E road which is the exit 206 off Interstate 74 west of Danville, Illinois. When taking exit 206 off I74, go north about 7 miles until you come to 2250N 900E intersection. Turn east on the blacktop road, it will turn to gravel after about 2 miles. The road is not in the greatest shape, but a large horse trailer or motorhome can handle it if the driver takes it slow. The trails in this park are very nice considering it is located in central Illinois, otherwise known as flat, farm country.
This Trail Report submitted by: Mike and Cathy Jennings

Moraine View State Park
R.R. 4 Crosby Rd.
Leroy IL 61753
309-724-8032
HC, HR, HT

Sand Creek Recreation Area Decatur, IL
This park is maintained through the Macon county conservation district.
There are about seven and a half miles of trails located there, all are
well maintained, very well laid out and marked. Also, the trails are
very good for beginner or novice riders, since they are on easy terrain.
Water is available for horses in the parking lot at a hand pump, with
rustic toilets nearby. The downside of this park is that the director of
the Macon Cty. Conservation District allegedly wants to turn the park in to a pay
lake, so fees for use have been in place since July of '95. I am not
sure what the fees are for residents of Macon Cty., however, for a non
resident of Macon Cty. the cost for one day of riding is $4 per day
per horse (and there is no overnight camping) or
one can register to ride on a yearly permit for $30 per horse.
The address for the Conservation District is:1495
Brozio Ln Decatur IL, 62521, the phone #: 217-423-7708 or 4913.
Trail Report By: Paul Hartig

Wolf Creek State Park
R.R.1 Box 99
Winsor IL 61957
217-459-2831
HC, HT

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West Central Illinois Horse Trails

Lake Lou Yaeger at Litchfield, IL
has some of the most fun trails I've ridden on. These trails are not for the inexperienced
or faint of heart. There are HILLS on all of the main trails, which are all laid out in
loops. These trails are not as well maintained- all are done by volunteers- but usually
are well traveled. Overnight camping is available here without electricity or showers,
water for horses is available at one hydrant, and rustic toilets are nearby.
Trail Report By: Paul Hartig

Pere Marquette State Park
P.O. Box 158
Grafton IL 62037
618-786-3323
HT

Randolph County State Fish And Wildlife Area
4301 S. Lakeside Dr.
Chester IL 62233
618-826-2706
HT

Sand Ridge State Forest
P.O. Box 111
Forest City IL 61532
309-597-2212
HC, HT

Sangchris Lake State Park
R.R. 1 Box 58
Rochester IL 62563
217-498-9208
HT

Siloam Springs State Park
R.R. 1 Box 204
Clayton IL 62324
217-894-6205
HC, HT

Weinburg-King State Park
P.O. Box 203
Augusta IL 62311
217-392-2345
HC, HT

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Southern Illinois Horse Trails

Crawford County Sate Fish And Wildlife Area
R.R. 1
Hutsonville IL 6243
618-563-4405
HT

Ferne Clyffe State Park
P.O. Box 10
Goreville IL 62939
618-995-2411
HC, HT

Giant City State Park
P.O. Box 70
Makanda IL 62958
618-457-4836
HC, HR, HT

Hamilton County Conservation Area -
Dolan Lake
R.R. 4
McLeansboro IL 62859
HT

Hayes Canyon Campground
Eddyville, IL (618)672-4751

RV sites with full hook-ups (water, electric, and septic). Horse pens (2-4,
some covered) and Shawnee Forest bridle tags included on site rates. Clean
restrooms/showers. Rental Cabin. Laundry. Hay, firewood available. Camp
store with snacks/ice cream. Two restaraunts 1 mile. Nightly and permanent
campsites available. Trail heads out of camp heading to the West (Double
Branch Hole, Jackson Hole, Peter Cave, Crow Knob, etc) and to the East (Lusk
Creek, Indian Kitchen, Secret Canyon, Saltpeter Cave, Owl Bluff, etc).

Newton Lake State Fish And Wildlife Area

Rt. 4 Box 329
Newton IL 62448
618-783-3478
HT

Pyramid State Park
R.R. 1 Box 290
Pickneyville IL 62274
618-357-2574
HC, HT

Ramsey Lake State Park
P.O. Box 97
Ramsey IL 62080
618-423-2215
HC, HT

Red Hills State Park
Rt. 2 Box 252A
Sumner, IL 62466
618-936-2469
HC, HT

Rend Lake State Fish And Wildlife Area
11094 Ranger Ave.
Whittington IL 62897
618-279-3110
HT

River to River Trail --Ohio River -Mississippi River
1-800-342-3100 for info

Saline County Conservation Area
85 Glen O. Jones Rd.
Equality IL 62934
618-276-4405

Sam Parr State Park
R.R. 5 Box 134
Newton IL 62448
618-783-2661
HT

Shawnee National Forest
Murphysboro Ranger District
221 Walnut St.
Murphysboro IL 62966
HC, HT

MORE INFO

Trail of Tears State Forest
R.R. 1 Box 1331
Jonesboro IL 62952
618-833-7910
HT

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