Loud Thunder Forest Preserve — Attraction in Illinois

Equestrian Campers Take Note I love this park. I grew up going here. That being said, as an adult equestrian camper, they really tried to give us amenities, however, it is VERY DIFFICULT to park big rigs in the new equestrian campground. We have a 3-horse Living Quarter trailer with a 14' short wall that's 29.5' on the floor. Hb had to jack-knife the truck to get the camper into our spot. And beware there are stump/pylons at the top of the circle that need to be taken out. The trees they planted in the center of the horse camping area make it next to impossible to move your truck around to get the trailer into your spot. Thank God I didn't go by myself. I probably would've given up and went home! There are also all types of obstacles on the sides of the site pads - plastic markers, manholes, more trees that give you less room to maneuver as well.

I understand the desire for more trees but as these trees mature, it is only going to get harder to maneuver. Also BE SURE TO FILL YOUR WATER TANK BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME! The water there is VERY sulfer-y. We didn't know and hooked up our city water connection. Our brand-new trailer smelled like rotten eggs before you knew it! The regular campground has nice pull-through spots and a nice shower house with great bathrooms. The equestrian campground has nice flushable toilets and a sink, but NO DOORS OR CURTAINS on the bathroom stalls! Seriously guys...??? The highline posts are loose and it was not mowed under the lines. We had to try to pick up manure through waist-high weeds and there are no manure bins either.

The riding is great. The back half is extremely hilly and challenging and they close it if it rains because the footing is clay and very slippery when wet. The top half is flat with some ravines and bridges that you can bypass (I believe) if you want to stay on the flat. There are NO refunds if you can't get into your space or if they close the trails - so beware of that as well. All in all, they tried but after seeing what they've done in the new regular campground, I was really disappointed with our options for horse camping. Also, all of the sites are back-in on the passenger side. I don't understand why campgrounds do that. The driver can see so much better backing in on the driver's side. :( It's very evident that the people who planned this campground do not pull trailers or they are professional truck drivers.

Please do better Loud Thunder. We'd love to come...

Loud Thunder Forest Preserve has always been a beautiful spot, but experiencing it through the Loud Thunder 50 Trail Run gave me an entirely new appreciation for it. There are four separate campgrounds, each offering something different, but the main one—with a playground for families—is a great choice. The hiking trails are plentiful, though some were closed due to a controlled burn when we visited (totally understandable for the health of the forest). Lake George adds another layer of adventure, offering canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boating.

The Loud Thunder 50, hosted by Sun Trail Running, was incredible. It was a cup-less, leave-no-trace race, which meant that everyone respected the park and kept it pristine. That kind of commitment to sustainability made the whole experience even better. And we seriously lucked out—the weather could not have been more perfect. It honestly felt like we runners helped shape the trails for the upcoming season.

Camping was available for the race weekend with a two-night minimum stay, and there was plenty of space, including spots right near the Start/Finish line. That setup was a game-changer. Families could hang out at their campsites and still easily cheer for their runners instead of feeling like they needed to stay near the aid stations. It made the whole event feel relaxed, welcoming, and truly special.

Loud Thunder Forest Preserve is a fantastic spot for anyone who loves the outdoors. The well-kept trails, peaceful lake, and spacious campgrounds make it a great place to hike, paddle, and relax in nature. The Loud Thunder 50 was an unforgettable experience—Sun Trail Running did an amazing job organizing a sustainable, community-driven race, and the setup made it easy for families to support their runners. Between the perfect weather, the welcoming atmosphere, and the chance to rediscover a place filled with childhood memories, this visit was truly special. We’ll be back,...

From the minute I stepped out of the car and started setting up at H19 in the horse corral, the bugs descended. Stink bugs crawled over my tent and awning in waves, trying to wedge themselves into every seam and crevice, so I was constantly swatting and smashing them. As soon as I sat down to breathe, the flies arrived in full force. They didn’t just circle — they landed on my arms, face, and neck nonstop, buzzing in my ears and trying to crawl into my mouth. I couldn’t cook a meal without having dozens swarming the food and my hands, and even when I escaped inside my tent, it took over an hour to kill the ones that had followed me in before I could think about sleeping. Morning didn’t bring relief — it brought bees. I poured my coffee, and immediately they were dive-bombing the cup, climbing onto the rim, and buzzing straight at my face. Swatting didn’t scare them, it only made them more aggressive. At that point I couldn’t relax for even a single sip without fighting them off. By midday, I was sweaty, exhausted, and covered in flies that latched on harder the more I moved. They went for the salt in my sweat, crawling on my lips and even trying to force their way into my ears. It was like the entire insect world knew exactly where I was and wanted a piece of me. This cycle repeated for nearly 48 hours with no break. Stink bugs clung to my tent walls, flies made eating or sitting down impossible, and bees stalked anything sweet I touched. By the second morning, I was frantic — trying to pack up quickly while swarmed worse than ever, flies thick on my skin, buzzing in my face, and making me feel like I couldn’t even breathe. It was relentless, minute by minute, and in the end I didn’t just lose money on the site — I lost any chance at rest...