Texas offers horseback campers the gift of riding the routes of Indians, conquistadors and cowboys. Historic and scenic panoramas around Texas converge to present a unique blend of healthy outdoor recreation for equestrians and nature enthusiasts.
Canyon Campgrounds
Located in the Texas Panhandle, Palo Duro Canyon State Park awes guests with its canyon vistas surrounding the scenic natural environs of the park. Among numerous activities, visitors can enjoy equestrian camping by permit. Facilities include the Equestrian Camping Area where visitors will find campsites with tables, water, fire-ring and a nearby corral. Restrooms with showers are within walking distance. Summer guests find special entertainment with an outdoor musical drama of Texas history featuring horse cavalcades and more.
Backcountry Equestrian Campsites
Big Bend National Park draws guests from around many parts of the globe to revel in its beauty. Camping facilities accommodate equestrians with a backcountry-use permit. Roadside primitive campsites are available for camping with horses. Grazing is not permitted so visitors should plan to bring feed and water for horses. The Hannold Draw area, by reservation, offers camping with a nearby corral. Big Bend invites horseback exploration of its canyons and rivers along gravel roads and cross-country travel through the park. Similar facilities for equestrian camping are also available at the Big Bend State Park near Presidio.
Saddles and Stars
Near the Texas coast along the Brazos River banks, the Brazos Bend State Park offers visitors 5,000-acres. The park's scenic natural areas encompass picnicking, hiking and equestrian camping, with requisite equine documentation. Twenty primitive equestrian campsites, shaded by a pecan grove, rest at the trailhead of a nine-mile equestrian/multiple-use trail. Campsite facilities offer picnic table, water for horses and chemical toilets. Following a day of trail riding, visitors might take time to view the stars from the campsite or get a closer view at the park's George Observatory. This satellite of the Houston Museum of Natural Science Museum features Saturday sessions where guests can view the heavens through observatory telescopes.
Old Railroad Tunnel
Caprock Canyons State Park's picturesque backcountry offers scenic vistas, wildlife viewing, peaceful solitude and one of the last remaining railroad tunnels in Texas. Equestrians, by permit, have access to miles of riding trails amid 5000-acres of spectacular, backcountry scenery. Visitors should be mindful of rugged trails with cliffs and steep climbs, best suited for experienced riders. Caprock Canyons Trailway provides a fairly level 64.25-mile, multi-use trail. Twelve equestrian campsites house two corrals with picnic tables and fire rings. Water and food must be brought and no restrooms are available in the primitive equestrian camping area.
Healthy Trail Food
Packing healthy food for camping trips requires planning, particularly for a trail ride lasting several days. For trails, items, such as dried bananas, mangos and raisins along with nuts, keep well and provide nutrition as do many varieties of trail mixes available. Additionally, supplies of protein bars, sports gel and hydration tablets make healthy and handy trail food.
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