7 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Cuivre River State Park Campground features a dedicated equestrian section with separate camping loops for horse owners. The equestrian loop provides ample shade and includes what appears to be a horse water trough. Campsites throughout the park are spacious and well-maintained, with some offering electric hookups. The campground connects directly to multiple trail systems suitable for horseback riding. Many equestrians appreciate the secluded nature of the sites, which provide enough space for both camping equipment and horses while maintaining privacy from neighboring campers.
Located approximately one hour from St. Louis, Weinberg-King State Fish and Wildlife Area offers another option for horse camping with a popular equestrian loop. The trails throughout the park accommodate horseback riders, though visitors should be aware that riders frequently share hiking paths. The campground provides basic amenities including drinking water, electric hookups, and picnic tables. Siloam Springs State Park Campground also welcomes equestrians with facilities for horses and access to riding trails. The park's natural setting creates opportunities for extended trail rides through varied terrain. Reservations are recommended for all equestrian sites, especially during peak seasons when horse-friendly campgrounds fill quickly.
"Though I grew up outside of St. Louis, I'd never been to this campground or to Mark Twain Lake. Really enjoyed exploring the area and the campground was nice. "
"When I stepped out it felt like I was walking through a thousand spider webs everywhere. The bathrooms aren’t that clean either. That being said though, bugs are to be expected of a campground."
from $10 - $125 / night
Check Availability"Plenty of gorgeous campsites and a lake to swim and kayak! And if you need a place to camp with your horse they have an entire equestrian section. Close to St."
"It’s close to our house and there’s always something new to do each time. The bathrooms are well maintained and the campsites are fairly large and provide lots of shade."
from $15 - $42 / night
Check Availability"You can rent kayaks, canoes, and boats and fish in many locations. Great for horse back riders too!"
"Not a bad State Park/Camp ground, theres an Amish store close by with ice and amenities. The map online is wrong when choosing a campsite though."
"Great place to stay, doesn’t seem to have a lot of hiking trails. They do have nice secluded little spots mostly all electric. Bathhouse is pretty a long walk, but big and really clean."
"Used their dump station and filled the water tank as we exited the park. Would recommend & would stay there again"
from $24 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Nice hiking trails near. Watch for ticks. Don’t be alarmed if you see cats or the neighbors dogs roaming around the site. They are friendly."
"There’s a house to rent or primitive camping trails have a map but need a little more marking on newer sections. Very well maintained. Neat look out points"
from $20 - $100 / night
Check Availability"There are usually a lot of horse back riders on the hiking trails. Overall a great place to spend a weekend"
from $18 / night
Check Availability"Several ponds and a larger lake but it was currently being repaired so it’s very low."
LegendThis is a perfect place to enjoy with the family. Plenty of gorgeous campsites and a lake to swim and kayak! And if you need a place to camp with your horse they have an entire equestrian section. Close to St. Louis but far enough out to enjoy peace and quiet!
LegendThis is a large state park with separate camping loops. The equestrian loop was popular and we saw many there. It has plenty of shade and even what looked to be a horse water trough.
The non-equestrian loop was not as nice. There are a few spots with morning shade but the whole place will get that hot afternoon sun. We saw a couple RVs running a/c with the electric sites. There is a central picnic shelter. Maybe this will be better when the younger trees grow tall enough to be shadier.
There are some grass covered hiking trails that are wonderful. A few picnic areas add up with some fishing spots to make this a great place to enjoy. We found that it was close enough to another state park to camp there and travel back for day visits.
GuideGreat place to stay, doesn’t seem to have a lot of hiking trails. They do have nice secluded little spots mostly all electric. Bathhouse is pretty a long walk, but big and really clean. only 20.00 per night. It’s has an archery range and equestrian site.
RangerI love this camground! They have great hikes throughout the area. You can rent kayaks, canoes, and boats and fish in many locations. Great for horse back riders too!
ScoutThis park is very clean and well maintained. There is a lot to do from hunting, fishing, hiking, and more. There are usually a lot of horse back riders on the hiking trails. Overall a great place to spend a weekend
TravelerWe stayed in the full hookups. It’s a very uneven gravel pad to start with. The campfire sits right next to the camper and the sites are very close together. So the sites are far from glamorous. But there were two close by trails that were very nice. They had offered a class about Mo snakes and a class on how to build fire with flint that our kids really enjoyed. We didn’t make it to the beach because we enjoyed the creek so much. The kids loved using the net to catch small fish and crawdads, throwing rocks and playing in the water. It was fun to explore. So 3 stars cause the campsites were not great but lots of fun to be had on the actual campgrounds! We will still be going back.
GuideThe rain was a pain but didn't ruin Mark Twain! Though I grew up outside of St. Louis, I'd never been to this campground or to Mark Twain Lake. Really enjoyed exploring the area and the campground was nice. Showers were a short walk and campsites had a decent amount of privacy. The Loop we were on was really better suited to motor homes and we were tent camping. We had two tents and had to set them up in kind of a odd location near the loop road. Some sites were better then others but I wouldn't come back to this exact site to pitch a tent. If you have a camper though, its great.
