3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Horse camping opportunities are limited near Houston, Delaware, with few dedicated equestrian facilities in the immediate vicinity. Assateague Island National Seashore offers the closest designated horse camping area, approximately 50 miles from Houston. This campground provides basic amenities for campers with horses but lacks dedicated corrals or stalls. Camping with horses is permitted in specific areas, and visitors must bring their own containment systems. The campground features drinking water access, toilets, and trash disposal, though electric hookups are not available. The sites accommodate both tents and RVs with adequate space for horse trailers.
The equestrian trails at Assateague Island National Seashore connect directly to the camping area, allowing riders convenient access to miles of beach and inland riding routes. Riders frequently encounter wild horses that inhabit the island, creating a unique experience when camping with personal horses. Trail conditions vary seasonally, with some areas becoming inaccessible during high tides or storm events. Horse owners should note that reservation requirements apply, especially during peak season. The campground provides sanitary dump stations and adequate space for horse trailer parking. Appropriate manure management is required, as specific disposal protocols must be followed. The coastal environment presents both opportunities and challenges, with salt spray and sand affecting equipment and horses.
"Park Name-Delaware Seashore State Park Date of Stay-June 2018
Site-237
This is one of favorite local parks!"
"The really great aspect of Delaware Seashore State Park is your close proximity to the water. The park is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian River, and Indian River Bay."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $132 / night
"This is Delaware which is flat land. The one issue with most every site are the trees. Most every site has a tree to watch out for."
"From well spaced sites to helpful staff, Trap Pond is Delaware state parks crown jewel. The pond itself is beautiful, camp sites are well maintained and spaced apart nicely."
Available this weekend
from $17 - $53 / night
"Park is that the Electric loop (B) has all of the sites on the outside of the drive loop so you are not looking across the road at other campers."
"Just off highway, nice wooded area, access to a good boat ramp."
from $18 - $77 / night
"Due to the location near Ocean City, this campground is primarily a resort for people staying 1 or more weeks."
"Shuttle to Ocean City, MD was convenient and general store was close by and stocked well!"
"As an equestrian this was a once in a lifetime adventure. Feral chincoteague ponies everywhere you look!"
"Some sites are on the beach, and you can position your tent to be on the dune looking at the water- some are inland a bit more but still a very short walk to the beach."
from $40 / night
"If you don’t mind wild horses joining you for dinner and trekking around your campsite at night, then this is your place!! The beach is absolutely gorgeous and so is the scenery."
"Sites were not too close to one another. We had site 13 on ocean loop 1. Just a few steps, and you’re on the beach. Nice picnic table and fire pit."
Available this weekend
from $40 - $80 / night
"Those can be found at the campground entrance. Each loop has a wood shed and clean, well-appointed bathhouse. There are water pumps along the road for refills."
"We backed up to a hiking trail which was nice. There's lots to do here. There's a disc golf course and the camp store has discs available to use."
from $21 - $70 / night
"The only thing about this site specifically is the trail was close by so you’d occasionally see people walking by but not enough that it didn’t still feel secluded."
"I was only one in the forest ATM but saw some hikers occasionally throughout the day walking by."
from $25 / night
"Lots of trails. Pretty busy with Hunters during the season. Roosters here"
GuidePretty easy camping trip, plenty of room to set up camp. Level spots. We stayed on south inlet campground. They have small camp store multiple laundry and bath houses. Great stay if you enjoy fishing, as. You can fish the inlet at the campground. They have a very nice playground for kids as well! Only negative is no camp fires allowed, they do have a community area you can have a camp fires allowed. Also no wifi
GuideEnjoyed the stay here June 19-21, 2026, in the tents-only section at a campground just 10 minutes from home. I've lived near this campground for 45 of my 66 years but never camped there.
The cramped campsites always turned me off but my wife and I decided to try it as a test run when we bought all new camping gear after not camping for 15 years(well, except for the 40-year-old Coleman stove that still works).
The campsites are tight and strictly BYOS(Bring Your Own Shade). The weather cooperated with temps in the low 80s and cool westerly winds. Because this campground sits adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, Indian River Inlet and Indian River Bay, it fills up on weekends for camping, beach-going, fishing, kayaking and other water activities. I'd suggest going weekdays if you can.
