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Lake Mineral Wells State Park includes equestrian camping facilities with a separate loop dedicated to horse owners. The Cross Timbers campground features multiple sites where riders can camp with their horses near trailheads. While no permanent horse corrals are listed in the campground data, the park accommodates equestrians with ample trailer parking and access to bridle trails. Campsite options include both tent and RV accommodations with water and electric hookups available. The park has clean restrooms and showers, making extended stays comfortable for riders exploring the area's trails. Recent visitors noted the park offers trails specifically suitable for horseback riding with terrain varying from wooded areas to lake views. Some trails are rocky and not always easy to navigate after rainfall.
The trailway at Lake Mineral Wells State Park connects riders to multiple riding routes throughout the park property. Equestrians access miles of trails directly from their campsites, with the crushed gravel trailway providing relatively easy riding except for some steeper grades near the park trailhead. Water access for horses is available near camping areas, though riders should confirm specific watering locations when making reservations. The park implements quiet hours and gate closures at 10 pm, requiring campers to obtain an access code for late entry. Wildlife sightings are common along the trails, with visitors regularly spotting deer and various bird species. The trails connect to Penitentiary Hollow, featuring interesting rock formations and terrain variations that offer diverse riding experiences throughout the park.
"Lake mineral wells state park was great for biking, hiking, swimming and fishing. We had something fun for all 6 of us. My husband and I stayed in our tent, while rest of family stayed in their RV."
"I'm from Texas, and I've never thought, "Let's go to Mineral Wells!". My daughter who lives in Ft. Worth suggested we go the Lake Mineral Wells State Park for a weekend camping get away. "
from $16 / night
Check Availability"Late in the day we stopped at Lake Mineral Wells State Park, TX. We weren't sure where to go as the gate was unmanned at our arrival."
"Lake Mineral Wells State Park is an absolute standout, but then I’m partial because it combines 4 of my favorite things sublimely and almost in my backyard - camping, hiking, biking and kayaking."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"There was a port a potty near the primitive area. It is right next to the highway so there is noise from that but it did not bother us at all."
"We ended up walking most of the way since the river was very low in most spots or wasn’t flowing much."
"This park was definitely out in the middle of nowhere, with a long peaceful drive full of wildlife. We made it to the park entrance, check in was quick."
"This is one of the clearer lakes in Texas."
from $10 - $100 / night
Check Availability"We stayed one night at the equestrian camp on our way through the area. We prefer leaving the equestrian spots for horse owners but it was the last one available in the park."
"A few times a year, the City of Jacksboro opens its arms to an influx of campers and schools from around the state eager to see one of the unique reinactments at the historic location of Fort Richardson"
from $15 - $45 / night
Check Availability"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"Dog park, horse stall rentals, storage unit rentals, recreation room, bathrooms and showers, tiny home rentals. Most people stay here long term."
"Close to dining and stores. Internet poor."
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Easy access to the docks and to deer blinds to watch the deer come out (no hunting)."
from $125 - $500 / night
Check Availability"We had our own private access to the lake that was secluded by trees at our site. Picnic table and fire ring. The tent only sites was basically a big field with a parking lot nearby."
"Caution- Google Maps has no idea where the entrance to this campground is. Entry was very easy and the Ranger on duty was extremely helpful."
"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 Availability
GuideIt was super hot when I camped here (too hot to explore), but the brand new facilities made it enjoyable. I would definitely return. Geared toward RVs and brand new, so priced a little higher than some other Texas State Parks. I paid $30.
RangerThis 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.
GuideVery 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!
ScoutFree for up to 14 days! Find a spot and park! The site we found it big, nobody around and has a fire pit! We are in a class c
GuideGet a reservation immediately. The facilities are the best. The RV spots are concrete and have parking space for a trailer and a truck. The equestrian area has corrals for four horses with huge parking areas. I booked a week after it opened.
LegendVery large park with a lot of camping options. Wildlife is abundant. Cabins with RV site. Multiple boat ramps. Full sun, shade or partial. Would be a5 star if it was full hookups.
LegendWe have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 73 for 1 night in mid September. The CG is clean, well maintained. The CG roads are paved, but narrow and a little winding in places. The sites themselves all seemed mostly level. The CG was very quiet and peaceful. There were only 2 or 3 other campers in the CG while we were there. Our site, 73, was a pull-through, as were several, but some were back in. The registration card says to watch for branches if your RV is over 12’ tall, but there were several branches much lower than that leaving site 73. We were able to navigate to avoid most of them, but one was unavailable, so be advised. There were lots of deer that wandered through our part of the CG.
AT&T coverage was pretty good with 2 bars of LTE service and speeds up to 17 MB/s. We had a clear view to the N at the site, so Starlink was fine with speeds up to 20 MB/s.
