Best Equestrian Camping near Dodge, TX
Looking for the best horse camping near Dodge? Equestrian camping is the best way to experience nature. At The Dyrt, you can find top-rated spots for horse camping, as reviewed by campers.
Best Equestrian Sites Near Dodge, TX (7)
1. Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Kennard, Texas17 Reviews•93 Photos•131 SavesOverview
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It surrounds a picturesque 45-acre lake that was once a log pond and a source of water for the Central Coal and Coke Company sawmill which operated from 1902 to 1920. The facility is open year-round and includes a large campground, picnic areas, a reservable amphitheater, a swim area and many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Camping is available year-round. The Davy Crockett National Forest, named for the legendary pioneer, contains more than 160,000 acres of East Texas woodlands, streams, recreation areas and wildlife habitat. Located in Houston and Trinity Counties, the forest is centrally located within the Neches and Trinity River basins.
Recreation
Swimming, fishing, hunting, hiking and picnicking are the area's main activities. The designated swimming area and playground provides much fun for the kids (no lifeguard on duty). Fishing piers are available for anglers to try for largemouth bass, bream and channel/blue catfish. Only electric motors are allowed on the lake. Principal game for hunting on the national forest includes squirrel, deer, quail, dove, turkey and waterfowl. Three main hiking trails can be accessed from the facility: the 1.5-mile Tall Pines, 0.75-mile Trail Tamers and the 20-mile Four C, which winds through many types of forests to a scenic overlook. Learn more about recreation in the national forest.
Natural Features
The campground is heavily forested with loblolly pine, oak and other hardwoods, and surrounds Ratcliff Lake. A wide variety of wildlife exists in the area, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.
Nearby Attractions
The Big Slough Wilderness Area, located along the Neches River about five miles north of Ratcliff, is free of modern development and gives the visitor a place for solitude and primitive experiences.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
$30 / night
2. SAM HOUSTON (Houston/Conroe/Huntsville Area)
New Waverly, Texas1 Review•1 Photo•17 SavesSam Houston National Forest, one of four National Forests in Texas, is located 50 miles north of Houston. The forest contains 163, 037 acres between Huntsville, Conroe, Cleveland and Richards, Texas. With land in Montgomery, Walker, and San Jacinto counties, the Sam Houston National Forest is intermingled with privately owned timber lands and small farms. Covered picnic tables at Scott's Ridge Day Use Area on the Sam Houston National Forest.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
3. 566 Piney Creek Horse Camp
Kennard, Texas4 Reviews•4 SavesThe Piney Creek Horse Trail is a system of horse trails that meanders approximately 53 miles through the East Texas pineywoods in the Davy Crockett National Forest. Trail riding groups of more than 75 persons (including spectators) will need a Special-Use Permit and should contact the District Office three months prior to the ride date. The trail is primitive. Use caution in wet weather since parts of the trail flood. Some sections of the trail route around the bottomlands and can be used even in wet weather. ~ Map ~
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
4. White Rock Horse Camp
Kennard, Texas1 Review•3 Photos•4 SavesThis is a horse camp on the Piney Creek Horse Trail. ~ Map ~
- RVs
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Toilets
$10 / night
5. New Adventure RV Park
Be the first to review!Coldspring, TexasNew Adventure RV Park is 2 miles from Lake Livingston, 6.7 miles from Double Lake Recreation Area, and 12 miles from the Sam Houston National Forest's Big Creek Scenic Area (includes the Lone Star Hiking Trail).
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$39 / night
6. The Preserve RV Resort
Cleveland, Texas1 Review•1 Photo•3 Saves- Pets
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Equestrian
7. Happy Campers
Be the first to review!Washington, Texas- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
- Tents
$50 - $250 / night
Recent Equestrian Reviews in Dodge
25 Reviews of 7 Dodge Campgrounds
Yasmin S.
Ranger
Davy Crockett National Forest Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Ratcliff - Natl. Forest
Has 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.
- Yasmin S.Ranger
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Ratcliff
This is another Great in deep e. Texas. They have really clean it up over the years. Even thin out more by the swimming area and boat ramps. Has a boat ramp but no electric motors. Also a dump station. They upgraded a RV spot that also has a playground too. You will find remants of the old sawmill here.
- SSeeking Narnia
Traveler
White Rock Horse Camp
Nice dispersed camping
Nice area for dispersed camping. Several level areas. 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.
- RRose M.Traveler
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Pretty Solid
If you're someone who camps to get away from everyone, this is not the spot for you. It should come to no surprise that it isn't secluded as it does have several sites available. There's bathrooms and showers, a swim area, fishing, and a selection of trails to do while staying here. At the primitive sites you get a fire pit and a picnic table. Great place overall.
- TTartan C.
Scout566 Piney Creek Horse Camp
Remote and laid back
Quiet national forest hunting camp with vault toilet and water, but no amenities at the individual campsites. Bring your own generator and dry camp. Great, well marked Trail system. Be careful during hunting season!
Fred S.
