Best Equestrian Camping near Bandera, TX

Located in the hills about 10 miles from Bandera, TX, this campground is the perfect place to disconnect (you won’t get signal anyways) and hike, run or horseback ride through a plethora of trails.

Hookups are available for campers or a 2-3 mile hike can get you to a primitive site. Group sites are available to rent. This area of Texas gets hot so bring plenty of water. Watch for wildlife.

I would recommend checking their  Facebook page if it has recently rained to see the status of the park and trails. Occasionally the park or some trails will close if the risk of damage to the natural area is high.

Right in the action of Bandera, Texas. Park your RV and within walking distance of Main Street. Very friendly staff and patrons and the area is clean. Large pool for kids and has river access.

Absolutely love the trails here! The views are breathtaking and the trails vary from easy to challenging. The only issue we’ve encountered is that the new maps don’t always give an accurate description of how challenging the trails are. The staff work really hard to keep the trails maintained, but heavy rains will cause the trails to erode, so they will close the trails depending on the weather. Hiking, biking and horseback riding are all allowed and hikers and bikers are required to yield the right of way to horseback riders. I’ve ridden horseback here for many years and have always found the hikers and bikers to be very considerate. Shoes or boots are recommended since most trails are rocky. The Trailhead Equestrian Camp has 6 sites with two pens at each site and water should be available in April 2019 at each site. There’s a vault toilet and water for horses centrally located in the camping area. There’s also a round pen for supervised use. Camping with electric hookups is available at Chapa campground on a first come basis unless reserving the entire campground. The Group Lodge is also available for groups. Check out the TPWD website for more information.

I was planning on staying there, but it is basically an equestrian state park. You can camp there, but there's not electrical and water hook ups. It's mostly tent camping. The staff was very friendly. I went to visit there just to see what it was about. If you're a hiker, there's hiking trails, so you'll enjoy that.

It's a good place to go with family but too much horse excrement for next family to stay

The campsites were spacious and there were quite a few options. There were quite a few trail systems closed that day due to the weather, but even with the limitations we were able to hike a good variety of trail. Be sure to get the info packet on the trails so that you don't find yourself hiking the equestrian trails as they can be a little rough for hikers. Be sure to hike to the top of the hill and enjoy a coffee on the bench - amazing view of the hill country!

This is an X-State Park that the City of Kerrville assumed operation in 2004. Very popular, nice park, but it’s really beginning to show its heavy use. Bandera Highway splits this park with check-in on the Guadalupe riverside of Bandera Highway. FHU sites in Deer Field Loop, which require a gate access code for access, are a good distance from the next site, with the site across the road are closer. Asphalt parking pad fairly level. Wooden picnic table, metal fire pit with cooking grate. Utility hook-ups in good condition at our campsite. The picnic table is at least 50 feet from the camper parking pad, which is chained to the concrete pad it sits on. Noise from Highway 173 and the approach pattern for the Kerrville Municipal Airport, so lots of low flying aircraft. Otherwise, campers were quiet and respectful. Deer came very close to us while sitting at the fire pit. Toilet/shower facility clean; women had 2 sinks, 2 toilets and 3 showers. There are two washers and two dryers on the backside of the Deer Field Loop toilet/shower facility, but the washer lids were ripped off, but lying there. Easy day trips to Hill Country towns from this park to include Fredericksburg, Austin, New Braunfels and San Antonio. In Kerrville, don’t miss Grape Juice Restaurant, brand new HEB open November 2020, Belks and Gibson’s Store.  Camp Verde General Store and Restaurant is only a 20-minute drive.

Love the trails and camping at the HCSNA. Camping is primitive unless you rent the Lodge or Chapas group camping, but the scenery and trails are varied and it’s not far to town. Some of the riding trails are quite challenging but there are plenty of moderate and easy trails to ride. Shoes or boots are recommended for horses due to the rocky terrain.

I have camped here both in the Texas winter (Nov) and recently Texas Summers (July). It is a beautiful tucked away area. Nice trails, great tree cover and full of nature and flowing water.

This is a beautiful park in a great part of the Texas Hill country.  Great hiking trails in this park as well.

Pulled into our site a little before dinner time. All sites seem to be pull through, so that’s nice but if you get an even number site in the pecan loop be aware of the proximity to a bust county road with a lot of road noise.

