Best Equestrian Camping near Zavalla, TX

Sexton Pond Dispersed camping area provides free primitive camping with access to horseback riding trails in the Angelina National Forest near Zavalla, Texas. The camping area features multiple sites with fire rings and access to a small pond for fishing. While there are no dedicated horse facilities like corrals or stalls, the area accommodates tent and RV camping with ample space for horse trailers. The trails are nice and wide, making them suitable for horseback riding throughout the forest. Campers should bring their own water and supplies as there are no drinking water sources, hookups, or restroom facilities available.

Piney Creek Horse Camp and White Rock Horse Camp offer more developed options for equestrian camping in the nearby Davy Crockett National Forest. Both camps feature vault toilets and designated areas for horses. The trails connecting these camps are well-maintained but not always well-marked, requiring riders to plan routes carefully. A loafing barn for horses is available at some locations. During hunting season, riders should exercise caution and wear appropriate safety gear. A Texas Parks Limited Use Permit is required for camping, costing as little as $12 annually. The permit allows access to any National Forest or Wildlife Management Area in the region, making these horse camps economical options for trail riders seeking multiple day excursions.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Zavalla, Texas (9)

    1. Sexton Pond Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Zavalla, TX
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (936) 897-1068

    "If looking to be near a campground but still out on your own then this is the place."

    2. Ebenezer Park

    3 Reviews
    Brookeland, TX
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (409) 384-5716

    $14 - $250 / night

    "The park seems very well designed for equestrian, but also good for tent camping. The trails are nice and wide. Tent spots are spacious, although most sites do require a decent walk from the car."

    3. Brookeland / Lake Sam Rayburn KOA

    2 Reviews
    Brookeland, TX
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (409) 698-3422

    "If you want to escape the hot summer in Texas, I would recommend coming to Brookeland Campground because there is a beautiful lake nearby."

    "This KOA has trails leading to a river which empties into Lake Rayburn. You do not have direct access to the lake itself. The campground has a couple of small ponds. The staff is excellent."

    4. Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    20 Reviews
    Kennard, TX
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (936) 655-2299

    $15 - $35 / night

    "Very well-maintained National Forest site just off Texas Highway 7 in the middle of the Davey Crockett National Forest. "

    "East Texas weather is so unpredictable. When we arrived at camp it was nice and sunny, so my friend and I decided to walk our dogs. On our walk we got caught in the middle of a down pour!"

    5. Alazan Bayou

    1 Review
    Nacogdoches, TX
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (936) 569-8547

    $12 - $42 / night

    "There is a loafing barn for horses. No bathrooms or water. Would be a 5 with just water. You need a Texas parks Limited use permit. It costs as little as $12 a year."

    6. Davy Crockett National Forest Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    3 Reviews
    Kennard, TX
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (936) 655-2299

    "Entertains many hike trails. One even for handicap person to follow thru. Good for horses or bikes. You can go for miles even to a dispersed camping lookout point."

    "Such a peaceful and beautiful area in the Piney Woods of East Texas. I wish we'd had more than 2 days here to explore."

    7. 566 Piney Creek Horse Camp

    4 Reviews
    Kennard, TX
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (936) 655-2299

    "Great, well marked Trail system. Be careful during hunting season!"

    8. White Rock Horse Camp

    1 Review
    Kennard, TX
    48 miles
    Website

    $10 / night

    "Great hiking / horse riding trails around.  Would not recommend this area during hunting season.  Accessible via car, good roads, smaller trailers.  If RVing, will need levelers."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Zavalla, TX

2 Photos of 9 Zavalla Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Zavalla, TX

36 Reviews of 9 Zavalla Campgrounds


  • F
    Sep. 10, 2020

    Ebenezer Park

    Simple park, good scenery

    We went in early March for tent camping. The park seems very well designed for equestrian, but also good for tent camping. The trails are nice and wide. Tent spots are spacious, although most sites do require a decent walk from the car.

  • David T.
    Feb. 9, 2020

    Alazan Bayou

    Good camping area

    At least 14 sites with picnic tables on concrete slabs. Fire rings and Lantern poles. Very well kept and mowed. There is a loafing barn for horses. No bathrooms or water. Would be a 5 with just water. You need a Texas parks Limited use permit. It costs as little as $12 a year. If you want to fish or hunt the price goes up a little. Can be used to stay at any National Forest or Wild Management area.

  • M
    Jul. 29, 2018

    566 Piney Creek Horse Camp

    Small primitive campground adjacent to horseback riding trails.

    This is a small primitive camping area in the Davy Crockett National Forest. There’s a small covered pavilion and shady sites. Sites are first come and fees are paid at the campground. The camp is a great place to camp and ride the adjacent horse trails. The trails are nice but not well marked.

  • M
    Jul. 29, 2018

    566 Piney Creek Horse Camp

    Small primitive campground adjacent to horseback riding trails.

    I believe this is the same campground reviewed under 566 Piney Creek. This is a small primitive camping area in the Davy Crockett National Forest. There’s a small covered pavilion and shady sites. Sites are first come and fees are paid at the campground. The camp is a great place to camp and ride the adjacent horse trails. The trails are nice but not well marked.

  • Trevor H.
    Oct. 25, 2020

    Ebenezer Park

    Decent

    There aren't many sites for basic tent camping here, maybe 10-15 tent sites, and the rest are equestrian. It's a pretty tidy looking campground. There is a park host that is usually hanging around if you need something. We ended up being neighbors with a large group that was using their fire like a bonfire so we let the park host know about it. Probably won't come back unless in off season. But it's good enough

  • Tony E.
    Mar. 2, 2021

    Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    Wonderful, well-spaced campground under the East Texas tall pines

    What the campsites lacks in remoteness it makes up for with everything else. 

