Forest camping in Texas with horseback riding

The largest state in the Lower 48 features no shortage of places to pitch a tent.

95% (5046 reviews)
95% (5046 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Texas

Under $50

Star Hosts in Texas

12 top forest campgrounds in Texas with horseback riding

94%
(1345)

Lost Woods

43 sites · RVs, Tents55 acres · San Antonio, TX
Welcome to our little piece of paradise! 55 acres of woods hidden near town. A network of trails criss-cross the creek and wind throughout the property under a peaceful canopy of large beautiful trees. Don't be surprised if you run into deer, squirrels, or roadrunners! Our property is home to a wide variety of hill-country wildlife. - Each of our campsites are private and surrounded by forest. - Each site has a fire ring for campfires - Our trees are our most precious natural resource and set this campground apart! Please don't do anything to harm them. - Port-o-john is available on site. - All of our campsites are primitive. No electric or water here. - When you camp with us you are welcome to explore and play on the entire property! We have 55 acres of trails and woods to explore! Please bring your bikes, trail shoes, or whatever helps you have fun in the wild! - Hammocks welcome! We have so many trees! All of our sites are hammock-friendly. - When you check-in, just text us, your host will help you find your campsite. - Some sites are drive-in where your vehicle can park right next to the fire. Others are walk-in and require a short hike of 100' or less from your parking space. You can indicate your preference during booking or at check-in. If you want to drive right into your site, Campsites 2, 3, 6, and 12 are the sites you want. Some of our campsites are more secluded than others and offer extreme privacy in the most beautiful settings we have to offer. If you're looking for a wilder campsite surrounded by huge old trees and all the peace the woods have to offer, just request Campsites 4, 5, 7, or 8. Each of these sites requires a walk of at least 50' from your vehicle to the fire ring. Site 13 is only for backpackers or people willing to hike about 500 yards to the campsite over rough terrain. There is no way to drive to it or even get close except on foot. But it is spectacular and beautiful! Only three sites can accommodate a smaller trailer or camper. Site 1, Site 2, and site 6. Please notify me in your booking if you intend to bring a camper and I can accommodate you. We practice leave-no-trace as much as possible. So please pack out anything you pack in. You are responsible for removing all trash. If any garbage is left behind in your site you will be billed for the cleanup. We have a dumpster located near the front gate. Please use it and put all your trash in there. Heads-up! We have a small farm on the property. Dogs are always welcome and we LOVE our furry friends! For their safety and the safety of our livestock please keep them leashed while on property.
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from 
$50
 / night
99%
(586)

