Posted 2008-08-10 9:31 PM (#89452) Subject: Shawnee National Forest
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Shabbona, Illinois
We are looking for a horse camprground around Shawnee to go for about a week in September or October. Does anyone have suggestions on places they have stayed? We need electric hookup as well. Thanks for any info!
Posted 2008-08-11 12:26 PM (#89479 - in reply to #89452) Subject: RE: Shawnee National Forest
Member
Posts: 38 Location: Teutopolis, IL
In my opinion the best place to ride is from High Knob Camp ground. The camp offers elec. and water hookup with a shower house, no running stools (only bad part) It also has a general store fro ice and stuff like that. We've also stayed at Double M campground, very nice. Has a little cafe and a nice shower house with lots of nice sites. I believe the town is called Junction City IL. These 2 campgrounds are only a few miles from each other.
If you do a google search you'll be able to find more info. on them.
Posted 2008-08-11 12:37 PM (#89482 - in reply to #89452) Subject: RE: Shawnee National Forest
Member
Posts: 16
Location: Western, KY
We really like Hayes Canyon, the campground is always super clean, the shower house and bathrooms are very, very, clean and the owners very friendly and helpful. They also have a little store where you can purchase ice, ice cream and other stuff you may have forgotten. The trails are well marked and maintained. Patty (owner) will give you advice on which trails to go on depending on the type of horse you are riding. There are restaurants near by. Most campsites are in the shade also. If you plan on going in October, you may want to make reservations soon, as they fill up fast. Not just Hayes Canyon, but the other campgrounds too.
Posted 2008-08-11 1:13 PM (#89487 - in reply to #89452) Subject: RE: Shawnee National Forest
Member
Posts: 45 Location: Goreville, Illinois
I agree with gaytor. Hayes canyon is a very nice place to camp. I have stayed there several times. Also, I think everyone in the area has forgotten about Cedar Lake (vienna, il) no one goes here anymore but it is a wonderful place to go. we stay there often and it is a good place to take the family. it is still as beautiful as always, just deserted.
Posted 2008-08-11 8:41 PM (#89523 - in reply to #89452) Subject: RE: Shawnee National Forest
Veteran
Posts: 285
We usually stay at Hayes but we have also stayed at Baycreek, Circle B and High Knob. I love the riding from High Knob, the camp did not have much shade but if you go when it is not real hot that should not be a problem. Other than Hayes, Little Lusk and Circle B, you will see different areas of the Shawnee without riding real far. I would like to try 34 sometime.
Posted 2008-08-12 8:41 AM (#89548 - in reply to #89452) Subject: RE: Shawnee National Forest
Member
Posts: 45 Location: Goreville, Illinois
As far as the trails at Cedar Lake I am not the one to ask about that, haha. I just follow the leader when I am there. My mom, significant other at the time, and I went a few years ago down there for a day ride and got LOST. I usually go with my friends that know the trails pretty well since then. There is one place that is absolutely awesome that is near there I will try to post a pic of it here in a bit.
As far as 34 ranch that too is a nice place. I went to a rodeo there about 2 months ago. I heard the camping fee is a bit higher than I would pay, but it is a nice place. they used to have rodeos there all the time "back in the day" when I was in high school.
ok, I posted the pic, but it wasnt the best one that I had. it only shows a small portion of the rock formation and water. you get the idea though.
Posted 2008-08-12 1:01 PM (#89568 - in reply to #89452) Subject: RE: Shawnee National Forest
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781 Location: La Cygne, KS
I've been to Circle B and it was ok. Pens are not the greatest, but the campground was clean. Here is a site that I use to read about campgrounds I'm interested in visiting. http://www.horsetraildirectory.com/default.asp
Posted 2008-08-13 1:28 PM (#89658 - in reply to #89452) Subject: RE: Shawnee National Forest
Member
Posts: 16
Location: Western, KY
Ranch 34 is ok if you get there early, as there are only a few sites with shade, the rest out in the sun. I was there last fall and found the bath house and restrooms dirty, moldy and run down. You could never find anyone that ran the campground for help or assistance. The trails are not marked and it's super easy to get lost even with a GPS. I heard that they are working on improvements, I hope that is right.
Posted 2008-08-14 8:13 AM (#89686 - in reply to #89452) Subject: RE: Shawnee National Forest
Veteran
Posts: 207 Location: Illinois
Another vote for Hayes. Ben and Patty are great, and they run a really nice place. The sites are shaded, and have FREE pens with your nightly fee. Full hook-up, nice for those bigger rigs. Riding is awesome from there too, only place for me. Although, I'd love to try High knob, the riding looks to be great there.
Friends of ours go to Bay creek, and love it. They have permanent high lines for you, but I prefer pens.
Hayes has a nice shower house, and the washer and dryer should be in by now too. Give them a call, they're great people!!!
Posted 2008-08-14 8:43 AM (#89690 - in reply to #89452) Subject: RE: Shawnee National Forest
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 474 Location: White Mills, Ky.
One Horse Gap!!! We've been there twice and absolutely loved it. The bath house is very clean. The riding is gorgeous. During their organized rides, they feed you and the meals were excellent. We loved it and will definitely return.
Posted 2008-08-15 9:37 AM (#89753 - in reply to #89452) Subject: RE: Shawnee National Forest
Veteran
Posts: 274 Location: MO in woods
Bear Branch offers alot including meals,tack shop, stalls in barn(if want)laundry services.Checked out about 6 orthers places and is best but does cost little more.
Posted 2008-08-15 4:30 PM (#89783 - in reply to #89452) Subject: RE: Shawnee National Forest
Veteran
Posts: 207 Location: Illinois
Hayes was nearly 250.00 cheaper than Bear Branch for a week. (if you would have reserved a stall or corral at BB). Bear Branch charges extra for corral/barn/stall (not sure what they have off hand) We rode through BB, it was ok, but nothing special. I've heard the restaurant was nice, but didn't find it open. We know people that love BB, but we'll stay at Hayes
Posted 2008-08-18 1:29 PM (#89907 - in reply to #89452) Subject: RE: Shawnee National Forest
Member
Posts: 5
Location: Southern, IL
We keep a permanent site at Hayes. The camp is clean, shaded, Ben and Patty work hard to ensure your stay is good. The forest service has done an outstanding job in trail maintenance and design in this area. A friend told me a few months ago that the trails at Cedar Lake were growing up and minimal trail work had been done since last winters ice storm.
Posted 2008-09-24 11:10 PM (#92066 - in reply to #89452) Subject: RE: Shawnee National Forest
Regular
Posts: 57
We camped at Hayes last weekend and it was very nice. The price was great and the campsites were nice. We really enjoyed the trails, and plan to go back soon.
Shawnee National Forest
