illinois horse ONLINE::Trail Guide


Northwestern Illinois Horse Trails Argyle Lake State Park 640 Argyle Park Rd. Colchester IL 62326 309-776-3422 Horse Campground Horse Trails Big River State Forest R.R. 1 Box 118 Keithsburg IL 61442 309-374-2496 Horse Campground Horse Trails Franklin Creek State Park 1872 Twist Rd. Franklin Grove IL 61031 815-456-2878 Horse Campground Horse Trails Green River State Wildlife Area 375 Game Rd. Harmon IL 61042 815-379-2324 Horse Campground Horse Trails Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park R.R. 1 Box 200 Strassburg IL 62455 815-454-2328 Horse Campground Horse Trails Jubilee College State Park 13921 W. Rte. 150 Brimfield IL 61517 309-446-3758 Horse Campground Horse Trails Lake Le-Aqua-Ne State Park 8542 N. Lake Rd. Lena IL 61048 815-369-4282 Horse Campground Horse Trails Review :: September 2009 - We recently camped at this state park and it is one of our favorites! Absolutely beautiful trails! We enjoyed the variety of many miles of trails, mostly through deep woods and pines and some open areas. Some trails went off the main ones and lead to more challenging terrain. There were several creek crossings and a trail that took us to a high elevation overlooking a densely wooded ravine. At one point we followed a river and on the opposite side was beautiful rock outcroppings, very cool and quiet. Many deer sightings also. The campsite has only a pump and pit toilets and a shelter with tables but no electricity. Each campsite has a shaded area for tie lines , wonderful for the horses! There's a picnic table at each site also. Submitted by Judy Klos Matthiessen State Park P.O. Box 116 Utica IL 61373 815-667-4868 Horse Trails Morrison-Rockwood State Park, Morrison IL Review :: 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 Horse Campground Horse Trails Rockford Park District Lockwood Park 5209 Safford Rd. Rockford IL 61101 815-987-8809 Horse Trails Starved Rock State Park P.O. Box 116 Utica IL 61373 815-667-4726 Horse Campground Horse Trails Horse Rentals Northeastern Illinois Horse Trails Chain 'O' Lakes State Park 8916 Wilmot Rd. Spring Grove IL 60081 847-587-5512 Horse Rentals Horse Trails Forest Preserve of DuPage County P.O.Box 2339 Glen Ellyn IL 60137 630-942-6106 Horse Trails Kane County Forest Preserve District There are over 20 different public horse trails to explore in Kane County. Kankakee River State Park P.O.Box 37 Bourbonnais IL 60914 815-933-1383 Horse Caming Horse Trails Horse Rentals Review :: 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 Review :: 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 Call the MCCD Main Office at 815-338-MCCD (6223) for horse trail status Silver Springs State Park 13608 Fox Rd. Yorkville IL 60560 630-553-6297 Horse Trails East Central Illinois Horse Trails Clinton Lake State Recreation Area R.R. 1 Box 4 DeWitt IL 61735 217-935-8722 Horse Trails Review :: 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 Horse Trails Middle Fork State Park 10906 Conservation Rd. Oakwood IL 61858 217-442-4915 Horse Camping Horse Trails Review :: 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 Horse Camping Horse Trails Horse Rentals Sand Creek Recreation Area 1495 Brozio Ln Decatur IL 62521 217-423-7708 or 4913 Review :: 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 arevery 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 ofthe 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. Trail Report By: Paul Hartig Wolf Creek State Park R.R.1 Box 99 Winsor IL 61957 217-459-2831 Horse Camping Horse Trails West Central Illinois Horse Trails Lake Lou Yaeger Litchfield, IL Horse Trails Horse Camping Review :: 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 Horse Trails Randolph County State Fish And Wildlife Area 4301 S. Lakeside Dr. Chester IL 62233 618-826-2706 Horse Trails Sand Ridge State Forest P.O. Box 111 Forest City IL 61532 309-597-2212 Horse Camping Horse Trails Sangchris Lake State Park R.R. 1 Box 58 Rochester IL 62563 217-498-9208 Horse Trails Siloam Springs State Park R.R. 1 Box 204 Clayton IL 62324 217-894-6205 Horse Camping Horse Trails Weinburg-King State Park P.O. Box 203 Augusta IL 62311 217-392-2345 Horse Camping Horse Trails 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 Horse Camping Horse Trails Giant City State Park P.O. Box 70 Makanda IL 62958 618-457-4836 Horse Camping Horse Trails Horse Rentals Hamilton County Conservation Area Dolan Lake R.R. 4 McLeansboro IL 62859 Horse Trails Hayes Canyon Campground Eddyville, IL (618)672-4751 Horse Trails Horse Camping Review :: 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 Horse Trails Pyramid State Park R.R. 1 Box 290 Pickneyville IL 62274 618-357-2574 Horse Camping Horse Trails Ramsey Lake State Park P.O. Box 97 Ramsey IL 62080 618-423-2215 Horse Camping Horse Trails Red Hills State Park Rt. 2 Box 252A Sumner, IL 62466 618-936-2469 Horse Camping Horse Trails Rend Lake State Fish And Wildlife Area 11094 Ranger Ave. Whittington IL 62897 618-279-3110 Horse Trails 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 Horse Trails Shawnee National Forest Murphysboro Ranger District 221 Walnut St. Murphysboro IL 62966 Horse Camping Horse Trails Trail of Tears State Forest R.R. 1 Box 1331 Jonesboro IL 62952 618-833-7910 Horse Trails Send us your trail guide reviews! Click here.