14 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Rockhaven Park Equestrian Campground in Lawrence offers electric hookups and a trail system specifically designed for horseback riding. The campground features 30-amp service at most sites and accommodates both tents and RVs in its horse-friendly environment. Located approximately 30 miles from New Century, this equestrian facility maintains clean toilet facilities and includes picnic tables at each site. Campers can reserve sites in advance, ensuring availability for weekend trail rides. The sites are spacious enough for horse trailers with adequate room for setting up temporary corrals. Trails at Hillsdale State Park provide miles of riding opportunities with lake views accessible to equestrians bringing their own horses.
The bridle trail network connects riders to scenic woodland areas and waterfront views throughout the region. Horse owners should bring their own water buckets and portable corrals as permanent horse facilities are limited at most campgrounds near New Century. Most equestrian camping areas require advance reservations, especially during peak summer months and fall riding season. Trailer parking is available directly at campsites with enough space for both living quarters and horse compartments. Perry State Park Campground, located about 40 miles north, offers additional riding opportunities with year-round accessibility. Sites are plentiful with lots of riding trail miles around the lake. Riders should check current trail conditions before arrival as seasonal weather can affect accessibility and camping conditions. Water access for horses is available at designated areas within most parks.
"This campground is close to home for us, but we love it as a quick get away. It has beautiful, tree-covered campsites that offer direct access to the lake. "
"We often find ourselves in a field with port-a-potties instead of lakeside with views. Not bad for what it is, I do wish they had more options."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"Lots of riding trail miles and lake."
from $12 - $23 / night
Check Availability"Nice little campground tucked away just outside Kansas City. Close to everything but far enough that it’s still really camping. Cell service on AT&T and Verizon are great."
"Just a walk away from a beautiful lake and your stay here is a perfect get away from the city lights!"
"The site is long but has a 1/4 moon turn so we had to pull back around to get better positioned on the pad so we could disconnect our 39’ 5th wheel and F450 for our 3-night stay."
"attractions: hiking. biking. close to Kansas City (40 minutes) I would go camping here again."
from $15 - $52 / night
Check Availability"We live near Crow’s Creek, and enjoy making spur of the moment camping trips here throughout the year. There are many spacious tent sites with great views of the lake."
"We love taking our horses to Crows creek, there is an amazing barn with stalls and it’s withing viewing distance of your camper/tent so you don’t have to worry."
"Watkins mill SP is located a short distance from Kansas City off I-35 near Kearney. The park has a large lake that you can fish and boat as well as multiple hiking options."
"There's a lake but it's not anything to brag about, and the swimming beach is closed often due to bacteria in the lake."
from $15 - $46 / night
Check Availability"The bike trail is about 3 steps away from our site. only downside is it is only electric hookups. ( only a downside if you are a travel trailer/rv)"
"Some sites close to water. Great fishing, hiking, and 18 hole golf course close by."
"This campground has a nice and open space in the center, with campsites all along the edge."
"Now I have yet to camp out here mainly because most of the official campsites are non-primitive, but also we haven't taken the time to clear out our own space off the trail."
from $14 - $20 / night
Check Availability"Located in east central Kansas on 2600 acre Lake LaCygne (cooling reservoir for KCPL coal-fired power plant). No swimming or skiing allowed, only fishing boats."
"Tucked in campsites with full hook ups. Great spot for kids to play but also great for couple wanting a spot. Bathhouse is really clean with hot water"
"Close to Kansas City so it makes a great quick getaway. Clean, friendly, and right next to Smithville Lake. Our pick for a short trip."
"These RV spots have great shade, are spaced nicely apart, and are a quick walk to the lake! Amazing sunsets! You can rent a boat for a half day or full day with advanced notice!"
RangerThis campground has a nice and open space in the center, with campsites all along the edge. There are trees that offer shade at nearly every site, and there are plenty of areas to tie off and/or enclose horses. There is a playground, picnic shelter, two designated manure piles, and access to horse-friendly and dog-friendly trails right in the campground!
ScoutNice little campground tucked away just outside Kansas City. Close to everything but far enough that it’s still really camping. Cell service on AT&T and Verizon are great. Only negative is that some sites are right on the road, so kids can dart out at any time...just be careful!
LegendGetting to the state park off I 29 and through the countryside was easy as the route had Weston Bend SP signage. We followed the SP signs to the campground(CG) where the gate was not manned so we headed to get water, but someone was sitting in the dump station waiting for another person to arrive so we went around this one-loop CG to see if there was a convenient spigot. There are spigots but with a larger rig, you will block the road, and/or you will be on a hill. We went back around and the person moved so we could get water. After that, we headed to pull through site 28 with electric(50/30/20 AMP) only. The site is long but has a 1/4 moon turn so we had to pull back around to get better positioned on the pad so we could disconnect our 39’ 5th wheel and F450 for our 3-night stay. There were tree branches overhead that we could not avoid. RVers next to us in site 30 had just arrived as well and were having trouble getting their travel trailer unhitched and leveled due to the pad’s slight incline and unlevel asphalt. They got their trailer positioned so they could get somewhat level. We got a solid two bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile. Due to our proximity to Kansas City, we got a lot of OTA channels. A satellite connection would be iffy in most sites here due to the number of mature trees. The trees in a lot of sites would also scrape the top of larger rigs. There’s a variety of sites with most being good for regular trailers versus tall rigs, and tent sites. They have a nice shower house with 1 washer and 1 dryer both for$1.50. There are also vaulted toilets here and there. There’s a 1.7-acre fenced dog park that includes one large area for large dogs and two other areas with one dedicated to smaller dogs. The dog area is at the front park entrance away from the campground and it would be a long walk to get there, so we drove up. There are a lot of hiking trails here plus an old tobacco barn that’s worth a look.
