1 campground with availability this weekend
Several horse-friendly camping options exist near Dodge, Texas in the national forests of East Texas. Piney Creek Horse Camp in Davy Crockett National Forest provides primitive camping with access to horseback riding trails. The small camping area includes a covered pavilion and shady sites available on a first-come basis with fees paid at the campground. The horseback riding trails are nice but not well marked according to frequent visitors. White Rock Horse Camp offers another primitive camping option with toilet facilities and level areas suitable for camping with horses. The camp connects to hiking and horse riding trails throughout the forest.
Both horse camps are primitive with minimal facilities, requiring campers to bring generators for power and plan for dry camping. Riders should be cautious during hunting season when using these campgrounds and the surrounding trails. The trails in Davy Crockett National Forest provide good riding opportunities with marked trail systems, though some sections may need better signage. The forest roads leading to both horse camps are accessible by car and can accommodate smaller horse trailers. Campsites are relatively level but RVs will need levelers. National forest campgrounds provide a remote, laid-back experience for equestrians seeking trail access in the East Texas Pineywoods.
"Located on the west edge of the east Texas piney woods, this state park features excellent RV and tent camping facilities, and a beautiful network of heavily forested trails."
"The sites are spacious as in most Texas state parks, and there are many shaded sites. The waterfront sites are tiered. The upper tier is where you park your rig. "
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $15 - $60 / night
"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."
"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"
"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!"
Available this weekend
from $15 - $35 / night
from $39 / night
"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
"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."
"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!"
from $50 - $250 / night
RangerLots of sites, but still need to make reservations way in advance, suppose due to its proximity to Houston. Very well kept park with clean facilities, and partial as well as full hookups. Close to Huntsville, so if you are needing supplies or just want to go into town and not cook you are golden. Small lake with paddle boats and good fishing. Fairly flat terrain and trails are well maintained, but not terribly scenic.
ScoutHaha! We stayed at Kelly's Pond dispersed camping. Thought wow we found paradise. It was beautiful, then dusk fell, thought nothing of the Coyotes in the background noise. The first night, Coyotes in the distance, and a cat being attacked outside of us sleeping. Second night, Coyotes in background. Third night. Coyotes in background noise until 3 am. Then they were 50 yrs from us. Thank God they are scared of crazy people screaming at them. We packed the next day.. headed to Dallas area.
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.
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.
GuideMy wife and I spent 3 nights in a full hock up site. It is a beautiful park and was extremely quiet after sunset. The staff and volunteers were very helpful and pleasant. The site is fairly level side-to-side with 2.75 inches low difference. The site is sloped front-to-back, but even with a long rig you should be fine. I will pint out the site has an older concrete picnic table and unfortunately is missing one of the benches.
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.
Horse campgrounds near Dodge, Texas offer access to the pine forests and trail systems of East Texas. Located in the Piney Woods region, these campgrounds sit at elevations between 200-400 feet with sandy loam soil that drains well after rain. Trail conditions vary seasonally with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and high humidity from May through September.
Swimming at Double Lake: The recreation area at Double Lake NF Campground offers a designated swimming area away from potential wildlife concerns. "Deep in the woods and on a nice shallow lake. Fantastic for walks around the lake, playing in the park, and fun trails," notes Devin P. from Double Lake NF Campground.
Kayaking on small lakes: The calm waters of Ratcliff Lake are suitable for non-motorized watercraft. Jim P. explains, "Great camping area, sites are a little unlevel, but not too bad. Good fishing, and swim area is very refreshing as well!" at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area.
Forest hiking: The national forests offer miles of trails for day hikes. "An excellent quiet NF campground with a nice swimming area and ample bathrooms/showers," reports Matthew B. about Double Lake, highlighting options beyond horseback riding.
Natural settings: The forests provide shaded camping among tall pines. Michelle G. from Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area shares, "Beautiful place! We are at campsite 10 right on the lake. Breathtaking tall trees. Well kept clean campsites with a fire pit."
Wildlife viewing: The East Texas forests support diverse wildlife. "My personal agenda is all things nature related. The land, peace, plants, birds, land animals and TREES, water sources and types," writes JenniferWinning at Double Lake NF Campground.
Historical features: Some campgrounds contain remnants of early logging operations. "You will find remnants of the old sawmill here," mentions Yasmin S. about Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area, providing historical context for campers.
Site leveling challenges: Many forest campsites require leveling equipment. "Nice area for dispersed camping. Several level areas. Great hiking/horse riding trails around. If RVing, will need levelers," advises Seeking Narnia about White Rock Horse Camp.
Water connections: Water hookups often require extra equipment. "Do bring an extra long hose for the water connection as other reviews have stated," recommends Heather B. about Davy Crockett National Forest campgrounds.
Hunting season awareness: Trail riders should adjust plans during hunting seasons. "Great, well marked Trail system. Be careful during hunting season!" warns Tartan C. about Piney Creek Horse Camp's trails.
Shallow swim areas: Families appreciate the controlled swimming environments. "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," shares Zachery S. from The Preserve RV Resort.
Kid-friendly trails: Several campgrounds offer accessible trails for all ages. "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," advises Alana B., highlighting safety considerations at Ratcliff Lake.
Wildlife education: The forests provide opportunities for nature learning. "Campgrounds have a variety of amenities to choose from, including screened shelters, which are great if you get caught in a Texas sized downpour," explains Jessica V. from SAM HOUSTON (Houston/Conroe/Huntsville Area).
Power requirements: Most horse camps lack hookups. "Quiet national forest hunting camp with vault toilet and water, but no amenities at the individual campsites. Bring your own generator and dry camp," advises Tartan C. about Piney Creek Horse Camp.
Water supply preparation: Forest campgrounds often have limited water facilities. "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," shares Charlie C. about locations near Piney Creek.
Accessibility for trailers: Forest roads vary in condition for towing. "Accessible via car, good roads, smaller trailers," notes Seeking Narnia about White Rock Horse Camp, indicating limitations for larger rigs.
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 Huntsville State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 69 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Dodge, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Dodge, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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