Best Equestrian Camping near Schulenburg, TX

Lake Somerville State Park Nails Creek Unit Campground features equestrian sites with horse corrals at each campsite. Located approximately 50 miles northeast of Schulenburg, this Texas state park offers multiple camping options for horse owners including RV sites with electric and water hookups. The equestrian campsites provide ample space for both riders and their horses with paved parking pads long enough for trucks and trailers. Sites include standard amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings with cooking grates, and nearby access to restrooms and showers. The park maintains equestrian sites that are fairly private with good spacing between neighboring campers. Corrals accommodate horses comfortably, with some sites offering views of Lake Somerville.

The trail system at Lake Somerville connects Nails Creek Unit to the larger park complex, providing extensive riding opportunities for equestrians. Riders access miles of trails directly from the campground, with routes that wind through forested areas and along lake shores. The trail network includes several miles of equestrian-approved paths with varying terrain and difficulty levels. Water access points throughout the park allow horses to drink and cool off during rides. Wildlife sightings are common along the trails, with deer frequently spotted in early mornings and evenings. Equestrians particularly appreciate the well-maintained trails following past flooding issues, though occasional wild hog damage may affect some sections. Overnight camping with horses requires reservations through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, with peak seasons filling quickly.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Schulenburg, Texas (6)

Show More
Showing results 1-6 of 6 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Schulenburg, TX

1 Photos of 6 Schulenburg Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Schulenburg, TX

29 Reviews of 6 Schulenburg Campgrounds


  • Jeff
    Oct. 8, 2020

    Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit Campground

    Great camping large lake, good location - July 2020

    Well spaced spots.  Fairly level pads with table, fire ring, 30/50 amp electrical, water.  We didn't see any covered tables, but all usable spots had concrete pads for tables.  Like a lot of east-Texas camping areas, LSSP was also devastated by Hurricane Harvey and is still recovering, but don't let that stop you, but instead level-set your expectations.  Sites are well dispersed, but some appear to be no longer in use.  In July 2020, there were very few folks in the park, partly, I'm sure due to Covid-19 and well, its July in Texas!  Typically, and as expected, gnats were really bad at night, but mosquitos were tolerable.  Just be prepared and you'll be fine.  Great kayaking and very little motorized boat traffic, but likely due to current situation.  Trails are numerous, but not well marked.  We didn't see a lot of hog damage on the trails, so maybe the staff has been working on that.  Good amount of wildlife  Equestrian area looked like it was restored and  back-in-business.   Will be returning.  While the Birch Creek and Nails Creek sections are visible across the lake from each other, there is a long drive (15 minutes in a vehicle around the lake) to get between them, so plan your time accordingly.

  • Ashley C.
    Aug. 13, 2017

    Lake Somerville State Park Nails Creek Unit Campground

    Great ammenities!

    The campsites are not very large, but it's ok because the sites are separated from each other which is nice. Some sites even have corrals for horses! The best part is the proximity to the lake. Kayaks and canoes are available for rent for a really low price. Bathrooms and showers have good access from the sites and are kept clean. Overall, one of the best state parks we've stayed at in Texas!

  • Laura F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 22, 2021

    Lake Somerville State Park Nails Creek Unit Campground

    Nice RV sites with hiking and biking

    The sites have nice paved spots, many have views of the lake, and are spacious. We stayed in the equestrian area since the other area for non equestrian sites is currently closed. There are trails you can access in the park, with many more miles a short drive away. Two bridges are out on the Trailway which limits options a bit. The hiking and biking is all well defined double track with little elevation change. We saw many birds this spring.

  • Ty C. R.
    Dec. 28, 2020

    Lake Somerville State Park Nails Creek Unit Campground

    Great campsite

    We stayed equestrian site 4 which is a fairly private site. Moon was nearly full and the coyotes were howling all night long. All in all it was a nice small state park with great views of Lake Somerville.

  • Lynn G.
    Sep. 30, 2017

    Lake Somerville State Park Nails Creek Unit Campground

    Lakeside camp

    This park is spread out to 3 sites along the lake and this campground is at the middle sized one. It is a bit of a drive to get to the largest area. It’s a very pretty lush forested area with a lot to do on the water and trails.

