Who we are

Identification
Trail Mileage Program
Forums

Youth

 Books
     
 
 

Illinois

ILLINOIS

Northern IL ATHA Rep (Sycamore)

Middle IL and MO Border Rep (Pierron)

Southern IL ATHA Rep (Iuka) member of Shawnee Hills ApHC Saddle Club

ATHA Ride 2007
Ride Name/Benefit: Ride to Benefit ELCR (Equestrian Land Conservation Resource)
Date: July 28, 2007
Location: Oak Ridge, Winnebago County, IL.
Ride Info: One day ride. Water on site, large rig parking, tie posts, water crossings, varied terrain. Ride start at 10am, or ride on your own. No bridle tags needed this day! Camping now available at this site!

Click here for Flyer
Email Jen

Subscribe to IllinoisTrailHorseRiders
Powered by groups.yahoo.com

Illinois Horse Council

 

 

Trails:

  • Franklin Creek Nature Preserve

    Dixon is about 2 hours from my barn…. but the Park is well worth the trip. You feel like you are driving forever but, the roads are well marked as we drove thru the small town of Franklin Grove. Watch for the draft horse barn…. When you arrive at the Equestrian Campground/Parking area you realize you are in horse heaven. There’s no need to back your trailer in, plenty of turnaround before parking. For those who want to stay overnight – there are tie line posts, fire pits, picnic tables, and a wooden privy (again there was toilet paper). It may get crowded on Holiday weekends…. There is an information board which should show what the overnight fees are..

    There is a Water Pump (not a hand pump) for water. There is an outdoor arena, with judges box. Most likely used for small shows. The visitors have respected the park. All horses deposits are moved to the centrally located manure spreader.

    Your horse needs to be willing to cross thru the fence openings at the trailhead, and then negotiate a water crossing; there is a small dam (not much of one), which helps pool the water for the crossing. The entry in and out of the water is smooth and level. The trails are a nice mix of Sun and Shade. These are definitely not the manicured; crush limestone of the Du Page County trails. (What a pleasure). The dirt trails meander through out the acreage of wonderful forests. Along the trails are some interesting Rock Outcroppings and many plants and trees. There are mowed trails through the fields, and well-worn paths through the woods, some areas are wide enough for three horses abreast, yet others are strictly one horse with the riders knees really closed in. It great to get off the beaten path, enjoy the multiple single horse paths throughout the woods, lots of twists and turns. Most of the trails are not, conducive to trotting or cantering. There are minimal trail markers – but getting lost is not a problem.

    The Illinois Trail Guide says it only 6 miles of trails… but that must only count the ‘official’ trail. The multiple meanderings trails definitely increased the mileage.

    Definitely worth the visit….Posted by: "Rebecca"

  • Matthiessen State Park
  • Rock Cut State Park
  • Lockwood Park
  • Saw Wee Kee - Oswego, IL

    Have you ever seen the Saw Wee Kee Park in Oswego in the Illinois Trail Guide and postponed it… Well, Saw Wee Kee may be hard to find and can be considered a hidden gem of a ride. But is not for the novice or faint of heart rider or an unfit horse. To reach the park, if you are on Rte 71, you go north on Orchard Rd. and almost immediately turn left onto Budlong, hug to the right (you must go thru a small neighbor hood), the Trail Head and Trailer Parking is a distance in and will be on the left side of the road.

    The Illinois Trail Guide book references this as a ‘challenging trail’, I have to agree, but it is beautiful and worth the ride. Not a place for the early spring, when horses aren’t conditioned for the hills.

    The parking is very acceptable. It is a large older rough surface blacktop area where you can pull around. For groups of trailers, people can back in. There is no bathroom facility or running water, so be prepared. There is a nice covered picnic table and a hitching post (although you’d need a long lead line to use to tie up)

    The trails wind through the woods, very little open spaces. Some of the dirt trails are wide enough for two horses, with some areas for a nice trot, possible canter. But you don’t want to tire out the horse too early in the ride. With the guidance of the only human (with 2 dogs) encountered, riding trails lead us to several ‘hidden’ lakes.

