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Best Equestrian Camping near York, NE

60 Reviews

Branched Oak Lake State Recreation Area offers equestrian camping facilities with designated horse-friendly sites. Area 2 serves as the primary equestrian camping location, featuring pull-through sites with full hookups, dedicated corrals, and direct access to horseback riding trails. The campground accommodates both horse owners and regular campers with RV and tent sites available in the same vicinity. Many equestrian campers appreciate the lakeside location and spacious setup that provides room for both horses and camping equipment.

The equestrian trails at Branched Oak connect to a broader trail system that circles portions of the lake. Horse owners can access water points for their animals and enjoy relatively flat terrain suitable for various riding experience levels. The campground provides reasonable separation between equestrian sites and standard camping areas to minimize disturbance. Park staff patrol regularly to ensure rule compliance, which creates a controlled environment for horse camping. Primitive camping areas on the peninsula provide additional options for horse owners seeking a more rustic experience. Trailer parking is available adjacent to the equestrian sites, with ample room for larger rigs and equipment.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near York, Nebraska (6)

    1. Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area

    28 Reviews
    Malcolm, NE
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 783-3400

    $20 - $30 / night

    "My first time camping in Nebraska. Ive been to several throughout the US. Loved the spot, I was right next to the lake, great swimming access. Downside drinking water access was difficult."

    "Camping area 2 has a lot to offer, even if you don't own a horse. The area is well known for being the equestrian camping area at one of the finest lakes in Nebraska."

    2. Mormon Island State Recreation Area Campground

    19 Reviews
    Doniphan, NE
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (308) 385-6211

    $20 - $25 / night

    "We wanted a camp ground that was close to a city and only a 2 hour drive from our home if we needed to get something or an accessory that we forgot to pick up before leaving. "

    "This park is right off I-80 off one of the Grand Island exits. This park was actually a surprise to me. It was pretty clean, especially for as packed as it was."

    3. Timber Point Wetland

    4 Reviews
    Brainard, NE
    39 miles
    Website

    "No people really, just a bunch of cows you pass as you drive down the gravelly/sandy roads to get to it. No mosquitoes, but bullfrogs aplenty throughout the night."

    "My favorite campgrounds are the ones that are a little out of the way on unpaved roads in the middle of nowhere :-) there was a pretty lake, a bathroom, a dumpster, and a map of the hikes."

    4. Bruning Dam Recreation Area

    1 Review
    Fairbury, NE
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 471-7670

    5. Bluestem State Rec Area

    6 Reviews
    Martell, NE
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 471-5545

    "Check out Blustem if you like to get away from RV heavy camps like I do. You’ll find clean raised toilets, trails, and archery range, boating, fishing and hunting here."

    6. Branched Oak Dam-Site 18 Liebers Point

    2 Reviews
    Malcolm, NE
    39 miles
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Equestrian Camping Reviews near York, NE

60 Reviews of 6 York Campgrounds

  • J
    Jun. 1, 2022

    Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area

    Great getaway weekend

    My first time camping in Nebraska. Ive been to several throughout the US. Loved the spot, I was right next to the lake, great swimming access. Downside drinking water access was difficult.

  • Charles C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2018

    Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area

    Equestrian, Tent, and RV Lakeside Camping Area

    Camping area 2 has a lot to offer, even if you don't own a horse.

    The area is well known for being the equestrian camping area at one of the finest lakes in Nebraska. Pull through sites with full hookups, equestrian trails, and corals. Yet few people realize that there is a nice RV and tent camping area, lovely inlet with lakesides slabs, Boat docks, and Boat ramps. Showers are not available at area #2 but are available at a closeby area #1.

    The lake has some nice trails including the equestrian trail that comes from the park. The park has several beaches 2 of them very close. There are archery and shotgun ranges at the lake and a decent disc golf course.

    At a popular lake, this is a nice yet secluded camping area that often gets overlooked.

  • Joe R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 17, 2018

    Bluestem State Rec Area

    Primative get away

    Check out Blustem if you like to get away from RV heavy camps like I do. You’ll find clean raised toilets, trails, and archery range, boating, fishing and hunting here. I camped here in early spring with my boys and another family and we had the place to ourselves. This is yet another really nice state recreation area within 20 miles of Lincoln Nebraska. Check it out.

  • Charles C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2018

    Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area

    Spacious Pair of Primitive Campgrounds

    This is really two large primitive campgrounds each capable of holding crowds of campers. Though this does not have flush toilets or showers they are very near in the adjacent campground.

    This campground is on the peninsula of Branched Oak Lake and is close to area 6 which has all the fun stuff. See the review of area 6!

    Nearby Malcolm has one of the best BBQ joints in the state, and people throughout the area go to a little town called Bee, close by, for an awesome fish fry every Friday night.