Even with all the people, though, it was mostly quiet. The traffic from the Indian River Inlet bridge didn't bother me much but it did keep my wife up the first night. The bridge lights up at night and looks most spectacular at sunrise.
We ate dinner at camp the first night and then went to the inlet walkway to watch the sun set. The sunsets over the Indian River Bay, serenaded by the U.S. Coast Guard station's bugle calls with the lowering of the colors at its station at the north side campground, are a must. We also got to see a green heron foraging on the rockpiles and a dolphin swimming through the inlet. Fishermen lined the walkway to add to the atmosphere.
The next morning we drove over to the north side of the inlet to the Burton's Island trail-- another first for me. The trail was probably a mile or so and took about an hour, though it looked like we could have gone further into the brush had we not been wearing shorts and t-shirts. We came across a horseshoe crab traveling along a dirt path and a turtle trying to hide itself under downed tree branches. Blue water surrounded us in the marshes.
An excellent dinner at Matt's Fish House capped off our anniversary and we returned to the campground to watch the sunset again.
The bathrooms were well-placed. They were mostly clean but the five-second" Navy shower" intervals in the showers were annoying. There's no water or electric at the tent sites but a high-powered community water tap works for cleaning dishes.
The ban on open fires at the campground did disappoint. There is a community fire pit but no one used it our two nights there.
Oh, I can't forget the Diamondback turtles. Be careful driving so you don't hit them as they wander through the campground. We saw several lay eggs on the sand volleyball court and one scurried through our campsite and under our picnic table on its way to points unknown. The picnic table at each site is heavy but movable.
The people were friendly even in such crowded conditions. Lots of kids on bikes, skateboards and scooters and at the playground. Basically, you don't come here as much for the camping as you do for the water sports and activities.
As a tent camper, I'd opt for the tent-only loops versus the Standard sites that accommodate tents and small RVs and popups. Our tent-only loops looked less congested than the Standard sites.
I'd give this campground 4.5 stars. It would be an easy 5 if not for the crowded conditions.
ScoutWe have stayed here twice and have our 3rd trip booked and we absolutely love it! The lazy river and kiddy water slide park is amazing and our kids love it!
LegendThis is a great little state park tucked away in the woods. Campsites are pretty spacious and have nice shade. The campground has two loops, each with a bathhouse located in the middle. Our site (Butterfly Loop #3) was long enough for our motorhome and tow car. The roads are paved, as was our camping pad. The only utility at our site was 30-amp electric. There are water spigots located throughout each loop and we were close enough to fill our water tank. For the most part, the park is big-rig friendly but we did brush against some trees on our way around the loop. Campsites do vary in length so make sure you include your length when booking. We reserved online and were instructed to just go to our site which was nice and convenient. They sell firewood onsite and have a self-pay station which we loved. There is a nice boat launch and the kayak launch has a platform to assist you getting in and out and there are plenty of places to fish from the bank. There is a nature center (which was not open during our stay), playground, picnic pavilions, amphitheater, The bathrooms could use some more attention. The shower curtains were pink meaning they have not been properly cleaned in a while. Needless to say, we did not shower there. The dump station was closed while we were there but we were told we could use the dump station at Tuckahoe State Park (about 10 miles away). We really enjoyed the short hiking trails and paved trail which allowed us to log about 3 miles without having to leave the park. The campground is a really relaxing place to be. We did drive (about 40 minutes south) to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park and Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, both of which we recommend. It is also worth a drive to St. Michaels to see the quaint seaside town and visit the maritime museum (plan on spending half a day at the museum). The only downside is that the park is not gated and open for day use so a lot of people just drive through the campground looking around.
GuideParked with my class B van! Amazing you can hear the ocean at night. No electricity so be prepared. Horses will walk through your campsite. Clean and quiet. No cell service. Lots to do with hiking and beaching! Be prepared for cold outdoor showers!
GuideWasn’t sure at first… kind of a lot of money for one night with no sewer hook up, but the amenities make up for the price! The western show was so fun! Frontier town was cute and not too cheesy! Loved walking all the way around the park! Dog friendly!