    Yay: campgrounds are wooded, large, and rather private. None of them have an amazing view, but they are all a short walk to the water’s edge.

    Nay: It can flood.

    Surprise: Great wildlife on the trails with lots of educational displays and programs. Famous for birding. If you have a horse, bring it!

  • Denise V.
    Jan. 20, 2022

    Lake Somerville State Park Nails Creek Unit Campground

    Great Fall Camping, Equestrian Area

    A nice, quiet fall camping weekend on Lake Somerville. It was a solo trip and since the weather was warm, I brought my kayak on this trip.

    Check In: 2p Check Out: 12p

    ⛺ Site#26- Back-In

    💲20 per night+$4/person/day Parks Pass Discount saved$18.00

    • Water
    • 20/30 amp
    • Fire Ring with grate
    • Picnic Table: wood with metal legs, concrete base
    • Site Pad: Asphalt, level, long enough for my camper and truck with room to spare
    • Corrals for horses

    👍🏻 Pros:

    • Extra parking places across the street
    • Can see the lake from this spot

    👎🏻 Cons:

    • There's not a direct trail to the lake shore other than animal trails through some of the tall grass
    • The table and fire ring are on the non-camping side so it was a little strange. Very dark at night on that side.

    📝 Park Notes:

    • Dump Station
    • Restrooms/ Showers- clean. The Bent Tree area has a portable trailer for the restrooms and showers. The main building is closed.
    • There are Munzees and Geocaches here
    • Lots of trails in the park and between this and the Birch Creek Unit
    • Great trails for equestrians
    • Enclosed Group shelter for events (no kitchen)
    • Family Fishing Pond (small)
    • The open style pavilion doesn't appear to be open. Looks like it's is structurally unsound

    🐦 Wildlife:

    • Birds: Great Blue Heron, Cardinals, Chickadees
    • Deer
    • Squirrels

    💜 Highlights of this trip:

    •🔥 Campfires and breakfast over the fire

    •🐕 My brother came for a short visit to walk the dog

    •🛶 Kayaking and there was only ONE other boat on the lake

    •🍂 Nice fall colors

    •🚫 Some of the trails and areas of the park were closed this weekend due to public hunts

    •🌟 Warm temperatures and clear nights. Lots of stars.

    •💚 Found a couple geocaches and put out a few Munzees

    More info at https://www.denisevajdak.com/2021/12/fall-camping-at-lake-somerville.html

  • Evan V.
    Mar. 19, 2022

    Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit Campground

    Great spot 1/2way between Austin and Houston

    Great spot, all the txpw amenities, friendly as can be staff, clean restrooms, well maintained campsites and nature. 14+ miles of equestrian trails! GREAT birdwatching, several different species this time of year. Leaf cutter ants all over the trails! Active wildlife at night with coyote hunts making a good bit of commotion. I would have given 5 stars but the fishing pier is still out of commission from flood damage.

  • L
    Jul. 17, 2018

    Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit Campground

    Fisherman’s paradise

    The lake is fairly warm, large amount of bass, huge gar, croppy, And catfish. when the water is right you can take a flat bottom boat up to any of the creeks. Overall a great campground with decent facilities. They do have horse stalls at many of the campsites so definitely bring your horse and trot around the lake !! They do have rv and tent sites with a lot of trails that are mowed down and well taken care of. Lots of picnic areas and covered areas S well!

  • A
    May. 2, 2020

    Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit Campground

    Just after Hurricane Harvey

    We camped at the horse spot. These camping spots are mostly spacious and private - plenty of shade trees. We walked some trails, but they were mostly flattened/destroyed by Hurricane Harvey. Hopefully by now they have been rebuilt and are just as beautiful as I imagined them. If I were still local to the area, I would definitely go back, and definitely recommend others to go as well.


Guide to Schulenburg

Lake Somerville State Park spans two units near Schulenburg, Texas, offering equestrian camping options approximately 50-60 miles northeast of town. Both the Nails Creek Unit and Birch Creek Unit maintain trails connecting across the park complex with elevations ranging from 250-350 feet. The region experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 95°F and mild winters, making spring and fall the most comfortable seasons for horse camping.