Pecans on the Paluxy - River Views

5 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Glen Rose, TX
Pitch your tent or boondock your RV on the Paluxy River under giant pecan trees. Enjoy the scenic view of our beautiful river. Our private property is located near the historic square of glen rose but feels like you are miles away in the country. Have fun kayaking, swimming, fishing, or just sit back and enjoy the views. We have 5 different spacious sites to choose from. Most have a tree break area in-between for privacy. Or rent all 5 and have the entire property to yourself. Updated river photos will be posted on our Facebook page, or message me for updates. Unfortunately, I'm not able to control the river. It goes up and down depending on rain and temperatures. The river gets pretty low during July and August. Wheeler Branch Reservoir(only a few miles from camp) is a great spot to swim and fish when the river water levels are lower. Very small lake that is good for swimming and kayaking with a dock, clear waters. We have 5 different sites. All of them overlook the Paluxy River, have rock fire pits, seating areas, patios, and stairs down to riverbed. You will have access to one of the most beautiful parts of the Paluxy River. During drought conditions and high temperatures I always recommend keeping your head above water and avoiding stagnant areas in the river. In order to reserve a spot you must be 21 or over. This is not a extremely remote place where you can party and go crazy. We want everyone to be able to sit back, relax and enjoy the views. Site Big Pecan: This is the farthest site upriver and has one of the largest pecan trees I've ever seen. The trees provide great shade cover during the summer. This site has an awesome rock patio seating area with 2 wooden Adirondack chairs overlooking the river with stairs to provide easy access down into the water. It also has a rock firepit with 2 wooden Adirondack chairs on a rock patio. Also includes a kids sand box, and a picnic table with shade umbrella, and numerous extras available to rent. Site 1 Limestone ledge: Firepit seating area overlooking the river with 4 Adirondack chairs and a shade umbrella, separate rock patio closer to the water overlooking the river with 2 wooden rocking chairs, stairs down to riverbed, huge pecan trees, kids play set with sand box, 1 picnic table, shade umbrella, and a 10' x 10' raised tent deck platform overlooking the river. Site 2: Firepit seating area overlooking limestone riverbed with 3 Adirondack chairs, picnic table with a shade umbrella, 10' x 10' raised tent / deck platform, stairs down to riverbed and shallow area of the river for kids to play. Awesome view of the river with trees / shrubs on each side for privacy. Site 3: Firepit seating area overlooking the riverbed, 2 wooden Adirondack chairs, 2 picnic tables, 1 shade umbrella, 2 sets of rock stairs to the riverbed, shallow area of the river for kids to play. Awesome view of the river with trees / shrubs on each side for privacy. Site 4 Farthest site downstream. Nice rock patio overlooking the river with two wooden rocking chairs. Easy access for RVs and trailers. Rock stairs to the river for easy access. Fire pit with rock patio around it with 4 wooden Adirondack chairs. Picnic table with shade umbrella. Kids sand box. Shallow areas for kids to play in the river. Deeper fishing hole about 100 feet down river. Great area to sit in the river with a lawn chair. Awesome view of the river with trees / shrubs on each side for privacy. A lot of people buy two sites for more privacy and room for larger groups. For example, many purchase Big Pecan and site 1 together. Or sites 2 and 3. kayaks, wood, outdoor games, frisbee golf baskets and disc, grill and utensils, propane firepit, and other extras available for rent. Please select those during checkout Tips: Bring river shoes, nose plugs, swimming essentials. Parts of the river can be very slippery. Bring life jackets, especially for children. Bring the essentials for any camping trip including: sunscreen, bug spray, anti-itch meds, etc. Chairs and sunshades to sit in the river are always popular. The Paluxy river ranges from just a few inches deep to 5 feet deep in our camping area. There are more swimming holes a little deeper up and downstream. Water is available at the entrance. No restroom - pack in, pack out. Bring your own potty and water. If you are not familiar with dry camping do some research. There are all types of methods for restrooms, heating, cooling, etc. available now to make it enjoyable. Dogs are allowed on leash. Please do not allow your dog to roam freely if they are aggressive in nature. Clean up after them. Cancellation Policy: You may cancel up to 3 days before your stay for a full refund. Weekends during peak seasons (March - June & September - November) are non-refundable unless canceled and another camper reserves the site. I do offer partial refunds for extreme weather conditions. Activities Nearby: Dinosaur Valley State Park (Hiking, Biking, Swimming) - 4.5 miles Fossil Rim Wildlife Center (Drive through the park) - 3.9 miles Historic Glen Rose Square (Eat, shop) - .5 miles Big Rocks Park (Free, Kids love to crawl on the huge boulders and wade in the river) - 1.3 miles Oakdale Park (Swimming pool, playground) - 1.4 miles Paluxy Heritage Park / River Walk (Free, Pretty walk, Connects to Big Rocks dam)- 1.2 miles Somervell County Museum (Free, donation) - .7 miles Wheeler Branch Reservoir - (small lake, good kayak fishing, clear)Expo Center (Rodeos, dog shows, different events depending on schedule) Places to eat:*Hammonds BBQ - 2 miles*Sexton Feed Mill Grill/Bar (River View) - .7 miles Los Primos Mexican Food/Bar - 1.7 miles*Mama Mia Mexican Cuisine -*Riverhouse Grill (Lil more upscale) - .4 miles*The Green Pickle (Hamburgers) - .7 milesLa Vita Italian Food - .7 miles*Big Cup Eatery (Breakfast, Dinner) - .9 miles* Storiebook Cafe (Sandwiches, wraps)- .8 miles Beehive Cafe - (hamburgers, Mexican food)Simple Simons (Pizza, calzones) -Snyder's Tavern Bar - .5 miles Blackies Bar/Grill - .7 miles Bull Lion Ranch Winery - .7 miles*Shoo-Fly Soda Shop (Ice-cream, pies) - .7 miles*Loco Coyote Grill/Bar (BBQ) - 8.8 miles Crave Bakery (coffee, pastries) - .8 miles*Grounded Coffee Shop (Coffee, salad bar)Debbie’s Restaurant (Breakfast) -Tiger Corner (Pastries, Sandwiches) -Subway -Sugar Biscuits (Lil Everything) -Teriyaki Chinese Food -Sunshine Doughnuts - *Rough Creek Lodge (upscale reservations, lunch $25, Dinner $125) - 15 miles*Overlook Cafe Fossil Rim (Free by bypassing main entrance, hamburgers, awesome view, petting zoo, gift shop) - 4 miles 7-Eleven Laredo Taco -Tacote (breakfast burritos, lunch) Cancellation Policy: You have until 3 days before your arrival to cancel for a full refund. This is strictly enforced for weekends or holidays. Credits for future stays are not available due to insurance reasons. Cancel as soon as you can. If you cancel after the 3 day period, but I am able to fill the site a refund will be given minus any fees incurred. Please understand there is only 5 sites at this location. A late cancellation hurts our business and those families that wanted to reserve a spot.
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$44.10
 / night
94%
(201)

