13 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Fort Richardson State Park offers equestrian campsites with basic pens for horses near the historic fort. The equestrian camping area features five long, narrow sites with 20-, 30-, and 50-amp electrical hookups and water connections, though sites lack privacy with minimal space between them. Each site includes picnic tables and fire rings, with a small dumpster available in the loop. The equestrian area includes only a couple of small pens that accommodate horses, explaining why many equestrians might not frequently visit. The area sits within sight of the historic Fort Richardson buildings, providing convenient access to the grounds and self-guided tours.
The park connects to a well-maintained crushed gravel trail system ideal for horseback riding, including access to the Trailway that extends into Jacksboro and beyond to Lost Creek Reservoir. No bathroom facilities exist in the equestrian loop, requiring campers to use facilities at the main campground down the road. Horses have access to Lost Creek, which runs through portions of the park providing natural water sources. The trail system includes both paved and unpaved routes with varying difficulty levels suitable for different riding experiences. Coyotes can be heard at night throughout the park, and wildlife including deer and wild turkey frequently appear in the evenings. The equestrian sites remain accessible by standard vehicles, including those pulling horse trailers, with 2WD access sufficient for reaching all camping areas.
"We stayed one night at the equestrian camp on our way through the area. We prefer leaving the equestrian spots for horse owners but it was the last one available in the park."
"Even though a tornado touched down in the nearby small town of Jacksboro during my stay, I enjoyed this state park and all it has to offer."
from $15 - $45 / night
Check Availability"We had our own private access to the lake that was secluded by trees at our site. Picnic table and fire ring. The tent only sites was basically a big field with a parking lot nearby."
"Caution- Google Maps has no idea where the entrance to this campground is. Entry was very easy and the Ranger on duty was extremely helpful."
"Easy access to the docks and to deer blinds to watch the deer come out (no hunting)."
from $125 - $500 / night
Check Availability"Been to this park a couple of different times it has rock climbing boating,fishing, trails for walking, hiking. separate camping loop for tents and also separate one for horses."
"Lake mineral wells state park was great for biking, hiking, swimming and fishing. We had something fun for all 6 of us. My husband and I stayed in our tent, while rest of family stayed in their RV."
from $16 / night
Check Availability"This park was definitely out in the middle of nowhere, with a long peaceful drive full of wildlife. We made it to the park entrance, check in was quick."
"This is one of the clearer lakes in Texas."
from $10 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Late in the day we stopped at Lake Mineral Wells State Park, TX. We weren't sure where to go as the gate was unmanned at our arrival."
"Walk right up to lake. Spots to our right had kayaks to put in right at campsite. Dump site on the way out. Spotted a Texas bobcat."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"Water Electric , dump station close by, all rv sites seem to have a picnic table with an awning. Lake is close by, but we could feel a breeze most nights."
"The only drawback was the distance to the bathroom...quite a walk. But I should have checked that before I booked."
from $10 - $22 / night
Check Availability"It’s free and close to DFW. There’s cattle roaming around and a lot of stocked ponds to fish in and some hiking through the different areas."
"Ground is kind of hard to drive a stake into. No water or restrooms that we saw but I know wherever the group site is there is supposedly a restroom."
from $5 - $10 / night
Check Availability"We enjoyed our overnight stay near the trailhead."
"Plenty of poles for tying horses and there is water trofts for them but the water looked pretty disgusting. May want to think about bringing several gallons of water."
"There was a port a potty near the primitive area. It is right next to the highway so there is noise from that but it did not bother us at all."
"We ended up walking most of the way since the river was very low in most spots or wasn’t flowing much."
GuideThis is a great little park, lots of room in all the campsites we saw. Really great fishing area! The only drawback was the distance to the bathroom...quite a walk. But I should have checked that before I booked.
TravelerVery nice well kept campground. Staff very nice and professional.
Showers were great!! Hot with lots of pressure!!
ScoutFree for up to 14 days! Find a spot and park! The site we found it big, nobody around and has a fire pit! We are in a class c
ScoutIf you want to really camp , and not in a 50 footer , this is not a place to do it . Maybe the sites behind the lake would be better . We have camped across the country with a 12 footer teardrop 3 times . . This is my least favorite campsite ! Pads are broken up almost to the point of dangerous. Walked around in flip flops and had tar balls attach to my feet.
TravelerClean and quiet. Good showers and laundry facilities. Close to dining and stores. Internet poor.
TravelerWater Electric , dump station close by, all rv sites seem to have a picnic table with an awning. Lake is close by, but we could feel a breeze most nights. Slept with windows open, to the sound of a pump jack running, read up about it, very interesting. Bathroom is dated but clean and functional, it's a state park, that is all I want. Nearby is Wichita Falls, we walked to the Falls, decent sized western city with choices for food and shopping. We would stop again.
RangerBeautiful park, staff were extremely welcoming and friendly. Lots of activities (there was a Scorpion hunt our first night - where they meet and use a black light to seek out the little monsters - but my son informed me that was a hard pass. All the same, a cool activity that I would have enjoyed had I been alone (or with less of a fuddy duddy).
Only complaint is the width of the campsite. I don’t know that all were as narrow as ours, but site 20 is a really tight squeeze. Went off the side a couple of times trying to get in. With that narrow width, I was forced to park in overflow parking because with the length of my rig I wasn’t able to fit both truck and trailer on concrete and remain out of the road.
Nice trails for hiking and the Canadian Geese were a true gem for me - something nice about waking up to hear them in the morning (sounds odd, but I found it relaxing. Besides, the are absolutely gorgeous.
Trails are well maintained and very nice, we mostly did the Lakeview Trail, but it was a great hike, not too strenuous but with great views of the lake.
