Sam Houston National Forest provides limited horse camping opportunities near Willis, Texas. While none of the established campgrounds in the immediate area offer dedicated horse corrals or equestrian-specific facilities, Double Lake Recreation Area in nearby New Waverly serves as a popular base camp for riders accessing the forest's trail system. The campground accommodates tents, RVs, and cabins with water and electric hookups available at select sites. Campsites feature picnic tables, fire rings, and drinking water. The forest allows pets, which extends to properly managed horses on designated trails, though riders must arrange for appropriate containment at campsites.
The Sam Houston National Forest trail system includes multiple segments open to horseback riding, with the 128-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail partially accessible to equestrians. Riders access forest service roads and designated bridle paths from several trailheads throughout the forest. Adequate trailer parking exists at major access points. Horse owners need to bring their own portable corrals or highlines as no permanent equine facilities exist within the campgrounds. New Waverly, Coldspring, and Cleveland provide nearby access to feed stores and basic veterinary services. Riders report good trail conditions throughout much of the year, though seasonal flooding can affect low-lying areas after heavy rainfall.
$15 - $60 / night
"Located on the west edge of the east Texas piney woods, this state park features excellent RV and tent camping facilities, and a beautiful network of heavily forested trails."
"The sites are spacious as in most Texas state parks, and there are many shaded sites. The waterfront sites are tiered. The upper tier is where you park your rig. "
"Campgrounds have a variety of amenities to choose from, including screened shelters, which are great if you get caught in a Texas sized downpour or if the mosquitoes are particularly aggressive, a pond"
"Walking trail around like is near. Not to many fire ant poles. Near by groceries store and town playground close by."
"Deep in the woods and on a nice shallow lake. Fantastic for walks around the lake, playing in the park, and fun trails. Camp grounds are spacious and we'll thought out."
$39 / night
"Have 3 little boys who enjoy fishing and they have plenty of creeks and ponds near campsites; it isn’t the most luxurious parks but if your looking for a state park feel this place is a home run!"
"Whether you're struggling with intricate medical terminology, patient data analysis, or ethical principles, our tutors are available to support you every step of the way."
TravelerLocated on the west edge of the east Texas piney woods, this state park features excellent RV and tent camping facilities, and a beautiful network of heavily forested trails. The lake offers canoeing, kayaking, swimming and fishing, and affords visitors an occasional glimpse of alligators. We love this place.
GuideGreat RV campsite #36. Pull thru and has great privacy. Walking trail around like is near. Not to many fire ant poles. Near by groceries store and town playground close by.
LegendI like Huntsville State Park campground for a long weekend getaway. It is about an hour north of Houston not far off Interstate 45, so very easily accessible. They have a large campground section which is only campsites, and also another section on the other side of a cove that is more of a recreational section which has a swimming beach, cabins, screened shelters, etc. This state park gets very crowded in the summertime, with campers as well as lots of day use folks enjoying the water. It is hard to get a campsite reservation, so plan ahead!
The sites are spacious as in most Texas state parks, and there are many shaded sites. The waterfront sites are tiered. The upper tier is where you park your rig. Then there is a retaining wall and steps to walk down to the lower tier where the picnic table, fire ring, lantern post, etc.. are located. We really didn't ever go down to the lower part of our site because it was inconvenient. It was a good place to walk the dogs though. The campground does slope slightly and the sites are not all real level, so be sure to bring your "legos" if you don't have a leveling system on your rig. The grounds did not seem to be as well maintained as some other state parks I've been to. We couldn't use the picnic table because it was surrounded by tall weeds and had a lot of spider webs under it. Bath house was not well maintained and kind of dingy. It was also not ventilated well and felt like a sauna as it was so humid in July.
There is a nice fishing pier and several places to fish off the bank. A ranger told me there are alligators in the lake, so be careful.
GuideI was totally surprised at the beauty of this park. I stayed in a screened shelter site with a view of the lake. The weather was cold, but I came prepared and setup my tent in the shelter. The park has many trails and view points. The staff at check-in were extremely helpful and you could tell they love their job. Ended up purchasing a Texas Parks Pass because I am quickly learning that Texas has some of the best camping in the country.
LegendWe took our family here on a Texas state park camping trip. The park rangers explain basics of camping. It was a great experience for our family. The park is very family friendly and tent friendly. It is on a lake that has fishing, kayaking and paddle boats. The facilities were nice and clean.
RangerLots of sites, but still need to make reservations way in advance, suppose due to its proximity to Houston. Very well kept park with clean facilities, and partial as well as full hookups. Close to Huntsville, so if you are needing supplies or just want to go into town and not cook you are golden. Small lake with paddle boats and good fishing. Fairly flat terrain and trails are well maintained, but not terribly scenic.
RangerI stayed here for my second week after camping in Sam Houston forest for almost a week. The place was slightly better than camping in sam houston. We managed to get a site right next to the water. The site was a little bigger than camping in sam Houston. There was a lot of people swimming in the water but not close to our campsite. They were swimming further down. The locals said there were a lot of catfish but we were not able to catch any after trying for some time. The fee to enter the park was 5 dollars as we were leaving because we did not enter through the main entrance to the park.
