Little Manatee River State Park offers equestrian facilities beyond its primary camping areas, providing access to trails that wind through oak hammocks and pine flatwoods. For visitors seeking horse campgrounds near Wimauma, Florida, several state parks within 30 miles accommodate equestrian camping with specialized amenities. The region features relatively flat terrain with elevations typically below 100 feet, making trail riding accessible for most experience levels.
What to do
Paddle the rivers and lakes: Myakka River State Park contains multiple water bodies for exploration. "We love it here because we can hike, bike or just relax," shares Linda M. about Little Manatee River State Park. For those who prefer larger bodies of water, Hardee Lakes Park offers multiple lakes connected by trails. "Hardee Lakes Park is a nice quiet park. Camp sites are nice and clean, with beautiful lake views," notes Joshua W.
Explore mountain biking trails: The reclaimed phosphate mine areas provide unique riding terrain. At Alafia River State Park, "The facilities are clean and the MTB trails are constantly changing so we are never bored here," according to Jennifer T. Trail difficulty varies from beginner to advanced, with most parks posting ratings at trailheads or visitor centers.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The parks contain diverse ecosystems supporting abundant wildlife. "We saw deers, owls, turtles, rabbits & a mama wild boar with her piglets," reports Barbara A. about Colt Creek State Park. Early morning and dusk provide optimal viewing times, particularly around water features where alligators and wading birds concentrate.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate natural vegetation separating campsites. At Palmetto Ridge Campground, "Sites and facilities are nice and clean. Sites were decent size. Good for RVs and tents," according to Patti D. The campground maintains "natural trees providing privacy between lots."
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high in positive reviews. "The camp sites are big, flat with gravel parking areas. Power and water an each site for RV camping. Nicer (newer) bathrooms than most FL state parks," reports SanDal B. about Colt Creek State Park.
Multiuse trail systems: Connected trail networks allow for varied activities. "Lots of very nice trails around the lakes and surrounding woods. The trial's are wide and hard backed. We were able to ride our electric scoters on them easily," notes Jim W. about Hardee Lakes Park. Most parks feature trail maps at visitor centers or online showing connections between camping areas and activity zones.
What you should know
Seasonal flooding effects: Water levels fluctuate significantly throughout the year. "The river is low so the kayak rental & boat tours were shut down," Amanda W. notes about Myakka River State Park. During summer rainy season (June-September), some trails and primitive sites may become inaccessible.
Reservation requirements: Most parks require advance booking, especially for equestrian sites. "Campsite available by reservation only and is required and must be displayed or available at campground," explains Elliott B. about Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve. Equestrian campsites often book 3-6 months in advance for winter months.
Wildlife precautions: Alligators inhabit most water bodies in the region. "Went to drain the tanks yesterday morning and a large sounding gator started to growl territorially at me. So heads up with your pets please," warns jenelle J. Keep pets on leashes near water and maintain at least 15-20 feet distance from visible alligators.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly trails: Several parks offer short, accessible trails suitable for children. At Hardee Lakes Park, "Trail system is great from dirt paths to boardwalks to cut straight through the woods," according to Joshua W. Most parks mark easy trails with green blazes or symbols on maps and signage.
Educational opportunities: Ranger programs provide structured learning activities. "Extremely helpful rangers who warned that some of the trails were still not cleared from Hurricane Irma," Elizabeth G. mentions about Little Manatee River. Several parks offer junior ranger programs where children can earn badges by completing activities.
Protection from elements: Florida sun and insects require preparation. "Bring bug spray," advises Teresa S. about Myakka River State Park, noting it can be "swampy" in certain areas. Most campsites lack full shade, particularly in newer campground sections where trees haven't matured.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Research specific sites before booking. "The OP Campground is a bit tighter than the Palmetto campground in terms of space, but I really liked the feel of the campground," Kathy L. explains about Myakka River State Park. Sites ending in odd numbers often back up to natural areas rather than other campsites.
Hookup variations: Water and electrical services differ between campgrounds and loops. "We stayed in an 'equestrian' site and most people didn't have horses (neither did we)," notes Kathy L. about Hardee Lakes Park. Most equestrian sites include standard RV hookups but may charge premium rates during peak season.
Accessibility challenges: Some parks have narrow access roads or low-hanging branches. "It is a dirt road campsite, but they have water trucks that spray a few times a day to keep the dust down," explains Mack Daddy Van L. Larger rigs should call ahead to confirm turning radius and overhead clearance, especially at older campgrounds with mature tree canopy.