    Very well-maintained National Forest site just off Texas Highway 7 in the middle of the Davey Crockett National Forest. 

    Highlights for the site include:

    • very well-spaced apart offering more privacy than usually afforded

    • restrooms and showers were clean.

    • Access to hacking trails in the national forest

    • Easy access to food/fuel/firewood

    • A large variety of species for birdwatching

    • Small lake with deck for launching kayaks or SUPs

    There was not water at every site, so bring a longer hose and be ready to fill your tanks or containers.

    Road noise from highway was audible, but not too distracting.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2023

    White Rock Horse Camp

    Nice dispersed camping

    Nice area for dispersed camping.  Several level areas.  Great hiking / horse riding trails around.  Would not recommend this area during hunting season.  Accessible via car, good roads, smaller trailers.  If RVing, will need levelers.

  • Sydney L.
    Aug. 7, 2018

    Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area

    Classic East Texas

    East Texas weather is so unpredictable. When we arrived at camp it was nice and sunny, so my friend and I decided to walk our dogs. On our walk we got caught in the middle of a down pour! We laughed our way back to camp and waited out the rest of the storm in our cars. It cleared up quickly and we were back out in the wild. We took an inflatable kayak out on the lake. Decent little lake. People were in the swimming area. Would camp here again.


Guide to Zavalla

Dispersed camping opportunities near Zavalla, Texas can be found throughout the Angelina and Davy Crockett National Forests. The region sits within the Pineywoods ecoregion at elevations between 200-500 feet, characterized by mixed pine-hardwood forests and numerous lakes and waterways. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter nights can drop below freezing.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area offers accessible fishing from docks or shorelines. "I took an inflatable kayak out on the lake. Decent little lake. People were in the swimming area," notes Sydney L., who camped at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area.

Trail riding: The national forests contain extensive horse trails connecting various camps. "The trails are nice and wide. Tent spots are spacious, although most sites do require a decent walk from the car," mentions Frutsnx.11 who visited Ebenezer Park.

Overnight cycling: Forest service roads provide routes for bicycle touring through the forests. "I am a touring cyclist. I stopped here for an overnight. Small shelter I set up my tent under as there was rain in the area," shares Charlie C. about his stay at 566 Piney Creek Horse Camp.

Swimming: Designated swimming areas provide safer alternatives to open water. "There is a small swim area that you should utilize because there are alligators in the lake so it's not safe to swim by the campground," advises Alana B. regarding safety at Ratcliff Lake.

What campers like

Solitude: Many visitors appreciate the quiet, uncrowded experience. "I got lucky enough had the place to myself for almost 2 weeks, give or take the few groups that tried to tough the biting fish," writes Yasmin S. about her stay at Sexton Pond Dispersed.

Historical features: Remnants of early industry can be found in these forests. "You will find remnants of the old sawmill here," mentions Yasmin S. about Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area, while Jim P. adds, "Remnants of old sawmill is really cool, lots of wildlife and well maintained and marked trails to explore."

Accessibility: Most equestrian camping sites near Zavalla can be reached with standard vehicles. "Down a hard packed gravel road. A few potholes but nothing major. Nice spot in the trees," reports Jennifer M. about Sexton Pond Dispersed.

Affordability: National forest camping requires minimal permits. "You need a Texas parks Limited use permit. It costs as little as $12 a year. If you want to fish or hunt the price goes up a little. Can be used to stay at any National Forest or Wild Management area," explains David T. from Alazan Bayou WMA.

What you should know

Seasonality: Consider hunting seasons when planning trips. "Nice area for dispersed camping. Several level areas. Great hiking/horse riding trails around. Would not recommend this area during hunting season," advises Seeking Narnia about White Rock Horse Camp.

Navigation challenges: Trail markings can be inconsistent throughout the forests. "The trails are nice but not well marked," cautions Mary A. about Piney Creek Horse Camp.

Limited facilities: Most dispersed and horse camps lack modern amenities. "No bathrooms or water. Would be a 5 with just water," notes David T. about Alazan Bayou WMA.

Evening temperatures: Weather can shift dramatically between day and night. "At night it was really chilly with a breeze blowing across," warns jasmine L. about camping in the national forest region.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Some campgrounds offer child-friendly amenities. "They upgraded a RV spot that also has a playground too," mentions Yasmin S. about Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area.

Safety precautions: Designated swimming areas provide safer options for children. "The rangers drive around a few times a day. We didn't do the trail this time around but will try it out next time. It's great for big groups because of all the space," shares Alana B. about family-friendly features at Ratcliff Lake.

Insect preparation: The humid climate supports significant insect populations. "Definitely bring bug spray because there were so many mosquitos near the campground. I left with a few pretty big welts," warns Analia F. about her experience at Brookeland Lake Sam Rayburn KOA.

Lighting considerations: Natural darkness prevails in the forest campgrounds. "It gets pretty dark at night because there are no lights except what you pack with you," notes Alana B. about Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area.

Tips from RVers

Leveling needs: Dispersed sites often require equipment for leveling. "If RVing, will need levelers," advises Seeking Narnia about White Rock Horse Camp.

Water connections: Some established campgrounds have unusual water hookup configurations. "Do bring an extra long hose for the water connection as other reviews have stated," recommends Heather B. about her stay at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area.

Site spacing: RV sites vary in proximity to neighbors. "Our spot was nice and open and our neighbors weren't too close," shares Heather B. about Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area.

Dump station access: Some campgrounds provide sanitary dumps for longer stays. "Has a boat ramp but no electric motors. Also a dump station," notes Yasmin S. about facilities at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Zavalla, TX?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Zavalla, TX is Sexton Pond Dispersed with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Zavalla, TX?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Zavalla, TX, with real photos and reviews from campers.