5 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Piney Creek Horse Camp offers primitive camping for equestrians in the Davy Crockett National Forest near Kennard, Texas. The campground provides direct access to adjacent horseback riding trails, though users note these trails are not well marked. Facilities include a small covered pavilion, shady campsites, and vault toilets. Campsites accommodate both tents and RVs on a first-come, first-served basis with fees collected on-site. The primitive setup requires campers to bring their own water for horses, as no drinking water facilities are available. The campground remains accessible throughout the year with adequate space for horse trailer parking.
White Rock Horse Camp represents another equestrian option in the Kennard area, providing basic facilities for riders exploring the national forest trail system. Located within easy access of forest service roads, this established campground offers primitive campsites suitable for both tent and RV camping. Toilet facilities are available, though the camp lacks drinking water, electrical hookups, and trash collection. Riders should prepare for self-sufficient camping with their horses, bringing necessary water, feed, and waste management supplies. The camp's positioning provides direct access to forest trails, making it convenient for day rides or multi-day excursions through the east Texas piney woods landscape. Hunters and equestrians share these facilities during hunting season, so visitors should exercise caution and wear appropriate safety gear during those periods.
"Very well-maintained National Forest site just off Texas Highway 7 in the middle of the Davey Crockett National Forest. "
"East Texas weather is so unpredictable. When we arrived at camp it was nice and sunny, so my friend and I decided to walk our dogs. On our walk we got caught in the middle of a down pour!"
from $15 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Entertains many hike trails. One even for handicap person to follow thru. Good for horses or bikes. You can go for miles even to a dispersed camping lookout point."
"Such a peaceful and beautiful area in the Piney Woods of East Texas. I wish we'd had more than 2 days here to explore."
"Great, well marked Trail system. Be careful during hunting season!"
"Great hiking / horse riding trails around. Would not recommend this area during hunting season. Accessible via car, good roads, smaller trailers. If RVing, will need levelers."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"There is a loafing barn for horses. No bathrooms or water. Would be a 5 with just water. You need a Texas parks Limited use permit. It costs as little as $12 a year."
from $12 - $42 / night
Check Availability
GuideAt least 14 sites with picnic tables on concrete slabs. Fire rings and Lantern poles. Very well kept and mowed. There is a loafing barn for horses. No bathrooms or water. Would be a 5 with just water. You need a Texas parks Limited use permit. It costs as little as $12 a year. If you want to fish or hunt the price goes up a little. Can be used to stay at any National Forest or Wild Management area.
GuideThis is a small primitive camping area in the Davy Crockett National Forest. There’s a small covered pavilion and shady sites. Sites are first come and fees are paid at the campground. The camp is a great place to camp and ride the adjacent horse trails. The trails are nice but not well marked.
GuideI believe this is the same campground reviewed under 566 Piney Creek. This is a small primitive camping area in the Davy Crockett National Forest. There’s a small covered pavilion and shady sites. Sites are first come and fees are paid at the campground. The camp is a great place to camp and ride the adjacent horse trails. The trails are nice but not well marked.
TravelerWhat the campsites lacks in remoteness it makes up for with everything else.
Very well-maintained National Forest site just off Texas Highway 7 in the middle of the Davey Crockett National Forest.
Highlights for the site include:
very well-spaced apart offering more privacy than usually afforded
restrooms and showers were clean.
Access to hacking trails in the national forest
Easy access to food/fuel/firewood
A large variety of species for birdwatching
Small lake with deck for launching kayaks or SUPs
There was not water at every site, so bring a longer hose and be ready to fill your tanks or containers.
Road noise from highway was audible, but not too distracting.
TravelerNice area for dispersed camping. Several level areas. Great hiking / horse riding trails around. Would not recommend this area during hunting season. Accessible via car, good roads, smaller trailers. If RVing, will need levelers.
GuideHas great camping. Entertains many hike trails. One even for handicap person to follow thru. Good for horses or bikes. You can go for miles even to a dispersed camping lookout point.
TravelerEast Texas weather is so unpredictable. When we arrived at camp it was nice and sunny, so my friend and I decided to walk our dogs. On our walk we got caught in the middle of a down pour! We laughed our way back to camp and waited out the rest of the storm in our cars. It cleared up quickly and we were back out in the wild. We took an inflatable kayak out on the lake. Decent little lake. People were in the swimming area. Would camp here again.
TravelerGreat campground in the Pineywoods of east Texas. Stayed 14 days in site 20 on Dogwood loop. Nice size sites with plenty of room between. Restrooms and showers clean, though showers do need some repair. Plenty of walking/hiking trails and wood for fires. Swim area looks nice, though we visited in November so we didn't swim. Can see the foundation for the old mill in back of the park.
