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Pedernales Falls State Park Campground provides limited equestrian facilities in the Texas Hill Country. The campground accommodates horses at designated sites with basic amenities for both riders and their mounts. Camping options include tent sites, RV spots with hookups, and cabins for those seeking more comfort. The facilities are consistently well-maintained with clean restrooms and shower buildings. Most sites feature level, gravel pads that make trailer parking straightforward. The park maintains picnic tables at each site and allows campfires in designated rings. Sites accommodate standard-sized horse trailers, though advance reservations are strongly recommended due to limited availability of equestrian-specific spots.
The 7-mile Juniper Ridge Trail connects to other paths within the park's trail system, offering varied terrain for riders of different experience levels. Trail access begins directly from the equestrian camping area, eliminating the need to trailer horses to trailheads. Water for horses is available at designated stations throughout the equestrian camping area. Riders report good footing on most trails, even after moderate rainfall. The park's diverse landscape provides scenic riding through oak woodlands, meadows, and along creek beds. Pace Bend Park offers additional horseback riding opportunities about 27 miles away with primitive camping options. Most equestrian trails remain open year-round except during extreme weather conditions. Visitors should bring their own feed storage containers as the facilities do not provide secure feed storage.
"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."
"The developed campsites have water and electricity with restrooms nearby. The sites have varying coverage of trees and shade."
from $10 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"Beautiful natural springs in the hill country. Family owned property that has gorgeous gardens and swimming."
"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."
"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
Check Availability"When the water level was down, there was not a soul around. I considered it "My park". There are a lot of trails, running up and down the hills."
"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."
"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."
"Purple campsite was just a small walk away from the small store and bathrooms. It was a nice campsite but the sites were kinda close together."
"The only thing that I don’t like are the bathrooms which are pretty close to an outhouse which some people don’t have a problem but I guess I’m picky ."
"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."
"There’s a river right next to it for fishing, I stayed during the week and I was the only one camping. I car camp and all of the camping spots have water and electrical outlets."
"You will often see Tom (the owner) riding around on his cart cleaning up the place and greeting all the visitors. It's a beautiful gem and everyone that knows about it fights to keep it this way."
TravelerWe went camping over memorial weekend at Pedernales Falls. We did the primitive camping. 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. We saw deer in the morning in the grassy area next to our tent. We also found a path down to the river that was close by.
RangerPace Bend is one of my most favorite places to camp in Texas.
Not far from the old (and new!) Backyard (a great place to see live music in the live oak capital of Texas), Pace Bend is a quick drive away. A perfect spot to pitch a bunch of tents, jump off cliffs, swim and barbeque. Maybe 45 minutes from downtown Austin (without traffic).
I won't lie the cliff diving kinda freaks me out. Be careful is all I'm saying!
There are several primitive campsites throughout the park with picnic tables, grills and toilets. Additionally there are 20 RV hook-up type sites that offer running water, electricity, restrooms and showers.
GuideShaffer Bend Rec. Area has a beautiful setting in the Texas Hill Country right off of Lake Travis. At the gate entrance you have wonderful landscape views. All of the camp sites are situated next to or a short walk to the water.
The camps are clean. Most are equipped with a picnic table and fire ring. In the large camp area, some have BBQ pits with a couple big communal grill/smoker. The same area has a horse pen as well if you're an equestrian enthusiast on top of a camper. It is a primitive campground. The large camp area has a couple port-a-poties. At the gate entrance there are men's and women's rooms with running water. That's about 3 miles from the camp sites. So, be prepared to dig holes, bring your own portable toilets, or hold it.
Considering you're on the lake, the water access is surprisingly limited. There are a few areas along the water you can walk in, but there's not a dock or boat access. I recommend sandals or water shoes since there's a fair amount of plant life along the shore. The same areas you can walk in would be good for kayaks though. The camp sites are situated along a narrow section of the lake. So, there would be plenty to explore.
