Best Equestrian Camping near Bernice, LA

Lake Bistineau State Park Campground offers water and electric hookups for campers bringing horses, though it lacks dedicated horse corrals. The campground has RV sites with wooden decks overlooking the lake, tent sites, and cabins that received positive reviews for cleanliness. The park provides drinking water, showers, and toilets, with multiple reviewers noting the clean bathroom facilities. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings, but campers should be aware there are no sewer hookups at individual sites, only a dump station.

The park contains approximately 10 miles of trails suitable for walking, biking, and horseback riding through a landscape characterized by cypress trees draped with Spanish moss. Trail users may spot wildlife including deer along the routes. The park's location near Shreveport provides reasonable access to supplies while maintaining a quiet, natural setting. Recent improvements include repaved roads throughout the park, though some campsites can be challenging to back into due to trees positioned near road edges. The lake level fluctuates seasonally as part of management efforts to control invasive plant species, which can affect water-based activities but creates unique opportunities to explore normally submerged areas of the lakebed.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Bernice, Louisiana (1)

    1. Lake Bistineau State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Haughton, LA
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (318) 745-3503

    "A taste of the swamps in north Louisiana. Spanish moss clad Bald Cypress trees in a stereotypical Louisiana lake. Two great boat ramps, cabins and picnic tables."

    "Lake Bistineau is a great state park park near Shreveport, LA. We stayed 2 nights. The sites are very shady. The park streets and sites are asphalt. Some roads need repaving."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Bernice, LA

13 Reviews of 1 Bernice Campgrounds


  • Jason W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 18, 2020

    Lake Bistineau State Park Campground

    Classic southern cypress setting

    A taste of the swamps in north Louisiana. Spanish moss clad Bald Cypress trees in a stereotypical Louisiana lake. Two great boat ramps, cabins and picnic tables. Keep your small dogs on a leash or you may feed the gators. Mosquitoes big enough to land at Barksdale AFB.

  • Jim G.
    Nov. 29, 2019

    Lake Bistineau State Park Campground

    Off the main highway

    Large lakeside park that very seldom has water Parkside lol. That being said very quiet peaceful and back to nature.

  • D
    Nov. 24, 2022

    Lake Bistineau State Park Campground

    Beautiful state park

    Lake Bistineau is a great state park park near Shreveport, LA. We stayed 2 nights. The sites are very shady. The park streets and sites are asphalt. Some roads need repaving. The park was clean and quiet, and the staff was friendly. Unfortunately, the lake was drawn down to eradicate an invasive water plant. But, this presented a unique opportunity. We could walk on the dry lake bottom and see the parts of cypress trees that are normally under water. 

    Stayed in back-in campsite#14 which was level side to side, but the front was higher. The site has a nice view of the lake and a large wooden deck. There was just enough parking for my 34 ft TT and truck. Neighbors are nearby, but not too close. The site included: picnic table on concrete, BBQ pit, trash pole, and fire ring. Utilities: 20/30/50A electric in back. Water in back, good pressure. No sewer, but a dump station is available. 

    AT&T had 2 bars of LTE and Verizon 2 bars of LTE service. AT&T Speedtest: 5.1 Mbps down, 0.7 Mbps up. Verizon Speedtest: 7.4 Mbps down, 0.1 Mbps up. No WiFi. 

    Would stay here again. We camped at Lake Bistineau State Park in a Travel Trailer.

  • B
    Oct. 15, 2021

    Lake Bistineau State Park Campground

    Very quiet, lots to do depending on time of year

    Stayed in a cabin and it was great! Very clean and useable. Didn’t realize they lowered the lake. My fault for not investigating more. Facilities are nice and has about 10 miles of trails to walk/bike.

  • Jacob  W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 2, 2023

    Lake Bistineau State Park Campground

    Decent park

    I tent camped here in April 2023. The staff was friendly and the office was still open at 6pm, when I arrived on a Saturday. I don’t know their normal hours. The weather was nice but it had just rained so my campsite was wet with a little mud. Plus it was a little uneven without much clear space for a tent but my tent fit because it is a 2-person tent. Other sites had wooden platforms but mine didn’t. I took an evening walk on the Discovery Trail and saw two deer. There are several other, longer trails. I didn’t explore the lake. The bathroom/shower house was clean. It was a little ways from I-20 but overall decent park.

  • Mike V.
    Jun. 29, 2016

    Lake Bistineau State Park Campground

    Lake Bistineau State Park, nw Louisiana

    State park by a lake. Pretty nice all in all. Fairly close to Shreveport, LA. Park was clean, and grass kept cut. Has a nice boat ramp and parking area by the lake. Raccoons are pro's at this park, so you may want to safely store your food and trash if staying in the campground area. They didn't get any of my stuff, but did get into another campers bag of trash.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 23, 2022

    Lake Bistineau State Park Campground

    Very clean!

