Plowman Creek
Peaceful
Peaceful little park that sits just outside of the lake so the cove is nice to swim in . It’s Texas so there’s plenty of ants and mosquitoes but not an unusual amount . Lots of shade so pick smart if you need starlink
19 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
McCown Valley Park offers equestrian camping with paddocks for horses and dedicated trails for riding. The campground accommodates both trailer parking and overnight horse stays alongside standard camping options. Sites are well spaced throughout the park, with the equestrian section specifically designed for campers traveling with horses. The facilities include water access for horses, nearby restrooms, and electrical hookups. Campers often note the convenience of having horse-specific accommodations right along Lake Whitney, making it easy to enjoy both riding and water activities during the same stay.
The trails connecting to McCown Valley Park provide scenic routes along Lake Whitney's shoreline, suitable for riders of various experience levels. Horse owners find the combination of water access and trail riding particularly valuable, as horses can be cooled and refreshed after trail excursions. The campground remains accessible year-round, though December through February offers quieter camping experiences with fewer visitors. Winter camping provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities as deer are frequently spotted throughout the park. Tent sites are located away from the equestrian area to minimize disturbance, while the equestrian section allows for trailers and corrals to be set up with adequate spacing for horse comfort and safety.
"Every camp spot has its own water source and electricity hookup, makes a huge difference at the hot Texas summer days and perfect for spending the nights not in a complete dark in case you’re using only"
"This Texas state parks is one of favorites. I have been quite a few times since I was a kid and it never gets old. It is just inside of Glen Rose, Texas, located along the Paluxy river."
from $18 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Great COE campground on Lake Whitney with well spaced sites for trailers and tent camping."
"The hidden gem of Lake Whitney. Tent sites are tucked in the back of the park away from foot traffic and most vehicles."
from $16 - $45 / night
Check Availability"This is one of the better COE campgrounds on Lake Whitney."
"We stayed at site 63 which is right on lake edge. Amazing sunsets. Across inlet from boat ramp. The sites have covered picnic tables with both fire pits with grates and stand up covered grills."
from $16 - $80 / night
Check Availability"The lake access is not close to every hook ups but is a short driving distance. Lake access/swimming area is very nice, we had fun!"
"Love the location, so close to Dallas! This park is so quite and very dark at night!"
"Peaceful little park that sits just outside of the lake so the cove is nice to swim in . It’s Texas so there’s plenty of ants and mosquitoes but not an unusual amount ."
"A very nice campground right on the shores of Lake Whitney. Overall, the campground wasn't too busy. The campsites are nicely spaced out so each group does have some privacy."
from $16 - $28 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $19 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful location just southwest of Fort Worth. The grounds are well taken care of and it’s a great place to fish from the bank."
from $10 - $26 / night
Check Availability"Stayed here with the pup while visiting the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame. Nice hookups, clean set up. Very quiet. Lots of deer in and around the sites (which are very big."
"Right on Waco lake, the picnic tables were set on concrete pads with solid shelter covers. Many trails to ride and walk on."
from $32 - $36 / night
Check Availability"I chose this campground for its proximity to Fort Worth, and the lake. Just far enough off the highway to diminish all noise, surrounded by hiking trails, is the well maintained Holiday Park."
"On the positive side, each shower area was spacious and included its own private toilet, which was nice."
from $14 - $40 / night
Check AvailabilityPeaceful little park that sits just outside of the lake so the cove is nice to swim in . It’s Texas so there’s plenty of ants and mosquitoes but not an unusual amount . Lots of shade so pick smart if you need starlink
Very well kept and quiet.
This was easily one of the most beautiful campgrounds we stayed at during our trip. The view over the water is absolutely stunning, and because there’s plenty of space between the campsites and large trees provide shade over many of them, the whole place feels incredibly welcoming and peaceful. We were really disappointed that we could only stay for one night. The only small downside was the bathhouse. It was reasonably clean, but very warm inside because there was no air conditioning, or at least it didn’t seem to be working. The showers were also a bit inconvenient since they didn’t have proper showerheads. On the positive side, each shower area was spacious and included its own private toilet, which was nice. Aside from this minor issue, this is a truly beautiful campground, and it’s definitely a place where we would have loved to spend a few more nights.
Kara and the VYW team are excellent communicators! Easy reservation process! Easy check-in! Clear Rules to follow.
Love the Farm Animals!
Great place to create lasting memories!
Definitely coming back!
An Exceptional visit from Start to Finish!! Thank you, Kara.