GuideLate in the day we stopped at Lake Mineral Wells State Park, TX. We weren't sure where to go as the gate was unmanned at our arrival. We missed the turn to the campground, but a friendly and helpful Texas State Park Officer directed us how to get there. He helped us with how to make payment as well.
The campground was beautiful. It was quiet, the bathrooms were clean, and the lake was serene. There are at least 3 campgrounds, including shelters, equestrian, a loop for tenters, and a loop for larger rigs. We stayed in the Plateau loop. Even though we only stayed one night, I would go back.
GuideBeautiful campsite. The fort is very interesting. I was there on a re-enactment weekend and really enjoyed talking to all the re-enacters. A lot of great history. At night the coyotes sang me to sleep.
Jacksboro sits at the western edge of the Cross Timbers region of North Texas, with elevations ranging from 900 to 1,200 feet. The area experiences hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 100°F and mild winters, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Jacksboro's location at the intersection of several ecological zones creates diverse wildlife habitats, with coyotes and wild turkey commonly seen in evening hours.
Fishing opportunities: 10-mile trail access from Fort Richardson State Park to Lost Creek Reservoir provides multiple fishing spots. "The good part about this loop is that you're camping within site of the historic Fort Richardson and visiting the grounds is a short walk. The buildings are only open from about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but you're welcome to wander the grounds and look in the windows," notes camper Ari A.
Historical exploration: scheduled reenactments at Fort Richardson create immersive experiences during special weekends. "A few times a year, the City of Jacksboro opens its arms to an influx of campers and schools from around the state eager to see one of the unique reinactments at the historic location of Fort Richardson," explains Crystal C. The "Ghosts of Christmas Past" event showcases fort life during winter months.
Rock climbing: beginner-friendly routes at Lake Mineral Wells State Park in Penitentiary Hollow offer accessible climbing options within a 45-minute drive. "There is rock climbing and a small swim beach on the other side of the lake and lots of places to go fishing. The trails are very rocky and not always easy to navigate, but there is so much there to explore," shares Alejandro G.
Lake views from elevated sites: Several campgrounds offer sites with elevation advantages for scenic views. "Our site was right on the lake on a little 20 foot bluff that was perfect for watching the sunrise and drinking coffee each morning," reports Jill B. about her stay at Lake Mineral Wells State Park's Live Oak campground loop.
Night sky visibility: Low light pollution at Possum Kingdom State Park creates excellent stargazing conditions. "Very quite and no artificial lights, great place to star gaze," notes Jeanne B. about camping in the area. The darkness makes viewing constellations possible without specialized equipment.
Wildlife encounters: The region hosts diverse wildlife, particularly during early morning and evening hours. "We saw deer and wild turkey every evening, an armadillo and lots of birds," reports Susan L. about Fort Richardson State Park. Many campgrounds have designated wildlife viewing blinds or areas where sunset animal watching proves most productive.
Weather considerations: Summer heat requires preparation, with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F from June through August. "It had rained a lot before we got there and the lake was floating over the road by the dam drive over, it was rather scary," explains Marianne M. about conditions at Plateau — Lake Mineral Wells State Park. Spring brings unpredictable storms while fall offers milder temperatures.
Campsite selection strategies: Researching specific site numbers proves crucial for comfort. "Tent camped at site 104. Good amount of space on this site, but do your research. Some of the sites there are fairly small," advises Alejandro G. about Cross Timbers at Lake Mineral Wells. Sites along creeks often provide natural cooling effects during summer months.
Water level fluctuations: Lake and creek levels vary significantly by season and recent rainfall. "When I pulled in I spoke to person at the entry who gave me a basic rundown of the facility which included a small restaurant, atv area, sports area including mini golf and a pool and of course the camping experience options themselves," notes Crystal C. about Thousand Trails Bay Landing.
Prairie dog viewing: easy wildlife observation at Lake Arrowhead State Park provides unique entertainment for children. "Prairie dogs inhabit the eastern half of the campground. Awesome creatures to watch for hours," shares Jarrid R. The colonies are most active during early morning and late afternoon hours.
Historical education: self-guided tours at several area forts offer interactive learning. "I have camped here multiple times with my son and a couple of other times with the Scout troop. If you have kids, the fort buildings are always a hit. They have restored the old hospital building & the officers' living quarters," reports Bill N. about Fort Richardson State Park.
Equipment loans: fishing gear available at several parks eliminates the need to pack bulky items. "The park has a stocked fishing lake and equipment for loan. There is all the fort buildings to explore with rangers giving talks and various activities," explains Traci M. Most equipment loans require a driver's license deposit rather than fees.
Site width considerations: Many older campgrounds have narrow spaces requiring careful positioning. "Only complaint is the width of the campsite. I don't know that all were as narrow as ours, but site 20 is a really tight squeeze. Went off the side a couple of times trying to get in," warns Jim P. about Possum Kingdom State Park Campground.
Horse trailer accommodation: For equestrian camping near Jacksboro, Texas, sites have varying suitability for larger rigs. "We stayed one night at the equestrian camp on our way through the area. With only a couple of small pens and not much space, we could see why equestrians might not flock here," notes Ari A. about Fort Richardson's equestrian camping area.
Road condition awareness: Access roads to several campgrounds require slow driving regardless of posted limits. "The park is huge, the road is long and paved/gravel. The speed limit is 35mph but I didn't get over 15 or 20 mph because of the holes," advises William about Thousand Trails Bay Landing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Jacksboro, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Jacksboro, TX is Fort Richardson State Park Hist. Site and Trailway with a 4.4-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Jacksboro, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 equestrian camping locations near Jacksboro, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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