ScoutIf you want to really camp , and not in a 50 footer , this is not a place to do it . Maybe the sites behind the lake would be better . We have camped across the country with a 12 footer teardrop 3 times . . This is my least favorite campsite ! Pads are broken up almost to the point of dangerous. Walked around in flip flops and had tar balls attach to my feet.
TravelerClean and quiet. Good showers and laundry facilities. Close to dining and stores. Internet poor.
Lake Mineral Wells State Park sits at an elevation of 919 feet in the Cross Timbers and Prairies region, characterized by a mix of post oak woodlands and rolling grasslands. The park encompasses 3,282 acres with over 12 miles of horseback riding trails connecting to the 20-mile Trailway. Water levels in the 640-acre lake can fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline access and water activities during drought periods.
Rock climbing opportunities: At Dinosaur Valley State Park, visitors find natural rock formations perfect for climbing enthusiasts. "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," notes Julie W.
Kayaking on Possum Kingdom Lake: The clear blue waters of Possum Kingdom State Park offer excellent paddling conditions. "This is one of my favorite parks to kayak or canoe at! You can rent them right there at the dock. You can rent jet skis, as well!" shares Michelle M. The park's shoreline provides multiple access points for launching small watercraft.
Wildlife viewing: Abundant wildlife inhabits the parks around Mineral Wells. Susan L. from Lake Mineral Wells shares, "Lots of wildlife and a deer strolled casually and fearlessly through the site while munching on grass. The fish were also entertaining and the frogs serenaded at night."
Lakefront camping access: Bay Landing RV Campground offers direct water access from some sites. "I tent camped and cooked out the back of the Jeep at a back-in RV site that sure seemed to be the best spot of them all. We had our own private access to the lake that was secluded by trees at our site," says Kenneth P.
Historic attractions: Fort Richardson State Park provides a glimpse into frontier history. "Beautiful campsite. The fort is very interesting. I was there on a re-enactment weekend and really enjoyed talking to all the re-enacters. A lot of great history. At night the coyotes sang me to sleep," shares David R.
Quiet campsite settings: Plateau at Lake Mineral Wells offers peaceful sites away from crowds. "The campground was beautiful. It was quiet, the bathrooms were clean, and the lake was serene. There are at least 3 campgrounds, including shelters, equestrian, a loop for tenters, and a loop for larger rigs," notes Cris B.
Water level fluctuations: Possum Kingdom can experience varying water levels that affect shoreline access. "I have visited here many times and now that some time has passed since the golden alge epidemic that the area has returned to it's natural beauty," mentions Todd D., indicating environmental changes that visitors should monitor.
Primitive camping challenges: At Hillbilly Haven, primitive riverside camping requires preparation. "We did not stay in the RV area and instead primitive camped along the river past the bridges. There are no tables or fire rings in the section we were in but we were prepared for that and brought our own supplies," explains Kellyn L.
Trail conditions: Trail difficulty varies considerably across parks. "The trails are very rocky and not always easy to navigate, but there is so much there to explore," warns Alejandro G. about Cross Timbers at Lake Mineral Wells, indicating hikers should wear appropriate footwear.
Kid-friendly rock exploring: Cross Timbers at Lake Mineral Wells State Park offers geological features for children to explore. "There is rock climbing and a small swim beach on the other side of the lake and lots of places to go fishing. The trails are very rocky and not always easy to navigate, but there is so much there to explore," notes Alejandro G.
Dinosaur tracks: Dinosaur Valley State Park provides educational opportunities with visible dinosaur footprints. "This is a beautiful State Park with miles of trails, year round family activities, and dinosaur foot prints," explains Caleb H., making it ideal for children interested in prehistoric life.
Ranger-led activities: Fort Richardson hosts special historical events. Kerri S. mentions, "Lots of history here but nothing was open for self guided tours yet." Contact parks in advance to learn about scheduled programs like scorpion hunts or historical reenactments that enhance family visits.
Site selection: Holiday Park Campground offers sites with varying amenities. "Perimeter sites are much better than inner loop sites - our site is along a lakeshore more than lakeshore," advises Roger W. Site 72 has been noted as a good pull-through option with 30/50 AMP service.
Equestrian camping considerations: For horseback riders camping near Mineral Wells, Texas, facilities vary by park. While Lake Mineral Wells has dedicated equestrian camping, other parks have limitations. "We stayed one night at the equestrian camp on our way through the area. With only a couple of small pens and not much space, we could see why equestrians might not flock here," notes Ari A. about Fort Richardson.
Campsite leveling: Some sites require extra preparation. "The sites are long and narrow without much space between them. Road noise is noticeable during the day but quiet at night," warns Ari A. RVers should bring leveling blocks, especially at older campgrounds where concrete pads may be uneven or broken.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mineral Wells, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mineral Wells, TX is Cross Timbers — Lake Mineral Wells State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mineral Wells, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 equestrian camping locations near Mineral Wells, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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