LBJ National Grasslands offers primitive equestrian camping areas spread across 20,000 acres near Bowie, Texas. The terrain varies from open grassland to scattered oak trees and mesquite thickets, with elevations ranging from 700 to 900 feet. Ground conditions can be rocky and hard-packed in summer months, while winter brings wetter soil that can challenge vehicle access to some remote camping locations.
What to do
Trail riding at multiple access points: LBJ National Grasslands features numerous entry points for riders with interconnected trails across diverse terrain. "We love this place! It's free and close to DFW. There's cattle roaming around and a lot of stocked ponds to fish in and some hiking through the different areas," notes Kristi B. about LBJ Lyndon B Johnson National Grasslands.
Fishing in stocked ponds: Several fishing spots throughout the grasslands provide good catches even for beginners. "There is a small dumpster available. The bathroom/shower facilities and dump station are down the road at the main campground," mentions Ari A. about Fort Richardson State Park Hist. Site and Trailway, which offers similar fishing opportunities to those found near Bowie.
Historical exploration: Visit nearby historical sites for educational day trips from your camp. "We did call the park Ranger and he said the trailhead is a great place to camp and easy to access with a trailer," shares UnnamedAdventures about Tadra Point Trailhead & Campground, noting the staff support for campers interested in exploring the area.
What campers like
Spaciousness of sites: Many horse-friendly camp areas near Bowie feature large, open spaces for trailers and equipment. "The site itself was really large with huge old trees for hammocks. We had our own private access to the lake that was secluded by trees at our site," explains Kenneth P. about Thousand Trails Bay Landing, which offers similar site layouts to equestrian sites in the region.
Wildlife viewing: Campers regularly spot deer, turkey, and other wildlife at dawn and dusk. "Wildlife observed; prairie dogs, western diamond back, owls (didn't make notice of which kind but they were huge), rabbits, coyote, deer," reports Jarrid R. about Lake Arrowhead State Park Campground.
Night sky conditions: Minimal light pollution creates excellent stargazing opportunities. "Very quite and no artificial lights, heat place to star gaze," states Jeanne B. about Lake Arrowhead State Park Campground, highlighting a feature common across many equestrian camping sites near Bowie.
What you should know
Water availability challenges: Water sources can be unreliable or require treatment. "There is no drinking water here so you will need to bring some in," advises Mesha P. about Tadra Point Trailhead & Campground, a common issue at horse campgrounds near Bowie.
Seasonal factors: Summer heat requires extra preparation while winter brings mud concerns. "Typically you will find those wanting to camp on this side and those wanting to fish off the shore on the other side which has a gated entrance which is not always open," notes Crystal C. about Black Creek Lake NF Campground.
Ground conditions: Rocky or hard soil makes tent stakes difficult in many areas. "The ground at some locations can be hard to drive stakes into, making it challenging for securing temporary corrals or high lines," explains a camper about equestrian sites in the region.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife education opportunities: Plan morning wildlife walks for kids to spot prairie dogs and birds. "Beautiful campsite. The fort is very interesting. I was there on a re-enactment weekend and really enjoyed talking to all the re-enacters," shares David R. about Fort Richardson State Park Hist. Site and Trailway.
Playground access: Several camping areas have dedicated play spaces for children. "There is also a huge area for kid activities, family gathering and more," notes Robert M. about Thousand Trails Bay Landing, describing amenities similar to those at equestrian sites near Bowie.
Space between campsites: Select sites with more isolation for families needing privacy. "We stayed at site 136 in dogwood canyon, and it was lovely. Next time I'd stay at 137 for a bit more isolation, as you could see the boardwalk from our campsite," advises Grace B. about Johnson Branch Campsites at Ray Roberts Lake State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for equestrian camping: Choose sites with adequate space for both RV and horse trailer parking. "If renting a cabin do so well in advance between summer camp, family outings and normal traffic these book up quickly," recommends Crystal C. about Bay Landing, advice that applies equally to popular equestrian sites.
Access road conditions: Some areas have rough entry roads requiring careful navigation. "The road is long and paved/gravel. The speed limit is 35mph but I didn't get over 15 or 20 mph because of the holes," cautions William about Bay Landing RV Campground.
Cell service reliability: Coverage varies dramatically across the grasslands. "We were able to work and stream video easily with T-Mobile and AT&T," reports Laura H. about Bay Landing RV Campground, which has better connectivity than some more remote equestrian camping areas near Bowie.