LegendRatcliff Lake Recreation Area
Nice wooded campground
Pretty campground. Tall pine trees. Camped with our camper van along the loblolly loop. Not suitable for large rigs in this section. Level tent pads. Sites have access to the lake. Loved the tall trees. Restroom/shower rooms were very clean. See previous reviews about this. Paved roads & driveways in this section. No water & electric hookups in this section, but available in another section of the campground. Water spigot nearby for drinking water. Busy Hwy 7 is nearby; road noise from big rigs can get loud sometimes. AT&T cell/data service okay. No T-Mobile cell/data service. Would like to camp here again & explore some of the hiking trails.
Zachery S.Scout
The Preserve RV Resort
Level spots lots of room
We have enjoyed our stay at the preserve! Have 3 little boys who enjoy fishing and they have plenty of creeks and ponds near campsites; it isn’t the most luxurious parks but if your looking for a state park feel this place is a home run!
Veronica S.
GuideRatcliff Lake Recreation Area
Peaceful lakeside retreat at a reasonable price!
Solo camped with my big dog and had a blast. I went Sunday thru Tuesday, so I was the only camper on the entire loop!
Lots of water spigots, lots of shade, and sturdy fire pits make this campground really convenient. Most lakeside campsites appeared to have canoe ramps worn in.
The bathrooms were spectacular. Each pod of bathrooms had 4 separate ADA compliant facilities, and each facility/room had a shower, a toilet, a sink, benches, transfer bars, and MOST importantly a locking door. It meant I didn't have to leave my dog in the car or wrestle him into a bathroom stall every time I had to go! Also, the showers had hot water.
I didn't get a chance to use the trails, as heavy rains the day before I got there had knocked out the bridges on the trails, so, I had a great time hanging out at my site with a beautiful view!
Tony E.TravelerRatcliff Lake Recreation Area
Wonderful, well-spaced campground under the East Texas tall pines
What the campsites lacks in remoteness it makes up for with everything else.
Very well-maintained National Forest site just off Texas Highway 7 in the middle of the Davey Crockett National Forest.
Highlights for the site include:
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very well-spaced apart offering more privacy than usually afforded
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restrooms and showers were clean.
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Access to hacking trails in the national forest
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Easy access to food/fuel/firewood
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A large variety of species for birdwatching
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Small lake with deck for launching kayaks or SUPs
There was not water at every site, so bring a longer hose and be ready to fill your tanks or containers.
Road noise from highway was audible, but not too distracting.
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Chris K.GuideRatcliff Lake Recreation Area
In my top 10
This is one of our favorite campgrounds due to the sense woods, well spaced campsites, clean family style bathrooms, and activities such as hiking, fishing, and swimming. Highly recommend!
Daniel L.GuideRatcliff Lake Recreation Area
Spacious and peaceful
In the fall I could imagine staying here for a week. I didn't, this time, but I could imagine doing it. campsites were large and deep. Obviously you don't want to hang around the grass near the lakefront too much, cause of gators. Pick your site carefully online before you go, there are good and bad sites. Our site had quite a bit of litter and small bits of trash. The site with the lake views are stunning. Get them if you can.
Bathhouse is fully enclosed bathroom and shower, fully ADA, and locking doors. Sinks have outlets. I don't know what else to say but the lolliby loop was really nice. Walking the campgrounds was very pleasurable. The little hiking trails were nice too. the sections of the 4C trail we walked were really chill, very flat. The more dynamic and better marked trails were in mission tejas about 20mins away, but, the better campsites were at Lake Ratcliff. Not a great or inviting park name, but it was nice campsite. Only downside was the highway was audible at all hours.
Amenities used:
Bathhouse
- Charlie C.Scout
566 Piney Creek Horse Camp
Great overnight
I am a touring cyclist. I stopped here for an overnight. Small shelter I set up my tent under as there was rain in the area. A lot of trash in the area.
Tip:... if cycling the area. About a mile west of this camping area there is a pipe coming out of the ground on the north side of the road. Spewing cold potable water. Great place to fill water bottles if you can find it.
- Charlie C.Scout
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Great rec area
Nice campground area. In the Davey Crockett Nat forest. Nice little swimming area. Clean bathrooms.quiet
- JJosh H.Traveler
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Pineywoods Beauty
Nice, quiet, area to get away and enjoy alone or with family. Great trails and a small lake to enjoy kayaking, fishing, and swimming.
- KKim V.Traveler
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
East Texas Pineywoods!
Great campground in the Pineywoods of east Texas. Stayed 14 days in site 20 on Dogwood loop. Nice size sites with plenty of room between. Restrooms and showers clean, though showers do need some repair. Plenty of walking/hiking trails and wood for fires. Swim area looks nice, though we visited in November so we didn't swim. Can see the foundation for the old mill in back of the park.
- Missy S.Scout
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Quier, beautiful space to relax.
The campground is located in the Davy Crockett National Forest, with spots located around the edges of a small lake. Although we could occasionally hear noise from the highway, it was mostly peaceful and quiet. The campgrounds are spacious, with tent platforms, poles to hang trash, and large picnic tables. The bathrooms were amazingly clean and with camp hosts and park rangers on site, we always had help with anything we needed. We hiked and kayaked (with our own boats) and it was all just lovely. I would go back for sure!
