6 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Coppergate Ranch offers equestrian camping facilities 15 miles northeast of Gilmer, Texas. The property accommodates both horses and riders with 15 designated campsites suitable for tents and RVs. Horse owners can access water hookups and 30-amp electrical connections at their sites while their animals enjoy the ranch setting. The property maintains clean bathroom facilities with showers and provides picnic tables at each campsite. Campers wake to the sounds of farm animals including pigs, chickens, and horses that share the property. Trash collection and drinking water are available throughout the campground, making extended stays convenient for riders and their horses.
Trails surrounding the ranch provide riding opportunities through the East Texas countryside. The campground requires reservations, ensuring adequate space for horse trailers and camping equipment. Alcohol is permitted at campsites, and pets are welcome alongside equine companions. Firewood is available for purchase on-site for evening campfires after trail rides. The property's location near Mount Pleasant provides access to additional riding areas in the region. While the ranch does not offer free camping, its reasonable rates and horse-friendly environment make it popular with equestrians seeking weekend getaways in the Piney Woods region. The property's hosts receive consistently positive feedback for their hospitality and maintenance of the horse-friendly facilities.
"Peaceful, beautiful trees surrounding you at all times, great campgrounds and all facilities were super clean at all times! There are a couple hiking trails but they are mainly easy walks."
"Its nestled in the thick pineywoods of northeast Texas - the towering pine trees, lakeside cabins and crystal clear lake all combined bring back memories of a person's childhood."
from $10 - $225 / night
Check Availability"4.5 total miles of trails and none of it difficult. You can't take a baby stroller but obey because of a few branches, it's all easy hiking."
"One morning, as I was sitting drinking my coffee, four deer walked right through our site!! We had a regular nighttime visit from some bold raccoons, so definitely put your goodies and trash away."
from $10 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Wake up to pigs, chickens, horses and more. Book your stay today and leave them some love here."
from $25 - $120 / night
Check Availability"Great view of Lake Tyler. Also very clean. There is a store, great boat dock, and a vendor selling very good bbq. We will definitely come back if in the area."
from $55 - $195 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $5 / night
from $15 / night
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LegendAshley here with The Dyrt. I want to give a warm welcome to Lynda and Ruston, your hosts. Setup camp at this lovely farm and choose your lodging option. Wake up to pigs, chickens, horses and more. Book your stay today and leave them some love here.
TravelerMy husband and I just started our camping adventures so we are not big connoisseurs on the “campgrounds of America” topic yet, but we were impressed by this State Park. Peaceful, beautiful trees surrounding you at all times, great campgrounds and all facilities were super clean at all times! There are a couple hiking trails but they are mainly easy walks. Is a great place to go relax, walk by the lake and hang out making S’mores! We live in Dallas so its only 2hrs away from home so is a perfect weekend getaway. 🏕🥰🍁
TravelerFor folks that went camping in the 70s, 80s, 90s with your coleman lanterns, coleman fuel stoves, and actually camped in tents (as intended)... Daingerfield State Park is the place to be. It gives you the classic nostalgic feeling of camping. Its nestled in the thick pineywoods of northeast Texas - the towering pine trees, lakeside cabins and crystal clear lake all combined bring back memories of a person's childhood. Being in this park makes you feel like that picture perfect family on the packaging of camping products. It is a beautiful park with plentiful trails for mountain biking and hiking. There are multiple campgrounds allowing for large RVs/campers and tent camping. Bathrooms are always clean and the staff is polite and helpful. Fishing is good in this large spring-fed clear water lake - although motorized boats are not allowed, kayaks, canoes and paddle boats are permitted and available to rent as well. The park store is small but has most of your camping basics such as drinks, snacks and tshirts, etc.
All of the campsites have fire rings and the park sells firewood at a fair price and permits ground fires if the county is not under a burn ban. The park also hosts a healthy amount of events such as dances, Halloween in the park, and Christmas in the park.
The town of Daingerfield is a neat little town - only a 5-10 minutes from the park, it provides multiple fast food options, a Brookshires supermarket, gas stations and perhaps the most famous location in Daingetfield - the Morris Movie Theatre. (Cash only $1.50 tickets on the newest movie releases, two auditorium building, great snacks and best of all it is a family run operation. Nightly showings which makes it a perfect place to visit if you're camping at the park for a few days)
Stargazing is also great at DSP.. the park is far enough away from bigger cities which allows for darker skies.
This is defintely one of my favorite parks to go to and in the year I've lived in this area, we've probably gone to DSP at least two dozen times or more. Do make reservations ahead of time, as this park is largely popular and fills up quickly on summer days (day use) and weekend nights (camping).
I highly recommend this park and hope you and your family make long last memories.
