2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
The Davy Crockett National Forest offers several horse-friendly camping options near Nacogdoches, Texas. Piney Creek Horse Camp provides primitive camping specifically designed for equestrians, with sites that accommodate both tents and smaller RVs. The campground features a covered pavilion and shaded sites adjacent to horseback riding trails. While the trails are extensive, visitors note they are not well marked in some sections. The campground has vault toilets but lacks drinking water, so campers must bring their own supply. Fires are permitted, and firewood is available on-site, making it convenient for overnight stays.
White Rock Horse Camp provides another equestrian camping option in the area, offering toilet facilities and trail access. The Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area within Davy Crockett National Forest features trails suitable for horses and bikes that extend for miles through the piney woods of East Texas. Trail riders can access routes that connect to dispersed camping lookout points. Sites at these campgrounds are first-come, first-served, with fees paid on-site. Alazan Bayou WMA includes a loafing barn for horses and well-maintained campsites with picnic tables on concrete slabs, fire rings, and lantern poles. Visitors need a Texas Parks Limited Use Permit, which costs as little as $12 annually and can be used to stay at any National Forest or Wildlife Management Area in the region.
"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
"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!"
Available this weekend
from $15 - $35 / night
"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."
"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
"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."
Available this weekend
from $14 - $250 / night
RangerI was looking for a spot to pull off for the night, on my way further west. This spot was just off the paved road, with a well maintained dirt road to the sites. 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.
RangerQuiet, pretty National forest with lots of trails, lake and privacy. Cell signal poor.
TravelerBeautiful little gem. The upkeep is outstanding, you can tell it’s really looked after. The camp sites are close to each other but since it wasn’t busy it felt like we had our own private area. 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. The rangers drive around a few times a day. We didn’t do the trail this time around but will try it out next time. It’s great for big groups because of all the space. They have bathrooms with a shower and plenty of toilet paper in case you forget to bring your own. It gets pretty dark at night because there are no lights except what you pack with you. There is also a water spigot and a fire pit.
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.
RangerDown 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.
RangerGreat camping area, 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.
Remnants of old sawmill is really cool, lots of wildlife and well maintained and marked trails to explore.
Good fishing, and swim area is very refreshing as well!
RangerIf looking to be near a campground but still out on your own then this is the place. 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. Please clean behind as you found it.
RangerHas 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.
RangerThis is another Great in deep e. Texas. They have really clean it up over the years. Even thin out more by the swimming area and boat ramps. Has a boat ramp but no electric motors. Also a dump station. They upgraded a RV spot that also has a playground too. You will find remants of the old sawmill here.
Horseback riding trails weave through the Davy Crockett National Forest, offering equestrian camping experiences around Nacogdoches, Texas. The region features pine-covered terrain with elevation changes between 200-400 feet above sea level. Campsites range from primitive dispersed areas to developed facilities with various amenities supporting both day rides and overnight equestrian trips.
Trail riding opportunities: Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area has extensive trail systems suitable for multiple activities. "Great trails and a small lake to enjoy kayaking, fishing, and swimming," notes Josh H., who praised the "nice, quiet, area to get away and enjoy alone or with family."
Swimming spots: Cool off after trail rides in designated swimming areas. "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 Alana B. about Ratcliff Lake.
Fishing access: Anglers can find success at Sexton Pond Dispersed camping area. Jennifer M. describes it as "down a hard packed gravel road. A few potholes but nothing major. Nice spot in the trees." Local anglers report that fish activity patterns change throughout the day.
Privacy between sites: White Rock Horse Camp offers a more secluded experience for equestrian camping. "Nice area for dispersed camping. Several level areas. Great hiking/horse riding trails around," notes one reviewer, who adds "if RVing, will need levelers."
Shaded camping areas: East Texas pine forests provide natural coverage at most sites. Charlie C., who stopped at Piney Creek Horse Camp during a cycling trip, appreciated finding "a small shelter I set up my tent under as there was rain in the area."
Reasonable fees: Texas Parks Limited Use Permits provide cost-effective access to multiple camping locations. At Sexton Pond, campers enjoy completely free dispersed camping, with Jennifer M. noting they "were the only ones here" during their stay.
Hunting season awareness: Avoid certain areas during peak hunting periods. A reviewer at White Rock Horse Camp specifically recommends campers "would not recommend this area during hunting season."
Water availability: Many sites lack drinking water. A touring cyclist at Piney Creek noted, "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 quality: Navigation can be challenging on some routes. Tartan C. described Piney Creek as having a "great, well marked trail system," while others have noted inconsistent markings across the broader forest network.
Bathroom facilities: Some recreation areas offer improved facilities. At Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area, Heather B. found "4 large private bathroom/shower rooms at this area. The shower was nice and hot and the water pressure was fantastic."
Kid-friendly activities: Several areas feature accessible recreation options. Michelle G. noted at Ratcliff Lake, "Easy kid friendly hiking trails around the park. Restrooms were immaculate."
Safety considerations: Wildlife awareness is important. Alana B. cautions that "there are alligators in the lake so it's not safe to swim by the campground" - stick to designated swimming areas.
Site leveling requirements: Ebenezer Park provides RV-friendly options, though a reviewer notes, "The park seems very well designed for equestrian, but also good for tent camping."
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections may require additional equipment. At Ratcliff Lake, Jim P. advises, "Water is a little bit of a stretch, may need to make sure you have plenty of hose."
Road conditions: Forest service roads vary in maintenance. Jennifer M. describes access to Sexton Pond as "down a hard packed gravel road. A few potholes but nothing major," which is typical of dispersed camping access in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Nacogdoches, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Nacogdoches, TX is Alazan Bayou with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Nacogdoches, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Nacogdoches, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
