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Best Equestrian Camping near Mark Twain Lake

69 Reviews

Frank Russell Campground at Mark Twain Lake provides equestrian facilities including dedicated horse trails and spacious camping areas for riders and their mounts. Sites are paved and level, offering electric hookups for trailers while maintaining a secluded atmosphere within the natural setting. The equestrian site accommodates riders with ample space for horses and equipment. Bathhouses are clean though some distance from campsites, with full hookup options available for RV campers. The campground underwent recent renovations, creating improved concrete sites with full hookups and fire pits. A fishing lake with concrete sidewalks and benches makes shore fishing accessible, complementing the trail system used by horse riders.

Horseback riders can access numerous trails that wind through the wooded areas surrounding Mark Twain Lake. The path system connects directly to water access points along the shoreline, allowing horses to cool off during summer rides. Trails are well-maintained with wide paths accommodating horse traffic safely. The camping area provides a peaceful environment with minimal crowds even during peak summer season, creating a quiet retreat for equestrians. Most sites offer substantial shade, protecting horses and riders from summer heat. The surrounding area requires preparation as amenities are limited, with the nearest supplies located 25-45 minutes away in surrounding communities. The campground operates seasonally from April through early November, with reservations recommended especially for equestrian sites during weekends.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Mark Twain Lake (7)

    1. Indian Creek Campground

    19 Reviews
    Stoutsville, MO
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 735-4097

    $10 - $125 / night

    "Mark Twain Lake is beautiful. Lots of hiking trails and greenery between campsites. Many established trees. Ticks galore so prepare for that. 1-2 bars with ATT throughout park."

    "Great for families as there are a couple fun playgrounds and always kids and adults alike enjoying bikerides and walks through the campground and along the trails, some of which offer lake access with"

    2. Frank Russell Campground

    6 Reviews
    Perry, MO
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (573) 735-4097

    $24 - $30 / night

    "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"

    3. Finger Lakes State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Hallsville, MO
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 443-5315

    "A rainy weekend didn't deter campers from spending the holiday weekend here at Finger Lakes State Park. I was lucky enough to get a site for a single night when rain was in the forecast."

    "Finger Lakes is one of few places in Missouri for campers to also be able to enjoy riding their ATVs."

    4. Siloam Springs State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Liberty, IL
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 894-6205

    "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."

    5. Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Columbia, MO
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 239-8340

    "We didn’t explore the grounds much but apparently we could’ve walked and seen the horses by the resort. The only thing I didn’t love was the gravel road all the way in."

    "We had family from Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri, and everyone raved how this was their new favorite spot."

    6. Whetstone Conservation Area

    1 Review
    Kingdom City, MO
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 815-7900

    "Several ponds and a larger lake but it was currently being repaired so it’s very low."

    7. Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area

    2 Reviews
    Higbee, MO
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (573) 815-7900

    "Heavily forested with a lake. Trails and camping areas in woods are setup for equestrian with good trails for hikers, bikers and horses. Camping at lake is open gravel or grass."

    "Stay at lake for three days, established area with vault toilet and gravel parking. Has boat ramp and fishing docks."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Mark Twain Lake

69 Reviews of 7 Mark Twain Lake Campgrounds

  • zannie P.
    Aug. 15, 2018

    Indian Creek Campground

    Secluded sites, clean showers.

    Great beach and marina. Mark Twain Lake is beautiful. Lots of hiking trails and greenery between campsites. Many established trees. Ticks galore so prepare for that. 1-2 bars with ATT throughout park.

  • Hannah W.
    Sep. 24, 2018

    Indian Creek Campground

    25+ years of memories here

    I've come here every year since I was a toddler with family, and continue to enjoy it. Great for families as there are a couple fun playgrounds and always kids and adults alike enjoying bikerides and walks through the campground and along the trails, some of which offer lake access with beautiful views and good fossil hunting along the shores of Mark Twain Lake.. The sites are roomy and well maintained, and the bathrooms are clean and well kept. It is however a popular spot and fills up quick on weekends!

  • Mike D.
    Aug. 28, 2019

    Indian Creek Campground

    Cozy campground on Mark Twain Lake

    The 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.

  • Linda H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2024

    Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area

    Forest and Lake Dry camping

    Heavily forested with a lake. Trails and camping areas in woods are setup for equestrian with good trails for hikers, bikers and horses. Camping at lake is open gravel or grass. Nice fishing lake with docks, boat ramp and vault toilet and the only one provided. Parked lakeside. Quite night with one fishing boat late morning. Get a brochure with park map at entrance as roads pass through park and private property.