RangerThis park is easily in our Top 3 in the Texas State Parks system. It's a small park, but a little slice of heaven. Towering pine trees grow right up to the waters' edge. So peaceful. Donna, my wife, will often sit and gaze over the water.
The park is neat and tidy, and the bathrooms have always been clean. There are several picnic tables by the lake, a swim out platform, kayaks, paddleboats, a fishing pier, and a few swings on the playground. We typically visit during the week, so it's always been pretty quiet. And if you need supplies, there's a Brookshire's grocery nearby(only a few miles away). One trip, we decided to fish and grabbed bait from the Ace Hardware in town.
We love laying in our hammocks, watching the pines sway, and listening to the birds sing. In the warmer months, we swim and splash around the floating platform. And with a fire pit at every site, s'mores are a given each night(so long as there's no burn ban).
There's a short trail that circles the lake(about 2.5 miles). We do it EVERY trip. It's a beautiful and easy hike. Take a picnic and make your way to the CCC picnic area on the lake's other side. There will be a spot where you can enjoy your lunch, looking back across the water.(But don't let your dog grab your PB&J when you're not looking or you'll be hungry on the way back.)
Ranger4.5 total miles of trails and none of it difficult. You can't take a baby stroller but obey because of a few branches, it's all easy hiking.
One bathroom but all the lits are spacious and secluded.
The lake is great. Beautiful swimming area and playground. We were here 7 days and only left once to hut Walmart (20 minutes)
Definitely 5 star, and only 18/night. Just as good as the 25/night Texas State Parks.
And as always, as a Texas State Park it is extremely safe. Park Police (actual police) are scene everywhere.
Oh, and everywhere it says no wifi and while it's true you can't log into a free network we had zero problems getting wifi on our phones and we were the only people in our loop being midweek during winter.
LegendReserved on-line 152 days prior to arrival.
Pros
Pristine clean restroom/showerhouse. Seemed recently renovated
BIG PINE camping area only big rig friendly(longer than 20 ft) out of 40 FHU sites. Big Pine, Dogwood and Mountain View Campgrounds FHU so 40 FHU sites with no park dump station.
Aluminum picnic table and fire ring with cooking grate
Very quiet campground except for highway and train noise
4 camp hosts
Good night sky viewing in BIG PINE
Good view of lake in BIG PINE
Privacy from side neighbors
No leveling required from side-to-side
Asphalt parking pad heaved various places due to tree roots creating numerous tripping hazard
Campsite utility hook-ups in good condition with no problems encountered
Security gate that closes overnight
No street lights in BIG PINE
Campsite and entrance fee discount with Texas State Park Pass
Not charged a fee to make my own on-line reservation
CONS
Most FHU sites (other than BIG PINE) are extremely short in length. Barely room for single axle TT, so need to review site details carefully
Site 8 had an extreme amount of above ground roots causing tripping hazard
Picnic table approx 50 feet from Site 8 parking pad
Highway and train noise
BIG PINE sites barely off campground road, so therefore no privacy from campers across the road
Restroom/shower facility not heated
No lantern pole
No wildlife sightings
No park Wifi
1 bar AT&T in BIG PINE
GuideWe did dispersed camping here while we still lived in Texas. The forest was nice, but hike in was not challenging at all, and short. Park gets busy during spring/summer for fishing at pond. Best parts of our trip was how the forest animals really came alive at night, and the clear starry sky. The out-house at the primitive sites was a luxury you don't usually get when camping that way. If you enjoy dispersed camping the way we do, this may not be the place for you. The regular campsites may be nicer here but we did not venture that way. Also, Texas March weather is perfect for camping. Good place for a quick get-a-way from the city.
LegendI went there for 3 nights. It is a beautiful little park. It has an 80 acre lake that is really nice except there is too many lilly pads. I took my tiny camper, fishing poles and kayaks. I wish there where more campsites near the water. It is a quite little park. The campsites are nice. The restrooms are very nice. This park is very clean. The park had different activities during the day on Saturday. They had live music and a campfire that I really enjoyed. Then after that they had a dance with a free jukebox and disco lights. It was fun watching the people dance. They have a really nice fishing dock and a store to buy supplies, sueveniers and ice. They rent Kayaks, paddle boats and boards by the hour. The trails go completely around the lake and are easy and very beautiful . They have free WiFi that actually work. The sunset and night sky is amazing. The racoons are very brave and will rob you of anything they can. Do not leave ice chest out or vehicle windows down. The park is only a couple miles from town. I would say this is one of Texas hidden gems. The people that work there are very nice. You don't have to have a fishing license to fish there and that I like because I didn't have to buy an out of state fishing license. There are lots of places to eat out if you don't want to cook. There is a place called Arnold's about 7 miles from park that has really reasonable food. $4 breakfast Eggs, sausage or bacon, hash browns, and biscuit & gravy. The also have a giant hamburger, bigger than a dinner plate that can feed 4 adults for only $15. Also 2 miles from the park is a big grocery store that is very reasonable, convenience stores, ice machines, and drive in restaurants. There is a $4 per person per day park entry fee. If you are a 100% disabled veteran that fee is waived for you and 1 other person. The campsites with electric are $20 & $25. Unlike many other states Texas does not give discounts for camping if your disabled or hold an America the beautiful pass.