ScoutCampgrounds have a variety of amenities to choose from, including screened shelters, which are great if you get caught in a Texas sized downpour or if the mosquitoes are particularly aggressive, a pond with optional row boat rentals, and swimming spot. There isn't much variation in the trail terrain, though they may cross a stream here and there and have a good deal of tree cover from that hot TX sun. Overall, a great spot that is not too far out of the city to make a nice weekend getaway in the forest.
TravelerI’m so surprised I hadn’t been here yet, but it’s just gorgeous. Pine needles everywhere, beautiful lake. We tent camped and we weren’t too close to the people around us. Completely surrounded by huge trees. The bathroom had a lot of spiders but I’d expect that. The showers drained super slow but you just have to take a quick one. I appreciate the parking at your spot a lot. A nice cold front (and storm) came in during the night and blew out the humidity and it just got that much better. We went on the long trail in the evening and heard coyotes which was cool. We turned around though lol.
Sam Houston National Forest offers several equestrian trail riding options with limited designated horse camping facilities. The forest contains multiple connecting trail systems specifically designed for horseback riders with varying difficulty levels and terrain types. While dedicated equestrian campsites are minimal, riders can access trails from several entry points throughout the 163,000-acre forest. Trail conditions vary seasonally, with optimal riding during spring and fall when temperatures moderate and before summer humidity intensifies.
Trail exploration: Double Lake NF Campground serves as an excellent base for forest adventures. The campground connects to numerous forest service roads and trails suitable for day rides. As one camper notes, "Quite and peaceful. A little pricey for public land but a great campground nonetheless."
Swimming after rides: Cool off in designated swimming areas after trail rides. One visitor to Double Lake shares, "An excellent quiet NF campground with a nice swimming area and ample bathrooms/showers."
Fishing opportunities: Several ponds and water bodies throughout the forest permit fishing near horse trails. According to a Double Lake visitor, "Beautiful little lake, relaxing hiking and clean sites. It's first come first serve and there was no one here. Quite a bit of wildlife and pretty good fishing."
Site privacy: Many equestrian campers appreciate separation between sites. A visitor to Double Lake NF Campground noted, "Campground not full. Very quiet, sites not on top of each other (some more private than others), gravel pads for rv, tent, table, lantern post and campfire ring."
Proximity to Houston: Horse owners from nearby urban areas value the forest's accessibility. A camper states, "Deep in the woods and on a nice shallow lake. Fantastic for walks around the lake, playing in the park, and fun trails. Camp grounds are spacious and we'll thought out. Will definitely return, as it was only an hour from Houston!"
Trail conditions: Riders report generally well-maintained trails with proper signage. According to a visitor at The Preserve RV Resort, "We have enjoyed our stay at the preserve! Have 3 little boys who enjoy fishing and they have plenty of creeks and ponds near campsites; it isn't the most luxurious parks but if your looking for a state park feel this place is a home run!"
Reservation requirements: Many equestrian-accessible sites require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. One visitor to Double Lake suggests, "Quick place to hop in and set up your tent if you're out trailriding in the forest! 24 hour first come, first serve campsites, but I think you can also reserve spots on their website!"
Water crossings: Several trails feature stream crossings that can become difficult after heavy rainfall. Riders should check trail conditions before departing, particularly in low-lying areas that flood seasonally.
Heat considerations: Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F with high humidity, making spring and fall optimal for extended rides. Water sources for horses are limited on certain trail segments, requiring riders to carry additional water during hot periods.
Beginner-friendly trails: Several shorter loop trails accommodate novice riders and younger equestrians. A visitor to SAM HOUSTON (Houston/Conroe/Huntsville Area) notes, "There isn't much variation in the trail terrain, though they may cross a stream here and there and have a good deal of tree cover from that hot TX sun."
Multi-use facilities: Campgrounds with both equestrian access and family activities provide diverse options. "Campgrounds have a variety of amenities to choose from, including screened shelters, which are great if you get caught in a Texas sized downpour or if the mosquitoes are particularly aggressive, a pond with optional row boat rentals, and swimming spot."
Wildlife viewing: Bring binoculars for spotting forest wildlife from horseback. Many trails pass through diverse habitats housing deer, armadillos, and numerous bird species.
Site selection: RVers with horse trailers should request specific pull-through sites. One Double Lake camper recommends, "Great RV campsite #36. Pull thru and has great privacy. Walking trail around like is near. Not to many fire ant poles. Near by groceries store and town playground close by."
Access considerations: Some forest roads have tight turns and low clearance areas. Scout routes before bringing large rigs or combination vehicle/trailer setups. Horse trailer parking exists primarily at designated trailheads rather than campsites.
Hookup availability: Water and electric connections vary by campground. Most equestrian-friendly sites offer basic amenities but limited full-hookup options. Bring portable containment systems for horses as permanent corrals are not available at most sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Willis, TX?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Willis, TX is Huntsville State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 69 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Willis, TX?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Willis, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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