Best Equestrian Camping near Merriman, NE
Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest offers dispersed camping options for equestrians in the Nebraska Sandhills region. The forest provides primitive camping with no designated horse corrals, though the open terrain allows for flexible horse containment options. Campers should bring their own portable corrals or highlines for securing horses overnight. The forest features vault toilets and drinking water at established areas, but lacks dedicated equestrian facilities such as wash racks or manure disposal areas. Visitors report the area requires preparation for tick prevention, especially during warmer months when ticks can be abundant in the grasslands and wooded areas.
The surrounding Sandhills prairie provides excellent opportunities for off-trail riding and exploration across the rolling grassland terrain. Riders should wear bright orange during hunting seasons as the area is popular with hunters. Access to some areas requires four-wheel drive vehicles, particularly when traveling to remote camping locations near ponds or the river. The forest roads include some grass trails that may be challenging for horse trailers during wet conditions. While the campground itself offers minimal amenities, the remote location provides a sense of solitude that many equestrians appreciate. The fragrant ponderosa pines create natural windbreaks and shade for horses and riders in an otherwise open prairie landscape.
