2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
In National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, multiple designated horse camping areas provide options for equestrians traveling with their mounts. Piney Creek Horse Camp in Davy Crockett National Forest features primitive camping with toilet facilities and accommodations for both tents and RVs. Located approximately 5 miles from Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area, this horse-friendly campground allows riders direct access to forest trails. White Rock Horse Camp offers similar amenities with tent and RV camping options and toilet facilities. These campgrounds remain accessible throughout the year, though neither provides drinking water or electric hookups, making them best suited for self-sufficient campers prepared for primitive conditions. Campgrounds are well-maintained with trails suitable for both day rides and longer adventures.
The trail system throughout Davy Crockett National Forest connects riders to miles of forested terrain. Equestrians can access multiple hiking trails, including those suitable for horses or bikes that extend for miles through pine forests. The 4C trail provides longer trek opportunities through the region, with access to dispersed camping areas at designated lookout points. Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area, while not specifically designated for horses, offers nearby trail connectivity that equestrians sometimes utilize. Riders should obtain a Texas parks Limited Use Permit ($12 annually) when staying at any National Forest or Wildlife Management Area. Permits with additional fishing or hunting privileges are available at slightly higher costs. Trail conditions remain accessible year-round, though seasonal weather patterns can affect ground conditions and water availability.
"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!"
"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
"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."
"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
"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."
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.
National Forests and Grasslands in Texas provide equestrians with trail access through diverse East Texas terrain. Horse campsites typically feature larger parking areas for trailers and necessary amenities for riders and their mounts. While primitive in nature, these campgrounds connect to extensive trail systems that traverse pine forests and hardwood bottoms with relatively flat terrain suitable for various skill levels.
Trail riding on the 4C Trail: The 4C Trail system traverses through Davy Crockett National Forest with miles of maintained paths. "Good for horses or bikes. You can go for miles even to a dispersed camping lookout point," notes a visitor to Davy Crockett National Forest Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area.
Fishing at forest ponds: Several small lakes and ponds throughout the forests provide fishing opportunities. "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," reports a camper at Sexton Pond Dispersed.
Swimming in designated areas: Forest lakes offer cooling relief during hot Texas summers. "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 camper about Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area.
Spacious sites for horse trailers: The equestrian campgrounds feature accommodation for larger rigs and trailers. "Nice, quiet national forest hunting camp with vault toilet and water, but no amenities at the individual campsites. Bring your own generator and dry camp. Great, well marked Trail system," shares a visitor to Piney Creek Horse Camp.
Natural forest immersion: The pine forests create a distinctive camping environment. "Beautiful 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," notes a visitor about Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area.
Historical features: Some sites contain remnants of early logging operations. "Remnants of old sawmill is really cool, lots of wildlife and well maintained and marked trails to explore," writes one camper about their experience at Ratcliff Lake.
Limited facilities: Most horse campgrounds near National Forests and Grasslands in Texas operate with basic amenities. "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," explains a visitor to Piney Creek Horse Camp.
Hunting season awareness: Campers should verify hunting schedules before visiting. "Would not recommend this area during hunting season. Accessible via car, good roads, smaller trailers. If RVing, will need levelers," advises a visitor to White Rock Horse Camp.
Seasonal water availability: Water sources may be intermittent. "I am a touring cyclist. I stopped here for an overnight. Small shelter I set up my tent under as there was rain in the area. 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," notes a cyclist who stayed at Piney Creek Horse Camp.
Bring adequate water supplies: Most horse campsites lack drinking water. "Would be a 5 with just water. You need a Texas parks Limited use permit. It costs as little as $12 a year," explains a visitor to Alazan Bayou WMA.
Plan for no lighting: Forest campgrounds become very dark after sunset. "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," mentions a Ratcliff Lake camper.
Consider proximity to bathroom facilities: Not all sites offer equal access to amenities. "We were about 200 yards from the bathroom facilities and about 30 feet from potable water for washing up," notes a camper at Ratcliff Lake, providing context for planning family site selection.
Water hookup planning: Some sites require extra equipment for water access. "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," advises an RV camper at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area.
Road condition awareness: Most forest campgrounds have unpaved access roads. "Down a hard packed gravel road. A few potholes but nothing major. Nice spot in the trees," reports a camper at Sexton Pond Dispersed.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds provide sanitary dump stations. "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," notes a camper regarding facilities at Ratcliff Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near National Forests and Grasslands in Texas?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near National Forests and Grasslands in Texas is Alazan Bayou with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near National Forests and Grasslands in Texas?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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