    The trail to the hidden lakes will evoke thoughts of mountain trails ….. Single horse, look right you see ravine, look left you see ravine. Other single horse paths have heavy vegetation on both sides. In one section of a single horse path (vegetation) where we had to back up until we reached an area wide enough to turn on haunches to change directions. Your horse should also respect moving away from you leg – or your knees will meet a tree or too. Other sections of the trails are mogul like… (Series of short, steep hills). We would hold back until the horse ahead made it to the top of the hill. There were quite a few side paths, which we did not take... this time. ** Yes we plan to go back **

    Most of the trails are clear of overhanging branches, the lead rider cleared out the spider webs. The deerflies (those triangle flies) were common – but not as bad as seen at other parks. Surprisingly with all the trees – you don’t need to wear sunglasses…

    As far as wild life, we did encounter a coyote, egret, and a beautiful Red Tail Hawk. Can tell you we were out for almost two hours… and had a great time. .Posted by: "Rebecca"

  • Kane County Trails
  • Dupage County Trails
  • Lake County Forest Preserve
  • Kankakee River State Park. – near Bourbonnais, IL
  • This is definitely a repeat trail. It took us just barely an hour to drive there from Rte 53 & 75th street (Naperville). The directions from Google were pretty good.
    Check the web page for the riding season… there is lots of hunting in the park.

    The parking is fantastic! You park in the camp group, so there is plenty of space. The older campground is wooded, with hitching posts, picnic tables, grills, garbage cans, a cinderblock privy (it even had toilet paper), and a water pump for the horse water. The newer campground is in the sun... would not be my first choice. If those are full, there is also a large parking lot. The trailheads were a little difficult to find, but the local riders were very helpful and informative. If we would have followed the description of the Illinois Trail Guide we might not have been as tempted to take the East side first.

    The East side was a wonderful mix of sun, shade, riding near the river. The only 'sticky' part is when you ride near the 'Trap Shoot' range. Although the shooters were very gracious and stopped shooting when they learned we were near (none of the horses spooked at the gunshots) There are also wild turkey in the area..... disturbed a nice group of them. We completed the East side trail in approx 1.5 hours (mix of canter, trot & walk). Trail book says it about a five mile loop.

    <Note: East Side Trail head is to the East of the Privy, you go down the 'authorized motorized vehicles only' road for a little bit. >

    The West side was also a nice mix of sun, shade and river riding, but a few more cornfields boarded it. Visibility is not an issue when you cross the road. The Illinois Trail Guide says its 10 miles, a restricted sign blocked part of the trail. So it appears to be shortened. The local we spoke too, hadn't been on that side for a long time - so wasn't aware if the restricted sign was 'legit' or not. The only 'scary' thing was a cement slab that crosses the trail near a water runoff. It was dry this weekend, so most likely there to prevent erosion during rainy seasons. Again we completed this side of the trail in a little over an hour (mix of canter/trot, walk).
    <Note: Trailhead is to the West of the Privy. It was a mowed path, that followed (in the tree lines) the edge of the new campground - you cross Warner Bridge Road - visibility was Very good and the cars were very well behaved)

    The park is definitely a repeat. Remember to bring your own drinking water.
    Posted by: "Rebecca"


Equine Camping Site List

Shawnee National Forest Eddyville IL
Shawnee offers beautiful ridding located in southern IL. Hayes Canyon , and Bear Branch offer full service private camp grounds. The trails are not marked and this may be a problem if you have never been there, ask ahead of time for a guide . This trail system runs from the Ohio to the Mississippi River. Don't miss Garden Of The Gods and more. Avoid BEE SEASON!

Clubs:

 

State Trail Book:

$20.00 (plus $3.00 s&h)

Send check or money order to:

Illinois Trail Riders

4873 Indian Hills Dr.

Edwardsville IL 62025

 

 
Home Contact Us Privacy FAQ's Sponsor Links Advertising with ATHA Requesting Info Pack
Copyright 2008 Trailhorse.com. All Rights Reserved.