Pace Bend Park - Lake Travis
Great State Park.
Very nice spot. Clean and well maintained. We will be returning.
3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Shaffer Bend Recreation Area features designated spaces for equestrians at its large camp area, including a horse pen for overnight stays. Primitive camping spots near Lake Travis accommodate both riders and their horses with accessible water sources along the shoreline. Sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and grills suitable for extended equestrian camping. The campground maintains vault toilets throughout, with permanent restroom facilities available at the entrance gate approximately three miles from camping areas. Campsites offer enough space for both horse trailers and camping equipment. Horse owners can access water directly from Lake Travis for their animals, though some spots have limited tree coverage which can make summer camping challenging in the Texas heat.
The trail system connects riders to multiple routes suitable for horses with varying terrain through Texas Hill Country landscapes. Gravel paths wind through wildflower fields during spring months, offering scenic rides with lake views. Trailheads provide ample parking for horse trailers, though riders should check water levels before planning trips as Lake Travis has variable water levels throughout the year. The park allows equestrian camping without advance reservations, operating on a first-come, first-served basis with entrance fees collected at the gate. The area accommodates both day riders and overnight campers with horses. Small RVs can share the horse camping areas, with enough room for vehicles, camping equipment, and space for horses to rest. Relaxing by the water's edge after riding proves popular with both horses and their owners as animals can cool off in the lake after trail excursions.
"Pace Bend is one of my most favorite places to camp in Texas. Not far from the old (and new!)"
"Pace Bend Park is conveniently located a short distance from the city of Austin and on the shores of Lake Travis. The park is managed by the Travis County Parks Department."
from $15 - $30 / night
"a crown jewel of the Texas Parks system. Hiking, horse riding, swimming, floating. At one with nature. Bird watching."
"This was some of the best TEXAS camping we've done. We found a really nice spot that was on the cliffside and had an incredible view of the hill country. It was isolated enough from other campsites."
Available this weekend
from $10 - $100 / night
"I happily drive over three hours to camp here... Dogs are not allowed, but service dogs are. Just call them in advance and let them know. It is CASH ONLY. Also, be careful how far you venture."
"Cool, spring-fed water refreshed everyone on our group on a hot summer day in Texas"
"Set on the lake, muleshoe recreation area is run by the LCRA. Clean camp sights dotted a long the lake offer access to the water."
"My campsite was pretty shaded and the outhouse wasn’t too far of a walk. They have an outdoor shower at the entrance as well as a filtered water/ice machine."
from $25 / night
"The lake is pretty decent, there are a few small trails around the area, and you are close to a small town. Biggest issue? 30 bucks a night, plus 5 dollars per person for a day use fee."
"We have a pull behind. We were very surprised at how level our gravel campsite was. It made setup a breeze. The loop makes backing into your spot easy. The wifi is decent."
from $20 - $30 / night
"Only there for one short night but it was delightful to sit in the water of lake Travis and watch the stars on a warm texas summer night."
"As you walk into the lake (walk fast if you dont want to get bitten) you will find pockets if cooler water spouting up. Its kinda like stepping into a refridgerator but underwater."
"Dogs love running along water’s edge and jumping in. Horses ok too from the looks of it. Sites 1-13 closer together and more in site if each other but still ok. Great hiking and walking."
"This is a great little place on Lake Travis. Going in the spring time is the best because of all the wildflowers. Trails are easy. Campsites are clean with a fire pit and a grill."
"Lots and lots and lots of fields, walking trails. Perfect for dogs who like to run. In January no one is here, all by myself."
"All this plus you can board your pets and horses!! All pull through sites."
"This beautiful RV park in Texas Hill country was booked years in advance for the eclipse. But on our suggestion the very accommodating proprietors opened up a pasture in back to dry camping."
from $55 / night
"It is located on Belton Lake. It is a gated entrance and the gates locked at 11:00pm. Our site was situated at the end of the loop and it was very spacious. It had water/electric with a dump station."
"Large sites with ample vehicle parking that offer substantial distance from the neighboring sites give room to bring multiple vehicles or a boat along with the RV. "
Available this weekend
from $24 - $30 / night
Very nice spot. Clean and well maintained. We will be returning.
A well maintained, beautiful park where we enjoyed 10 days stay in April 2026 in our motorhome. Very quiet and had very clean restroom and shower facilities. I definitely would go back again.
The volunteer park host in gray dodge tried to act like he was the owner. I had a 30 ft rv , a truck and fishing boat , he didn't like the way I parked , one boat trailer tire was in the gravel next to the rv and 25 year old blacktop drive.
He said I was on the grass, not it was gravel placed there by the Corps of Engineers.