Adam H.GuideRatcliff Lake Recreation Area
Very nice and very scenic!
We rolled in at night, but woke up to a forest of breathtaking loblolly pines! The camp sites are very nice and spatious with plenty of room between your site and your neighbors site. Very clean, nice bathrooms. We loved it.
Michelle G.GuideRatcliff Lake Recreation Area
I can’t believe I’m in Texas
Beautiful place! We are at campsite 10 right on the lake. Breathtaking tall trees. Well kept clean campsites with a fire pit. The park host brought over firewood right to our site. No need to buy firewood at all. Plenty of cut wood around the park. Easy kid friendly hiking trails around the park. Restrooms were immaculate. So peaceful and quiet at night. I am smitten.
- JJessica V.Scout
SAM HOUSTON (Houston/Conroe/Huntsville Area)
Pond, Swimming, Trails, Shelters, this State Park has it all!
Campgrounds have a variety of amenities to choose from, including screened shelters, which are great if you get caught in a Texas sized downpour or if the mosquitoes are particularly aggressive, a pond with optional row boat rentals, and swimming spot. There isn't much variation in the trail terrain, though they may cross a stream here and there and have a good deal of tree cover from that hot TX sun. Overall, a great spot that is not too far out of the city to make a nice weekend getaway in the forest.
- Sydney L.Traveler
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Classic East Texas
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! We laughed our way back to camp and waited out the rest of the storm in our cars. It cleared up quickly and we were back out in the wild. We took an inflatable kayak out on the lake. Decent little lake. People were in the swimming area. Would camp here again.
- MMary A.Guide
566 Piney Creek Horse Camp
Small primitive campground adjacent to horseback riding trails.
This is a small primitive camping area in the Davy Crockett National Forest. There’s a small covered pavilion and shady sites. Sites are first come and fees are paid at the campground. The camp is a great place to camp and ride the adjacent horse trails. The trails are nice but not well marked.
- MMary A.Guide
566 Piney Creek Horse Camp
Small primitive campground adjacent to horseback riding trails.
I believe this is the same campground reviewed under 566 Piney Creek. This is a small primitive camping area in the Davy Crockett National Forest. There’s a small covered pavilion and shady sites. Sites are first come and fees are paid at the campground. The camp is a great place to camp and ride the adjacent horse trails. The trails are nice but not well marked.
- CCara H.Guide
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Clean and nice campground
This is a nice little campground and a pretty little east Texas lake. It is clean and everyone we met was friendly. The tent sites don’t have electric but include a picnic table and fire pit. We had a great visit!
- jjasmine L.Ranger
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Chilly
I spent about 5 days in Sam Houston National Forest. The campsite was pretty good in my opinion. Yes, there is plenty of sites here as this is a big National forest. I came here with my boyfriend and friend and there was plenty of room. The only downside was that it was really difficult to find dry firewood. At night it was really chilly with a breeze blowing across. The neighboring site were very respectful in talking with a low voice especially because they had a big group. The sites were quite close with only bushes dividing up the camps with a 5 second walk. We were able to visit Huntsville state park on the east side of Sam Houston National forest the next week
Elliott B.LegendRatcliff Lake Recreation Area
Decent size campground with some extra amenties
Well spaced out, but not huge sites (both RV hookup electric and Non "tent only") which allow you to not really spread out, but at least people aren't on top of you. Like most campgrounds you have your standard table and fire ring, but you also have access to flush toilets and showers.
The recreation area also rents out canoes and has pretty good fishing or you can make sure of thee swimming area and the tons of trails for some short nice hikes or a long trek through the region.
Guide to Dodge
Horse camping in Texas offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian-friendly amenities, perfect for those looking to explore the great outdoors with their horses.
Equestrian campgrounds include essential amenities
- At 566 Piney Creek Horse Camp, you'll find a quiet national forest setting with vault toilets and a well-marked trail system, ideal for horseback riding.
- White Rock Horse Camp provides a nice area for dispersed camping with several level spots and access to great hiking and horse riding trails.
- SAM HOUSTON (Houston/Conroe/Huntsville Area) features electric hookups and drinking water, making it a comfortable choice for equestrian campers.
Equestrian campers like these nearby activities
- Enjoy fishing and exploring creeks at The Preserve RV Resort, which offers a state park feel with plenty of room for your horses.
- New Adventure RV Park allows for easy access to local trails, making it a great base for horseback riding adventures.
- Experience the tranquility of nature while riding through the trails at 566 Piney Creek Horse Camp, where you can also enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Tips for equestrian camping near Dodge, Texas
- Be prepared for primitive camping at White Rock Horse Camp, where amenities are limited, so bring your own supplies.
- During hunting season, exercise caution at 566 Piney Creek Horse Camp to ensure a safe experience while riding.
- If you're looking for a more developed site, consider SAM HOUSTON (Houston/Conroe/Huntsville Area), which offers a range of amenities to enhance your stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Dodge, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Dodge, TX is Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area with a 4.7-star rating from 17 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Dodge, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Dodge, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.