Cary State Forest Campground provides one of the few dedicated equestrian camping options near Callahan, Florida. The campground features six RV sites with concrete pads, water and electric hookups, spread across a pine forest setting. Sites are notably large, allowing ample room for horse trailers and equipment. Several miles of riding trails connect through the forest, making it suitable for day rides through Florida pine habitat.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: Cary State Forest offers multiple trails through pine forests for equestrian use. According to one visitor, the campground has "miles of trails to explore," though some campers note limited wildlife visibility with one visitor mentioning, "the woods seemed...dead. In our week there we only saw a handful of birds and a squashed dead pygmy rattlesnake."
Wildlife observation: Some visitors to Bayard Conservation Area report seeing diverse wildlife during hikes to campsites. One camper noted spotting "many animals including: deer, otter, turkey, and wild pigs" while another mentioned "tons of squirrels, osprey, an owl" during their stay at the riverside campsite.
Water activities: The St. Johns River provides fishing and paddling opportunities near camping areas. Riverside campsites at Bayard Conservation Area offer direct water access, with one visitor describing it as a "beautiful" river camp spot.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Visitors to Cary State Forest Campground consistently mention the spacious, private layout. One camper noted, "Sites are spread out and HUGE!! Several trails and plenty of room for kids to play on site!!!" Another visitor stated, "We like this park a lot because we like large sites, peace and tranquility."
Clean facilities: The campground maintains well-kept amenities according to visitors. One camper mentioned, "The rest rooms were nice and clean. Showers hot." Another noted the campground's cleanliness, describing the area as "Very Quiet, level and clean" with "6 spread-out spots that are pushed back off the road, so privacy is good."
Affordable pricing: Campers mention reasonable rates at Cary State Forest. One visitor commented it was "very reasonable in pricing" and considered it "a perfect stopping point" that they would "definitely remember this Campground and use it in the future due to convenience."
What you should know
Insect considerations: Multiple visitors warn about insects at Cary State Forest. One camper emphatically advised "TAKE BUG REPELLENT... MOSQUITOES ARE BAD" while another observed "yellow flies are abundant" despite mosquitoes not being particularly problematic during their visit. A third noted that "it gets a bit muddy (and mosquito-y) on rainy days."
Weather impacts: Rain can affect trail conditions and facility access at Cary State Forest. A visitor mentioned that "roads are hard-pack and it is a Florida pine forest so it gets a bit muddy" after rain, adding that the "dump station is not fully paved so it too, gets muddy."
Limited amenities at primitive sites: Bayard Conservation Area offers more rustic camping with fewer conveniences. Campers must hike approximately 3.3 miles from the parking area to reach riverside campsites, and one visitor described the bathroom facilities as looking like they "belong on a horror movie."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly space: The large sites at Cary State Forest provide room for children to play. One camper specifically mentioned "plenty of room for kids to play on site" in their review of the campground's spacious layout.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Bayard Conservation Area offers chances to see various animals, though noise may affect sightings. A visitor camping with children noted seeing "tons of squirrels, osprey, an owl, and I'm sure more if you're able to hike a little quieter than myself and my 7 and 9 year old boys."
Trail navigation: When hiking to primitive sites with children, trail markers may be more reliable than maps. One family noted, "OnX user beware, trust the trail's red marks, not the trail marked on most maps! Part of the trail was reblazed to go around a washed out section."
Tips from RVers
Electrical reliability: Some visitors to Cary State Forest Campground have reported electrical issues. One camper detailed problems with circuit breakers: "When we arrived and hooked up the 30amp breaker kept flipping...We told the camp host and she moved us to site 4 for the night."
Hookup orientation: RVers should check utility placement when reserving sites. A visitor noted, "we got the only site that had electric and water on passenger side so we had to run electric under our rig. If we would have been in a class B or C you could go nose first."
Site suitability for larger rigs: The campground can accommodate larger vehicles according to campers. One visitor mentioned the sites being "roomy" and another noted that "the place is big enough to maneuver a big rig around the areas."
Traveler
