Horse campground facilities near Athens, Texas are limited, with a focus mainly on standard RV and tent sites that can accommodate horse trailers rather than specialized equestrian amenities. The region sits in the Post Oak Savannah ecological region, characterized by gently rolling hills and a mix of hardwood trees and grasslands. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F with high humidity, while winter nights can drop below freezing.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Oak Cove Marina offers excellent fishing access with boat rentals available. One visitor noted, "My husband had a blast fishing there with his buddies and we had a good boat ride but there wasn't a whole lot for our kid to do. We managed though and we do plan on going back."
Water recreation: The Boulders at Lake Tyler provides multiple water activity options including kayak and pontoon boat rentals. A camper shared, "They have a store that sells fishing license and bait. They also have a fishing barge and kayaks and boats for rent."
Hiking trails: While not directly offering horse trails, many parks in the area have walking paths for stretching your legs. Bardwell Lake parks have grassy open areas suitable for short hikes. A visitor to Mott Park mentioned, "We love going out there and cooking, swimming, hicking, camping."
What campers like
Lake views: COE Bardwell Lake Mott Park offers waterfront sites with panoramic vistas. A reviewer wrote, "Our site #29 was nice and shady and panoramic view of lake. We have a class a so never checked restrooms. I base my review rating on the beauty of the view."
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the maintenance levels at parks in the region. At Highview Park, a visitor noted, "Great views, clean sites, however there's very limited shade."
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer reasonable rates for their amenities. One camper at Highview Park shared, "Pay campground: $18/night. Good experience. Near Ennis, TX. Convenience stores, etc 4-6 miles away. Covered picnic table."
What you should know
Limited tent camping: Some locations restrict tent camping or have limited facilities. A visitor to Oak Cove Marina reported, "My husband and I went to this site to scope it out for a weekend family camping trip. We drove all over the park and could not find a designated area for tents. We finally stopped at the restaurant/convenient store/bait shop and asked where are the tent sites. He asked when we wanted to stay and we gave him the dates. He then informed us they do not allow tents during the weekend."
Gate hours: Some parks lock entrance gates at night without accommodations for late arrivals. A camper at Highview Park warned, "This may be a great campsite but for us it was terrible. When we arrived at 11pm the gates were locked with no one in site. Was supposed to be a one night stopover with a morning swim. Ended up at the rest stop instead."
Noise levels: American RV Park sits near a highway and experiences traffic noise. As one visitor mentioned, "The park is located just off a busy state highway so you do hear traffic, although this didn't bother us too much."
Tips for camping with families
Bring additional activities: For equestrian camping families, prepare extra entertainment options. A family who visited Oak Cove Marina advised, "We had a good boat ride but there wasn't a whole lot for our kid to do. We will definitely be bringing more activities for our children."
Restroom availability: Highview Park offers family-friendly bathroom facilities. A visitor noted, "Large combined family (private) restroom/shower. (Regular restrooms were closed/locked during my visit - Monday night; May 27.)"
Security considerations: Parks with regular security patrols provide peace of mind for families. At High View, a camper shared, "Local sheriff's dept and park ranger made several trips through the park which made it feel secure. Bathroom facilities were clean."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At The Boulders at Lake Tyler, site location can impact your experience. A reviewer cautioned, "I took off 1 star because their pull thru sites are right on the road. We had number #17 and it was a little tricky to get into the site deep enough that your slides don't stick out into the road. It made our patio area smaller."
Concrete pads: Most RV sites in the region offer concrete pads, making setup easier. An RVer at The Boulders at Lake Tyler shared, "Although the sites were close together, they all had concrete pads, full hookups, were level, and had picnic tables. Great view of Lake Tyler."
Limited sewer hookups: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. A camper noted, "The only reason I didn't give it five stars is the price and not having sewer. There are a lot of cute amenities but everything costs extra."
