Equestrian camping near Livingston, Texas extends beyond the established horse camps to include several dispersed sites throughout Sam Houston and Davy Crockett National Forests. The region sits at elevations between 200-400 feet with a humid subtropical climate that maintains moderate winter temperatures. Most equestrian trails remain accessible year-round except during designated hunting periods when safety concerns limit recreational access.
What to do
Pond fishing with basic equipment: Sexton Pond Dispersed offers uncrowded fishing opportunities with specific feeding patterns. "I got lucky enough had the place to myself for almost 2 weeks, give or take the few groups that tried to tough the biting fish. I will share a tip. They seem to sit dormant at 10pm and 3am for a hour each. No biting," notes one visitor.
Trail riding with marked routes: White Rock Horse Camp provides access to extensive horse trails. "Nice area for dispersed camping. Several level areas. Great hiking / horse riding trails around. Would not recommend this area during hunting season," explains a camper who visited the site.
Kayaking on calm waters: Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area offers multiple water-based activities beyond just fishing. "We took an inflatable kayak out on the lake. Decent little lake. People were in the swimming area," reports a visitor who enjoyed the water activities.
Historical site exploration: The recreation areas contain remnants of East Texas logging history. "Remnants of old sawmill is really cool, lots of wildlife and well maintained and marked trails to explore," shares a camper at Ratcliff Lake.
What campers like
Uncrowded camping experience: Sexton Pond Dispersed provides isolation from developed sites. "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. We were the only ones here," reports one camper.
Level camping areas: Finding flat tent or trailer spots ranks high in visitor satisfaction. "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," notes a Ratcliff Lake visitor.
Forest immersion with wildlife viewing: Double Lake NF Campground delivers a genuine forest experience. "Campground not full. Very quiet, sites not on top of each other (some more private than others), gravel pads for rv, tent, table, lantern post and campfire ring," mentions a camper who appreciated the natural setting.
Year-round access: Most horse camps maintain accessibility regardless of season. "We have enjoyed our stay at the preserve! Have 3 little boys who enjoy fishing and they have plenty of creeks and ponds near campsites," explains a visitor at The Preserve RV Resort.
What you should know
Water supply requirements: No potable water exists at dispersed equestrian sites. "Great, well marked Trail system. Be careful during hunting season!" cautions a visitor to Piney Creek Horse Camp, which lacks drinking water connections.
Seasonal hunting restrictions: National forest areas become hunting grounds during designated seasons. "Quiet national forest hunting camp with vault toilet and water, but no amenities at the individual campsites. Bring your own generator and dry camp," advises a Piney Creek Horse Camp visitor.
Shower availability varies: Some recreation areas offer showers while others provide only vault toilets. "There are 4 large private bathroom/shower rooms at this area. The shower was nice and hot and the water pressure was fantastic," reports a camper at Davy Crockett National Forest Ratcliff Lake.
Cell signal limitations: Remote forest locations have minimal connectivity. "Quiet, pretty National forest with lots of trails, lake and privacy. Cell signal poor," notes a visitor to Davy Crockett National Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming area safety: Designated swim zones provide protection from wildlife. "There is a small swim area that you should utilize because there are alligators in the lake so it's not safe to swim by the campground," warns a visitor to Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area.
Lighting preparation: Forest camping means complete darkness after sunset. "It gets pretty dark at night because there are no lights except what you pack with you," advises a Ratcliff Lake camper.
Playground access: The Preserve RV Resort offers family-friendly amenities. "It isn't the most luxurious parks but if your looking for a state park feel this place is a home run!" shares a visitor with three children.
Fishing opportunities for children: Several sites offer easy fishing access for beginners. "We fished off of one of the docks in the evening and caught a little few perch. Enough to make me happy," recalls a visitor to Davy Crockett National Forest.
Tips from RVers
Extra water hose requirements: Water hookups often sit far from RV pads. "Do bring an extra long hose for the water connection as other reviews have stated," advises an RVer who stayed at Davy Crockett National Forest.
Site privacy considerations: Campground layout affects privacy between sites. "Our spot was nice and open and our neighbors weren't too close," notes a camper at Davy Crockett National Forest.
Leveling equipment needs: Dispersed sites require self-leveling capability. "If RVing, will need levelers," cautions a visitor to White Rock Horse Camp.
RV size limitations: Most forest roads accommodate smaller rigs better than large ones. "Accessible via car, good roads, smaller trailers," explains a White Rock Horse Camp visitor regarding access conditions.
