Equestrian tours through Shawnee National Forest

by Lisa
September 13, 2018September 13, 2018

The weather is cooler and the horses are frisky and ready to take you on an adventure through the beautiful streams, bluffs, and hills here in Southern Illinois

. Check out our most recent rides! Horseback riding tours in the USA

FACILITIES, MAP AND POLICIES

PITCH FACILITIES

Campsites, Furnished Cabins, and Horse Facilities

All Campers Must Register Prior to Setting up Camp
Monthly and Annual Site Rental Available
Call for pricing and details
- Prices for weekends and holidays are not the same as regular prices

Bear Branch Horse Camp is centrally located in the beautiful 280,000-acre Shawnee National Forest just above Lusk Creek Canyon. Named after a creek that runs through the property, Bear Branch offers exceptional horse camping sites and cabins, and multiple access to the most scenic riding and hiking trails in the Forest. The Shawnee National Forest now has marked trails as well as good maps. Bridle Tags are no longer required to ride in the Shawnee National Forest.

Bear Branch is Wi Fi equipped; 80 campsites with water and electricity; shower house and laundry; and cabins and lodging with private baths.

Other accommodations and amenities include:

Shower House with Laundry Facilities
Tack Shop and General Store
Dump station
Recreation Area for Tents
2-acre fishing pond
Modern barn with 40 bedded box stalls
Most sites have picket lines or poles for your rope.

Please see our detailed Campground Map for the location of specific campsites, cabins, and other features of the Bear Branch campground.

CAMPGROUND MAP

Campground Map

Sites with water, electricity, and sewer: 1 through 25 and 63 through 71
All other sites have water and electricity
Permanent sites are designated with red numbers and are not available.

Interactive Bear Branch Campground Map by Romona Myles

POLICIES

Horse Camping Policies and Registration

By following a few simple codes of convenience, Bear Branch can continue to offer you and your family some of the finest and safest horse camping and trail riding accommodations in the Shawnee National Forest.

Campers must register and pay before setting up camp. Prices for weekends and holidays are not the same as regular prices. Confirm prices before booking.

Quiet Camp Begins at 11:00 p.m. till 6:00 a.m. We enjoy music too, just be aware of other campers.

Dogs Must Be On a Leash in camp at all times. Please read through our Pet Policy. Click here...

Stallions (accommodated by permission only) must be kept in stalls.

No tree tying is permitted ($150 fine if trees are chewed).

Negative Coggins and Health Certificates are required for out of state horses.

No temporary pens (except in designated picket areas).

Horses cannot be tied overnight to trailers at campsites.

Stalls and picket areas must be cleaned before you leave.

Sites, stalls, lodging, and cabins must be vacated by 11 a.m. on checkout day (except Sunday, campsites only, 3:00 p.m.).

We are on city water, please help us conserve and keep your camping fees reasonable. Do not hose out your trailer.

No animals (horses or dogs) can be tied to utility poles with water and electric.

You will pay a minimum $25 fee if your animal breaks a water pipe.

Please do not throw trash—bottles & cans—in fire pits. They do not burn.

Stopping along the trail in the Shawnee National forest
Lunch and Rest Stop on the Trail

Please complete our Registration Form and submit it online or print and mail it. However, to secure your registration we must receive your check or money order for deposit within 2 weeks.
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Please put all trash in dumpster behind the restaurant.