Chris H.
Legend
LegendJohnson Branch Campsites — Ray Roberts Lake State Park
We were in the walnut loop, spot 52 and it was awesome. Plenty of room and the site backs up to the lake so we could walk a path from our site to the lake to fish.
Equestrian Camping near Princeton, TX
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Isle du Bois Campsites at Ray Roberts Lake State Park features legitimate equestrian camp sites with horse pens built into each site. The park maintains several equestrian trails specifically designed for riders camping with their horses. Campers can secure their horses in the individual corrals while enjoying the surrounding Cross Timbers region with its abundance of oak trees and wildlife. The equestrian sites accommodate both tent camping and RV setups, with water and electric hookups available. Many horse owners bring their trailers and park them adjacent to their designated sites. The park's equestrian facilities are considered exceptional compared to other campgrounds in the North Texas area, elevating it above similar parks in the region.
The equestrian trail system connects riders to various parts of the 2,000+ acre park, offering scenic routes through wooded areas and along the lakeshore. Horse owners can access water for their animals at designated points throughout the trail system. Ray Roberts Lake State Park provides both the Isle du Bois unit and Johnson Branch unit for equestrian camping, though Isle du Bois offers more developed horse facilities. Brockdale Park on Lake Lavon also offers equestrian trails but lacks overnight camping facilities, functioning primarily as a trailhead with a large parking area for horse trailers. COE Lavon Lake Lavonia has been used by campers to stable horses during questionable weather, with some tent campers utilizing the horse stables for shelter during rain. Reservations are recommended well in advance as the equestrian sites tend to book quickly, especially during peak seasons.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Princeton (17)
1. East Fork Park Campground
"We had a nice view of Lake Lavon. Grills and tables vary by site, some are very old, but many have been replaced."
"I avoided any rough spots in the road and arrived at a LONG and roomie site with a beautiful view of the lake."
Check Availabilityfrom $14 - $150 / night
2. COE Lavon Lake Lavonia
"Nothing to knock you socks off, but it’s a great campsite close to home and nice for a quick getaway. Has the feel of being somewhat remote since it’s out by the lake."
"Doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles but does have sewer, lake views, wide open spaces, and clean! Great food places nearby."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $14 - $30 / night
3. Brockdale Park
4. Isle du Bois Campsites — Ray Roberts Lake State Park
"Roberts Lake State Park has two main campgrounds, the Isle du Bois unit and Johnson unit. These are what I would call twins. They are very similar in layout, scenery and activities."
"Bring your horses for a equestrian trail as well. Great beach for some sand castles and swimming. And don't forget to hit the Dam store and get the dam special. Good burgers there."
7 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $15 - $60 / night
5. Lazy Days
Check Availabilityfrom $75 / night
6. Dove Hill RV Park
7. Cedar Hill State Park Campground
"They offer water access, electricity, are near facilities, have tables and fire pits. Many of the sites overlook the lake or have easy access to the lake."
"Lake is nearby, and fishing permits in Tx are cheap and easy to grab online. Fairly quiet, but the sites themselves are private a shaded for the most part."
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $100 / night
8. Johnson Branch Campsites — Ray Roberts Lake State Park
"One of the more expensive Texas state parks. Standard electric at 25/night. Large bathrooms and lots of trash bins. Actual pay phones (who knew those still existed?)"
"Couldn't see the parking lot due to brush, but it was a very short walk and that was nice."
12 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $15 - $60 / night
9. Pilot Knoll Park Campground
"Many spots are have direct access to the lake to launch a kayak or SUP, boat launch in the day use area."
10. Deer Haven Campground — Cooper Lake State Park South Sulphur Unit
"It’s under a 2 hour drive from the DFW area so, I find it’s a nice weekend getaway. I camped here on a Sunday to Monday and it was very quiet."
"Cooper Lake feels secluded. Lots of trees with a beautiful lake and well maintained hiking trails. It’s close enough to the Dallas area to be convenient, but never feels crowded."
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $50 / night
Drive Time
- 37 min from Sherman, TX
- 45 min from Dallas, TX
- 1 hr 42 min from Tyler, TX
- 2 hrs 1 min from Longview, TX
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Princeton, TX
7 Photos of 17 Princeton Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Princeton, TX
169 Reviews of 17 Princeton Campgrounds
David B.
GuideIsle du Bois Campsites — Ray Roberts Lake State Park
Beautiful and quiet. Widely spaced sites in loops, but challenging to back in.