He then suggested i take the boat and park it 500 yards away in the parking area near the boat launch. I said I have a problem with that, look in this boat there are $10, 000 dollars of Garmin electronics in there that an be stolen in 5 minutes, and your not providing any security other than closing the gate at 10 pm.
Fishing is good in Willis creek in the spring , need a boat or walk in for bank fishing .
Park host said , 1st day work with us the restrooms are not working properly, we used our rv.
Roads needed repaved 10 years ago, major uneven swells.
Boat ramp, floating dock for use with tying boat was torn up and dragged on the bank !
3 family park host for 30 camp sites, only 7 being used , most were empty .
Taylor park on the other side of lake has had much work done and is nice compared to Willis park.
Federal park director has to deal with budgets that come short, I think they must be giving up on Willis park and ready to abandon.
They have the oldest park with the worst volunteers!
Trump would fix it quickly if he only new .
Recently rebuilt county park outside of Austin. $30 plus day fees per night. Includes electric water and showers. Will be opening cabins Spring 2026. Almost nobody here in December. Staff is very friendly. Hike and bike trails.
Great campground. Sites are all electric and water hookups. Restrooms and showers are nice and clean
We were taking our first camping trip and this spot is absolutely perfect. We were able to pull into our spot and set up camp easily. Everything is level, easy accessibility, the staff is extremely friendly and maintenance takes care of the property. We will absolutely be back.
Such a great park. Nice and clean campsites are really nice. Hiking trails were excellent, and challenging bathrooms were clean. Cell service with T-Mobile was between 4G and 5G, depending on where you were at. No Wi-Fi, I don't know about TV signals. I didn't camp. I only hiked the trails.
Was absolutely stunning, it’s on a cliff top so your “backyard” is a small trail to a gorgeous overlook of the lake and adjacent cliffs. I didn’t expect to be given this view. The campsite itself is also fairly shaded and there are some cacti but it’s the best spot I’ve stayed at while being there!
Body
Equestrian camping near Round Mountain, Texas offers access to scenic Hill Country trails with varying terrain difficulty levels. The region's mixed limestone and sandy soil provides stable footing for horses on most trails, with elevations ranging from 900-1,200 feet throughout the area. Water access points at several locations allow horses to cool off during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 95°F.
Trail riding with lake views: At Pace Bend Park - Lake Travis, riders can access multiple trail systems with lake overlooks. "We stay at Pace Bend every time we go rock climbing in Austin. The campsites are private and there are always sites available. The campsites along the cliffs are beautiful at night," notes Katie B.
Mountain biking alongside horses: Several parks permit both horses and bikes on designated multi-use trails. "We went mountain biking in shorts the first day and a backpack training hike the next. Nice trails," mentions Rick from Willis Creek Park, highlighting the terrain variety suitable for both riders and cyclists.
Spring wildflower viewing: Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area offers seasonal trail riding through bluebonnet fields. "I have not camped out here, but have made a few day trips. There are a few miles of hike and bike trails, but I HIGHLY suggest coming out here during Bluebonnet season. It is Absolutely beautiful!!!" writes Jennifer J.
Privacy between campsites: Many equestrian-friendly campgrounds offer good separation between sites. "The campsites are private and there are always sites available," notes Katie B. about Pace Bend Park, while another camper mentions, "Spacious pavilion at every spot" at Willis Creek.
Water access for cooling horses: Pedernales Falls State Park Campground offers stream access where horses can cool off. "Lots of hiking trails here. Good swimming. The falls are pretty. You can walk upriver from the falls, bouldering for quite a long way," says Emily M., highlighting water features available to both riders and horses.
Level camping areas: Several campgrounds feature flat terrain suitable for horse trailers. "Very peaceful, clean, spots are pretty spread out with covered picnic tables, fire pit and grill," notes Leslie about Willis Creek, adding that "all back in sites have plenty of grass and are in level pavement."
Limited tree coverage: Summer heat can be challenging for horse camping. "We stayed here for 4 days before Memorial Day weekend and it was hot. There are no showers or bath houses. Texas in summer can be unforgiving," warns Kyle G. about Shaffer Bend Recreation Area.
Varying water levels: Lake access points can change seasonally. "Be warned that if you stay at sites 1-12 you are right next to the boat ramp where people will be loading/unloading at all hours of the night," cautions Shainna M. about Muleshoe Bend, highlighting the importance of site selection near water.
Trail conditions: Some parks have rocky terrain requiring horse shoes. "Walking trails are nice for a stroll not too difficult and not much elevation change. Only negative is the amount of stickers everywhere," notes Steve L. from Shaffer Bend Recreation Area, warning about potential hazards for unshod horses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Round Mountain, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Round Mountain, TX is Pace Bend Park - Lake Travis with a 4.4-star rating from 34 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Round Mountain, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 equestrian camping locations near Round Mountain, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring