Best Equestrian Camping near Salisbury, MO

Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area provides equestrian-focused camping near Salisbury with over 20 established equestrian campsites throughout the park. The campsites are nestled within heavily forested areas, offering shade and natural surroundings for horses and riders. While the facilities are primitive with only vault toilets available, the conservation area offers extensive trail systems specifically designed for horseback riding. The trails wind through forested terrain and connect to a fishing lake with docks and a boat ramp. Camping areas are setup specifically for equestrian use with adequate space for horse trailers and equipment.

The equestrian trails at Rudolf Bennitt accommodate riders of various skill levels and are well-maintained for safety. Campers can enjoy multi-day trail riding experiences with convenient access between campsites and trail networks. The park has a central layout with a shooting range located in the middle of the property. Horse owners should note that no water hookups or electric service is available at the equestrian sites, requiring visitors to bring water for their animals. Camping at the lake offers open gravel or grass areas with more accessible facilities. The conservation area provides a true backcountry experience for riders seeking a primitive camping experience with their horses. A park map, available at the entrance, is essential as roads pass through both park and private property.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Salisbury, Missouri (3)

    1. Finger Lakes State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Hallsville, MO
    34 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."

    2. Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area

    2 Reviews
    Higbee, MO
    21 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."

    3. Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Columbia, MO
    48 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."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Salisbury, MO

33 Reviews of 3 Salisbury Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Amy E.
    Jun. 4, 2022

    Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park

    Good stopover site

    This was a good stopover site on our journey. The campground reps were kind and great to work with. The registration online was seamless. We submitted an inquiry online, they replied within a day with the invoice to confirm our site and sent us confirmation details via email. Checkin was simple. The lots felt a bit tight but no big deal since it was just a stopover. It appeared there may be permanent residents who stay so if you’re looking for that, it might be an option based on the setups and work trucks parked at a few. Everyone was friendly, quiet and seemed to keep to themselves. Nice pond onsite that you can fish. 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. Our truck and camper was covered with gravel dust. So if you had anything exposed, it’ll get a bit dusty. But again overall a nice stopover and the employees were great to work with.

  • Tori G.
    Jun. 24, 2016

    Finger Lakes State Park Campground

    Great riding, quiet camping

    Finger Lakes is one of few places in Missouri for campers to also be able to enjoy riding their ATVs. Helmets for riders and flags for vehicles are required for riding, and there is a variety of terrain for hours of fun. Camping is generally quiet with ample space to relax in your lawn chairs, cook and dine outdoors, and fellowship with others. Most camping sites have at least some shade.

  • Meaghan S.
    Jun. 16, 2020

    Finger Lakes State Park Campground

    All sorts of activities

    I have two dogs. They are friendly, but get rather rambunctious when they see other dogs. I prefer sites that I can keep them tucked away.

    On the electric sites - sites 1-10 are in an area with lots of trees and shade, while sites 11-17 are more open, but still have a few trees for shade.

    We stayed in the premium electric spot #15. It felt roomy and was close to the bathrooms. If your like me, and prefer a tucked away spot, go for #17 (no immediate neighbors to your left).

    The park itself is delightful. There are hiking, biking and water trails. Hiking trail was really nice with a surprise waterfall! Because the majority of campers were out in their ATV’s, we had the hiking trail all to ourselves. The kayak/canoe loop trail is nifty as there is no need to park a car in another location.

    Bathrooms were well kept. Shower house was just ok.

  • R
    Nov. 20, 2022

    Finger Lakes State Park Campground

    Nice Place!

    I've passed through Missouri numerous times, and their parks are always top notch. Clean and well maintained. As with most "green" places in the spring and summer, the ticks are outrageous. This time was no exception, use spray to keep the buggers off!

    This one was easy in/out, plenty of room between campsites. Most sites looked level, but some are a bit wacky. We had a wacky one, and the host was nice, and quick to reposition us to a better spot.

  • J
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park

    Out new favorite place!

    Out new favorite place! this campground has everything for a perfect long weekend! The cabins are spectacular and right on the water! We just tooK 40+ family members and everyone fell in love with this campground. We had family from Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri, and everyone raved how this was their new favorite spot. The fishing was great, amenities were fantastic, and the hosts were amazing. Free rentals on pontoon boats, kayaks, and paddle boats. We will be back again, especially since they just built more cabins!


Guide to Salisbury

Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area features over 20 established equestrian campsites situated in heavily forested terrain near Salisbury, Missouri. The campsites accommodate horse trailers with adequate space for equipment. The conservation area spans several hundred acres with a network of trails designed specifically for horseback riding through wooded areas. A central lake provides additional recreational opportunities for visitors.

What to do

Fishing at the lake: The conservation area includes a fishing lake with docks and a boat ramp for anglers. "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," notes a visitor at Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area.

Paddling on calm waters: Several water activities are available at nearby lakes. "This park is one of my favorite nearby spots to take the kayak out and just float. Paddling through these channels is such a dreamy experience. Kayaks and canoes are available to rent as well," reports a visitor to Finger Lakes State Park Campground.

Hiking trails: The area offers trails suitable for hiking in addition to horseback riding. "Trails and camping areas in woods are setup for equestrian with good trails for hikers, bikers and horses," according to a camper at Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area.

What campers like

Quiet atmosphere: Equestrian camping near Salisbury provides a peaceful setting away from urban noise. "Heavily forested with a lake. Camping at lake is open gravel or grass," writes one camper about their experience.

Fishing opportunities: Anglers appreciate the accessible fishing spots throughout the region. "There are some small lakes that clearly have a draw for fishermen and for those who like to canoe and kayak. Did you forget your canoe at home, no problem you can rent one," mentions a reviewer at Finger Lakes State Park Campground.

Natural surroundings: The forested terrain creates a rustic camping experience. "The campground has large campsites and is quiet. The bathrooms are clean and a short walk from most campsites," notes a camper at Cedar Creek Resort & RV Park.

What you should know

Limited facilities: Most horse camping sites in the Salisbury area offer primitive accommodations. "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," explains a visitor staying at Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area.

Navigation important: Due to mixed public and private land, proper navigation tools are essential. "Get a brochure with park map at entrance as roads pass through park and private property," advises a camper.

Terrain considerations: Some campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain that requires preparation. "The camp grounds are not overly private and are not in the best of shape (ground is really uneven). Though the camp area itself is nothing to write home about, there is a lake about a mile or so that is great for fishing and kayaking," reports a visitor.

Tips for camping with families

Weather preparation: Missouri weather can be variable, requiring proper planning. "I've passed through Missouri numerous times, and their parks are always top notch. Clean and well maintained. As with most 'green' places in the spring and summer, the ticks are outrageous. This time was no exception, use spray to keep the buggers off!" advises a camper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Salisbury, MO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Salisbury, MO is Finger Lakes State Park Campground with a 3.6-star rating from 23 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Salisbury, MO?

TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Salisbury, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.