Folks want different things out of campsites. For me, it's scenic beauty, quiet for work and mental health, and nice places to take my dog. This checks all the boxes!
None of my reviews will be useful for amenities or activities because I just don't use them. I can't tell you about bathrooms, fishing, etc. I can tell you the water is very soft and feels slick or soapy even after you rinse. I have onboard reverse osmosis and wouldn't recommend drinking city water anywhere in Texas. There's too much oil production here and gas and chemicals are all over.
The staff at the gate were pleasant and said, "You must be David," when I pulled in, which was very nice and made it easy and welcoming.
Texas has many undiscovered and wonderful public lands, whether you're really camping or just working remote, watching the deer, or seeing the sunrise over a lake from your bedroom window. Get out here and come see them!
John C.
ScoutEast Fork Park Campground
Great spot on the lake
This is a great campground. Power was good, att service is good and the grounds are very clean. The only downside is no full hookups and the dump station is outside of the gate which they lock at 10pm and don't open again until 10am. So no getting back in while locked and you can't dump except when there are lines.
- JJohn R.Legend
Cedar Hill State Park Campground
Big and beautiful.
Lots of different types of sites. Large sites with a lot of privacy. Be sure to look at driveway lengths.
Joshua M.GuideIsle du Bois Campsites — Ray Roberts Lake State Park
Perfect for the Family!
Our family had a fantastic 2 night stay. We’ve only stayed at Johnson Branch on Ray Roberts in the past, and have loved Isle Du Bois. Our site is surrounded about beautiful lush trees and overgrowth. The beach is right up the path and my two boys (4&6) loved playing in the water with the kids. Our site is also two sites from the playground and bathroom/showers, which was super convenient! Will definitely be back and eyeing a site right off the water for some fishing!
Kai Z.
RangerCOE Lavon Lake Lavonia
Peaceful Waterfront Campground
Like most of our stops, we only spent one night here, but it was a really nice campground. The sites are large, and being right by the water makes the whole place feel peaceful and relaxing. A big plus was the covered picnic tables and benches at each site, which made it much more comfortable to eat outside without sitting in the direct sun. The only small downside was the bathhouse. It was nice to have your own private bathroom with both a toilet and a shower, but the shower only produced a small stream of water with fairly low pressure. Upgrading the showerheads would definitely improve the experience. It's also worth knowing that you can't access the campground after 10 PM, apparently not even with an access code. Other than those minor issues, this is a really beautiful campground and a great place to stay.
David R.GuideCedar Hill State Park Campground
Great Campsite and Well Kept Facilities
Nice campsite with lots of trees and privacy. Goog picnic table with shelter. Marginal cell phone reception. Clean restrooms.
- JJohn R.Legend
Cedar Hill State Park Campground
Private sites.
Stayed in the Lakeside Loop. Very private patio areas. Large park. Pay close attention to site lengths. No margin for error. Swim beach, multiple boat ramps, perch pond and lots of day sites.
- ccortney S.Guide
Isle du Bois Campsites — Ray Roberts Lake State Park
Great campsite but be prepared for a walk/hike to Wild Plum campsites
I stayed at Wild Plum campsite #124 at Isle du Bois and honestly… 5/5. I’d definitely go back.
The overall vibe was solid. The campsite itself was clean, spacious, and felt semi-private. You can see and hear neighbors a bit, but it’s not crowded or on top of each other. Just know it’s not fully secluded. The lake view was really nice, and there are several little fishing spots around the Wild Plum area. Plus, plenty of trails nearby if you want to get out and walk.
Each site out there has its own little vibe depending on where it sits, but they’re all pretty roomy and well laid out.
A couple things to be aware of…
The walk from the parking lot to the campsite is no joke. It’s gravel, rocks, and some incline. If you’re bringing a lot of gear, you’ll definitely want a cart. I didn’t expect that part.
The toilet situation… yeah, I didn’t use it. It’s a primitive setup with no plumbing, and it was pretty rough. That said, it’s expected for this type of campsite. If you need a better option, you can go up to the pier — those bathrooms have actual plumbing and are way cleaner.
No showers or water at the site either. There is a water spigot near the pier if you need to refill, and you’ll have to drive your trash up to the dumpsters.
Weather-wise, it was super windy when I went (early March), and campsites closer to the water definitely catch that wind. Also, not a lot of shade since the trees didn’t have leaves yet, so keep that in mind depending on the time of year.
On the positive side, I saw a lot of deer in the mornings, which was a really nice touch. No bugs during my stay (I did use a fogger), and the overall environment was peaceful. The park staff was also super duper friendly and helpful, which always makes the experience better.