What to do

Trail riding on Lake Somerville Trailway: Access miles of horse-friendly trails from Lake Somerville State Park Nails Creek Unit Campground. The trail system extends between park units with some limitations. "Two bridges are out on the Trailway which limits options a bit. The hiking and biking is all well defined double track with little elevation change," notes Laura F.

Fishing opportunities: Fish directly from shore at multiple locations throughout the park complex. "My husband went fishing for a bit. He didn't catch anything, but he witnessed another gentleman catch a 20" fish, so we know there are fish in the lake," reports Margaret P. from Lake Somerville State Park Birch Creek Unit Campground.

Water recreation: Rent kayaks or canoes at reasonable prices to explore the lake. Tucker B. shares, "Went for a nice paddle on the lake until the winds came up," adding that cell service at Nails Creek was "good enough for me to do some work on my hotspot."

What campers like

Spacious equestrian sites: Each horse campsite includes corrals for horses with enough room for riders and their trailers. "We stayed equestrian site 4 which is a fairly private site. Moon was nearly full and the coyotes were howling all night long," reports Ty C. R.

Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate the separation between camping areas. "We couldn't even see our neighbors. We had a small trail right behind our site that went down to the water," states Elijah A. about Birch Creek Unit, noting how the site layout enhances the camping experience.

Wildlife viewing: The park offers excellent opportunities for wildlife watching, especially for bird enthusiasts. "We saw many birds this spring," Laura F. mentions about her stay at Nails Creek Unit. Denise V. documented specific sightings: "Great Blue Heron, Cardinals, Chickadees, Deer, Squirrels" during her fall camping trip.

What you should know

Facility conditions: Some areas of the park have faced challenges from natural events. "Like a lot of east-Texas camping areas, LSSP was also devastated by Hurricane Harvey and is still recovering, but don't let that stop you, but instead level-set your expectations," advises Jeff from Birch Creek Unit Campground.

Seasonal considerations: Summer brings intense heat and insect activity. "In July 2020, there were very few folks in the park, partly, I'm sure due to Covid-19 and well, its July in Texas! Typically, and as expected, gnats were really bad at night, but mosquitos were tolerable," Jeff continues.

Distance between units: Despite being visible across the lake, traveling between park units requires significant driving time. Jeff notes, "While the Birch Creek and Nails Creek sections are visible across the lake from each other, there is a long drive (15 minutes in a vehicle around the lake) to get between them, so plan your time accordingly."

Tips for camping with families

Shelter options: Some sites offer covered areas for protection from sun or rain. "We were lucky to get one that already had a shelter over the table," shares Elijah A., though another visitor noted, "We didn't see any covered tables, but all usable spots had concrete pads for tables."

Kid-friendly water access: Vernon L Richards Riverbend Park provides additional options for family camping near water. Richard G. reports, "We arrived around 11:30 pm to the park and was stopped by a very helpful officer that explained to us the park was closed, but helped us get a spot anyways and directions. Got to the spot and it was more than I expected for a camp site."

Educational opportunities: Nature programs and informational displays enhance the experience for younger visitors. "Great wildlife on the trails with lots of educational displays and programs. Famous for birding," notes Lynn G., making the park suitable for educational family outings.

Tips from RVers

Site selection for RVs: Choose sites with adequate space for larger rigs. "The sites have nice paved spots, many have views of the lake, and are spacious," Laura F. mentions about Iron Horse RV Resort, another option for RVers seeking equestrian-friendly camping near Schulenburg.

Hookup availability: RV sites at Lake Somerville State Park offer electrical and water connections. "Site#26- Back-In, Water, 20/30 amp, Fire Ring with grate, Picnic Table: wood with metal legs, concrete base, Site Pad: Asphalt, level, long enough for my camper and truck with room to spare," details Denise V.

Pad conditions: Some sites may need maintenance. Red S. advises, "The only thing I think that they could improve would be the pads where you park your trailer on. Some of them need to be redone."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Schulenburg, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Schulenburg, TX is Iron Horse RV Resort with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Schulenburg, TX?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Schulenburg, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.