NOTE: our RV parking is a new listing option for our already established Hipcamp location. We recommend RV’s shorter than 20 feet due to limitations in turning around. To read reviews of our property, please visit our other listing at "A Central Illinois Paradise."
Red Gate Farm, LLC is beautiful, hidden oasis of sustainable permaculture totally secluded from the typ
NOTE: our RV parking is a new listing option for our already established Hipcamp location. We recommend RV’s shorter than 20 feet due to limitations in turning around. To read reviews of our property, please visit our other listing at "A Central Illinois Paradise."
Red Gate Farm, LLC is beautiful, hidden oasis of sustainable permaculture totally secluded from the typical Illinois corn and soybean fields. We are a very active, working, horse-powered farm. From the moment you drive in, you will see differences from most modern farms. Our laying hens freely run our green pastures; all our livestock are rotated throughout our land to ensure biodiversity and soil health; our heritage breed hogs are nearly unnoticed as they forage in their forest paddocks; our small herd of Alpine goats help us clear and manage invasive forages while providing amazing milk to drink; our horses live on a “Paddock Paradise” track system that meanders through our woodlands, imitating the movements of wild horse herds; our ponds have been carefully designed to stop erosion of our precious top soils; our orchards and gardens are designed to grow in harmony with nature while providing chemical-free food for the family; and so much more!
Our RV lot is located near the main house, right off the trail that takes you into the woodlands. After parking and checking in, you will be provided an info packet to assist you during your stay. We offer 1 RV site (as well a primitive camp site). PLEASE NOTE: You should have experience backing your RV to get it into the lot safely! You should also be prepared for some hiking to get to the pond or primitive site areas, as they are located .25 - .5 mile from the main house and parking area.
Once you get your RV hooked up, you can sit back and relax, as you take in the sights and sounds of nature that will surround you. Although you are only a half mile from the nearest main road, you will feel almost completely secluded. At dusk and dawn, if you sit quietly enough, you may even see some of our many white-tail deer, wild turkey, or other wildlife come to drink at the ponds. You can swim in the pond, use the v-boat, or even walk around the farm to enjoy the scenery.
If you leave time for sight-seeing in the area, we are surrounded by wonderful and historical attractions! We are just 2 miles from Lincoln's New Salem State Park and Historic Site. Roughly 20 miles southwest of us is the Illinois capital, Springfield, which has an array of great restaurants such as Darcy's Pint which serves up the famous award-winning Horseshoe; historic sites including the famous Lincoln Presidential Museum and Lincoln's Village; Knights Action Park and Water Park, perfect for a hot summer day; and much more! About 30 minutes west of the farm is Jim Edgar Park, which has some amazing fishing ponds, hiking and horse-back riding trails, and wildlife viewing.
If you’re interested in experiencing farm life, we welcome you to join us for chore time. We offer educational tours and other options by appointment for an additional fee, or you can also schedule a "Beginner's Horse Experience," riding lesson, or even a horse-drawn wagon or carriage ride for a discounted hourly rate. In addition, we offer fresh, pastured eggs, meats, and produce for sale, all of which was grown right here on the farm. For more info on options, just ask! We are happy to send you info in advance!
Our goal is to provide you with an opportunity to experience our piece of paradise, and create memories you will always cherish!
- Check in: After 2PM
- Check out: Before 12PM
- Cancellation policy: Strict
- On arrival: Meet and greet
- Minimum nights: 1 night
- Accepts bookings: 9 months out
You know what would make this trip even better?
Take advantage of these offers available to add to your trip to RV’ing on the Bluff
Day-Use Visitor Fee
While we apologize for the inconvenience, the excessive wear on our farm lane...Read more
Beginner Horse Experience
We offer a customizable experience to get you hands on with horses! Price is...Read more
Additional BYO tent fee
Most of our primitive site is sloped or wooded area, so semi-level tent locat...Read more
Additional vehicle parking fee
The basic reservation fee includes one vehicle. Due to parking limitations o...Read more
Sustainable Permaculture Farm Tour
Do you want to see a working, horse-powered, sustainable farm in action? Int...Read more
Activities
Offered on the Host's property or nearby.
Biking
There are mountain bike trails located about 2 miles from the farm, and accessed via an asphalt highway with a challenging hill...Read more
Hiking
We have limited walking trails around the farm and pond, and in the woodlands. About 2 miles down the road is Lincoln’s New Sa...Read more
Horseback riding
For an additional fee, we offer a beginner “Horse Experience,” riding lessons, and/or a horse-drawn carriage ride around the co...Read more
Paddling
We have a nice, small pond, perfect for kayaking or small boats. You can rent our v-bottom boat for a nominal fee. If you are...Read more
Swimming
You can swim in our nice, small pond. Be aware it does have steep sides, which may be slippery at times.