Outpost 203 - Camp & Glamp

48 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Plantersville, TX
Bring your friends and family and hide away at Outpost 203 - Camp & Glamp! You are entering a stress free, tree-filled zone... Wooded glampground in Plantersville, TX. Fully furnished glamping canvas bell tents, with premier tents on platforms with electric (and Kuerig coffee pots and coffee!). Sleep 2 - 10 comfortably, depending on the size tent. Tents range in size from 10 - 20 feet. Glamping vintage trailers are available too, and are also fully furnished with electric. The fully renovated vintage trailers sleep 2-3 people each. Or bring your own small to mid-size RV, tent, or car/truck/van and pick a cool cleared or primitive site of your choice. We also have 5 electric 30 Amp hookup available. The camp is surrounded by farms and ranches, wineries offering music options (one is dog friendly!). Lake Conroe is 20 minutes to the east. Amenities include a cowboy pool, courtyard seating and camp fire pit, hot showers, bathrooms (currently port-a-potties), fiber wifi, and a potable water/filling station. We are in the customer service business, meaning we make it easy to camp (and celebrate!) with our beautiful 4-season canvas glamp tents and glamp vintage trailers. Just drive up to your tent and get ready to relax. All tents are fully furnished with made beds and critical supplies, and have picnic tables, chairs around the fire rings, firewood, and charcoal grills. Our premier platform tents also have electric, heat, hammocks, Keurig coffee pots, coffee and more! Vintage trailers have everything you need as well inside and out. Reservations are available on both Hipcamp and Airbnb. We even offer to decorate for you in advance for special celebration occasions. Now get ready to relax in nature! Special requests and group/event requests are welcome! Let us know how we can help you enjoy getting away. Thank you for considering a stay in our neck of the woods! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦⛺🥾🎣🌲🌳🛶🐦
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$44
 / night
99%
(1172)

Seco Ridge Campgrounds

14 sites · Lodging, Tents42 acres · Utopia, TX
EXPERIENCE UTOPIA Private, family-friendly campgrounds in the Texas Hill Country. Great views, and just minutes from Garner State Park and Lost Maples State Natural Area. We offer 3 different types of camping experiences, so be sure to check out all of our listings. Message us if you have any questions regarding bookings during the Texas 2'clipse dates: 10/14/23 (annular eclipse) and 4/8/24 (total solar eclipse). We will be in the path of total darkness for both! -PRIMITIVE TENT CAMPING SITES- Want to get back to nature? Our secluded primitive tent camping sites are for you. Includes tent pad, fire ring, access to Community Kitchen & our Shower Haus (aka bathrooms & showers). 14-day maximum per month. -Ridge Site- Maybe you'd like to get back to nature in style? Enjoy our Ridge Site with Cargo Tent - complete with a fire ring, table and chairs, and swings. This site does not include a bed. -THE BUNKHAUS- Looking to get back to nature with all the creature comforts? Check out our Bunkhaus that sleeps 4, including a queen size bed and a set of bunk beds. The Bunkhaus has electricity, A/C and Wifi. ALL OF OUR CAMPING EXPERIENCES INCLUDE ACCESS TO: • Communal Kitchen (sinks, fridge, grills, etc.) • The Shower Haus (flushing toilets, sinks, and hot showers) • The Tree House Play Area AROUND UTOPIA • Experience driving on the 'The Twisted Sisters' (Ranch Roads, 335. 336, and 337). • Garner State Park • Lost Maples State Natural Area • Tubing the Frio River • Sabinal River • Horseback Riding • Sabinal County Museum • Frio Bat Flight • Utopia Community Park - picnic, swim & fish under the enormous cypress trees. • Dine at Lost Maples Café, The Lunchbox, or take the 20 min drive to Mac & Ernie's Roadside Eatery in Tarpley, Tx (featured on Food Network)
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$40
 / night
100%
(873)

