Hitching posts and level sites make setting up camp here a breeze. A wheelbarrow is supplied at the manure dump station to aid in campsite cleanup. A hand truck or luggage dolly would come in handy to transport water to your site from the centrally located water spigot. Very shady sites are a big plus for summer camping. Bring your fishing rod or at least lounge chairs out onto the peninsula behind primitive campsites. It is a most peaceful setting to fish or read a good book while listening to the water lapping the shoreline. Don't forget your camera to capture awesome sunsets across the lake. When darkness falls, plan to huddle close to the campfire while the coyotes' eerie howls send chills up your spine.
Fifteen miles of clay/sand surfaced trail are easy to moderate. Trail improvements include a hitching post and pit toilet on the trail. Shoreline trails continually lead out onto numerous peninsulas of Lake Shelbyville. It's hard to make time riding these trails when waterfront views unfold at every turn. Pausing to appreciate the beauty of the scenery only seems right.
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After riding for 1 hour, you may have only gone 1 mile as the crow flies, but actually traversed several miles. Several junctures allow you to exit the winding lakeshore trails and ride inland trails directly back to camp. Inland trails are grassy prairie flats surrounded by wildflowers. Expect to see quite a few whitetail deer bounding high above the grasses to chart their course. Pack a lunch for the best picnic location I've seen on the trail in a long time. Hitching rails and a picnic table are located on a high wooded lakeside point. Between the picnic area and the water is a rare hill prairie. They typically occur on steep forested slopes on drought-prone, well-drained soils. Named Capel Hill Prairie, it contains 70 different species of plants on 1-1/2 acres and is one of only two high quality hill prairies along the entire length of the Kaskaskia River. Sitting on the wooded peninsula overlooking the water and flowering prairie is a most enjoyable experience.
While using the picnic area on a recent trip, I noticed two riders filling up a trash bag with cans that had been tossed off the hillside. I'd like to compliment them for taking the time to pick up after others. Dale and Connie Pace make a practice of carrying empty trash bags in their saddlebag for cleanups like this. No matter how many times we hear "Pack it in, pack it out" we are still seeing trash along the trail. It's hard to blame other users when this is a horse specific trail. We should all follow their example and carry a plastic bag for trail clean up when we ride.
As much as horse campers enjoy the outdoors, we sometimes forget that driving to the camp through rural American countryside can be half the fun. Lake Shelbyville is nestled among farm communities with a strong Amish influence. The Amish towns of Arthur and Arcola to the north of the camp offer plenty to do on rainy days. They feature a harness shop, furniture stores and restaurants. The shoulder of the road on Rt. 133 is paved to accommodate Amish horse and buggy traffic.
Upcoming changes for the 2001-2002 fiscal year include the addition of electric to 10 sites, more water spigots and a trailer dump station. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is currently working on regulations to govern all state run horse camps. They may include across the board open/close dates and methods or tethering horses. At present the opening dates at Wolf Creek are dictated by weather, but may change to conform to new state standards. Please refrain from watering your horses in Lake Shelbyville even though you can see that others before you have done so. Riding to the water is accessed by user made trails and is the main complaint officials have about the horseback riders.
The horse camp area also offers a large day ride parking lot with conveniently located hitching posts. Whether you come for the day or overnight, you'll be glad you visited the waters of Lake Shelbyville. For more information, call 217/459-2831.
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Location:
Findlay, IL - central Illinois off I-57 on Lake Shelbyville
Accommodations:
Open and close dates dictated by weather. Approx. April 1 - November 30. Call to verify.
Horse trail closed when 4 or more inches of snow has fallen
13 primitive sites
5 electric sites (1 handicap)
Pit toilets - very clean
Picnic table - campfire grill
1 water spigot
2 manure stations with wheelbarrow
Day rider lot with hitching posts
Horse Accommodations:
Hitching posts
Fees:
$10.00 per night electric site $7.00 per night primitive site |
