Ebenezer Park provides equestrian-specific camping with sites designed for horse owners in east Texas. The park features multiple trail access points connecting to woodland routes, with tent camping available for non-equestrian visitors. Located in the Piney Woods region of Texas at approximately 310 feet elevation, the area experiences hot summers with high humidity and mild winters, making spring and fall optimal camping seasons.
What to do
Fishing at nearby waters: Sexton Pond Dispersed offers free camping with good fishing opportunities. "If looking to be near a campground but still out on your own then this is the place," notes camper Yasmin S., who adds a fishing tip: "They seem to sit dormant at 10pm and 3am for a hour each. No biting."
Trail riding: Village Creek State Park Campground offers varied terrain for riders with restored trails following hurricane damage. "The park is very nice. It is very typical of Texas parks.... awesome!!" writes Bradley H. The park features both wooded sections and open areas suitable for riders of different skill levels.
Swimming: Brookeland Lake Sam Rayburn KOA provides access to Lake Sam Rayburn for cooling off during hot months. "If you want to escape the hot summer in Texas, I would recommend coming to Brookeland Campground because there is a beautiful lake nearby," says Analia F., who visited with cousins to "enjoy the lake, hiking and of course the outdoors."
What campers like
Privacy in select sites: Some campgrounds offer more secluded options away from busier areas. "We enjoyed the privacy of the non powered camp sites. Very nice," reports Melanie C. about Village Creek State Park Campground.
Wooded camping spots: The pine forests provide natural shade and separation between sites in many parks. "Campspots are well wooded. A little wet this time of year but to be expected," notes Ransom J., who appreciated the natural setting.
Multiple water recreation options: Beyond horseback riding, the area offers various water activities. "We enjoyed hiking in the morning, and then playing in the lake mid morning-afternoon. There were tons of people swimming, boating, tubing, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding," writes Analia F. about her summer stay.
What you should know
Hurricane impacts: Some parks have faced closures or repairs following hurricane damage. "Hurricane Harvey flooded most of the park in 2017 but now it is completely open," reports Bradley H. about Village Creek. Another camper, Charles S., noted during recovery: "Most of the park is closed right now, due to the damage from Hurricane Harvey not having been repaired as yet."
Limited facilities: Sexton Pond Dispersed camping area lacks standard amenities. "Down a hard packed gravel road. A few potholes but nothing major. Nice spot in the trees. There are a few fire pits spread out," reports Jennifer M., highlighting the primitive nature of this free camping option.
Seasonal restoration work: Forest management activities may temporarily affect camping experiences. One visitor to Village Creek mentioned: "There are several nice hikes in the park but many were closed due to a long-leaf pine reforestation project that involved logging and shredding."
Tips for camping with families
Pack extra supplies: Limited facilities at some horse campgrounds near Jasper, Texas require preparation. At Brookeland, one camper noted: "Thankfully we came prepared and brought our own toilet paper, because by the 2nd night we were there, there was no toilet paper in the bathroom."
Insect protection: The east Texas climate supports active mosquito populations. "Definitely bring bug spray because there were so many mosquitos near the campground. I left with a few pretty big welts," warns Analia F. about Brookeland Lake Sam Rayburn KOA.
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer learning activities for children. At Village Creek, Emily S. reports: "The nature center was open and we made seed balls to distribute throughout the garden area. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Check campsite dimensions when booking. Kevin H. notes about Village Creek: "Level campsites (some look a tad shorter than most)." This can be particularly important for horse trailers requiring additional space.
Utilities and connections: Water and electric hookups vary between equestrian campgrounds. "We had 30 amp and water hook-ups. Dump station nearby with two sides," reports Craig J. about Village Creek State Park Campground.
Connectivity considerations: Cell service varies significantly throughout the Jasper area's horse camping locations. "WiFi sucks but cell signal was adequate (fairly strong with WeBoost)," notes Kevin H., adding that proximity to shops and restaurants like "Tia Juanitas Fish camp" provided additional convenience during their Christmas stay.