  • Lindsey C.
    Sep. 13, 2020

    Frank Russell Campground

    Secluded place

    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. only 20.00 per night. It’s has an archery range and equestrian site.

  • Ron R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 29, 2025

    Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area

    Great for fishing and horseback riding

    Stayed for 1.5 weeks. Stay at lake for three days, established area with vault toilet and gravel parking. Has boat ramp and fishing docks. It has been a windy month so I relocated farther up hill to nestle in more with the trees. There are several equestrian campsites +20 throughout the park. Also a shooting range centrally located in the park.

  • S
    Jul. 20, 2020

    Finger Lakes State Park Campground

    Decent Activities, OK Camping

    The campground was average, as were the amenities- but the activities offered were enjoyable (kayak rentals, walking trails- these were shared with dirt bikes, horses, etc.) The lake water was fine for kayaking but we definitely did not want to swim in it. The Park Ranger was unfriendly, and we read reviews of similar experiences written in the campground office guestbook when renting the kayaks.

    Not likely to return.

  • Hannah S.
    Aug. 4, 2018

    Siloam Springs State Park Campground

    Great place in the spring through fall!

    I 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!

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 27, 2019

    Finger Lakes State Park Campground

    Nice little state park close to civilization

    A rainy weekend didn't deter campers from spending the holiday weekend here at Finger Lakes State Park. I was lucky enough to get a site for a single night when rain was in the forecast. The campground is laid out in a series of small loops, with some loops in open grassy areas and others tucked into the trees. I had my pick between a site in either situation and so I picked the trees to get some shade. Sites are fairly close together, so you will get to know your neighbors. There is one nice and modern bathhouse with showers on one side and bathrooms on the other. It was very clean and well maintained, and they are in the process of putting in an additional concrete walkway. Over in the grassy loop there was an additional basic bathroom. 

    There is lots to do in this park if you are into canoeing/kayaking or ORVing as there are several marked trails for both. If you are a hiker, welllllll, not as much available here. There is a nice mountain biking and hiking trail, but you can still hear all of the ORV's running the many trails specific to ORVing. There is also a Motocross track with nice stands if you like to watch. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent (stop by and see the rangers near the entrance) and there are a couple of marked trails to take you from lake to lake.

Guide to Mark Twain Lake

Horse camping near Mark Twain Lake in Missouri offers a unique blend of scenic trails and well-equipped facilities for equestrian enthusiasts. With several campgrounds catering to horse camping, adventurers can enjoy the great outdoors while ensuring their equine companions are well taken care of.

Equestrian campgrounds include ample amenities for horses

  • Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area features heavily forested areas with trails specifically set up for equestrian use, providing a great environment for both riders and their horses.
  • Frank Russell offers spacious sites with full hookups, making it convenient for horse campers who need to accommodate their trailers and gear.
  • Indian Creek Campground allows pets, ensuring that horses can be part of the family camping experience.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park provides a peaceful environment with friendly staff, making it a welcoming stop for horse campers looking for a relaxing getaway.
  • Finger Lakes State Park Campground is known for its well-maintained facilities, which include ample space for horse trailers and easy access to trails.
  • Whetstone Conservation Area offers a natural setting with trails suitable for horseback riding, allowing campers to explore the beauty of Missouri's landscapes.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails and water access

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there equestrian facilities at Mark Twain Lake campgrounds?

Yes, there are equestrian facilities at Mark Twain Lake. Frank Russell Campground offers dedicated equestrian sites for horse owners. The campground is equipped with electric hookups and features an equestrian area designed specifically for campers bringing horses. While amenities like the bathhouse might be a walk away, the facilities are maintained well and provide an excellent base for riders exploring the area.

What amenities does Dry Dock Campground offer at Mark Twain Lake?

While specific information about Dry Dock Campground is limited in the reviews, other Mark Twain Lake campgrounds like Indian Creek Campground offer amenities such as beaches, marinas, hiking trails, and shaded campsites with good privacy. Mark Twain Lake campgrounds typically provide basic facilities including restrooms, showers, and recreational opportunities. For the most current and specific information about Dry Dock Campground's amenities, it's recommended to check with the Mark Twain Lake visitor center or recreation area management.

Are there horse-friendly trails near Mark Twain Lake?

Yes, there are horse-friendly trails in the general vicinity of Mark Twain Lake. Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area offers excellent equestrian opportunities with trails specifically designed for horses. The conservation area features over 20 equestrian campsites throughout the park and well-maintained trails through heavily forested areas. A bit further from Mark Twain Lake, Finger Lakes State Park Campground also has trails that accommodate horseback riding, though they are shared with other recreational users.

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