The pecan loop has the most shade, important in Texas in the summer.

Electrical box is old, rusting and the breakers are loose with wires visible. Use your surge protector here - well, always use a surge protector but especially here.

Water pressure is low so be prettier that too.

Been here several times over the years and it’s perfect for primitive camping! The staff lets you switch places if you want and are pretty friendly/easygoing. I have camps in the farthest campsite out campsite S, and really enjoyed it, although it is a little bit of a hike. The best spots on the trail is the south west corner kind of and also the north east area. The southwest area is kind of a bald on the top of a mountain. The north east part is where the cliffs faces and ponds are. Along the trail you will also find a few little clear faces here and there and a few kind of nasty springs which are full of dead leaves and even swimming leeches! I have seen snakes, tarantulas, lots of turtles, and some very visible fish along the stream. Overall this is one of the best primitive camping places that you will find in Texas to be honest! Highly recommend.

Lost Maples State Natural Area has some beautiful hiking trails and backpacking areas. If you need basic supplies you may find some at the general store in the small town nearby the park named Vanderpool. 

Perhaps the best time of the year to visit is in November when the weather is cool and the fall foliage take place. However, the park is very busy in November, so make a reservation six months in advance. If no campsites are available you may visit for the day and find a private campground nearby to camp.

There are basically two loops- an East Trail and a West Trail and each covers about 4-5 miles. It is completely possible to hike all the trails(about 12 miles) in a single day, but I prefer to hike and appreciate the natural features that can be found throughout the park.

This review is for the Primitive Area H on the West Trail.  The campsite is a primitive or dispersed site so there are no amenities. There is no water, no electricity, no restrooms, just natural space. Leave No Trace and Pack In Pack Out principles should be practiced. The camping area is adjacent to the West Trail and close to the West Loop Trail. There is a open field in one area and a tree covered space in another area. So there are options for both tent and hammock backpackers. 

This park has a number of peaks, creeks and ponds to view. In Texas State Parks fishing is allowed and no fishing license is required. Whether you're visiting to relax, fish or hike this park is enjoyable for all ages.

Very friendly, close walk to the town and facilities very clean

Not my first trip here. This park is handy if you want to walk to events, restaurants, bars, shopping on Main Street or to City Park. Friendly staff (and they're dog friendly too).

Type of Park: Private 

Check In: 1p Check Out: 12p 

Length of Stay: 3 Nights 

Regular cost per night $38, Discounts: Good Sam $11.40

My Total Cost 💲102.60

📋 Site#133 Notes:

Back In, lower level, site was very level side-to-side 

Site Pad: gravel

💧 Water- knee height, wrapped with insulation due to cold weather

⚡ Max amp: 30- all green lights

💩 Sewer- threads a little stripped out

📶 Wifi available, but I didn't use it 

Picnic Table: wooden 

Was a little farther from the highway than my last stay. A little quieter on this end.

👎🏻 Not available: 

Grill Fire 

Ring w/Grate

📺 Cable available on upper pull-thru spots only

📝 Park Notes:

🚻 Clean Restrooms

🚿 Showers

🧺 Laundry facility

🐕 Off-leash dog park

🛒 Store

🚶🏻‍♀️ Trails- walking trail along the river, wide enough for golf carts

🌊 The Medina River runs along the edge of the park, Walk under Hwy173 to access City Park. 

🤿 Pool

.🏚 Cabins

Boondocking area available

🥞 Good breakfast in the Recreation Center for just$6.50 on Saturdays when snowbirds are there. Pancakes, eggs, toast or roll, sausage patties, coffee, orange juice and all the condiments.(Should have done this on my last trip) 

Many of the snowbirds have flown out, but the park was still pretty full 

👍🏻 Walking distance to Main Street- bars, shops, food, entertainment, Visitor's center (Gunfights on Saturdays)

🦌 Wildlife: Several ducks, squirrels, signs of deer

Super camping & hiking with our dog and friends. Set up two tents at one site, and had plenty of space for everyone. The hiking was great with some challenging trails and some moderate ones, which allowed us to explore quite a bit of the park. Seemed to boast lots of fossils according to some fellow hikers.

You will find all kinds of trailer with different levels. Enjoy