Also worth noting — there are stores not too far from the park (like Dollar General), which came in clutch. I actually had to grab some super glue to fix a hole in my air mattress, so it’s good knowing you’re not too far from supplies if something goes wrong.
I went solo, and it was honestly the perfect little reset—quiet, scenic, and just enough nature without being too rough.
Good for solo campers, couples, or even families if you’re cool with primitive camping.
Guide to Princeton
Equestrian camping near Princeton, Texas offers multiple options for horse owners seeking overnight accommodations with their animals. The region sits within the Cross Timbers ecological zone where post oak savannas meet blackland prairie, creating diverse terrain for riders. Summer temperatures typically exceed 90°F from June through September, making spring and fall the most comfortable seasons for horseback riding on local trails.
What to Do
Trail riding at Cooper Lake State Park: The Deer Haven Campground section provides access to multiple hiking trails where wildlife viewing includes deer, coyotes, and armadillos. "There are a lot of great hiking trails with wildlife including deer, coyotes, armadillos, and butterflies," notes David R. about Deer Haven Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Lavon offers productive bank fishing directly from many campsites. "Campsites, large and easy access to walk right into the lake to swim, and space to dock your boat make the cove side of the park an excellent score," according to Monica C. about Pilot Knoll Park Campground.
Swimming during summer months: Several parks maintain designated swimming areas for cooling off. At East Fork Park, "There was a nice swim area and overall the campground was clean and quiet," reports Christina H. The temperature difference near water can be significant during hot months.
What Campers Like
Lake views and wildlife watching: Many campsites provide direct water views where you can observe local animals. "The sites are far apart and lots of green space. Pavement is old and a little rough, but workable," says Jess W. about COE Lavon Lake Lavonia.
Secluded atmosphere: Despite proximity to the Dallas metro area, several parks maintain a rural feel. At Cooper Lake, "Cooper Lake feels secluded. Lots of trees with a beautiful lake and well maintained hiking trails. It's close enough to the Dallas area to be convenient, but never feels crowded," according to Tom W.
Spacious sites: Many equestrian-friendly campgrounds feature larger-than-average sites for trailer parking. "The sites are well spaced and are 'mostly' paved with aging asphalt," notes Ray & Terri F. about East Fork Park Campground.
What You Should Know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many campgrounds have deteriorating access roads. "View was great and camp hosts were very friendly but the roads are horrible! The sites weren't bad and ours was pretty level," reports Mia D. about East Fork Park.
Grass maintenance inconsistent: Several parks struggle with regular mowing schedules. "Great campground, electric and water. Only issue is the grass is always one high so bring a weed whip," explains Suzann E.
Primitive options available: For those seeking more secluded equestrian camping experiences, Ray Roberts Lake State Park offers more remote options. "The primitive sites in the Hawthorne campgrounds are spaced a good distance apart and really give you a feel of isolation. Sites on the perimeter all have lake access where you can pull a boat up," explains Matt S.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground facilities: Some parks offer play equipment for children. "There is also a small playground with slides and climbing structures across from the restrooms(lots 22-23). My youngest was super excited to see a little library set up at the playground," shares Monica C. about Pilot Knoll Park.
Water safety precautions: Lake access can be convenient but requires supervision. "We brought our small family of four out to tent camp for the first time this last weekend. I really enjoyed how well kept the grounds were and did love the open space between sites and the water, giving lots of space for the kids to play," notes Joshua M.
Pack for weather variability: Spring storms can develop quickly in North Texas. "A big storm blew in around dinner time. The wind was fierce and blowing out of the north across the almost 20,000 acre lake! I actually called the ranger to find out if I needed to evacuate," recounts Susan L. at Cooper Lake State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many pads require significant leveling. "I've never stayed at a campground with sites as bad as this one and of course, I won't be back," warns Roy O. about Dove Hill RV Park, where some campers "had to have their back wheels off the ground in order to get level!"
Hookup locations: Position varies between parks, sometimes requiring extensions. "I backed in and used my extension power cord because the box was located midway from the rear. Since the space was so long... I could have pulled up a bit," explains Gary W.
Weather protection: Limited shade at some locations means planning for sun exposure. "There weren't a lot of trees and none over the RV pads, so keep that in mind as far as the sun beating down on the camper," advises Christina H.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Princeton, TX?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Princeton, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Princeton, TX is East Fork Park Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
Princeton, TX?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Princeton, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 equestrian camping locations near Princeton, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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