GuideClose to Kansas City so it makes a great quick getaway. Clean, friendly, and right next to Smithville Lake. Our pick for a short trip.
LegendWatkins mill SP is located a short distance from Kansas City off I-35 near Kearney. The park has a large lake that you can fish and boat as well as multiple hiking options. The historical site is a neat step back in time to the 1800'. The campground is broken up into 3 different areas with plenty of space for campers, RV's and tents. Park features include an updated showerhouse, large playground for the kids and helpful and friendly park staff. Thanks to the staff for giving us an heads up on the raccoons that are bold! Reservations are recommended on holiday weekends.
Guide
TravelerWe live near Crow’s Creek, and enjoy making spur of the moment camping trips here throughout the year. There are many spacious tent sites with great views of the lake. Miles of paved walking/biking trails around the water offer for a nice activity!
Tip: Before choosing your site number, ask which loop is furthest from the horse camping as there can be some noise from the barn at night. The park staff has typically made this suggestion to us when we arrive!
GuideSooo many things to do!!! We love taking our horses to Crows creek, there is an amazing barn with stalls and it’s withing viewing distance of your camper/tent so you don’t have to worry. Trails start directly from your campsite, you can also take your bikes, paved and mountain bike trails. You also can’t forget the wonderful lake and the beautiful views.
Guidevery beautiful campground with views of the lake. nice beach just a short 5 min drive away. also horse trails and facilities to accommodate if you’re into that. $5 bundle of firewood was weak at best but got the job done. will be back!!
Equestrian camping near New Century, Kansas offers riders access to extensive trail networks across several state parks. The terrain features rolling woodland hills surrounding reservoir lakes, with elevations ranging from 800-1,000 feet. Most equestrian sites provide 30-50 amp electrical service with packed gravel pads designed to accommodate both living quarters and horse trailers.
Trail riding along waterways: Hillsdale State Park provides multiple trail loops that connect riders to lake views and wooded areas. According to one visitor, "This campground is close to home for us, but we love it as a quick get away. It has beautiful, tree-covered campsites that offer direct access to the lake. The sites and facilities are well kept and clean" (Hillsdale State Park).
Fishing opportunities: Many equestrian campgrounds offer direct lake access where riders can combine horseback activities with fishing. At Crow's Creek Campground, the fishing is excellent with "water access opportunities for private kayaks. The people are friendly and so fun! Truly a great place to come camp" (Crow's Creek Campground).
Bow hunting practice: Some parks near New Century provide specialized facilities beyond just riding trails. Hillsdale State Park features "a great bow range for siting in and practicing with your bow. You can even climb towers to practice shooting from 'tree-stand' elevations."
Shaded campsites: Perry State Park Campground provides relief from summer heat with tree coverage at many sites. A camper notes, "Perry State Park is well maintained and manicured park. The primitive sites and RV sites are extremely close (especially the RV sites) other than that they have dedicated hammock sites!" (Perry State Park Campground).
Clean facilities: Camp hosts at equestrian campgrounds maintain high standards. At Smiths Fork Recreation Area, campers appreciate that "this place is pretty nice. The campground nice and clean with full hook ups at campsite, other campers were friendly, and the camp hosts were very nice and friendly" (Smiths Fork Recreation Area Camping).
Open riding spaces: Rockhaven Park provides ample room for horses. One rider observed, "This campground has a nice and open space in the center, with campsites all along the edge. There are trees that offer shade at nearly every site, and there are plenty of areas to tie off and/or enclose horses."
Seasonal closures: Water access may be limited during off-seasons. At Smith Fork Recreation Area, "I stayed a week here it was nice and quite..close to a lake. Shaded sites in some areas..redoing the campground..it was put in in the 70s."
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian sites require advance booking during peak riding months (April-October). Some parks offer walk-in options during off-season periods.
Noise considerations: Some lake campgrounds experience noise issues from nearby establishments. One camper at Perry State Park reported, "the new bar/restaurant across the lake kills an overall good family camping weekend. There was a live band that had their music so loud we could hear it across the lake from 8-midnight."
Playground access: Rockhaven Park Equestrian Campground includes play equipment within view of horse areas. According to a camper, "There is a playground, picnic shelter, two designated manure piles, and access to horse-friendly and dog-friendly trails right in the campground!" (Rockhaven Park Equestrian Campground).
Protected swimming areas: Watkins Mill State Park offers designated swimming zones separate from horse trails. One visitor noted, "Great place to fish.kayak. Bike ride. Clean campsites and bathrooms" (Watkins Mill State Park Campground).
Weather preparedness: Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F, requiring plenty of water for both riders and horses. One camper mentioned experiencing "some 90-100 degree days in late August" so prepare accordingly.
Site selection: Choose locations with enough space for both living quarters and horse trailers. At Weston Bend State Park, a camper observed, "Campground is hilly, sites are level, gravel pads. Lots of space between sites. Electric sites, no water, but water spigots were scattered around the campground" (Weston Bend State Park Campground).
Water access points: Know where to refill tanks at equestrian sites as full-hookup options may be limited. One camper noted, "Full-hookup sites don't have a view of the lake. This is why we chose an electric only site and used a spigot in the campsite to fill our tank."
Manure disposal: Most equestrian campgrounds have designated areas for waste. Check camp rules as improper disposal can result in fines at many state parks near New Century.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near New Century, KS?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near New Century, KS is Russell Crites Primitive — Hillsdale State Park with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near New Century, KS?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 equestrian camping locations near New Century, KS, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