LegendThis park is a popular weekend destination for people living in Austin and San Antonio for day use and overnight camping - so it gets busy. During the week the park has much more availability for camping. There are a limited number of reservable developed and primitive campsites. Try to make a reservation as early as possible if you plan to visit on a weekend. The developed campsites have water and electricity with restrooms nearby. The sites have varying coverage of trees and shade. The primitive campsites are located down a trail and are basically a cleared patch of land surrounded by trees. All of the campsites are within walking distance to the Pedernales River. However, the actual Pedernales Falls is about 2.5 miles away from the developed campground. I typically drive to see the falls. The falls is not what one might think of as a traditional waterfall. It is more like a river that has carved out a pathway through limestone rock. While this might not sound all that interesting, it is quite dramatic to actually walk along the riverbed and explore the falls up close. During the dry season or when there limited rain, it is possible to walk along the riverbed and explore the falls and all of its intricacies. During the rainy season or when there is heavy rain, the falls turns into a turbulent raging river and access is restricted. There are a few established hiking trails that wind through the trees and over the hills. There are some hidden water holes that are swimmable for the more adventurous. Be aware of snakes in the spring and summer.
LegendThis park, for many people in the hill country of Texas, is the quintessential park to visit. Within an hour’s drive of Austin, it offers a quick escape for a day visit and is also one of the more popular parks for overnight camping. Under Covid-19 conditions entrance permits were given out for a specific time, but with the park’s popularity, the procedure might stay in place after the worst of the pandemic has passed. We lucked out by getting a site due to a cancellation on both Friday and Saturday nights, which meant we had to move sites, but didn't have to book 5 months in advance!
The campground has well-spaced and wooded sites with water and electricity. Each campsite has its own little section of the forest, and makes you feel like you’re one of just a few people in an otherwise full campground. The bathrooms are also very clean, the showers are excellent with good water pressure and plenty of hot water. Note: check out the newer building if you want to see the camping bathroom Taj Mahal -- let's just say it's Texas sized!
The weather in January can be all over the map. We were in shorts the first two days, then it snowed more than the area had seen in 20 years on our final day. Come prepared for anything!
Lots of hikes begin right from the camping loop, but it’s a short drive over to the scenic falls which give the park its name as well as other. Less a waterfall and more a series of cascades tumbling over the limestone bedrock of the Pedernales River, the falls area could take a whole day to explore. Walking, crawling, hiking over the myriad of rocks shaped by the river one can escape into their own area and world for a moment or afternoon of poolside reflection. Just know that there are going to be other folks wandering about. Tip! The parking lot is very full at the trailhead to the falls...ride your bike from the campground to avoid the bottleneck at the end of the road. You'll be greeted by armadillos and many birds along the way.
With dozens of other trails, it doesn’t take long to leave the busy sections of the park behind and find your own space out in the forest. We were here for 3 days and didn’t even come close to getting out on all of them.
Nearby Johnson City has a medium sized grocery store as well as gas and other necessities. If you’re going that way, spend the afternoon at the Lyndon B. Johnson State Historic Park, which is a cool tribute to the settlers of the Texas Hill Country and our nation’s 36th President.
Guidethe campsite is good for equestrians. if you're a kayaker you can put in here and travel down and take out elsewhere. the lower Colorado River Authority has plenty of places along the Colorado to facilitate this. we stayed here for 4 days before Memorial Day weekend and it was hot. there are no showers or bath houses. there are Porta-Johns located throughout the campground. Texas in summer can be unforgiving. Lake Travis is home to boaters and Jet skiers. there are fish if you're into that.
GuideWhen the water level was down, there was not a soul around. I considered it "My park". There are a lot of trails, running up and down the hills. Great scenery and there's always wildlife around; wild hogs, porcupines, scunks, snakes, etc.. I imagine now that the water level is up it is lot more popular destination.
TravelerBeautiful natural springs in the hill country. Family owned property that has gorgeous gardens and swimming.
Guidea crown jewel of the Texas Parks system. Hiking, horse riding, swimming, floating. At one with nature. Bird watching.
