Best Equestrian Camping near Boles, AR

Cedar Lake Equestrian Campground offers direct trail access to Ouachita National Forest's extensive riding network. Located near Hodgen, Oklahoma, the campground features electric hookups with 30-amp service, water connections, and sewer hookups for RVs and trailers. The facility maintains clean shower facilities and modern restrooms with trash collection available throughout the grounds. Horse owners find ample space for trailer parking with pull-through sites that accommodate larger rigs. While the campground doesn't have dedicated horse corrals, the grounds provide adequate space for portable corrals or highlines. The staff is extremely kind and helpful, maintaining spotless bathroom and shower facilities.

Cedar Lake Recreation Area connects riders to multiple forest service roads and trail systems through the Ouachita Mountains. The area provides year-round access with trails varying in difficulty from beginner-friendly loops to more challenging terrain. Riders can access water sources along several routes with streams accessible during wetter months. Sites are reservable through recreation.gov, allowing equestrians to secure spots in advance during busy seasons. Campground access requires navigating forest service roads that accommodate horse trailers, though larger rigs should check route conditions before arrival. The main pavilion in the center of the grounds is exceptionally large, providing covered space during inclement weather. Fall and spring offer ideal riding conditions with moderate temperatures and less insect activity.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Boles, Arkansas (12)

    1. Mount Magazine State Park Campground

    32 Reviews
    Blue Mountain, AR
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 963-8502

    $35 / night

    "The picnic table had a few steps up to it.

    This site is at the entrance, we might have preferred something at the back. Everyone coming in or out drove by our spot."

    "There is an unofficial overflow campground with a well kept pit toilet that offers the best view from the campgrounds over the Arkansas valley."

    2. CMA Iron Mountain Cabins and Campground

    5 Reviews
    Mena, AR
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (870) 389-6560

    $12 - $105 / night

    "This campground is located right off of Hwy 71 for easy access. Plenty of room for big rigs. Just a short ride to the Wolf Pen Gap trail system."

    "I drive truck, always have a hard time getting in/out of places with a semi and usually end up not getting to camp. The main pavilion in the center of the grounds is HUGE!"

    3. Buck Knob

    Be the first to review!
    Ouachita National Forest, AR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 321-5202

    4. Cedar Lake (Oklahoma) Equestrian Camp

    12 Reviews
    Hodgen, OK
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (918) 653-2991

    $15 - $40 / night

    "we took a group of Trail Life boys there and we had a good time. There are plenty of good trails near by and we used Cedar Lake as our basecamp."

    "We always have Cedar Lake on our list of places to visit in Spring and Fall. The sites are well spaced and even on busy weekends you aren't really ever bothering anyone."

    5. Cedar Lake Equestrian Campground

    6 Reviews
    Hodgen, OK
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 321-5202

    $10 - $23 / night

    "I’ve lived in OK for 30+ years and didn’t know of Cedar Lake in the Quachita mountains near Heavener, OK. It’s incredible!! Clean site, right in the national forest."

    "It’s wonderful in the fall when the leaves are changing, the days are cooler, and the nights are perfect for gathering around a camp fire."

    6. Cedar Lake Equestrian Campground

    1 Review
    Hodgen, OK
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 321-5202

    "Super close to the Talimena Scenic Drive and Horse Thief Spring and plenty of ATV/UTV trails. The park hosts were amazing and came to check on us throughout our stay."

    7. Ouachita National Forest Cedar Lake Recreation Area

    1 Review
    Hodgen, OK
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (501) 321-5202

    "With so many trails that you can access just by walking out of the camp site. This is my favorite spot to camp in Oklahoma"

    8. Long Lake Resort

    1 Review
    Poteau, OK
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (918) 647-8140

    $35 - $40 / night

    "Buffalo, horses and awesome amounts of fish! We stayed here in a duplex cabin and could just fish right out our back door. They have hiking trails and 2 private lakes."

    9. William O. Darby RV Community

    2 Reviews
    Barling, AR
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (479) 242-0799

    $22 - $25 / night

    "Contacted owner late in the evening looking for a spot after a 9hour drive. This place had everything and the bathhouse was just like taking a shower at home!"

