Equestrian Camping in Texas

Bring your horse camping with you in Texas.

Equestrian camping is a great way to combine two loves---camping in the outdoors and horseback riding. In Texas, there are abundant opportunities at a variety of locations, terrains, skill levels and activities for the equestrian camper. From designated state parks to national parks to beaches to private campgrounds, there are abundant opportunities in Texas.

National Parks

Texas is home to two national parks, Big Bend National Park and Guadelupe Mountains National Park. While each national park has specific regulations regarding equestrian camping, Big Bend's website states "you may camp with your horses at many of the park's primitive road campsites." In addition Big Bend National Park has the Hannold Draw camp, which includes a corral for eight horses. The park website advices that you can reserve this camp up to 10 weeks in advance.

State Parks

Fifteen of the state parks of Texas offer overnight equestrian camping. Brazos Bend State Park, near Houston in the southeast part of Texas, features 20 equestrian campsites on a nine-mile riding trail. Cooper Lake State Park near Commerce in the northeast part of the state, features a dedicated 10-mile long equestrian trail overlooking the lake. A campsite with tethers and posts is available. Palo Duro State Park in the northwest part of the state, has a horse-only trail along with six equestrian campsites near a corral. There are also stables in the park to rent a horse.

Other State Areas

Besides state parks, Texas also has state forests, state historic sites and natural areas that offer camping. One of these is the Hill Country State Natural Area near Bandera in the central part of the state. This park is specifically designated as a primitive camping area, meaning that what you need to camp, you need to bring with you---including drinking water. The park features 40 miles of riding trails, with abundant spring-fed creeks for fishing and swimming. Water troughs and hitching posts are provided for horses at campsites. There is also a barn with 12 stalls available. Adjacent ranches to the park offer horse rentals for those without their own rides.

Hill Country State Natural Area

10600 Bandera Creek Rd.

Bandera, TX 78003

830-796-4413

tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/hill_country/

Beaches

Texas has more than 800 miles of beach along the Gulf of Mexico, all ocean-front property in Texas is public domain and can be traversed by horseback. There are specific areas of beach customized where one can camp on the beach and bring a horse, Padre Island National Seashore near Corpus Christi is one such area. Padre Island regulates that hay must be kept in feed troughs and trailers but horses are allowed on the 70 miles of sandy beaches at the National Seashore.

Private Campsites

Horsetraildirectory.com lists 40 sites in Texas for equestrian campgrounds, many of these are private enterprises including Pole Canyon Ranch, located near Quitaque. This 6,000 acre ranch offers camping, horse rentals and riding, hiking, wildlife viewing and photography.

References

• Horse Trail Directory: Texas Camps
• Texas Parks and Wildlife: Hill Country
• Texas Parks and Wildlife: Equestrian Use
• National Parks Service: Bringing Horses to Big Bend
• State Parks: Padre Island