- Sand Ridge State Forest
The best camping in Sand Ridge State Forest, IL
100% (3)
Think Central Illinois is one big corn field? Sand Ridge State Forest begs to differ.
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Lisa
2 weeks ago
35 ft fifth wheel
With pets
Nice location! Easy to get into and out! Recommended!
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Rachel
October 2025
Tent
Group trip
Shane is amazing good times been there several times. Wouldn't go anywhere else. Amazing land amazing people
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Andrea
October 2025
With kids
Shane was a terrific host & his property is beautiful! Would definitely recommend & plan to return!
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Jennifer
October 2025
20 ft campervan
With pets
Always a beautiful stay here. The host is very welcoming and the sunrise is beautiful. There’s a walking path around the pond to explore the property.
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Anatol
October 2025
Tent
Group trip
Shane was great, and the campsite was perfect for our needs
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Angie
October 2025
Tent
I loved tent camping here! The property was beautiful and many fish were caught in the lake. The pavilion, picnic tables, and fire pit were amazing. Next time we come, we're going to rent out the entire place! I will definitely visit again. I highly recommend renting the pedal boats.
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Christopher
October 2025
With kids
We had brought a party of eight adults and two children with us, and could not have asked for a better experience. Shane is an outstanding host who accommodated any request we made. The site is beautiful, the fishing was rewarding, and the kids had a blast frog hunting all day long. We will be returning next year. 10 out of 10!
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Greta
September 2025
16 ft campervan
With pets
If you’re looking for a getaway and the vibe of a public campground is not appealing, this is the place for you. All of the reviews here are spot on. An enjoyable drive through scenic farmland takes you to the oasis of Horseshoe Bend. Despite dry conditions in the area the grounds were green with a cool morning mist. Brady is a great host helping me pick the perfect spot and making sure there was enough firewood on hand. Highly recommend!
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Tammy
September 2025
Tent
With pets
We loved our tent camping weekend at Horseshoe Bend. We have a camper and decided to tent camp since we haven't in many years. We picked the perfect place!! Our site was right on the creek and next to an old bridge. Perfect! The site was very spacious with plenty of trees for shade and hammock hanging. We listened to the wildlife all day (and night. The sound of birds & coyote are exactly what we were looking for:) The stars at night were amazing! We walked the trails through the woods with our dog and just had such a peaceful weekend. If you're looking for a reset this is exactly what you will find. Everywhere we went it was clean & quiet. There were other people there but only saw a few because the sites are so spread out. We had an amazing time and will definitely return!!
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Zain
September 2025
Tent
Group trip
Stars at night were awesome host was very accommodating. area was private and quiet
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sherry
September 2025
Weekend Trip to The Grain Inn
Perfect for photographers, beside beautiful homemade rustic cozy Silo-home, with hot tub, beautiful the wildflowers views😍
Very clean and feel like living in cabin..
So-Quiet and peaceful!!
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Jerry
September 2025
Tent
Me and my wife really enjoyed the time we spent at this farm! Beautiful, nice and a serene getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city life. Dennis was an awesome guy and responsive to all of our question's we had. We stayed for 3 nights and look forward to coming back in the spring. Dennis explained what he wanted to do with the pond (adding a dock and dredging) to make it an even better experience. We did not take his hospitality for granted. It is an awesome thing that a farmer would lend out a piece of his land right on a private pond for you to enjoy. Truly remarkable thing and one we will never forget. Thank you Dennis for being yourself and inviting us in! For those that stay here just remember to leave it just the way you came. I know that’s a given but some people just don’t think about that stuff so just a friendly reminder. This place is gorgeous!
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Lucy
September 2025
Tent
With pets
This was a gorgeous spot in a large property situated in the wooded area near various farms. The campground was full of thoughtful touches (super clean porta potty, hot shower, well-mowed sites and trails, stacked firewood) that made it very easy to stay a few days and give our city pup the trip of her life! Will definitely be back as soon as as we can.
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Lacie
September 2025
Tent
This was a beautiful place to stay! We enjoyed the private woods. The bathroom facility was very clean!
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Amy
September 2025
Tent
Very quiet, well kept and peaceful property. We stayed in a tent at Main 1 because we wanted power and it was perfect. In late September there weren’t many other campers around but even if it were “crowded” you wouldn’t feel it because the sites are very spread out. Walked the HB property one day and spent another at Starved Rock. A great weekend and a real gem of a spot.
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Iris
September 2025
Tent
This was my second stay at Brady’s place and he’s always so accommodating. He was super nice about us arriving late after car trouble and even brought us dry wood after a downpour. The Deep Woods site wasn’t as private as I expected since the main site is visible, but the neighbors were friendly. Porta potty was very clean (and the sanitizer even smelled good!). Worth noting; you will hear pigs yelling throughout the day. Overall a great stay despite the rainy weather.
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Suzette
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Thank you for sharing your piece of heaven! My dog and I enjoyed the quiet, the trails and nature. Firewood being supplied was an added bonus, the fire rings had grates available for you to use and a picnic table. Each campsite is very spacious and away from the next. We saw deer and a fawn, a blue heron in the creek, pileated woodpecker, listened to the owls and watched the squirrels playing in the trees. The only time we saw other people was when we went for a hike. It was exactly what I was looking for - a place to unplug.
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Todd
September 2025
Weekend Trip to Posey Ridge
What a great place to relax and also do some fishing. Accommodations in the sleep 3 unit were superb. Shane is top notch with all he does for his visitors.
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Lana
September 2025
Tent
THIS place is incredible. It is actually like going to the forest to camp. Everything was great and it felt private and just a blessing to have this little forest oasis! I would definitely book again. Brady was the best!
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Emily
September 2025
With pets
We had such a wonderful time celebrating our anniversary here with our toddler. You can tell how much love is put into this land and we enjoy it so much here! We had a very rainy night and the cabin stayed cozy and dry. The land is quiet and was perfect for letting our little one run around. We will definitely be back 😘
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Stay at a public campground in Sand Ridge State Forest
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The best camping in Sand Ridge State Forest, IL guide
Overview
About
Need a refreshing taste of unspoiled nature? Just minutes southwest of Peoria, the largest state forest in Illinois offers a variety of outdoor adventures. The arid landscape hosts a diversity of plants and animals typically found in the Southwest.
The conservation area covers 7,100 acres of oak-hickory forests and pine plantations. That's a lot of raw wilderness to explore!
Enjoy panoramic vistas and miles of hiking, backpacking and horseback-riding trails. There are a hand trap shooting facility and an archery range. Winter brings snowmobiling fun.
This birdwatcher's paradise offers rustic Pine Campground with 27 Class "C" sites. Oak Campground hosts groups and Horseman's Park has equestrian camping. Backcountry campers find 12 primitive sites along 55 miles of pristine wilderness trail.
100%
3 ratings · 1 review
Recommends
· August 2017
In the summer ticks are bad!
Lisa A.
8 years on Hipcamp