Horse facilities in east Texas concentrate near the Davy Crockett National Forest with several campgrounds catering to equestrians. The 566 Piney Creek Horse Camp in Kennard provides basic accommodations for tent and RV campers traveling with horses. Though lacking electric hookups and drinking water, the camp maintains vault toilets and trash disposal. The grounds feature designated areas for trailer parking and space for horses. White Rock Horse Camp also serves equestrians with primitive camping options, vault toilets, and access points suitable for riders arriving with trailers. The grounds accommodate both tent and RV camping with drive-in access, though amenities remain limited compared to general recreation areas. Sites feature more privacy than typically afforded at developed campgrounds.
Trail systems throughout the Davy Crockett National Forest connect these horse camps to extensive riding networks. Piney Creek Horse Camp offers access to well-marked trail systems that extend for miles through the forest, providing day-long riding opportunities for equestrians. During hunting season, riders should exercise caution and wear appropriate safety gear while traversing these trails. The area requires a Texas Parks Limited Use Permit, which costs approximately $12 annually for basic access, with additional fees for hunting or fishing privileges. The permit allows camping at any National Forest or Wildlife Management Area in Texas. The remote setting offers quiet, laid-back camping with vault toilets but minimal additional amenities at individual campsites.
$15 - $35 / night
"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!"
$12 - $42 / night
"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."
"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!"
"If looking to be near a campground but still out on your own then this is the place."
"Several pull off sites right off the lake. No amenities. One large group camping on the other side of the lake playing their music loud. Good internet reception ship."
$10 / night
"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."
$14 - $250 / night
"The park seems very well designed for equestrian, but also good for tent camping. The trails are nice and wide. Tent spots are spacious, although most sites do require a decent walk from the car."
"If you want to escape the hot summer in Texas, I would recommend coming to Brookeland Campground because there is a beautiful lake nearby."
"This KOA has trails leading to a river which empties into Lake Rayburn. You do not have direct access to the lake itself. The campground has a couple of small ponds. The staff is excellent."
ScoutWe went in early March for tent camping. The park seems very well designed for equestrian, but also good for tent camping. The trails are nice and wide. Tent spots are spacious, although most sites do require a decent walk from the car.
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.
TravelerThere aren't many sites for basic tent camping here, maybe 10-15 tent sites, and the rest are equestrian. It's a pretty tidy looking campground. There is a park host that is usually hanging around if you need something. We ended up being neighbors with a large group that was using their fire like a bonfire so we let the park host know about it. Probably won't come back unless in off season. But it's good enough
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.
The Davy Crockett National Forest offers several equestrian-friendly camping options near Lufkin, Texas. Located in the Piney Woods region of east Texas, this area features pine-hardwood forests and rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 200-500 feet above sea level. Horse campgrounds near Lufkin typically remain accessible year-round, though summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F while winter overnight temperatures can occasionally drop below freezing.
Trail riding at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area: The recreation area connects to numerous forest trails suitable for both beginners and experienced riders. "Great trails and a small lake to enjoy kayaking, fishing, and swimming," notes Josh H. about Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple ponds and lakes throughout the forest provide fishing access. According to Yasmin S. at Sexton Pond Dispersed, "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."
Historic site exploration: The forest contains remnants of early settlements and sawmills. Jim P. mentions at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area, "Remnants of old sawmill is really cool, lots of wildlife and well maintained and marked trails to explore."
Privacy between sites: Equestrian camping areas typically offer more separation between campsites than standard campgrounds. At White Rock Horse Camp, one camper notes, "Nice area for dispersed camping. Several level areas. Great hiking/horse riding trails around."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forest supports diverse wildlife populations including deer, turkey, and numerous bird species. At Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area, Michelle G. reports, "Beautiful place! We are at campsite 10 right on the lake. Breathtaking tall trees. The park host brought over firewood right to our site."
Well-maintained trails: Trail systems through the forest receive regular maintenance. A camper at Davy Crockett National Forest Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area mentions, "Such a peaceful and beautiful area in the Piney Woods of East Texas. A lot of shady hiking trails that meander through the trees and near the quiet 4 acre lake."
Hunting season precautions: During hunting seasons, riders should wear high-visibility clothing and stay on marked trails. According to Seeking Narnia at White Rock Horse Camp, "Would not recommend this area during hunting season."
Water availability varies: Many equestrian camps lack running water. At 566 Piney Creek Horse Camp, Charlie C. advises, "About a mile west of this camping area there is a pipe coming out of the ground on the north side of the road. Spewing cold potable water. Great place to fill water bottles if you can find it."
Trail marking conditions: Some trail systems have inconsistent markings. Mary A. notes about Piney Creek Horse Camp, "The trails are nice but not well marked."
Look for campgrounds with swimming areas: Several recreation areas include designated swimming locations for cooling off. According to Sydney L. at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area, "We took an inflatable kayak out on the lake. Decent little lake. People were in the swimming area."
Consider tent pads at developed sites: Some campgrounds offer level tent pads that make setup easier. At Ebenezer Park, one reviewer reports, "The park seems very well designed for equestrian, but also good for tent camping. The trails are nice and wide. Tent spots are spacious."
Pack extra supplies: Remote locations mean limited access to stores or services. Heather S. at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area advises, "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."
Prepare for unlevel sites: Many equestrian areas lack perfectly level parking. A camper at Brookeland Lake Sam Rayburn KOA notes, "We stayed at a site with raised concrete pads. This place is not parking lot camping."
Bring extra water hose: Water connections may require additional length. Jim P. at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area warns, "Sites are a little unlevel, but not too bad. Water is a little bit of a stretch, may need to make sure you have plenty of hose."
Consider generator needs: Many equestrian camps lack electrical hookups, requiring self-contained power. Tartan C. at Piney Creek Horse Camp advises, "Bring your own generator and dry camp."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lufkin, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lufkin, 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 Lufkin, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Lufkin, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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