Hill Country State Natural Area offers horse camping across 5,000+ acres of rugged terrain west of Hondo, Texas. The park features diverse ecosystems within a 40-mile network of trails that connect limestone ridges, creek bottoms, and grassy valleys. Equestrian campsites accommodate trailers of various sizes, while primitive camping options require riders to travel 2-3 miles from parking areas.
What to do
Trail riding exploration: Hill Country State Natural Area maintains trails with varying difficulty levels for riders of all experience levels. "The hiking was great with some challenging trails and some moderate ones, which allowed us to explore quite a bit of the park," notes Sarah D., who appreciated the spacious campsites that easily accommodated multiple tents.
Fossil hunting: The park's limestone formations contain numerous fossils that can be spotted along trails. One visitor mentioned that the area "seemed to boast lots of fossils according to some fellow hikers," making this a unique educational opportunity while exploring the trails.
River access: Alamo River RV Ranch Resort provides direct water access for horses and riders. "It is a beautiful tucked away area. Nice trails, great tree cover and full of nature and flowing water," says Genice J., who visited during both winter and summer months.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Equestrian campers appreciate the well-spaced sites at horse campgrounds near Hondo. "The campsites were spacious and there were quite a few options," reports Ronnie M., who enjoyed hiking the variety of trails at Hill Country State Natural Area.
Wildlife viewing: Many equestrian sites offer excellent opportunities to observe local animals. "We saw a deer, squirrels, and even a herd of blackbuck antelope," notes Jackie R. about her stay at Kerrville-Schreiner Park, where many sites include stone or wood picnic tables and fire rings.
Natural water features: Lost Maples State Natural Area offers riders access to clear water. "The river is crystal clear and very inviting on a hot summer day," shares Matt S., though he warns visitors that cell service is non-existent, making offline maps essential for trail navigation.
What you should know
Trail closures: Weather conditions can impact trail access at equestrian facilities in the region. "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," advises Megan E.
Limited connectivity: Many horse campgrounds around Hondo have poor or no cell service. At Lost Maples State Natural Area, Matt S. found it was "a complete deadzone for cellular. I had absolutely zero service on my cellphone, antenna Tv, or wifi/4g," suggesting visitors plan ahead for emergencies while on trails.
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian camping areas require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "To get a fall reservation, I booked nearly a year in advance!" Mickie B. explains about Lost Maples, which has only 30 total sites.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly trails: Kerrville-Schreiner Park offers accessible paths for young riders. "The trails at this park offer easy paths for families to enjoy along with mountain bikers," notes a reviewer who appreciated the clean facilities and spacious sites.
Water activities: After trail riding, families can cool off in nearby water features. "Guadalupe River access for swimming, fishing, and kayaking," recommends Terri L. about Kerrville-Schreiner Park, calling it "a great base camp for exploring the Texas hill country."
Educational opportunities: Schedule time for nature exploration with children. Jake S. reports his family "had a blast. Fishing, hiking, and geocaching was great" at Kerrville-Schreiner Park, where the combination of activities kept everyone engaged.
Tips from RVers
Gate access codes: Some equestrian campgrounds use security systems requiring codes for after-hours entry. "There is a gate code to get back in, after hours," explains Mark M. about Kerrville-Schreiner Park, suggesting visitors keep their map and access information handy when leaving the campground.
Campsite location selection: For equestrian camping with RVs, consider noise factors when selecting sites. "We stayed down by the river. The road was real close to the site that we stayed in... We will go back and stay on the upper hillside," advises Brad E., noting the upper section of Bandera Pioneer RV River Resort is quieter.
Town proximity: Some equestrian facilities offer easy access to nearby services. "Park your RV and within walking distance of Main Street. Very friendly staff and patrons and the area is clean," shares Brittney W. about Bandera Pioneer RV River Resort, which also features "large pool for kids and has river access."
