Little Manatee River State Park offers equestrian camping near Bradenton Beach, Florida, with 12 miles of riding trails across varied terrain. The park's equestrian sites include stalls, fire pits, and water hookups. Trail access directly from the camping area allows riders to begin exploring without having to trailer to separate locations. The spacious layout accommodates horse trailers and provides amenities specifically designed for overnight horse camping.
What to do
Canoe or kayak: Rent a canoe at Myakka River State Park to explore waterways filled with wildlife. "We rented a canoe for the day (reasonably priced at $20 for the first hour and $5/hr after that) and saw many alligators, turtles, wild pigs, and so many birds," explains Laura M.
Trail riding: Bring your horses to Alafia River State Park Campground for miles of horseback trails. "Very nice facilities. Miles of horseback trails to ride. Very nice horse stalls to put horses in overnight. Perfect place for equine vacation!" shares Donna H. The park maintains dedicated equestrian facilities including stalls for overnight stays.
Hiking: Walk the nature trails at Little Manatee River State Park. "Extremely helpful rangers who warned that some of the trails were still not cleared from Hurricane Irma. Even with the down trees, it was a wonderful hike filled with Black Swallowtail butterflies," reports Elizabeth G.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Old Prairie Campground offers exceptional opportunities to observe Florida wildlife. "While riding our bikes along Park and North Drive, and taking a drive early one morning to the Outpost to get some cell service, it was a Florida safari! I've never seen so many alligators in the wild," notes Dale G.
Quiet atmosphere: Escape crowds at Hardee Lakes Park. "This is a quiet campground that has 4 lakes with trails for hiking, 4 wheelers, boaters, & fishing. Beautiful!!" says Wayne S. The park's reclaimed land provides a peaceful setting for camping near Bradenton Beach.
Natural campsites: Enjoy spacious sites with natural barriers. "Nice sites and facilities are nice and clean. Sites were decent size. Good for RVs and tents," reports AJ G. about Alafia River State Park Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Campgrounds fill quickly during winter months. "We typically book last minute as 'In-Season' campsites are often difficult to find," explains Perry J. about Myakka River State Park.
Insects: Be prepared for mosquitoes in some locations. "Sites and facilities are nice and clean. Sites were decent size. Good for RVs and tents. However, sites are not shaded at all and because of the quarry and stagnant water the mosquitoes were RIDICULOUS! Probably worst mosquitoes in 30 years of camping," warns AJ G.
Water restrictions: Check for current water availability. "NO WATER since Spring 2024. No boat tours as the river is low. No Bird walkway or Canopy walk," notes a recent review from K & G at Myakka River State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Pack for varied activities: Bring bikes, fishing gear, and hiking shoes. "We love it here because we can hike, bike or just relax," says Linda M. about Little Manatee River State Park.
Plan for wildlife education: Use wildlife sightings as learning opportunities. "This park is great because there are so many things to do here. You can rent a canoe or a kayak, there are hiking trails throughout, you can bike through the park," suggests Laura M.
Choose sites strategically: Request sites away from busy areas for family camping near Bradenton Beach. "Out of all the sites, 3 had the most privacy and had great views of the forest. If we decide to go again, we will definitely stay at this site. The other sites seemed a little bare and less private," advises Josh M. about Flying A Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection critical: Research specific sites before booking. "We stayed at Old Prairie Campground site 38 and it was a lovely spot at back of the loop. The OP campground is a bit tighter than the Palmetto campground in terms of space," advises Kathy L.
Expect limited hookups: Most equestrian campgrounds near Bradenton Beach offer only partial hookups. "Camp sites have everything you need, including power, washer/dryer/, running water, and a centrally located bathroom," notes Shaun C.
Arrive early: Check-in times are flexible at some parks. "We arrived an hour sooner then the check in time and it was already available so no need to wait. The fire ring was clean as well as the RV spot," shares Ronald H. about Little Manatee River State Park.
Ranger
