Horseback Riding

Chick here for Map

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, PLEASE TEXT:

TANNETTE @618-638-0226 OR

LISA @270-556-0580, for the fastest way to reach them.

2 Hr. minimum 80$ per person. This is a simple ride through the forest through the hills and valleys of Shawnee National Forest.

3.5 Hr. Ride-N-Hike 120$ per person. Your choice of riding for a little over an hour, stop, tie up the horses, do a hike down into a scenic bluff area or to the top of a bluff overlooking the beautiful Lusk Creek. This one is great for kids). You may also choose to do a ride only, and we will take you on the horse through some bluffs and creek areas.

4-7 Hour ride through bluffs, valleys, and over creeks 180$ per person, includes Salt Peters Cave or Secret Canyon.

Specialty rides include:

2.5 hour 1/2 day Shotgun Eddy’s restaurant ride for lunch or dinner. We help you get your car to the restaurant, bring you back here for your ride, ride to Shotguns past bluff areas and through a creek, go to restaurant, eat, and leave from there. We come pick up the horses and trailer them back. There is usually a band playing at the outdoor pavilion on Saturdays and sometimes on Fridays. This is our most popular ride and is on availability only. 140$ per person.

Full Shotgun Eddy’s ride, ride to restaurant, have lunch, ride back through scenic bluffs and creeks. 180$ per person.

Swim/Weenie Roast rides, all day, 4-6 hours. Ride to scenic bluff area, hike down to swimming hole and swim, bring hot dogs/brats and chips for lunch. We take some charcoal and lighter fluid to cook the food over, and ride back after your lunch and swim. 180$ per person. (We provide the lunch)

Trailer outs to heavily bluffed areas. These are 4-6 hours total gone time, riding itself varies but averages around 4 hours give or take, and are absolutely stunning. 180$ per person.

Half day Wilderness ride about 3 hours, go through Lusk Creek and experience the creek crossings and beautiful bluffs. 150$ per person.

Location is in Eddyville Illinios on Highway 145 just about 29 minutes south of Harrisburg Illinios.

All riding is done by appointment only and reservations must be made in advance. Please message us for pricing for upgrades on cabins and/or additional parties and kayaking. All guests must sign a liability release whether riding or not.

Half day hike down rides are to Jackson Hole and Indian Kitchen.

Full day rides to Salt Peters Cave, Natural Bridge, Owl Bluff, and Secret Canton.

Two hour rides are done in Hayes Canyon or on the hilly trails at cross the street from Bear Branch’s’ entrance.

BRING YOUR OWN HORSE OR RENT ONE OF OURS

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, PLEASE TEXT:

TANNETTE @618-638-0226 OR

LISA @270-556-0580, for the fastest way to reach them.

Located in the SOUTHERN TIP of the exquisite Shawnee National Forest in Eddyville Illinois.

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.