    10. Boondockers Landing

    2 Reviews
    Big Cedar, OK
    40 miles

    $30 / night

    "This is as near perfect as you can get!"

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Boles, AR

4 Photos of 12 Boles Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Boles, AR

64 Reviews of 12 Boles Campgrounds


  • Christine N.
    Jul. 9, 2018

    Mount Magazine State Park Campground

    Quiet, shady

    We stayed at an RV site at Cameron Campground, #2. Nice shady spot with a picnic table, grill and fire pit. Was also a space for a tent. The picnic table had a few steps up to it.

    This site is at the entrance, we might have preferred something at the back. Everyone coming in or out drove by our spot. But the neighbors were all very quiet.

    The bathhouse had two showers, several toilets.

    Several signs up say beware of bears, but we didn't see any.

    We saw LOTS of deer.

    Be prepared for a long winding road up the mountain. It's not overly steep, but it takes a while to get ANYWHERE in this part of Arkansas.

    Went to Cove Lake (11 miles away, about a 20 minute drive) to fish, but didn't stay long, and didn't catch anything. Cove lake has camping but no hookups.

  • P
    Oct. 18, 2020

    Cedar Lake Equestrian Campground

    A great campsite with great hiking, and amazing views!!

    We will BE back!! I’ve lived in OK for 30+ years and didn’t know of Cedar Lake in the Quachita mountains near Heavener, OK. It’s incredible!! Clean site, right in the national forest. At the time we went they had a camp host that met you, took you to your site, and checked in on us several times during our three night stay. She was really friendly, helpful, and our two boys thought she was the best when she gave them Smokey the Bear pins! While they do have bathroom and shower facilities our section of camps were down along with several others do to septic tank system issues that they were waiting on parts to arrive to fix. They provided portable toilets in the interim which worked fine. There is a really fun trail that runs right around the entire lake, and it’s a little over two miles. Nearly all natural terrain throughout the hike which makes it especially nice. Though we didn’t visit they have a section also for equestrian camping and riding as well as RV hookup sites. Can’t speak highly enough of this camping area!

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Cedar Lake Equestrian Campground

    In the middle of nowhere beautiful!

    This place was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! So beautiful with all the pine trees and being so far out from everything. The closest store/town is about 45 minutes so be sure to bring everything you need with you. Super close to the Talimena Scenic Drive and Horse Thief Spring and plenty of ATV/UTV trails. The park hosts were amazing and came to check on us throughout our stay. The park was still under construction for upgrades and repairs to their septic systems and equipment but didn’t bother us. We will DEFINITELY be returning with friends because it’s just to pretty not too!!!!

  • Cynthia H.
    Jul. 4, 2019

    Long Lake Resort

    This place is incredible!

    Buffalo, horses and awesome amounts of fish! We stayed here in a duplex cabin and could just fish right out our back door. They have hiking trails and 2 private lakes. The RV area looked new because all of the power boxes had 50/30 and 120 outlets and breakers which is super cool. All of the sites had sewer and water connections too.

  • Danielle L.
    Jul. 20, 2018

    Cedar Lake Equestrian Campground

    Perfect getaway for a quiet weekend

    This is our all time favorite camping spot. It’s wonderful in the fall when the leaves are changing, the days are cooler, and the nights are perfect for gathering around a camp fire.

    The bathrooms are clean and positioned well to make them accessible to all the camp sites.

    The trail around the lake is flat and easy but other more difficult trails aren’t far away.

  • C
    Apr. 3, 2017

    Cedar Lake Equestrian Campground

    camping is glorious

    This campground is beautiful. Clean showers with hot water. swimming for the kids and a playground. There are sites for people with horses also. And you can go up on the mountain to catch the views.

  • Tom K.
    Sep. 11, 2016

    Mount Magazine State Park Campground

    What a place!

