Horse Riding

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 Saline County, 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.

| Horses for Rent | Horseback Events |

| Horse Boarding | Horse Camps |

| 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

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

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. 

STATE PARKS AND CONSERVATION AREAS PERMITTING HORSES IN DESIGNATED AREAS

(weather permitting; call for information)

Ferne Clyffe State Park (Open May - Oct. 31^st) 6 miles of trails
near Goreville
(618) 995-2411

Giant City State Park (May 1 - Oct. 31^st) 12 miles horse trail)
near Makanda
(618) 457-4836

Hamilton County State Fish & Wildlife Area
McLeansboro
(618)773-4340

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 15^th - Oct. 1) 9 miles of trails
near Whittington
(618) 629-2320