GuideI stopped at Daingerfield State Park on my way to Arkansas... I got there after dark and left around 9am so I wasn’t able to enjoy the park but it was beautiful with all the fall colors. I was at cedar ridge site 51. It was a Wednesday night so there were only 3 other sites being used in that area. 51 was right next to the dumpster but a good walk from the bathrooms. There was a neighbor on one side of the site and across the street. I like not feeling surrounded by campsites. The site and park seemed very well kept up. The bathrooms were one of the nicest state park bathrooms I’ve been in. I got in after the park office was closed but they called me earlier that day and had given me the key code so I had no trouble from getting there after hours. This is one I’ll need to come back to.
Equestrian camping options near Gilmer, Texas extend beyond Coppergate Ranch to several nearby destinations throughout East Texas. This region's pine forest terrain offers relatively flat trails with occasional rolling hills, making it suitable for riders of various experience levels. Winter temperatures typically range from 35-60°F, while summer months often exceed 90°F with high humidity.
Trail riding at Daingerfield State Park: Located 30 miles northeast of Gilmer, this park features wooded trails through pine forests. A visitor noted, "Nice hiking trials. Privacy if that's your thing, it is for us and our three dogs. However, there is an awesome pavilion, swim dock, picnic area and paddle boat area. Something for everyone."
Fishing opportunities: Many equestrian-friendly sites provide lake access for fishing between trail rides. At Lake Bob Sandlin State Park, one camper reported, "Great location. Fishing dock," while another mentioned the "Gorgeous waterfront sites with excellent fishing."
Kayaking after riding: Some locations allow for combined equestrian and water activities. A visitor to Lake Bob Sandlin shared, "Kayak launch isn't easy to get to but they have provided a slide for yaks to get from the parking area to/from the launch. Once you're there though its like you're transported somewhere else."
Privacy between sites: Many horse camping areas offer good separation between campsites. At Daingerfield State Park, a camper noted, "Privacy if that's your thing, it is for us and our three dogs," while another mentioned, "Tall trees, wildlife. Beautiful lake. Rolling hills."
Wildlife viewing: Riders frequently encounter native East Texas wildlife during stays. One camper at Lake Bob Sandlin shared, "One morning, as I was sitting drinking my coffee, four deer walked right through our site!! We had a regular nighttime visit from some bold raccoons."
Clean facilities: Equestrian-friendly campgrounds typically maintain suitable bathroom facilities. A camper at The Boulders at Lake Tyler reported, "The bathrooms were very clean," while another noted that "the grounds were clean and well maintained."
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian facilities require advance bookings to ensure space for trailers and horses. Lake Bob Sandlin requires reservations and one visitor advised, "Sites 10-13 are nice waterfront sites."
Seasonal considerations: Fall and winter months offer comfortable riding weather but some preparation is needed. A camper at Daingerfield noted, "We came here for fall colors but I think we were just a little late, but the park was still pretty."
Wildlife precautions: Take appropriate measures to secure food and supplies. As one visitor to Lake Bob Sandlin warned, "We had a regular nighttime visit from some bold raccoons, so definitely put your goodies and trash away."
Kid-friendly amenities: Many sites offer activities beyond riding. A visitor to The Boulders shared, "They also have a nice playground. The picnic tables at the sites looked new and all sites had a fire pit with a grill top."
Water activities: Families can combine riding with swimming or boating. A camper at Daingerfield mentioned, "Nice hiking trials... there is an awesome pavilion, swim dock, picnic area and paddle boat area."
Safety features: Parents appreciate the security at established campgrounds. One visitor to Lake Bob Sandlin noted, "And as always, as a Texas State Park it is extremely safe. Park Police (actual police) are scene everywhere."
Site selection considerations: Choose carefully based on rig size and configuration. At The Boulders at Lake Tyler, a camper advised, "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: Many sites offer solid foundations for larger rigs. One visitor to The Boulders noted, "Although the sites were close together, they all had concrete pads, full hookups, were level, and had picnic tables."
Hookup details: Check specific hookup configurations before booking. One camper at Daingerfield reported, "BIG PINE camping area only big rig friendly (longer than 20 ft) out of 40 FHU sites. Big Pine, Dogwood and Mountain View Campgrounds FHU so 40 FHU sites with no park dump station."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Gilmer, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Gilmer, TX is Daingerfield State Park Campground with a 4.9-star rating from 24 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Gilmer, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Gilmer, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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