Happy Horse Camp & RV Getaway

15 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents22 acres · Cedar Creek, TX
GET AWAY without going FAR AWAY! Feels like the middle of nowhere, but it's only 25 miles to downtown Austin and 15 miles to the charming little town of Bastrop with its eateries, shops and historic buildings. Spend quiet nights in the country listening to the coyotes howl and the owls hoot. Hike the nearby Roughs (trailhead is 2 miles away) or book a river canoe or kayak trip with one of the local outfitters. Bring the family and have a weekend event under the trees and covered shade of our Pony Pavilion! Hollis and her wonderful voice, great stories and powerful ukuleles now offer LIVE MUSIC by your very own campfire, for your private enjoyment. (See the EXTRAS category to book a $20/45 minute/weather-permitting show, or a 1-hour Ukulele lesson, or just get with Hollis when you show up at camp) Enjoy the park trails, the Happy Horse on-site Scavenger Hunt, the delightful maze of campground trails (on your bikes!) and the peace and quiet! Happy Horse Hotel is on 22 acres conveniently located between Austin and Bastrop in the Pope Bend of the Colorado River. LCRA's fabulous McKinney Roughs Nature Park is 2 miles up the road, adjacent to the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort. The camp area is 9 secluded, fenced and wooded acres laced with all-dirt flat biking and walking trails on our property. We encourage you to bring your bicycles along. The bird watching is great!
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from 
$45
 / night
99%
(224)

Lake Godstone™ Lodging and Camping

25 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents188 acres · Graford, TX
Lake Godstone™, near Graford, Texas, is a thriving destination introduced to the market in 2017. Initially focused on families, church youth groups, and sports teams, it has since become a hub for a wide array of events, such as birthday and graduation parties, family reunions, church camps, and business team-building retreats. The venue boasts extensive facilities and activities, including: Accommodations: A 35-person lodge, a three-bedroom guest home, fully furnished cabins, primitive cabins, group campgrounds, RV and tenting campsites, and primitive tenting sites. Recreational Activities: Three sandy beaches, six partially covered docks with swim ladders and canoe moorings, kayaks, canoes, a rowboat, pedal boats, water lily pads, and a sports field complex featuring a lit basketball court, sand volleyball court, and baseball and soccer practice fields. Nature and Exploration: An observatory with a telescope, four miles of mountain bike and hike trails, two new fishing ponds, wildlife feed and water stations, a bird view house overlooking a beaver pond, an aquaponics greenhouse, and six miles of all-weather roads. Rental Options: UTVs, a golf cart, and a pontoon boat. Amenities: A comfort station with restrooms and showers, picnic tables, charcoal grills, large fire pits, shelters, a tree house shelter, a campground office, and a small store with a kids' sand playground. Lake Godstone's diverse offerings and scenic environment make it an ideal location for any retreat or gathering.
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$24
 / night
92%
(169)

HomeAway Ranch & Wildlife Preserve

62 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres · Boerne, TX
We're happily retired partners loving life in this wonderful oasis... And working hard to make it a bit better for our animals and guests, every single day. Mickey's recently retired from 21 years traveling the world with International Joint Special Forces and Vicky's a Cordon Bleu Chef who also recently retired. We are living our dream "retirement" in this gorgeous wooded Texas Hill-Country, caring for and playing with all sorts of fun animals and welcoming lovely people to our ranch/wildlife preserve/nature- resort, personally ensuring everyone has a memorable experience, from customized horseback-riding experiences (everything from trail rides, to horseback riding lessons to weddings and vows-renewals on horseback), to serving as concierge to preparing that special "made to order" fresh country breakfasts, champagne brunches and romantic or fun meals and treats like chocolate covered strawberries for any special occasion, including anniversaries and birthdays.
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from 
$28
 / night
98%
(44)