  • Charles C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2018

    Timber Point Wetland

    Free Camping close to Hiking, Biking, Equestrian Trail

    This free camping area is low on amenities, but os well kept and close to the Oak Creek Trail which extends from Valparaiso to Brainard Nebraska.

    The Lake is lovely with such good trails it is often used as a cross-country race site. This NRD lake has 3 gravel slabs close to a vault toilet and water hydrant. It is just up the hill from the boat ramp.

  • Jordan H.
    May. 31, 2019

    Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area

    Awesome Park

    This is the best lake in Nebraska for camping! They are tent sites right by the lake. The bathrooms are pretty clean. There’s a huge no-wake area of the lake for kayaking and paddle boarding. They also offer boat rentals.

  • Shelby H.
    Jun. 21, 2020

    Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area

    South Shore T-4

    Pros 

    - Own Beach Front! -- I can not express how amazing this perk is!!! 

    - No "dogs not allowed" signs like the public beaches! 

    - Plenty of trees for shade (and hammocks) 

    - Close parking

    - The breeze off of the lake helped so much with bugs

    - Price $15/night

    - Mowed grass trail nearby.. no clue where it leads - the bugs were too bad!

    - Shower houses within driving distance, or longish walk (not currently open.. Covid)

    - Stars are amazing at night 

    - Fire Pits & Grate  & Picnic Table included

    Cons

    - No Water hydrants

    - Bathrooms are not nearby (maybe 6-7 minute walk?)

    - These sites fill up FAST.. Go out on a Friday at 3 pm.. there will not be sites left

    ---- We went on a Tuesday and got there around noon and there were only 3 sites available. 

    - Minimal tent sites (I think 8 total?) -- at south shore

    - Can hear vehicles driving on the nearby highway

    - Can get crowded with visiting boaters during the weekends

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 31, 2022

    Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area

    Amazing Views from Our Campsite

    Once we exited off I 80 per campground(CG) instructions, we traveled following our RV GPS, WAZE, and Google Maps on the back roads to the state recreation area(SRA) and specifically the South Shore CG. We saw the South Shore sign that was somewhat hidden by trees and also a sign for the dump station and potable water. We pulled into the dump station for potable water and to dump what we had from our overnight stay as we were going into back-in site 80 with only electric(50/30/20 AMP). There was a small unmanned check-in gate where we got our Nebraska State Park Pass, but no one was around to stamp our pass so we followed the signage to site 80, which was a fairly easy back-in. We were amazed at the lake view as this site sits up on a hill about 100 yards from the water. Our name was on the post as we had online reservations(there are some first-come-first-serve sites here). We could have put out our satellite, but we got a multitude of OTA channels out of Lincoln, NE. We also got 3 bars on Verizon and 2 bars on T-Mobile. The South Shore CG has a mix of FHUs, 50 AMP, and 30 AMP-only RV sites. Note that when the utilities state Electric Plus, there is no water at the site, just 50 AMP electric plus a 30/20 AMP as well. There are also tent areas within the SRA campgrounds. The sites in general are spaced so you are not right on top of your neighbor. However, the sites that run on both sides of site 80 have no one behind with lots of space down to the lake. This was a very nice CG that we would not hesitate to visit again.

  • Eric P.
    Jan. 12, 2022

    Mormon Island State Recreation Area Campground

    Clean Amenities and Good Location

    Stayed here for a weekend when we purchased our new travel trailer.  We wanted a camp ground that was close to a city and only a 2 hour drive from our home if we needed to get something or an accessory that we forgot to pick up before leaving.  Location is the big benefit of this location.  Literally right off the interstate and all the amenities of the city of Grand Island are only 5 minutes away.  Its rare that I can go eat at Texas Roadhouse or ice cream at Cold Stone and its a 5 minute drive from my campsite.    

    This is a nice and well kept campground.  Good shade on our section that is away from the lake and close to the shower houses.  Shower houses are clean and typical for NGPC camp grounds.  Electrical hookups on each campground with water spigots spaced through the campground.  Good access for backing in.

Guide to York

Nebraska offers a variety of options for horse camping enthusiasts, combining beautiful landscapes with facilities that cater to both riders and their equine companions.

Equestrian campgrounds include essential amenities

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy fishing and hiking at the scenic Timber Point Wetland, which also provides a peaceful atmosphere for horse camping.
  • The Bruning Dam Recreation Area is ideal for outdoor activities like hunting and fishing, making it a great spot for adventurous equestrians.
  • Explore the trails at Bluestem State Rec Area, where you can enjoy kayaking and swimming in addition to horseback riding.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near York, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near York, NE is Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near York, NE?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near York, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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