GuideRight off the beach wild horses, deer, turkeys, and birds. Woke up and walked right out on the beach for some early morning beach combing, was a bit windy
ScoutWe allways have a blast everybody is so nice and lots to do
GuideFrom well spaced sites to helpful staff, Trap Pond is Delaware state parks crown jewel. The pond itself is beautiful, camp sites are well maintained and spaced apart nicely.
Horse campgrounds near Houston, Delaware offer limited dedicated equestrian facilities. The closest option is about 11 miles away at Tuckahoe State Park, which maintains trails open to horseback riding. For those willing to travel further, Assateague Island National Seashore provides opportunities for camping with horses approximately 50 miles south, though these sites lack permanent corral structures.
Trail riding at Tuckahoe State Park: Located about 11 miles from Houston, the park offers 20 miles of multi-use trails open to horses. "Nice spread out camp sites with power hookup," notes Perry A. about Tuckahoe State Park Campground, which serves as a good base for day rides.
Kayaking with horses in view: At Assateague, riders can enjoy views of both domesticated and wild horses while paddling. "The kayaking was awesome among the bald cypress trees," shares a visitor about excursions near Trap Pond State Park Campground, which is closer to Houston and makes a good day trip before heading to horse areas.
Beach riding opportunities: For those traveling with horses to Assateague, the ocean beaches provide unique riding experiences. "Plenty of places to explore. Several trails to walk or bike," writes Tony P. about the overall terrain, adding that "The Ponies are giant trash pandas. They're smart and can open latches."
Wildlife encounters: Horse campers appreciate the interactions with local wildlife. At Bayside Assateague Campground, one camper shares, "A deer hung out by the campfire at night, and in the morning there were horse tracks all over the sight," showing the proximity of wildlife to camping areas.
Spacious sites for trailers: When traveling with horses, adequate space becomes essential. "Sites are fairly spacious and have an interesting semi-circle pull through layout so backing in not required," explains Jim G. about sites at Trap Pond State Park, which can accommodate moderate-sized trailers.
Water access for cooling horses: Many equestrians appreciate water access for their horses after rides. Near Delaware Seashore State Park Campground, "we like the bay side for the kids no waves," mentions Rich E., indicating calmer waters that could be suitable for horses to cool off when day riding nearby.
Seasonal insect concerns: When camping with horses, insect protection becomes critical. "Love this place but be prepared for the bugs. Even enjoyed this in the winter," warns Michael W. about Oceanside Assateague Campground, where flies and mosquitoes can affect both humans and horses.
Permitting requirements: Horse camping requires proper documentation. Most equestrian sites require advance reservations and specific horse camping permits, particularly during peak seasons from May through September.
Manure management protocols: All horse camping areas enforce strict manure management rules. Bring appropriate tools for collection and disposal of waste according to each site's regulations to avoid fines.
Horse-safe playgrounds: Several campgrounds offer play areas that are separate from equestrian zones. "If you have kiddos, try and get a site in Loop A – there is a nice and educational play area," recommends Lee D. about Tuckahoe State Park.
Educational opportunities: Family horse camping provides learning experiences. "The park has a Bird Aviary that houses those that cannot be fully healed," notes Bill G. about Martinak State Park Campground, adding "We tend to use Tuckahoe as a way station while camping our way up and down the Bay."
Horse containment around children: When camping with horses and children, proper containment systems are essential. Portable corrals or high-line systems are required at most sites since permanent structures are typically unavailable.
Trailer parking considerations: Horse trailers with living quarters require specific site selection. "The sites were awesome. Clean shower houses all day long," reports Jason J. about Frontier Town RV Resort, which accommodates larger rigs.
Water and electrical needs: Horse camping with RVs requires planning for utilities. "Sites have 30A electric and water with a nearby convenient dump station," mentions Jim G., noting the available hookups that can support horse-camping equipment like water tanks and fans.
Level site importance: For horse trailers with living quarters, level sites are essential. "All sites appeared level and some have a view of the pond," observes a camper, noting that stable parking is critical when horses are tied to trailers during overnight stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Houston, DE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Houston, DE is Delaware Seashore State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 57 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Houston, DE?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Houston, DE, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