You are right on the lake here, though it's a bluff so when you get to the edge, there is a steep drop off. It's very pretty and my kids are 9 and 11 so I wasn't worried but if there were much younger I'd be concerned about letting them wander toward the lake as they could slip and fall in. Since part of the reason I take the kids camping is to be able to let them explore, I'd go to another area with younger kiddos.
That being said, there was a trail that you could take for about 10 minutes that took you down to water level and is decent for swimming.
We took a day trip to Hannibal, which is a fun little town. Took in the Mark Twain Museum and took a riverboat cruise. On another day, we rented a pontoon boat to explore the lake, which I'd recommend as well.
Once you get the to the campground, you are at least 30 minutes from any store, gas station, etc, to stock up.
We were there mostly during the week and it was very quiet. As it got closer to the weekend, it started to really fill up and get more lively. Mostly families and such so didn't mind but just a heads up.
In the end, lovely area, really well maintained campground and would recommend.
TravelerI had a great time here. The roads were paved, signs were marked clearly. Good connection on the phone service as well. Only issue I had was the amount of bugs that were everywhere. When I stepped out it felt like I was walking through a thousand spider webs everywhere. The bathrooms aren’t that clean either. That being said though, bugs are to be expected of a campground. Other than that though it was quiet and it was a nice stop.
TravelerWe have been backpack camping here twice and RV camping once. It’s close to our house and there’s always something new to do each time. The bathrooms are well maintained and the campsites are fairly large and provide lots of shade. They have a large lake to swim in and you can kayak as well! Their trails are well marked and a pretty walk. This State Park is one of our favorites to visit.
Horse campgrounds near Ashburn, Missouri offer equestrian-friendly facilities in the rolling hills of northeastern Missouri, where elevations range from 500-700 feet above sea level. The region's trail systems wind through oak-hickory forests and open meadows, with most equestrian camping areas open from April through November. Fall brings temperatures between 40-70°F, creating ideal riding conditions.
Trail riding at Mark Twain Lake: Indian Creek Campground connects to multiple trail systems around Mark Twain Lake. "A quaint little campground on a beautiful creek. Well manicured grounds with restrooms and showers," notes Jeyd A. Riders appreciate access points to shoreline trails.
Fishing spots: Frank Russell Campground offers fishing opportunities with accessible shoreline access. "There is a trail that leads right to the water where we were able to have a swim and not have to leave the campground," reports Emily C. The campground features "concrete sidewalk and benches around it to make fishing easily accessible."
Kayaking and paddleboarding: McCully Heritage Project provides water access for various watercraft. "We have only stayed at the largest site as it has good fishing and a place for us to launch our paddleboards and kayaks," explains Eric. Sites near water access points fill quickly during summer months.
Secluded campsites: Whetstone Conservation Area offers privacy in a natural setting. "Super well maintained conservation area, 5 camp sites with fire pits and picnic tables. Several ponds and a larger lake," reports Kayla W. The limited number of sites increases chances for wildlife sightings.
Stargazing opportunities: Many campgrounds in the region offer minimal light pollution. At Indian Creek, Jason R. notes, "Total darkness, perfect for stargazing." Sites situated away from facility lighting provide optimal night sky viewing.
Horse-friendly amenities: Weinberg-King State Fish and Wildlife Area caters specifically to equestrian needs. "The equestrian loop was popular and we saw many there. It has plenty of shade and even what looked to be a horse water trough," observes Art S. The equestrian loop remains one of the most sought-after horse camping options within 60 miles of Ashburn.
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak season (May-September). At Frank Russell Campground, Doug W. advises, "At $20/night ($10 for seniors) with electricity it's a bargain."
Trail conditions: Horse trails often share space with hiking paths. Jacob R. notes about Weinberg-King, "There are usually a lot of horse back riders on the hiking trails." Riders should yield to hikers when trails narrow.
Bug preparation: Ticks and mosquitoes are common in the region. Eric from McCully Heritage Project warns, "Watch for ticks." Bug spray with DEET provides effective protection during warmer months.
Child-friendly activities: McCully Heritage Project offers family-oriented facilities. Leo S. shares, "I just love the bridge across the pond. We had a picnic and the kids got to play on the playground equipment." Most family-friendly sites are located in the main camping areas rather than equestrian loops.
Junior ranger programs: Several state parks offer educational activities for children. Michele G. mentions McCully Heritage Project is "very family oriented" with programs that help children learn about local wildlife and ecology.
Safety considerations: Families should be aware of water access points. At Indian Creek, Kayla S. notes, "This campground has it's own beach that you can only get to by boat or if your camping in the campground. Felt more private that way."
Site leveling challenges: Cuivre River State Park Campground provides various site options for different RV sizes. Kyle R. reports it's a "Great well maintained state park right outside of St Louis." However, some sites require leveling equipment.
Hookup availability: Frank Russell offers full hookups on concrete pads. Jan K. notes, "Most impressed by how perfectly level our paved parking pad was. We didn't have to level the rv or even unhook it from the truck."
Access considerations: Some horse campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. Lindsey C. observes about Frank Russell, "They do have nice secluded little spots mostly all electric. Bathhouse is pretty a long walk, but big and really clean."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ashburn, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ashburn, MO is Indian Creek Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Ashburn, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Ashburn, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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