Equestrian Camping near Johnson City, TX

Equestrian camping options near Johnson City, Texas range from primitive sites to full-service facilities within 30 miles of town. Located in the limestone hills of central Texas at approximately 1,200 feet elevation, this area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 95°F and mild winters. Seasonal creek levels fluctuate dramatically, affecting water access and trail conditions for riders planning overnight trips.

What to do

Trail riding through wildflowers: Spring visitors to Pedernales Falls State Park can experience fields of Texas wildflowers along miles of trails. "Great hike down to the Pedernales Falls and cool little caves to explore. On the other end of the park, there are longer trails (roughly 4 Miles) with scenic overlooks of the Pedernales River," notes Kaitlyn M.

Water activities for horses and riders: Many horse campgrounds feature water access allowing horses to cool off. At Pace Bend Park, "The lake is clean, cool and deep! Tons of primitive camping and most sites have a table and a grill...and PRIVACY!" according to Jenny R.

Explore limestone terrain: Horse trails often follow natural limestone formations unique to the area. "Classic hill country terrain. Primitive camping along the wolf trail, with a bigger car camping area near the swimming spot," explains Emily M. about the diverse terrain at Pedernales Falls State Park.

What campers like

Proximity to water access: Many riders appreciate campsites near water where horses can cool off. At Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area, "Set on the lake, muleshoe recreation area is run by the LCRA. Clean camp sights dotted a long the lake offer access to the water. With 10 miles of hacking/biking trails that are mostly under tree cover," reports Tim W.

Communal facilities: Several equestrian campgrounds offer shared grills and gathering spaces. "The large camp area has a couple port-a-poties. At the gate entrance there are men's and women's rooms with running water," explains Erik F. about campsite amenities at Shaffer Bend Recreation Area.

Privacy between sites: Equestrian campsites often provide better spacing than standard camping areas. At Krause Springs, "The campsites were pretty well spaced apart" and "Simple, easy camping... There were tons of camp spots, but it didn't feel crowded at all," according to Rachel W.

What you should know

Seasonal water levels: Lake and river access points fluctuate seasonally, affecting where horses can access water. "The drought caused the lake to be pretty dried up so our water front view didn't have much water!" shares taylor about her experience at Grelle Recreation Area, which features horse-friendly shorelines.

Primitive facilities: Many equestrian camping areas offer limited services. "It is a primitive campground. The large camp area has a couple port-a-poties. At the gate entrance there are men's and women's rooms with running water. That's about 3 miles from the camp sites," notes Erik F.

Trail conditions: Horse trails vary seasonally with spring offering the best riding conditions. "Texas in summer can be unforgiving. Lake Travis is home to boaters and Jet skiers," warns Kyle G. about summer heat at Shaffer Bend Recreation Area.

Wildlife awareness: Horse owners should be prepared for encounters with local wildlife. "Beware of cayotes and curious deer," cautions Jimmy R. about Pedernales Falls State Park, while Candice C. adds, "Also it's Texas and there is wildlife. We saw about a 5 ft rattlesnake" at Shaffer Bend Recreation Area.

Tips for camping with families

Child-friendly water features: Look for horse camping areas with gradual water entry points. "The camp sites are situated along a narrow section of the lake. So, there would be plenty to explore," suggests Erik F. about Shaffer Bend's shoreline that accommodates both horses and children.

Playground access: Some equestrian-friendly parks include family amenities. At Arkansas Bend, "We have enjoyed the hiking trails down by the water and the playground for our kids," notes Lauren Z., making it suitable for families with both horses and children.

Protected swimming areas: Find spots where both children and horses can safely enter water. "Great fishing and swimming spots, and of course camping grounds," says Caleb F. about the family-friendly water access at Pedernales Falls State Park.

Tips for RVers with horses

Water and power hookups: Several equestrian campgrounds offer RV connections near horse pens. At Kerrville-Schreiner Park, "The first row is all pull through sites with full hookups, although we do have a shorter trailer (24') and I'm not sure how much luck you would have with a truly big one," advises Jackie R.

Low clearance awareness: Watch for overhanging branches when bringing horse trailers to wooded sites. "My only warning is low hanging trees everywhere. I couldn't imagine trying to navigate the campground in a 5th wheel or class A. You could do some rooftop damage," warns Brandi W. about Krause Springs.

Site terrain: Look for level sites when bringing larger horse trailers. "We were very surprised at how level our gravel campsite was. It made setup a breeze. The loop makes backing into your spot easy," shares Lauren Z. about the RV-friendly design at Arkansas Bend.