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Equestrian Camping near West Lake Hills, TX

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    Shaffer Bend Recreation Area provides a spacious area for equestrian camping on Lake Travis near West Lake Hills. The campground features large primitive sites, some with direct lake access, and includes horse pens in the main camping area for equestrians traveling with their animals. The campground maintains clean sites equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, with some areas including communal grill/smoker facilities. The horse pen area accommodates multiple animals and allows campers to keep their horses close to their camping setup. The grounds are suitable for small to medium-sized RVs and tent camping, with campsites spaced to provide reasonable privacy while maintaining easy access to equestrian facilities.

    Horseback riding trails connect directly from the campground to surrounding areas, allowing riders to explore the Texas Hill Country landscape. The terrain around Shaffer Bend features moderate trails suitable for riders of various skill levels, with opportunities to ride along Lake Travis shorelines. Pedernales Falls State Park, located approximately 25 miles southwest of West Lake Hills, offers additional horse camping options with access to about 20 miles of riding trails through diverse Hill Country terrain. The primitive camping at both locations requires visitors to bring their own water for horses, as drinking water facilities may be limited or unavailable at certain times. Summer visits require careful planning due to Texas heat, which can reach uncomfortable levels for both riders and horses, particularly during midday hours in July and August.

    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near West Lake Hills (13)

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      1. Pace Bend Park - Lake Travis

      4.4(34)17mi from West Lake HillsRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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

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      2. Pedernales Falls State Park Campground

      4.6(85)27mi from West Lake Hills85 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "a crown jewel of the Texas Parks system. Hiking, horse riding, swimming, floating. At one with nature. Bird watching."

      "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."

      from $10 - $100 / night

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      3. Arkansas Bend

      4.3(8)12mi from West Lake HillsRVs, Tents

      "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

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      4. Krause Springs

      4.4(13)24mi from West Lake HillsRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

      "Cool, spring-fed water refreshed everyone on our group on a hot summer day in Texas"

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      5. Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area

      4.0(9)22mi from West Lake HillsRVs, Tents

      "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

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      6. Grelle - Lake Travis

      4.8(6)24mi from West Lake HillsTents, Glamping

      "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."

      "As you walk into the lake (walk fast if you dont want to get bitten) you will find pockets if cooler water spouting up. Its kinda like stepping into a refridgerator but underwater."

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      7. Shaffer Bend Recreation Area

      4.2(6)28mi from West Lake HillsTents

      "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."

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      8. San Marcos River Retreat

      5.0(2)30mi from West Lake HillsRVs, Tents

      "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."

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      9. Williamson County Berry Springs Park and Preserve

      5.0(1)29mi from West Lake HillsRVs, Tents

      "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."

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      10. COE Canyon Lake Canyon Park

      3.0(7)37mi from West Lake HillsRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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 ."

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    Equestrian Camping Reviews near West Lake Hills, TX

    178 Reviews of 13 West Lake Hills Campgrounds

    • Eby H.
      Aug. 30, 2016

      Pace Bend Park - Lake Travis

      One of my favorite spots in Texas

      Pace 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.

    • Erik F.
      Oct. 10, 2016

      Shaffer Bend Recreation Area

      Weekend Trip

      Shaffer 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.

    • Kyle G.
      Jun. 6, 2018

      Shaffer Bend Recreation Area

      hot

      the 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.

    • Sallie H.
      Sep. 28, 2018

      Pedernales Falls State Park Campground

      Paradise in the Pedernales

      a crown jewel of the Texas Parks system. Hiking, horse riding, swimming, floating. At one with nature. Bird watching.

    • l
      Aug. 28, 2019

      Pedernales Falls State Park Campground

      Cliffside Camping

      We 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.

    • r
      Apr. 20, 2022

      Shaffer Bend Recreation Area

      Small RV and tent-dry camping

      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. Sites 1-13 closer together and more in site if each other but still ok. Great hiking and walking. Small RV plus tent for us.

    • B
      Jun. 10, 2018

      Pedernales Falls State Park Campground

      The heart of Texas in the hill country

      great camping areas with the river near by. about 20 miles worth of hiking trails. You can ride bikes or horses here too. Lots of great swimming.

    • Daniel L.
      Jun. 9, 2022

      Pedernales Falls State Park Campground

      Great flexible park

      One of my favorites you can do a lot of different activities from horse back riding swimming hiking biking. The facilities are well maintained and the sightseeing is wonderful.

      This site has no shade at all but is close to one of the trails to swim

    • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jan. 30, 2021

      Pedernales Falls State Park Campground

      Geological Surprise in the Heart of the Hill Country

      This 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.

    Guide to West Lake Hills

    Equestrian camping near West Lake Hills, Texas offers access to varied terrain throughout the Hill Country region. Lake Travis shorelines provide multiple access points with boat ramps and primitive camping areas, while elevation changes in the surrounding hills range from 400 to 1,000 feet. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F between June and September, making spring and fall the most comfortable seasons for horse camping.

    What to do

    Trail riding near water features: At Pace Bend Park - Lake Travis, riders can access trails with lake views and cliff overlooks. "The lake is clean, cool and deep! Tons of primitive camping and most sites have a table and a grill...and PRIVACY!" notes Jenny R., who appreciates the access points.

    Mountain biking alongside equestrian trails: Multiple-use trails at Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area accommodate both riders and mountain bikers. "With 10 miles of hacking/biking trails that are mostly under tree cover, the park offers a nice amount of day hiking," says Tim W., highlighting the shaded trail system.

    Water activities after riding: Lake access at most equestrian sites allows for cooling off after trail rides. "We set up at site 15 it has an awesome view of the river/lake and it's walking distance down to the waters edge. Great spot to fish for some bass or take a dip in the water," explains Steve L. from Shaffer Bend.

    What campers like

    Spacious equestrian sites: Camps designed for horse trailers provide ample room for equipment. "The campsites are private and there are always sites available. The campsites along the cliffs are beautiful at night," says Katie B. about Pace Bend Park, where equestrian areas offer extra space.

    Natural spring swimming after rides: Krause Springs offers unique post-ride swimming opportunities. "Small Rv caping, wonderful water hole but extremely slippery," notes Alice R., highlighting the natural spring swimming areas where riders can cool off.

    Year-round availability: Most horse camps in the region remain open throughout the year. "Stayed here on Monday, December 21 (winter solstice) 2020. There were only four other campsites taken. It was very quiet. We went mountain biking in shorts the first day and a backpack training hike the next," shares Rick about winter camping conditions.

    What you should know

    Limited water access for horses: Despite being on Lake Travis, not all equestrian sites have direct water access for animals. "The drought caused the lake to be pretty dried up so our water front view didn't have much water!" explains taylor from Grelle - Lake Travis, illustrating the variable water conditions.

    Wildlife awareness: Horses may encounter local wildlife during trail rides. "We saw about a 5 ft rattlesnake. Overall a great place!" cautions Candice C. about Shaffer Bend Recreation Area, reminding equestrians to keep animals alert on trails.

    Reservation requirements vary: Some equestrian areas require advance booking while others operate first-come-first-served. "This is a private campground managed by a super sweet family that really cares about the river and the community. You must call to ask permission to use this site for camping and river access," advises Brent F. about alternative options.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near West Lake Hills, TX?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near West Lake Hills, TX is Pace Bend Park - Lake Travis with a 4.4-star rating from 34 reviews.

    What is the best site to find equestrian camping near West Lake Hills, TX?

    TheDyrt.com has all 13 equestrian camping locations near West Lake Hills, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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