TravelerWe came to tent camp and wanted to be on a lake shoreline. We stayed at #11 on Lakeside Loop.
The positive:
The tent pad was nice and level and the site was very roomy (we had a tent & canopy) with tons more room to stretch out.
We were about 200 yards from the bathroom facilities and about 30 feet from potable water for washing up.
The traffic was minimal because it’s off the main road, and would have been peaceful if the group of campers at #9 had been courteous and acknowledged quiet hours.
We had incredible weather with a wonderful steady breeze.
Negatives:
We did have a lake view, but the shoreline is so incredibly overgrown making it difficult to fish. Lots of rotted wood and brush blocks a great deal of the view and access.
The burn circle had a grate welded at an angle to the top, so it couldn’t really be used for building up a big fire or cooking.
No one drove around/checked to make sure visitors are keeping to the quiet hours, which meant we were kept awake until about 12:30 am from yelling and loud music.
The restrooms, while near, had not been cleaned before we arrived—toilet paper on the floors and in the shower area with lots of dead june bugs and spiders on the floor the whole weekend.
Equestrian camping near Kennard, Texas centers around access to the Davy Crockett National Forest, which spans approximately 160,000 acres of East Texas piney woods. The forest features predominantly loblolly and shortleaf pine trees interspersed with hardwoods, creating varied terrain for trail riding at elevations ranging from 200-400 feet. Seasonal considerations include hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters when trail conditions typically remain favorable for riding.
Trail riding exploration: The Davy Crockett National Forest trail system offers multiple interconnected paths for horseback riding. At Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area, campers find "well maintained and marked trails to explore" with "remnants of old sawmill is really cool, lots of wildlife" according to Jim P.
Lake activities: The small lake at Ratcliff provides opportunities for fishing and paddling. Sydney L. reports, "We took an inflatable kayak out on the lake. Decent little lake. People were in the swimming area." Swimming is available at designated areas only, as portions contain wildlife hazards.
Hiking options: Several trails accommodate both hikers and equestrians. Yasmin S. notes at Davy Crockett National Forest Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area: "Entertains many hike trails. One even for handicap person to follow thru. Good for horses or bikes. You can go for miles even to a dispersed camping lookout point."
Peaceful atmosphere: The forest setting provides quiet camping experiences. Rivers M. describes his experience at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area as "pristine" adding that "this park is so well maintained and the people who run it couldn't be more fit for the job."
Wildlife viewing: The forest supports diverse East Texas wildlife. One camper at White Rock Horse Camp mentions "nice area for dispersed camping... Great hiking/horse riding trails around" highlighting the natural setting attractive to nature observers.
Water features: Ratcliff Lake enhances the camping experience. Michelle G. states: "We are at campsite 10 right on the lake. Breathtaking tall trees... Easy kid friendly hiking trails around the park. Restrooms were immaculate. So peaceful and quiet at night."
Seasonal considerations: Weather patterns affect camping conditions. Sydney L. notes: "East Texas weather is so unpredictable. When we arrived at camp it was nice and sunny, so my friend and I decided to walk our dogs. On our walk we got caught in the middle of a down pour!"
Hunting activity: Be aware of hunting seasons which affect safety protocols. At 566 Piney Creek Horse Camp, Tartan C. advises it's a "quiet national forest hunting camp with vault toilet and water, but no amenities at the individual campsites. Bring your own generator and dry camp... Be careful during hunting season!"
Water connections: At several campsites, water hookup locations require planning. Heather B. advises: "Do bring an extra long hose for the water connection as other reviews have stated."
Permit requirements: Some areas require specific permits. David T. explains at Alazan Bayou: "You need a Texas parks Limited use permit. It costs as little as $12 a year. If you want to fish or hunt the price goes up a little. Can be used to stay at any National Forest or Wild Management area."
Accessible trails: Family-friendly options exist for different ability levels. Yasmin S. mentions that Ratcliff has a trail "even for handicap person to follow thru."
Swimming precautions: Designated swimming areas provide safer options. Heather B. shares: "The shower was nice and hot and the water pressure was fantastic. We fished off of one of the docks in the evening and caught a little few perch."
Covered options: During inclement weather, shelter structures provide protection. Charlie C. at Alazan Bayou reports: "Small shelter I set up my tent under as there was rain in the area."
Levelness considerations: At White Rock Horse Camp, one visitor advises: "If RVing, will need levelers."
Campsite spacing: Site selection affects privacy and experience. Heather B. shares about Ratcliff Lake: "Our spot was nice and open and our neighbors weren't too close."
Facility access: Bathroom facilities vary between campgrounds. Heather S. notes at Ratcliff Lake: "We were about 200 yards from the bathroom facilities and about 30 feet from potable water for washing up."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Kennard, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Kennard, TX is Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 20 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Kennard, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Kennard, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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