Best Equestrian Camping near Ste. Genevieve, MO
St. Joe State Park Campground offers two distinct camping areas with specialized horse accommodations. Campground 2 features larger sites specifically designed for equestrian needs, with ample space for horse trailers and equipment. The park maintains separate trail systems for horses, mountain bikes, and ATVs, ensuring safe riding experiences for equestrians. Sites include gravel parking areas, picnic tables, and fire rings. The equestrian campsites accommodate both tents and RVs, with electric hookups available. Vault toilets are located near the horse camping area, while shower facilities require a short drive to the main campground. The spacious design allows campers to keep horses at their sites rather than in communal corrals.
The park's trail system provides extensive riding opportunities with 11 miles of paved trails suitable for less experienced riders and horses. St. Francois State Park also accommodates equestrians with dedicated horse stalls and a large parking area for horse trailers. Trails wind through forested areas and along bluffs above the Big River, offering scenic riding routes. Johnson Creek Recreation Area in Shawnee National Forest provides a more primitive horse camping experience with hitching posts and non-potable water spigots at most sites. The campground features three small loops, with one specifically designed for equestrian camping along the forest edge. Riders access multiple connecting trails directly from the campground, making it convenient for daily rides without trailering horses to different locations.