Best Equestrian Camping near Shavano Park, TX

Absolutely love the trails here! The views are breathtaking and the trails vary from easy to challenging. The only issue we’ve encountered is that the new maps don’t always give an accurate description of how challenging the trails are. The staff work really hard to keep the trails maintained, but heavy rains will cause the trails to erode, so they will close the trails depending on the weather. Hiking, biking and horseback riding are all allowed and hikers and bikers are required to yield the right of way to horseback riders. I’ve ridden horseback here for many years and have always found the hikers and bikers to be very considerate. Shoes or boots are recommended since most trails are rocky. The Trailhead Equestrian Camp has 6 sites with two pens at each site and water should be available in April 2019 at each site. There’s a vault toilet and water for horses centrally located in the camping area. There’s also a round pen for supervised use. Camping with electric hookups is available at Chapa campground on a first come basis unless reserving the entire campground. The Group Lodge is also available for groups. Check out the TPWD website for more information.

I was planning on staying there, but it is basically an equestrian state park. You can camp there, but there's not electrical and water hook ups. It's mostly tent camping. The staff was very friendly. I went to visit there just to see what it was about. If you're a hiker, there's hiking trails, so you'll enjoy that.

It's a good place to go with family but too much horse excrement for next family to stay

The campsites were spacious and there were quite a few options. There were quite a few trail systems closed that day due to the weather, but even with the limitations we were able to hike a good variety of trail. Be sure to get the info packet on the trails so that you don't find yourself hiking the equestrian trails as they can be a little rough for hikers. Be sure to hike to the top of the hill and enjoy a coffee on the bench - amazing view of the hill country!

Love the trails and camping at the HCSNA. Camping is primitive unless you rent the Lodge or Chapas group camping, but the scenery and trails are varied and it’s not far to town. Some of the riding trails are quite challenging but there are plenty of moderate and easy trails to ride. Shoes or boots are recommended for horses due to the rocky terrain.

I have camped here both in the Texas winter (Nov) and recently Texas Summers (July). It is a beautiful tucked away area. Nice trails, great tree cover and full of nature and flowing water.

Right in the action of Bandera, Texas. Park your RV and within walking distance of Main Street. Very friendly staff and patrons and the area is clean. Large pool for kids and has river access.

Pulled into our site a little before dinner time. All sites seem to be pull through, so that’s nice but if you get an even number site in the pecan loop be aware of the proximity to a bust county road with a lot of road noise.

The pecan loop has the most shade, important in Texas in the summer.

Electrical box is old, rusting and the breakers are loose with wires visible. Use your surge protector here - well, always use a surge protector but especially here.

Water pressure is low so be prettier that too.

Located in the hills about 10 miles from Bandera, TX, this campground is the perfect place to disconnect (you won’t get signal anyways) and hike, run or horseback ride through a plethora of trails.

Hookups are available for campers or a 2-3 mile hike can get you to a primitive site. Group sites are available to rent. This area of Texas gets hot so bring plenty of water. Watch for wildlife.

I would recommend checking their  Facebook page if it has recently rained to see the status of the park and trails. Occasionally the park or some trails will close if the risk of damage to the natural area is high.

We called ahead and got a good idea of what we needed and what to expect. Upon arrival, we were beyond impressed. Wendy was so helpful and accommodating. She didn't rush us or seem bothered even though we came just after closing. (We didn't know!) We were able to take advantage of their active duty special. The store had everything we needed that we didn't grab beforehand. (Fire wood and energy drinks, plus cow candy for the little one!) She not only got us our map she was kind enough to actually take us to our site and show us where the facilities were. Since we came during the week, no one else was using the primitive tent sites with us which made for a private and exclusive experience. During the night, we could still hear trains and airplane but none of that could've ruined our amazing night. We were provided with a fire ring and couldn't have asked for more. She made sure to give us a 24 hour phone number in case there were ANY problems. Definitely will be back any time we are in town. Thank you again.

The staff is very helpful and friendly. Very affordable and has everything you need for fishing and camping. We loved walking the trails and seeing deer and other wildlife. We absolutely loved it!

The stream is beautiful. But are there any crocodiles here? Fnaf 1

I usually don’t post reviews like this but I needed to for this place! The website is outdated and is false advertising, they don’t over everything listed on the site. we stayed here before it changed ownership. The cabins are not what they used to be, the website is not accurate. Over price cabins and now they look like they are from 1990 theme, so outdated looks like they got the furniture right out of the dumpsters. The new California owners don’t care about the park everything is broken, worn out, workers walks around smoking marijuana and walks up to you and the smell from the bearded guy is disgusting who lives in a shack there on site. They turned this once beautiful park into a dump hippie ground.

No clue why there are so many negative reviews on here I thought it was great! The owner and the two "hippy" guys were really nice and funny. It's a great price for the area and it looks very well kept. We came here reluctantly after reading the reviews on here and Google and its an excellent example of not believing everything on the internet. It doesn't have a store but the office is really clean and nice, the camp ground is pretty well kept and clean, nice laundry area. No complaints at all from. Me and my husband!

Very friendly, close walk to the town and facilities very clean

Not my first trip here. This park is handy if you want to walk to events, restaurants, bars, shopping on Main Street or to City Park. Friendly staff (and they're dog friendly too).

Type of Park: Private 

Check In: 1p Check Out: 12p 

Length of Stay: 3 Nights 

Regular cost per night $38, Discounts: Good Sam $11.40

My Total Cost 💲102.60

📋 Site#133 Notes:

Back In, lower level, site was very level side-to-side 

Site Pad: gravel

💧 Water- knee height, wrapped with insulation due to cold weather

⚡ Max amp: 30- all green lights

💩 Sewer- threads a little stripped out

📶 Wifi available, but I didn't use it 

Picnic Table: wooden 

Was a little farther from the highway than my last stay. A little quieter on this end.

👎🏻 Not available: 

Grill Fire 

Ring w/Grate

📺 Cable available on upper pull-thru spots only

📝 Park Notes:

🚻 Clean Restrooms

🚿 Showers

🧺 Laundry facility

🐕 Off-leash dog park

🛒 Store

🚶🏻‍♀️ Trails- walking trail along the river, wide enough for golf carts

🌊 The Medina River runs along the edge of the park, Walk under Hwy173 to access City Park. 

🤿 Pool

.🏚 Cabins

Boondocking area available

🥞 Good breakfast in the Recreation Center for just$6.50 on Saturdays when snowbirds are there. Pancakes, eggs, toast or roll, sausage patties, coffee, orange juice and all the condiments.(Should have done this on my last trip) 

Many of the snowbirds have flown out, but the park was still pretty full 

👍🏻 Walking distance to Main Street- bars, shops, food, entertainment, Visitor's center (Gunfights on Saturdays)

🦌 Wildlife: Several ducks, squirrels, signs of deer

You will find all kinds of trailer with different levels. Enjoy

Super camping & hiking with our dog and friends. Set up two tents at one site, and had plenty of space for everyone. The hiking was great with some challenging trails and some moderate ones, which allowed us to explore quite a bit of the park. Seemed to boast lots of fossils according to some fellow hikers.