McCown Valley Park at Lake Whitney includes dedicated horse facilities with paddocks and specialized equestrian camping areas. The park has multiple trails for horseback riding that connect to various sections of the grounds. The trail system traverses both wooded areas and lakefront terrain, with water access points available for horses. Tent camping sites are positioned in quieter areas of the park, while RV sites include standard amenities such as fire rings with cooking grates. Trailer parking areas provide convenient access to both camping spots and the trail network.
What to do
Fishing at Speegleville Park: Located on Lake Waco, this park offers excellent fishing opportunities, particularly for catfish. "Lake Waco may not be the cleanest or prettiest lake, but when it comes to fishing, you can bring in a good amount of catfish and have a fish-fry to make up for it!" writes Brittany S. The park has four boat ramps for easy water access.
Boating at Lofers Bend West: This park on Lake Whitney provides good water access for boats with convenient launch points. "There is easy access to the water from most of the campground," notes Dude R. The campground layout allows for most sites to have reasonable proximity to the water, making it convenient for boaters.
Swimming at Liberty Hill Park: The beach area at Navarro Mills Lake offers a designated swimming zone with sandy shores. Karen A. reports, "Great swimming area with beach area and large children play area. Would definitely come back here." The swimming area is well-maintained and provides a safe environment for water activities.
What campers like
Lake views at Speegleville Park: Campsites offer views over Lake Waco from various points in the park. "We stayed at site #32 which as a great view of Lake Waco. The site was huge and was right besides the water - good for fishing," says Anita C. Many sites feature hardstand shelters covering picnic tables.
Quiet weekday stays: Most horse campgrounds near Waco experience lower visitation during weekdays. At Lofers Bend West, one camper notes, "Good Camping Monday - Thursday if you enjoy the tranquility. Weekends - party all night, and loud drinkers arrive." This pattern is consistent across many parks in the region.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The natural settings around Waco provide chances to observe local wildlife. "Lots of wildlife to look at," mentions Shane M. about Lofers Bend West. Deer are commonly spotted throughout many parks, particularly in the early morning and evening hours.
What you should know
Water access varies by site: Not all campsites provide direct water access despite being lakefront parks. At Reynolds Creek, Brittany S. points out, "Being lakefront property you would expect to see more water, however there is a lot of brush grown up around the lake and sites so it is hard to see. There are also limited places to get down to the water in the park."
Seasonal considerations: Some parks have limited operating seasons. Wolf Creek at Navarro Mills Reservoir operates from April through September, as Hazel J. discovered: "We stopped by here and unfortunately they were not open. It looks like a beautiful place and there sign says open April-September."
Cell service limitations: Coverage can be spotty at equestrian campgrounds near Waco, Texas. Michaela L. shares about McCown Valley Park: "There wasn't any cell phone signal (Verizon)." Bringing alternative communication methods may be advisable for longer stays.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks include play areas for children. At Liberty Hill Park Campground, Elizabeth C. notes they have "nice family camping" with "nicely mowed clean grounds" and facilities that are "affordable" for families.
Tent site selection: For families tent camping, look for sites away from busy areas. At McCown Valley Park, Wes M. shares, "Tent sites are tucked in the back of the park away from foot traffic and most vehicles. Lake front sites are perfectly located with access to the lake but not too far from hard stand bathrooms and showers."
Watch for natural hazards: Some camping areas have plants that can cause issues for children. Greg points out at McCown Valley: "There was sand spurs all over the ground. I had to try to shovel out most before putting the tent out. It didn't matter, every 2 minutes the kids where crying or I was pulling one out of the dogs paw or my leg."
Tips from RVers
Site layout at Live Oak Ridge: The campground provides well-spaced RV sites with good amenities. "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," explains Cheryl D. Sites include concrete pads and covered picnic tables.
Road conditions: Access roads at some campgrounds require careful driving. At Thousand Trails Lake Whitney, Rachel P. warns: "The road in and around campsites is in various states of disrepair. Lots of potholes and pavement breaks make it rough hauling an expensive rig in and out of the park."
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections are standard at most equestrian campgrounds near Waco, but sewer hookups are less common. Matthew notes about Lake Whitney RV Campground: "Not all sites have sewer." Most parks offer dump stations as alternatives to full hookups.