Camp Tonkawa Woods & Horse Camp

8 sites · Lodging, Tents35 acres · Collinsville, TX
In the early 1900’s an iconic red barn was built near the hilltop along the road between the old Mt. Zion community and Collinsville. Later in the 1900’s, the land was mostly abandoned by its owners, but not by the local fishermen! They knew its woodland fishing pond never dried up, and so was able to support a better population of fish. They also dumped a cornucopia of old motorcycles, cars and farm equipment in the front field. What else were you supposed to do with scrap metal in North Texas horse country? In 2002 the Holtzman family purchased the 35 acre tract of land. They dug a front pond for swimming and paddling, buried the scrap metal (although occasional bits of history still work their way up!), restored and brought horses back to the barn, and began consulting with local biologists about supporting native wildlife. April Holtzman launched Camp Tonkawa Outdoor Learning Center on the property to provide a beautiful, safe place for families to explore and learn about nature. Camp Tonkawa continues to host overnight and day camps with educational programing organized around various themes including: Native American culture, nature awareness, basic camping skills, primitive survival, organic gardening, herbology, outdoor cooking, western days, and horsemanship. We also host field trips and frequently conduct Girl Scout journeys for all levels in the "It's Your Planet, Love it!" series. Due to Covid-19, which limited working with groups for our educational programing, we joined Hip Camp where families who could isolate in nature together on our property.
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from 
$25
 / night

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Forest camping in Texas with horseback riding guide

Overview

They say everything’s bigger in the Lone Star State, and that includes the variety of options for campers, whether you're looking for an RV park, tent camping, or a primitive camping backcountry adventure. Beat the summer heat on sandy Gulf beaches, or head inland to the arid deserts of Big Bend Country in winter for some of the nation’s darkest skies and best nighttime views. Spring and autumn offer the best weather for wine tasting in Texas Hill Country, hiking the canyons of the Panhandle, or paddling the bald cypress forests of the Texas Pine Curtain.

Big Bend Country

Remote West Texas boasts some of the most pristine landscapes in the state. Explore the hiking trails of Guadalupe Mountains and Big Bend national parks, raft through narrow canyons along the Rio Grande River, go rock climbing in Hueco Tanks State Park near El Paso, or hit the dunes in Monahans Sandhills State Park. The quirky communities of Marfa, Terlingua, and Marathon serve as convenient gateways to desert adventure.

Texas Hill Country

Known for its wineries, whiskey distilleries, swimming holes, and rich German heritage, the rolling hills of this central Texas region extend between Austin and San Antonio, with plenty of small towns to explore along the way. Springtime brings bluebonnets to the roadsides of the region. In fall, head to Lost Maples State Park for some of the state’s best leaf peeping. Soak up panoramic views from Enchanted Rock, venture deep into the Caverns of Sonora or the Cave Without a Name, or take a leisurely float along the Guadalupe River.

Gulf Coast

The Texas Gulf Coast stretches for more than 600 miles along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and includes the Padre Island National Seashore. Sun seekers will find plenty of sandy beaches with warm Gulf waters (plus opportunities for beach camping), while the natural areas along the coast feature some of the best birdwatching in the nation. Houston, Galveston, South Padre Island, and Corpus Christi are among the most popular areas to stay.

Panhandle

The plains of the Texas Panhandle comprise one of the largest regions in the state. Here you’ll find America’s second-largest canyon within Palo Duro Canyon State Park, as well as the iconic Cadillac Ranch car sculpture along road trip-worthy Route 66.

Pine Curtain

Lakes, forests, and swamps dominate the landscape of the lesser-known Piney Woods of East Texas. Step back in time at Mission Tejas State Park, straddle the state line in Texarkana, pitch a tent among the gargantuan pines of Daingerfield, or make the 835-mile camping trip along the Texas Forest Trail. If you want to get out on the water, it's hard to beat a kayak in Caddo Lake State Park.

Prairies and Lakes

This region sweeps down through the center of the state from the Dallas-Fort Worth area to Waco, Bryan, and College Station (home of Texas A&M University). You don’t have to drive far to find a lakeside campground or on-the-water activity, thanks to the area’s 17 Texas state parks and one national wildlife refuge.

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