Pedernales Falls State Park provides equestrian facilities 27 miles from The Hills, Texas. The area features limestone terrain with elevations ranging from 800-1,500 feet. Summer temperatures often exceed 100°F while spring brings wildflower displays across the trails, creating variable conditions for horseback riders depending on the season.
Trail exploration on horseback: The Juniper Ridge Trail connects to various paths offering diverse terrain suitable for riders with different experience levels. "Pedernales Falls is my favorite state park to visit in my area. It has fishing and swimming spots, and of course camping grounds. Sometimes I just sit down to marvel at natures beauty," notes Caleb F. about Pedernales Falls State Park.
Water activities: Many parks around The Hills offer swimming and paddling options during warmer months. "Bring your water shoes. Pay to enter and for camping sites. You can backpack in to some of the primitive sites or stay in the HUGE camping spots," recommends Shelly S. about the water access points.
Wildlife observation: Early morning and evening hours provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities near equestrian sites. "We stayed here in October and did cold plunges and it was so lovely! Beautiful hikes and sunsets!" writes Lexi W. about their experience at COE Canyon Lake Canyon Park.
Secluded campsites: The spacing between sites allows for privacy even during busy seasons. "The campground is wonderful. Very spread out and wooded for privacy between the campsites. Hook ups for both water and electricity, if needed. Extremely dog friendly!" explains Kaitlyn M. about the setup at Pedernales Falls State Park.
Lake access: Many campgrounds offer direct water access for cooling off after riding. "This was only about an hour from Austin. There was only one campsite available and thankfully it was not on the 1-12 strip which apparently is really loud. Our stay was pretty quite and there's a decent amount of space between camp grounds," reports Kris V. about Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area.
Natural springs: The region features several spring-fed swimming areas near horse trails. "The hiking is beautiful! This was my first time swimming in a spring. As you walk into the lake you will find pockets if cooler water spouting up. Its kinda like stepping into a refridgerator but underwater," shares Amy H. about Grelle - Lake Travis.
Weather considerations: Flash floods can occur rapidly in this region, especially during spring and fall. "This park has always been a favorite central texas spot to go to. Weve camped with scouts, camped as a family and camped with friends. Made me aware of how serious flash flooding is here. Respect weather warnings!" cautions Faith S.
Reservation requirements: Horse-friendly sites fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "We spent days searching how to reserve or get someone with info on the phone. There are only two campground open at Canyon Lake for the 2020 season and can be reserved on recreation.gov," notes Carly R. about availability challenges.
Trail terrain variability: Trails range from rocky limestone to sandy creek beds that may affect horse footing. "Great for dogs who like to run. In January no one is here, all by myself. Great rates, they also offer primitive sites where you hike in just a little," explains Chris E. about Williamson County Berry Springs Park and Preserve.
Child-friendly water spots: Choose locations with gradual water entry for younger riders and family members. "Relaxing and clean. Very windy, so no bugs! Dogs love running along water's edge and jumping in. Horses ok too from the looks of it," notes robin about Shaffer Bend Recreation Area.
Multi-activity sites: Select campgrounds with hiking, swimming, and riding options to keep family members engaged. "Gorgeous trails with no end to photo ops. A pups happy place! Picnic tables and bbq grills provided. Friendly park host to answer all your questions," shares Lisa B.
Equipment planning: Pack additional water containers during summer as water stations may be limited. "We had a great time out here on the military reserve side. Took my parents and the kids. Purple campsite was just a small walk away from the small store and bathrooms," reports Robert A.
Site leveling challenges: Many equestrian-accessible sites require additional leveling equipment. "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," mentions Katie P. about their experience at Arkansas Bend.
Water hookup limitations: Not all horse-friendly sites offer full hookups despite allowing RVs. "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," explains Lauren Z.
Generator restrictions: Some parks near The Hills limit generator usage to protect the equestrian environment. "RV and tents sites on very well manicured gravel pads. Facilities are super clean and very nice. Great playground fir the kids and several miles of hiking trails," shares Jacob C. about amenities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near The Hills, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near The Hills, TX is Pedernales Falls State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 85 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near The Hills, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near The Hills, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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