Isle du Bois Campsites at Ray Roberts Lake State Park offers equestrian facilities north of the DFW Metroplex. The park maintains a network of horse trails that connect directly from specialized campsites featuring built-in horse pens. These dedicated equestrian sites include water and electric hookups specifically designed to accommodate both riders and their horses, eliminating the need to trailer between camping areas and riding trails. The separation of equestrian camping from standard camping areas creates a more specialized environment for horse owners. During drought conditions, water availability may be affected at troughs located near the equine facilities. The convenient location provides horse camping access without requiring long travel from urban centers.
What to do
Rock climbing opportunities: Lake Mineral Wells State Park features distinctive rock formations at Penitentiary Cove for climbers. "Awesome rock formations, crevasses, and little shallow caves. Climbers enjoy this spot too," notes Susan L. at Cross Timbers — Lake Mineral Wells State Park. For more advanced climbers, Kadyn D. advises: "Great beginner level climbing in Penitentiary Hollow MUST HAVE 15-20 FOOT SLINGS ANCHORS ARE MILES APART!!!"
Wildlife viewing: The camping areas around River Oaks offer excellent wildlife encounters. At Loyd Park, campers often spot various animals. "We saw lots of birds and turtels in the lake," reports Marianne M. The deer population is particularly notable in several parks, with Matt S. observing at Ray Roberts Lake State Park: "We have car camped on a few occasions here and each time we saw plenty of deer around camp."
Lake activities: Joe Pool Lake at Loyd Park provides multiple water recreation options. "They have a big beach, park area to enjoy. Staff is friendly," writes TJ & Laura S. For anglers, Holiday Park on Benbrook Lake offers productive fishing. James S. notes: "If you're into fishing, this spot is for you. Every couple of minutes there was a 'plop' from another fish popping out of the water."
What campers like
Equestrian-friendly design: While some parks have horse facilities, Isle du Bois Campsites — Ray Roberts Lake State Park stands out for its dedicated equestrian support. Tony C. observes: "A very nice state park, about an hour northwest of Dallas. Lots of hiking and biking trails, with clean restrooms! Deer will approach your campsite and you're likely to see all kinds of wildlife."
Private, spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the River Oaks region offer good site separation. At Lake Mineral Wells State Park, Jill B. notes: "We stayed on the Live Oak campground loop which has 30/50 amp/water. We were lucky to snag the very last spot for the weekend. Our site was right on the lake on a little 20 foot bluff that was perfect for watching the sunrise and drinking coffee each morning."
Shaded campsites: Summer heat makes shade a premium feature. Karen B. found at Cedar Hill State Park Campground: "Large park with a variety of campsites. Shaded areas available. Very clean." Similarly, Arvis C. observed at Holiday Park: "Lots of sites have lots of shade."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most horse campgrounds near River Oaks, Texas require advance booking. At Pilot Knoll Park Campground, Michael H. advises: "Clean, online reservations takes a little bit of navigating, I had to sign up for an account."
Facilities condition: Bathroom quality varies across parks. At Holiday Park, Tammy T. warns: "The bathrooms are a little scary, but the price and the view of the lake made up for it." In contrast, Christopher L. at Ray Roberts Lake shares: "Sites are far enough away that you have to shout at your neighbors, so feel free to stretch out and be yourself without worrying about being too noisy."
Insect concerns: Several parks have notable insect populations. At Cedar Hill State Park, Jill C. reports: "Fire ants and chiggers all over! But the lake was nice." At Holiday Park, James S. advises: "Where there are deer there are ticks. Make sure to use insect repellent and give yourself a check."
Tips for camping with families
Dinosaur tracks exploration: Dinosaur Valley State Park Campground offers unique educational opportunities. "It's fascinating to see multiple dinosaur footprints along the river in this park," writes Moe F. Cathy B. adds: "Explore dinosaur tracks! Very nice campground."
Water activities: The lakes near River Oaks offer safe swimming options for families. At Lake Mineral Wells State Park, Deborah C. shares: "Lake mineral wells state park was great for biking, hiking, swimming and fishing. We had something fun for all 6 of us."
Playground access: Several parks offer dedicated play areas for children. Monica C. notes about Pilot Knoll Park: "There is also a small playground with slides and climbing structures across from the restrooms. My youngest was super excited to see a little library set up at the playground. We chose Star Wars readers."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for summer comfort: When camping at equestrian campgrounds near River Oaks, Texas during hot months, shade becomes crucial. John B. advises about Holiday Park Campground: "Some sites are 50 amp, while all are for 30 amp. Larger rigs are more accommodated next to the lake. But call ahead to see which sites have 50 amp, you'll need it in summer time."
Navigating tight spaces: Some parks have challenging access routes. Ray & Terri F. warn: "The CG roads are paved, but narrow and a little winding in places. 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."
Seasonal considerations: Off-season camping offers quieter experiences. Eric R. notes about Ray Roberts Lake: "There are few campers here in December. Restrooms were clean. Campsites, large and private." For summer visits, Michael C. shares about Cedar Hill State Park: "The park is designed with small loops for 15-20 camp sites in each loop. Very little traffic right by the individual spots."
