10 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
566 Piney Creek Horse Camp occupies a small area within Davy Crockett National Forest with camping sites adjacent to horseback riding trails. The primitive campground features a small covered pavilion and shady sites for horses and riders. Sites are first-come, first-served with fees collected on-site. Vault toilets are available, though no water hookups exist at individual campsites. The campground layout accommodates both tent camping and smaller RVs with adequate room for horse trailers. The trails interconnecting with the camp are excellent for riders, though trail markings can be inconsistent in some sections. Sites include fire rings for evening campfires, with firewood available seasonally.
The horse trail system at Piney Creek extends through the Davy Crockett National Forest, offering well-maintained but sometimes poorly marked routes. Trails wind through the East Texas Pineywoods, characterized by tall loblolly pines and diverse forest vegetation. Riders should exercise caution during hunting season as the area serves as a hunting camp during designated periods. A loafing barn provides shelter for horses during inclement weather. The remote location creates a laid-back atmosphere for equestrians seeking quiet forest trails. For longer stays, visitors should prepare for dry camping conditions by bringing generators if electrical needs exist. The Texas Parks Limited Use Permit, which costs as little as $12 annually, allows access to this and other National Forest or Wildlife Management Areas for horse camping near Diboll and throughout the region. Riders looking for additional horse campsites near Diboll will find that the surrounding Pineywoods region offers several equestrian campgrounds with comparable trail access and primitive facilities, making it one of the more accessible areas in East Texas for dedicated horse campers.
"Very well-maintained National Forest site just off Texas Highway 7 in the middle of the Davey Crockett National Forest. "
"East Texas weather is so unpredictable. When we arrived at camp it was nice and sunny, so my friend and I decided to walk our dogs. On our walk we got caught in the middle of a down pour!"
from $15 - $35 / night
Check Availability"There is a loafing barn for horses. No bathrooms or water. Would be a 5 with just water. You need a Texas parks Limited use permit. It costs as little as $12 a year."
from $12 - $42 / night
Check Availability"Entertains many hike trails. One even for handicap person to follow thru. Good for horses or bikes. You can go for miles even to a dispersed camping lookout point."
"Such a peaceful and beautiful area in the Piney Woods of East Texas. I wish we'd had more than 2 days here to explore."
"Great, well marked Trail system. Be careful during hunting season!"
"Great hiking / horse riding trails around. Would not recommend this area during hunting season. Accessible via car, good roads, smaller trailers. If RVing, will need levelers."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"If looking to be near a campground but still out on your own then this is the place."
"Several pull off sites right off the lake. No amenities. One large group camping on the other side of the lake playing their music loud. Good internet reception ship."
"Walking trail around like is near. Not to many fire ant poles. Near by groceries store and town playground close by."
"Deep in the woods and on a nice shallow lake. Fantastic for walks around the lake, playing in the park, and fun trails. Camp grounds are spacious and we'll thought out."
"The park seems very well designed for equestrian, but also good for tent camping. The trails are nice and wide. Tent spots are spacious, although most sites do require a decent walk from the car."
from $14 - $250 / night
Check Availability"If you want to escape the hot summer in Texas, I would recommend coming to Brookeland Campground because there is a beautiful lake nearby."
"This KOA has trails leading to a river which empties into Lake Rayburn. You do not have direct access to the lake itself. The campground has a couple of small ponds. The staff is excellent."
from $39 / night
Check Availability
RangerI was looking for a spot to pull off for the night, on my way further west. This spot was just off the paved road, with a well maintained dirt road to the sites. Several pull off sites right off the lake. No amenities. One large group camping on the other side of the lake playing their music loud. Good internet reception ship.
RangerQuiet, pretty National forest with lots of trails, lake and privacy. Cell signal poor.
TravelerBeautiful little gem. The upkeep is outstanding, you can tell it’s really looked after. The camp sites are close to each other but since it wasn’t busy it felt like we had our own private area. There is a small swim area that you should utilize because there are alligators in the lake so it’s not safe to swim by the campground. The rangers drive around a few times a day. We didn’t do the trail this time around but will try it out next time. It’s great for big groups because of all the space. They have bathrooms with a shower and plenty of toilet paper in case you forget to bring your own. It gets pretty dark at night because there are no lights except what you pack with you. There is also a water spigot and a fire pit.
TravelerWe came to tent camp and wanted to be on a lake shoreline. We stayed at #11 on Lakeside Loop.
The positive:
The tent pad was nice and level and the site was very roomy (we had a tent & canopy) with tons more room to stretch out.
We were about 200 yards from the bathroom facilities and about 30 feet from potable water for washing up.
The traffic was minimal because it’s off the main road, and would have been peaceful if the group of campers at #9 had been courteous and acknowledged quiet hours.
We had incredible weather with a wonderful steady breeze.
Negatives:
We did have a lake view, but the shoreline is so incredibly overgrown making it difficult to fish. Lots of rotted wood and brush blocks a great deal of the view and access.
The burn circle had a grate welded at an angle to the top, so it couldn’t really be used for building up a big fire or cooking.
No one drove around/checked to make sure visitors are keeping to the quiet hours, which meant we were kept awake until about 12:30 am from yelling and loud music.
The restrooms, while near, had not been cleaned before we arrived—toilet paper on the floors and in the shower area with lots of dead june bugs and spiders on the floor the whole weekend.
