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Horseback riding on Southern Illinois
trails is a very satisfying experience. The spectacular, wild beauty of
the Shawnee National Forest promises a brush with some of Nature's
finest work. Bluffs and canyons, rocky streams and water falls, meadows
and woodlands, all blend together to offer the trail rider an
unforgettable time "away from it all". In the southern region of
Illinois, you can find stable facilities to board your horse, horse
camps for RV's or tents, and offering beautiful Shawnee trails and
recreational stables where you can rent a horse and have a guided trail
ride for an hour or two, or overnight if you like. We have listed these
below for your information.
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Horses for Rent |
Horseback Events |
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Horse Boarding |
Horse Camps |
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State Parks and Conservations Areas |
Horses are available for rent at these locations:
Honey Bee Stables
Golconda
866-290-0194 or 618-949-3791
See Southern Illinois on guided horseback rides. Enjoy the serenity &
beauty of the Shawnee Forest along back roads and country trails. Picnic
lunch provided. Hour, 1/2 day or all day rides. Small groups only.
www.honeybeestables.com
Giant City Stables
near Carbondale
(618) 529-4110
Horse rentals and guided trail rides. Open March 15th
to Oct. 31st.
9 am to 5pm. Last ride daily requires reservations. Pony rides (hand
led on trail). Summer Day camps. Riding lessons. Group rates
Kosmic Acres Stables
www.centaur.org/kosmic
Alto Pass
(618) 893-2347
Horse rentals or bring your own. Scenic trail rides for individuals and
small groups up to 6 people through the Shawnee National Forest. Just
17 miles southwest of Carbondale off highway 127. Kosmic Acres is
located right on the River to River Trail. Year-round riding.
Lake Glendale Stables
Golconda
(618) 949-3737
Horse rentals. Guided and non-guided trail rides, by the hour or
overnight rentals; lodging guests have access to swimming beach,
fishing, hiking trails. Beautiful Southern Illinois scenery
Rancho Bandera Stables
Whittington, Wayne Fitzgerald State Park
(618) 629-2260
Horse Rentals (April 15 - Sept. 15) and horse camping, 10 units. Guided
rides. Open May 1 through Oct. 15. Nine miles of trails. Level
terrain, open fields and edges and timber.
HORSEBACK RIDING
EVENTS
Nine Day Trail Ride
Golconda (near Herod)
July 29 - August 6, 2006
618-252-6795
An annual event bringing riders together to explore the eastern scenic
area of the Shawnee National Forest. The ride draws thousands of riders
and includes daily events with music, horse shows and competitions. For
the entire family, rules are strictly enforced.
HORSE CAMPS
34 Ranch
www.34ranch.com
Herod
(618) 264-2141
Experience 34 Ranch, a 500+acre horseman's campground surrounded by some
of the most beautiful scenery in the Midwestern United States. 200 camp
sites, modern campground with water and electric, showers and
restrooms. Stalls, show arena, 1/2 and whole day rides, entertainment,
meals, and more. See web
site for event schedule.
Bay Creek Ranch
www.baycreekranch.com
Simpson
(618) 695-2670
Horseman's campground. RV and tent sites, restaurant, water, electric,
more. Guides, outfitting, stalls and pens. Scenic trail rides traverse
rugged cliffs and canyons. One mile north of Glendale, Routes 145 and
147, one mile north on Cedar Grove Church Road.
Bear Branch Lodging & Restaurant
www.bearbranch.com
Eddyville
(618) 672-4249
Horse camp. Bring your own horse. Rocky creeks, canyons, waterfalls and
caves. Chosen by Western Horseman Magazine as one of Top 5 Best Places
to Ride. Feed and tack store on the grounds. Guides available. 80
full-service campsites, laundry, 40 box stalls. See website for more
info. Reservations recommended.
Broken Wheel Ranch
Alto Pass
(618) 893-2600
Horse camp. Bring your own horse. In the heart of the Shawnee Forest.
RV camping only. Showers and restrooms. Horse barn with 12 stalls,
corrals and hitching posts. Parking for day riders. Located on Bald
Knob Mountain 2 miles from Alto Pass.
Camp Cadiz
Shawnee National Forest
nearest town- Elizabethtown
(618) 287-2201
Horseback hitching rails behind site 11. Open April 1 through Dec. 15.
11 camp sites. no water or electric
Cedar Lake Ranch
www.cedarlakeranch.com
Vienna
(618) 695-2600
Horse camp. Miles of trails through the Shawnee Forest. Open all
year. New horse arena with roping chute. Small convenience store.
Over 200 campsites with water and electric, cabins, shower house. 3
miles from Tunnel Hill Bicycle Trail. Located at 2090 Gilead Church
Road.