    Very clean! Clean bathrooms, beautiful scenery, but the sites are angled so it’s difficult to back in. There are trees right at the road edges that you have to worry about while backing

  • Christopher D.
    Oct. 28, 2021

    Lake Bistineau State Park Campground

    Great views. Easy camping.

    I stopped at this campsite on my way back to atlanta. The views of the "swamp" are great. It's dry, and apparently has been for some years, so there's a lush grass growing down to the water's edge. Lots of wildlife to watch.

  • D
    Jan. 16, 2023

    Lake Bistineau State Park Campground

    Peaceful and quiet

    Beautiful site off the beaten path. Quiet and serene. between the Spanish moss and the cypress trees truly get a sense of the Deep South.


Guide to Bernice

Lake Bistineau State Park Campground provides equestrian-friendly accommodations near Bernice, Louisiana, making it one of the few horse campgrounds in the region. The park accommodates horseback riders with water and electric hookups at designated sites, though riders should note there are no dedicated corrals on the property. Approximately 10 miles of multi-use trails wind through the park's cypress tree landscape, creating ample riding opportunities through characteristic north Louisiana terrain.

What to do

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The park's diverse ecosystem supports abundant wildlife, with visitors frequently spotting deer along the trails. As one camper noted, "I took an evening walk on the Discovery Trail and saw two deer. There are several other, longer trails."

Explore the lakebed: The lake's fluctuating water levels create unique exploration opportunities. "I stopped at this campsite on my way back to atlanta. The views of the 'swamp' are great. It's dry, and apparently has been for some years, so there's a lush grass growing down to the water's edge. Lots of wildlife to watch," shares Christopher D..

Kayaking when water levels permit: When the lake has sufficient water, it offers excellent paddling opportunities. "Got in some kayaking. Beautiful lake for paddling. Looking forward to going back," reports Daniel H..

What campers like

Wooden platforms at RV sites: Many campsites feature elevated wooden decks that enhance the camping experience. "Great park, lots to do and see the sites for Campers have decks!! No sewer though!" mentions Aleia B..

Clean facilities: The park maintains well-kept bathroom and shower facilities. "Showers/bathrooms were spotless. One minor drawback—no sewer sites. I stayed two weeks and had to hook up to dump once (small tanks)," explains Kat E..

Cabin accommodations: For those seeking alternatives to tent or RV camping, the park offers clean cabin rentals. "Stayed in a cabin and it was great! Very clean and useable. Didn't realize they lowered the lake. My fault for not investigating more. Facilities are nice and has about 10 miles of trails to walk/bike," shares Ben.

What you should know

Lake water level variations: The lake is periodically lowered for management purposes, which affects water activities. "Didn't realize they lowered the lake. My fault for not investigating more," mentions Ben in his review, highlighting the importance of checking current conditions before planning water-based activities.

Wildlife precautions: The park's natural setting means wildlife encounters are common. "Raccoons are pro's at this park, so you may want to safely store your food and trash if staying in the campground area. They didn't get any of my stuff, but did get into another campers bag of trash," advises Mike V..

Campsite leveling challenges: Some sites may require effort to establish level camping setups. "It would take a little work to get level in most of the sites from what I can see," notes Kiva R. in her review.

Tips for camping with families

Site selection considerations: Families should prioritize sites with decks for added convenience and space. "My spot #46 was nice and level and included a deck," shares Daniel H., indicating certain sites may better accommodate family needs.

Seasonal planning: Consider the region's climate when planning visits. "A taste of the swamps in north Louisiana. Spanish moss clad Bald Cypress trees in a stereotypical Louisiana lake... Mosquitoes big enough to land at Barksdale AFB," warns Jason W., suggesting families should bring appropriate insect protection during warmer months.

Pet safety requirements: Families bringing pets should be aware of safety concerns. "Keep your small dogs on a leash or you may feed the gators," cautions Jason W., emphasizing the importance of leash rules at this horse campground near Bernice.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup options: RVers should plan for water and electric hookups only. "Only wish they had some full hookup sites available. I hear that's coming soon," mentions Daniel H., indicating potential future improvements to sewer connections.

Proximity to supplies: The park's location offers reasonable access to urban amenities. "Drive to Shreveport for shopping was easy and pleasant," notes Kat E., providing useful information for RVers planning longer stays.

Winter camping benefits: Off-season camping offers particular advantages. "Great place, good rates. So very quiet and peaceful. Winter deals were great on my budget. Park personnel were awesome," shares Kat E., suggesting winter as an optimal time for RV campers seeking solitude and value at equestrian campgrounds in the Bernice area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Bernice, LA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Bernice, LA is Lake Bistineau State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 13 reviews.