Wildlife watching
Our back woodland acreage contains the primitive tent campsites, short hiking trails, and ponds. There is abundant wildlife in...Read more
Terrain
Natural features you'll find at RV’ing on the Bluff in Illinois.
Forest
Our primitive tent campsites are located in the woodlands, at the bottom of steep hills and 30-50 foot ravines. It does involv...Read more
Lake
Most of our primitive tent sites are located with easy access to our pond. Please note the pond was recently dug, so there are...Read more
Field
If you prefer an area that is more open than the woodlands, we offer the option of camping in our main pasture. This provides ...Read more
The vibe at RV’ing on the Bluff
Places to see near Red Gate Farm, LLC
8 Reviews
Was looking for a simple weekend get away with our new trailer. Sean and Danielle had availability so we went. We asked lots of questions ahead one time being new to trailer camping and they were great with that. They had a fire pit, an electrical hook up we could use and a fairly level site. Composting outhouse was also available and that was clean and easy to access. Sean was super helpful guiding me into the spot.
We knew they had a working farm and the next day they invited us to see just how it worked. Horse hook ups for tilling and other heavy lifting, huge variety of produce and interesting organic techniques. Whole family worked together to get it done. Happy to tell their story and explain their process. Goats, horses, chickens and dogs and cats. All are well cared for and respected on the farm. Beautiful landscape. Peaceful and picturesque Pond on lower backside of property for tent camping seemed more private and still well maintained.
We had no idea such a cool experience was available. They are a large family of kind, and generous people. Kids and parents alike. Highly recommend and hope to visit again.
Danielle & Sean have a beautiful farm! It is very peaceful! Their set up is extremely well thought out and earth conscious! I was impressed and intrigued by the extensive rainwater collection system! Their sons are very friendly and polite! We didn't meet their daughters but, I imagine they are just as great! Our little boys loved playing frisbee & nerf guns with their sons! It was really cool to see everyone pitch in and get chores done. Very neat to experience a family blending historic farm ways (HORSE-power & growing/raising all their food) with such a modern, quicker, better, faster, instant gratification society. Although we didn't get to meet Danielle in person, she was super kind & hospitable answering all my questions & concerns when we chatted via HipCamp messages & text! Everything was ready for us & we had a great time! I will warn you, and Danielle does a great job of this--you will need to possess mad camper-backing-up-skills if your camper is long! Its not a deal breaker. There is a way to turn around once you get down the road. Either way, it can be done but a bit tight for the bigger RV's. Ours is 27ft & we got down just fine-slow & steady. Once you get down their road its easy peasy into get into the spot. The RV spot is mostly level. We really enjoyed our stay! We will be back for sure! Oh, ask about their fresh eggs! They were delish! I wanted a second dozen to-go but they were sold out! They were SO good! Thanks for everything! See you soon!
Great family. Nice property. Would have liked a more private site.
Perfect for a one night stay though.
This was my first Hipcamp experience and it will be difficult to top! Sean and Danielle were the most welcoming and gracious hosts. They toured us around their impressive farm operation and even let my city kids try milking the goats. This farm blew me away; it was impeccably maintained, thoughtful in its use of resources, and a wonderful educational opportunity for my family. The site was perfect for our small 19ft rv and I can't wait to get back and try the primitive tent site down by the lake.
Thank you for the compliments, and we are thrilled that you enjoyed your stay! Have a great summer, and we hope to see you again in the future.
3 nights at Red Gate Farm was just what we needed to recharge our batteries for family life during COVID. The farm is beautiful and the host family's dedication to farming in a holistic, eco-friendly way was very inspiring. When the 8 year old got bored and needed to use up some energy, we sent him to row the boat on the pond. When the 6 year old needed a break from her brother, we sent her down the road to visit the goats. It was an ideal place to be together, but not ALWAYS together. The hosts are very gracious. the site is well-kept, and the descriptions are accurate. We took advantage of the horse experience and the carriage ride, and both were high-quality experiences and a good value for the money. Thanks, Danielle and Sean.
Great way to spend a Fall weekend with the kids! It was a relaxing stay, and Sean and Danielle were great hosts. The chance to ride horses (an optional add-on) was so fun for the kids. We loved getting to see the pigs, goats, horses, chickens, dogs and cats and to ride in the row boat around their small pond.
We were thrilled to host you, and glad to hear you enjoyed your stay. Have a great winter and maybe we’ll meet again sometime!
The owners are wonderful people. You will learn so much from them about farming, horses and on environment.
- Property
- Red Gate Farm, LLC
- State
- Illinois
- Country
- United States
- $30/night
- 1 Site
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We were thrilled to host you and your family, and hope to again in the future!