Circle B Ranch
www.circlebranch.com
Eddyville
(618) 672-4748
Horse camp. Bring your own horse. Spectacular trails in the Shawnee
National Forest. 13 wooded RV campsites with water, electricity and dump
station. Restrooms, laundromat. Open April through November. Guides
available. Reservations required.
Double M Campground
5200 Thacker Hollow Rd., Junction
(618) 275-4440
www.doublemcampground.com
Over 130 campsites with full hookup, shower house, primitive camping and
RV pads, for large or small groups. Pounds Hollow Lake is close for
fishing and swimming. Trails End Restaurant is on site and open weekends
and holidays. Ride your horse through lush forest and astounding rock
formations.
Hayes Canyon Campground
www.hayescanyon.com
Eddyville
(618) 672-4751
Horse camp. Bring your own horse. Located on scenic trails in the
Shawnee National Forest. 125 shady camp sites, water, sewer,
electricity. Restrooms and showers. Guides, hay and feed available.
Route 145 at Eddyville crossroads, then west 1 mile in Pope County.
High Knob Ranch
Equality
618-264-2171
60 miles of trails that are some of the prettiest in Shawnee National
Forest. Located 23 miles southeast of Harrisburg and two miles North of
Karber's Ridge, Illinois. They have a camp store, dump station,
electricity, water, and a shower house.
Johnson Creek Recreation Area
Murphysboro
(618) 687-1731
12 miles of trails. Beach. Rt. 13 to Rt 151. The area includes riding
trails, hitching posts, horse camping, picnic areas, changing rooms,
flush toilets, a boat launch and a large swimming beach, all available
for day use at no cost.
Little Lusk Trail Lodge
Stonefort
618-672-4303
Stalls, corrals, camping, RV hookup's, dump station, Private rooms with
bath. Beach, pond fishing.
Trail of Tears Lodge and Sports Resort
www.trailoftears.com
Jonesboro
(618) 833-8697
Open all year. Horseback trail rides in Shawnee National Forest.
Camping, Lodging, meals. Call for reservations. Located on Fair City
Road, near Jonesboro.
HORSE BOARDING
Everon Stable
Anna
618-893-2778
Full-service boarding facility in beautiful southern Illinois re-opened
under new management .
Indoor and outdoor arenas; Daily paddock turnout
High Meadows Stable
Vienna
(618) 658-7681
Board your horses. Teaching and training for hunters and jumpers.
Weekend events.
Kings Farms Equestrian Center
north of Marion
(618) 983-3370
Horses boarded, indoor/outdoor arenas, riding lessons, shows and
competitions.
Lake of Egypt Ranch
south of Marion
618 964 1213.
Horses boarded. Near Ferne Clyffe State Park and River to River Trail,
20 min. from Giant City State Park.
Livin' Color Farm
Simpson
618-695-3570
10X12 stalls, bedding provided, round pen, trailer parking, Nearby
Shawnee Forest Trail access points. Reservations required. Appaloosa
Breeding, Broodmare/foal care, Overnight Stabling
Shiloh
Tunnel Hill
618-995-9443
Overnight or weekly boarding for visitors; Indoor stalls, pen, arena,
borders on national forest, trails.
Wild Horse Stables
Marion, IL
618-964-1165
Overnight, short-term, and monthly boarding of horses. Some guest
lodging.
STATE PARKS AND CONSERVATION AREAS PERMITTING
HORSES IN DESIGNATED AREAS
(weather permitting; call for
information)
Ferne Clyffe State Park (Open May - Oct. 31st)
6 miles of trails
near Goreville
(618) 995-2411
Giant City State Park (May 1 - Oct. 31st) 12 miles
horse trail)
near Makanda
(618) 457-4836
Hamilton County State Fish & Wildlife Area
McLeansboro
(618)773-4340
Pyramid State Park (Opens April 15th)
near Pinckneyville
(618) 357-2574
Ramsey Lake State Park (Opens April 1)
near Ramsey
(618) 423-2215
Red Hills State Park (Open April 15th - 4 miles of
trails)
near Sumner
(618) 936-2469
Saline County Conservation Area (Equestrian campground, seasonal)
near Equality
(618) 276-4405
Sam Dale Conservation Area (Opens May 1) 8 miles of trails
near Johnsonville
(618) 835-2292
Shawnee National Forest
near Jonesboro
(618) 833-8576
Trail of Tears State Forest and Park (Open May -December) 18
miles of trails
near Jonesboro
(618) 833-4910
Wayne Fitzgerald State Park (Opens April 15th -
Oct. 1) 9 miles of trails
near Whittington
(618) 629-2320
For more information about
hiking in Southern Illinois, visit these sites
IDNR
Forest Service
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