Very nice park! Arriving early evening was good because the numbering of sites was somewhat confusing. There was no one available at the gate to provide a map or directions. The gate was also timed, so I had a difficult time passing through without the rail dropping onto or between my vehicle and trailer. Took me 3 tries to gain success. I had a pull-through site, so that made things easier. Other than that, it is a beautiful place next to the lake. I enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and the pleasant people who utilized the campground. It seemed to be a busy place that is well maintained. Glad I found it!
McCown Valley Park features dedicated equestrian trails along Lake Whitney's shoreline that accommodate riders of various experience levels. The park includes an entire section designed specifically for horse trailers, paddocks, and overnight equine stays. Sites throughout the park provide water access for both humans and horses, making it possible to cool animals after trail rides. The park remains open year-round, with winter months offering reduced crowds and improved wildlife viewing opportunities.
Trail riding with lake views: At McCown Valley Park, equestrian campers can access trails that wind along Lake Whitney. "Great COE campground on Lake Whitney with well spaced sites for trailers and tent camping. Includes a large section for equestrian campers that includes paddocks for your horse as well as trails to ride on," notes Carol W.
Fossil exploration: Only 30 miles from Meridian, Dinosaur Valley State Park offers unique geological experiences. "This place is awesome. One of the best natural swimming holes I've found near DFW. There are dinosaur fossils everywhere. hiking is great, and even on a hot summer day you can go swim in the river or the blue hole," writes Julie W.
Fishing opportunities: The lakes near Meridian provide excellent fishing. At Lofers Bend West, "We stayed at site 63 which is right on lake edge. Amazing sunsets. Across inlet from boat ramp. The sites have covered picnic tables with both fire pits with grates and stand up covered grills," reports Amy K.
Private, spacious sites: Equestrian camping areas near Meridian provide ample space between sites. At McCown Valley Park, "The hidden gem of Lake Whitney. Tent sites are tucked in the back of the park away from foot traffic and most vehicles. Lake front sites are perfectly located with access to the lake but not too far from hard stand bathrooms and showers," according to Wes M.
Multi-activity options: Ham Creek Park offers facilities for various outdoor activities beyond horseback riding. "Clean bathrooms well maintained facilities no trash or litter! Very quiet and beautiful! I was very impressed and will definitely stay here again!" shares Audra R.
Wildlife viewing: Winter camping provides excellent opportunities to spot local wildlife. "I spent a week in December and the campground was quiet and beautiful. I had a spot right next to the lake where I kayaked, biked, and just walked with the dogs," reports David E. about McCown Valley Park.
Gate closure times: Some parks in the area enforce strict entrance policies. At Plowman Creek, "The campsite does close everyday at 10 pm. At that time, they close the gate and you cannot get back into the campground until 6 am the next morning," warns David L.
Weather considerations: The Lake Whitney area can experience severe weather. "It's a gorgeous park and I'd hate to leave a bad review just because we went at a bad time. Our weekend was filled with rain and wind but the last day we were there was gorgeous and we were able to explore," explains Michaela L.
Variable cell service: Connectivity varies widely between parks. At McCown Valley Park, "Our Verizon service was spotty at best but not totally unusable. We were able to connect to internet with our ATT Hotspot though," reports Chip.
Horse-friendly activities: For equestrian camping near Meridian with children, Speegleville Park offers varied terrain. "Beautiful campground. Very spacious. We stayed in site 4. The whole campground was booked but it was very quite. Loved the fishing and the best thing is there were no mosquitos!" shares Becky B.
Swimming access: Several campgrounds provide designated swimming areas. "Great park. Nice day use area. All types of camping. Some with shade some without," notes Connie J. about McCown Valley Park.
Playground availability: Many area campgrounds include recreational facilities for children. At McCown Valley Park, Carol W. mentions "A boat launch, shallow swimming areas and 2 playgrounds round out this fantastic, family friendly campground!"
Site selection strategy: For equestrian camping with larger trailers, look for pull-through sites. "There are both 30 and 50 amp spots as well as tent camping sites," mentions Carol W. about McCown Valley Park.
Level site availability: Area campgrounds vary in site levelness. At Dinosaur Valley State Park, Moe F. notes, "Very nice campground with shaded paved sites. Some sites are short, so if you have a long rig you may want to call."
Limited hook-up options: Not all sites provide full connections. At McCown Valley Park, "It has nice picnic tables. Very nice swimming area," states Connie J., but RVers should check ahead for specific hookup availability as options vary throughout the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Meridian, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Meridian, TX is Dinosaur Valley State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 59 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Meridian, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 equestrian camping locations near Meridian, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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