RangerDown a hard packed gravel road. A few potholes but nothing major. Nice spot in the trees. There are a few fire pits spread out. We were the only ones here.
RangerGreat camping area, sites are a little unlevel, but not too bad. Water is a little bit of a stretch, may need to make sure you have plenty of hose.
Remnants of old sawmill is really cool, lots of wildlife and well maintained and marked trails to explore.
Good fishing, and swim area is very refreshing as well!
TravelerCampground not full. Very quiet, sites not on top of each other (some more private than others), gravel pads for rv, tent, table, lantern post and campfire ring. Water & electric or primitive sites both available. My personal agenda is all things nature related. The land, peace, plants, birds, land animals and TREES, water sources and types. To enjoy all the beauty (in all forms) which our earth provides.
RangerIf looking to be near a campground but still out on your own then this is the place. I got lucky enough had the place to myself for almost 2 weeks, give or take the few groups that tried to tough the biting fish. I will share a tip. They seem to sit dormant at 10pm and 3am for a hour each. No biting. Please clean behind as you found it.
RangerHas great camping. Entertains many hike trails. One even for handicap person to follow thru. Good for horses or bikes. You can go for miles even to a dispersed camping lookout point.
Piney Creek Horse Camp connects to an extensive trail system in Davy Crockett National Forest, with routes that vary from well-maintained to minimally marked segments. Vault toilets serve the area, though campsites lack water hookups. The forest terrain features typical East Texas Pineywoods vegetation dominated by loblolly pines, creating a shaded environment for equestrian activities.
Trail riding: The horse trails throughout Davy Crockett National Forest Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area connect with several camp areas and extend for miles through pine forests. "Entertains many hike trails. One even for handicap person to follow thru. Good for horses or bikes. You can go for miles even to a dispersed camping lookout point," notes camper Yasmin S.
Fishing: Multiple ponds and small lakes in the region provide fishing opportunities near equestrian camping facilities. At Sexton Pond Dispersed, anglers should note specific fishing patterns: "I will share a tip. They seem to sit dormant at 10pm and 3am for a hour each. No biting," advises Yasmin S.
Swimming: Natural swimming areas provide relief during hot weather at several locations near Diboll. At Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area, "There is a small swim area that you should utilize because there are alligators in the lake so it's not safe to swim by the campground," warns Alana B.
Remote setting: The isolation of camping areas near Diboll creates a peaceful atmosphere for outdoor enthusiasts. At White Rock Horse Camp, visitors appreciate the natural surroundings. "Nice area for dispersed camping. Several level areas. Great hiking/horse riding trails around," notes camper Seeking Narnia.
Wildlife viewing: The forest environments harbor diverse animal species for observation. Campers should maintain appropriate distance from wildlife, particularly near water features. "Be careful during hunting season!" warns Tartan C. about camping at Piney Creek Horse Camp during designated hunting periods.
Forest access: The national forest location provides direct access to extensive trails. At Alazan Bayou, David T. notes: "At least 14 sites with picnic tables on concrete slabs. Fire rings and Lantern poles. Very well kept and mowed. There is a loafing barn for horses."
Hunting seasons: Equestrian camping near Diboll, Texas occurs in active hunting areas during specific seasons. "Would not recommend this area during hunting season," cautions Seeking Narnia about White Rock Horse Camp, confirming the dual use of these recreational lands.
Permit requirements: Access to certain camping areas requires permits. For Alazan Bayou, "You need a Texas parks Limited use permit. It costs as little as $12 a year. If you want to fish or hunt the price goes up a little. Can be used to stay at any National Forest or Wild Management area," explains David T.
Facilities limitations: Most equestrian sites offer minimal services. "Quiet national forest hunting camp with vault toilet and water, but no amenities at the individual campsites. Bring your own generator and dry camp," reports Tartan C. about Piney Creek Horse Camp.
Safety precautions: Families should be aware of natural hazards in the area. At Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area, "The rangers drive around a few times a day. We didn't do the trail this time around but will try it out next time. It's great for big groups because of all the space," notes Alana B.
Trail difficulty: Select appropriate trails based on experience levels. For beginners, stick to well-marked routes at established recreation areas. At Double Lake NF Campground, "Deep in the woods and on a nice shallow lake. Fantastic for walks around the lake, playing in the park, and fun trails," shares Devin P.
Weather preparedness: East Texas weather patterns require flexible planning. Sydney L. describes Ratcliff Lake: "East Texas weather is so unpredictable. When we arrived at camp it was nice and sunny... On our walk we got caught in the middle of a down pour! We laughed our way back to camp and waited out the rest of the storm in our cars."
Site selection: RV campers should verify site dimensions before arrival. At Double Lake NF Campground, camper Erin R. recommends: "Great RV campsite #36. Pull thru and has great privacy. Walking trail around like is near. Not to many fire ant poles."
Road conditions: Access roads to horse camps vary in quality. At Sexton Pond Dispersed, Jennifer M. reports: "Down a hard packed gravel road. A few potholes but nothing major. Nice spot in the trees. There are a few fire pits spread out."
Leveling requirements: Uneven terrain at some horse camps requires equipment adjustments. At White Rock Horse Camp, "Accessible via car, good roads, smaller trailers. If RVing, will need levelers," advises Seeking Narnia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Diboll, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Diboll, TX is Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 20 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Diboll, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Diboll, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