    Mount Magazine has it all! The official campground has full service hookups with appropriately spaced sites and newer restrooms. There is an unofficial overflow campground with a well kept pit toilet that offers the best view from the campgrounds over the Arkansas valley. If you prefer cabins or a suite, they have that too with amazing views that overlook hang gliding cliffs and a pleasant valley below. For hiking, you can choose a short loop up to the top of the mountain, medium day hikes or a longer 2 day out and back to the bottom of the mountain. This place is a must see if you live anywhere close to the park.

  • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 20, 2020

    Mount Magazine State Park Campground

    Love It!

    If you are ever driving through Arkansas a trip to Mount Magazine State Park is a must. Mount Magazine is the state’s highest point topping out at 2,753 feet and delivers sweeping views of broad valleys, lakes, winding rivers, and distant mountains. The rugged rock outcroppings protrude from the densely wooded forests. What makes this park even more spectacularly beautiful is that it is surrounded by National Forest lands encompassing glorious acres of woods. 

    In the late 1800’s, the railroad made travel easier and people were drawn to the area for its cooler weather and awe-inspiring scenic beauty. Resort lodges and restaurants sprang up and the resort “Town of Mount Magazine” began. Soon a post office, parks, streets and a dance pavilion dotted the town. The town took a turn when drought, erosion, and the Great Depression brought the town to collapse. The 1934 Resettlement Act purchased all the private land on the mountain and was shortly transferred to the U.S. Forest Service. In the late 1930’s and 40’s, the Works Progress Administration built campgrounds, trails, cabins, and a lodge were constructed. A fire destroyed the lodge in 1971. In 1998, Arkansas State Parks entered into a cooperative agreement with the USDA Forest Service to develop Mount Magazine State Park. The lodge reopened in 2006 and graces the same beautiful setting as the original structure. 

    We found this park very relaxing which is kind of amazing because there is so much for outdoor enthusiasts to do making it hard to sit still. There are miles and miles of hiking trails, horseback riding, hang gliding launches, cycling, and some of the most dramatic locations for rock climbing and rappelling. The diverse mountain ecosystem offers amazing bird watching and wildlife viewing and provides habitat for over 90 species of butterflies. Many were brightening the woods when we were there. We were there at a time when wildflowers were blooming so the forest floor was lit up with color. The higher altitude and cooler weather on the mountain meant that trees had not leafed out yet but a look down in the valley was a stark contrast with trees fully leafed out. The park has a relatively small campground with a meek 18 sites with full hook-up (two of which are 50 amp). Campsites are well-spaced with gravel pads and patios with fire pits and picnic tables. We so enjoyed hanging around our campsite but for those that don’t camp you will be perfectly comfortable in the lodge or cabins. 

    The Lodge at Mount Magazine has breath-taking views and some rooms have spa tubs on their balconies to enjoy the view. Thirteen cabins dot the ridge line offering the same awesome views and Jacuzzi tub options on your balcony. At the lodge is The Skycrest Restaurant which is a nice treat for those not wanting to cook. We decided to have drinks one evening on the veranda enjoying the setting sun lighting the valley. The next day we popped in for lunch where $6 got a plate of open-face prime rib sandwich, mashed potatoes, salad, and squash casserole. Pretty good deal if you ask us. 

    This state park so worked for us. It was the combination of the reading in a quiet wooded campground, being able to go to the lodge for a drink, lunch and great view and spending hours walking in the woods. The park is a good 30 minutes drive from the nearest town so you may want to stock up so you can just relax on the mountain.

  • Mike V.
    Jun. 30, 2016

    Mount Magazine State Park Campground

    Mount Magazine State Park, Arkansas

    Great state park. Checked out Arkansas high point of course. Hike some trails, enjoyed the views and rock formations. Tent camping area was very clean, with nice flat tent pad surface to set up tent on. Also ate a very nice meal on Easter Sunday at the lodge. Saw several deer while we were there. Definitely recommend this state park to others. Hope to go there again some day.


Guide to Boles

Horse camping in Arkansas offers a unique blend of scenic trails and well-equipped facilities for equestrian enthusiasts. With a variety of campgrounds catering to both horses and their riders, adventurers can enjoy the great outdoors while ensuring their equine companions are well taken care of.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Boles, AR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Boles, AR is Mount Magazine State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 32 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Boles, AR?

TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Boles, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.