Little Manatee River State Park Campground accommodates equestrians with dedicated trails and facilities located within a natural setting of oak hammocks and pine flatwoods. The park offers an equestrian camping area with four sites, each providing stalls for horses, fire pits, and picnic tables. Campers access 12 miles of horse-friendly trails directly from the camping area. Water and electric hookups are available at the sites, though sewer connections are not provided. The campground features clean facilities with washers and dryers located outside the bathrooms. Horse owners appreciate the spacious layout with natural vegetation providing privacy between sites. The equestrian camping area requires reservations in advance as spaces fill quickly.
The 6.2-mile loop trail within Little Manatee River State Park connects riders to multiple terrains and scenic river views. Trail riders find the paths well-maintained and clearly marked, with options for both shorter rides and full-day excursions. Riders must bring their own feed and tack storage solutions as these are not provided on-site. Trailer parking is available adjacent to the equestrian campsites with sufficient room for loading and unloading. The park enforces standard horse camping etiquette including proper manure disposal and keeping horses secured at designated areas. The trails accommodate riders of varying experience levels with mostly flat terrain featuring occasional gentle slopes. Full moon horseback rides are seasonally offered by local outfitters, allowing visitors to experience the park's trails in a different light.
"Equestrian, Car/RV camping and there is a back country site on a 7 mile loop trail that runs part of the way along the river."
"A lot of walking trails for people and horses. A surprise was the amphitheater. Washers and dryers are located outside the bathrooms. Friendly hosts and other campers. Would came again."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $22 / night
"Miles of horseback trails to ride. Very nice horse stalls to put horses in overnight. Perfect place for equine vacation!"
"Widely known in Florida for the mountain bike trails. Not much else to do in the area, but very nice space to chill out. The night sky is far enough away that you can really take in the stars."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $22 / night
"Hidden cabins, hiking, off-road biking, boating, wildlife...so much beauty and activities to enjoy in this park! The cabins are off the main path, tucked away and private."
"One of the largest state parks in Florida. This great Park has full and partial hook ups for all styles of camping to include hammock camping."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $26 / night
"Lively rivers and trails to explore for kids."
from $20 - $25 / night
"We stayed in an "equestrian" site and most people didn't have horses (neither did we). "
"There are four lakes, campsites are located on one of the bigger lakes. Like all parks some site are better than others, none are bad. We had the end site on the lake that was very private."
from $25 - $28 / night
"Colt Creek State Park is one of the newest parks in the Florida State Park System. Their RV/Tent Campground just recently opened in early 2018. RV spots are spacious."
"The equestrian area was the nicest to us. But you must have a horse to stay there."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 / night
"This is kind of our go to Florida State Park as we live very close and really enjoy the hiking, biking and paddling the river and lake."
"Located just east of Sarasota you’ll find lots to do without having to leave the park."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $26 - $70 / night
"Other parks and trails are located at the Wilderness Park Off Road Loop Trail System, [Flatwoods Park](https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us"
"Chevy Malibu isn't really known for off-roading lol"
"There aren't many free spots in this area of Florida. Of course, they provide nothing other than a spot to camp with fire ring and old table, and an outhouse."
"There are pot holes as you drive in that are kinda steep however nothing too serious. The spots are spacious and all other campers were respectful of noise volume and kept spots clean."
"ThisThis is a great Campground just outside of Arcadia Florida. It has ATV trails and fossilized shark tooth hunting. it has a Wilderness Area as well as developed the campground area."
"This campground was easy to get to and has lots to do near by. There is the town of Arcadia nearby with local history and restaurants if you feel like a hot meal on a rainy night."
from $16 - $80 / night
ScoutHaven't been camping here. Based on the photos, it looks like it is a beautiful place. Looks like somewhere to have a fun, crazy, spontaneous camp experience. I prefer natural nature. Cutting the trails, fire wood, catching dinner, fighting mosquitoes without harsh chemicals. Preserving the world. Maybe make a reservation. Leave the dogs with a sitter and not have a care in the world.
ScoutQuiet. Definitely skewed toward equestrian. Sites are well spaced. Outer loop is best. Restroom/showers are very well kept. Not much for kids. Short trails are ok. Cayaking is best option if you're in to that. Relax here, enjoy the peace and have your favorite beverage
GuideTook the littles (ages 5 &4) for their first tent camping trip - had a blast once they learned what s’mores were all about! Decent space, warm days and unusually cool nights.
ScoutGood clean site.
RangerMy friends and I stayed here on May 26th and 27th, and the campground was pretty empty, which is honestly a shame because it’s such a beautiful place. It feels like you’re right in the middle of an untouched natural oasis. The campsites are separated by large plants, which gives you a really private and cozy feeling. The bathrooms and showers were clean and well maintained. The host was also very kind and helpful. I’d definitely recommend staying here.
ScoutWe were looking forward to staying here, but when we arrived the gate was locked and we did not have the code. We called the phone number at the gate, but nobody answered so we were left scrambling for somewhere else to stay at 9pm.
I'm sure it is a lovely park, but I didn't see anything on their website or here about the gate being locked.
ScoutCheck in is at 2 PM onwards, check out by 2 pm Sunday. Lively rivers and trails to explore for kids.
GuideIf you are here, reading this review, you are one step ahead of me. I booked this campsite without doing a whole lot of research. I was driving, I passed through Arcadia, and the first two places I looked at had a three night minimum or were fully booked so I went with this one. Peace River. It sounds so peaceful. But this place is really just a playground for ATVs. I’m in a Ram Promaster and I booked a primitive site. Basically, I parked under some trees and spent two hours watching and listening to ATV riders circle me like bees around a flower. When I heard myself saying “I hate it here,” I knew it was time to drive two hours back home. Plus I was at risk of getting stuck in the sugar sand with my front wheel drive vehicle. I’ve never heard of sugar sand, and now it will fill my nightmares.
RangerGreat spot for a weekend of doing nothing. Park has 4 lakes with boat launches and floating docks for fishing. Lakes are loaded with gators and other wildlife. The campsites ashame plenty of trees for shad. They have power sites and primitive camping as well. Weather was great and as good as it gets for FL camping.
Little Manatee River State Park offers diverse camping options for horse enthusiasts beyond its dedicated equestrian camping area. The park's trails accommodate riders of various skill levels with multiple terrain types, from oak hammocks to pine flatwoods. Additional recreation options include hiking, biking, and river activities that complement the equestrian facilities.
Fossil hunting along riverbanks: Peace River Campground provides exceptional fossil hunting opportunities where visitors search for shark teeth and prehistoric remains. "This campground was easy to get to and has lots to do near by... You can spend the day paddeling down the river, fishing or sifting through the sediment looking for fossils from all different time periods," notes Kasey K.
Wildlife observation and photography: At Myakka River State Park, visitors encounter abundant wildlife in natural settings. "We saw many alligators, turtles, wild pigs, and so many birds," shares Laura M. The park's diverse ecosystems attract wildlife watchers year-round.
Mountain biking on varied terrain: Alafia River State Park Campground features extensive mountain biking trails ranging from beginner to advanced difficulty levels. "This park is close to home for me, I come here often for the Mountain Biking and the awesome humans. The facilities are clean and the MTB trails are constantly changing so we are never bored here," states Jennifer T.
Natural privacy between sites: Most campers appreciate the vegetation barriers that create separation between camping areas. "Sites and facilities are nice and clean. Sites were decent size. Good for RVs and tents. However, sites are not shaded at all," reports AJ G. about Alafia River State Park.
Well-maintained trail systems: Hardee Lakes Park offers extensive trail networks for various recreational 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," explains Jim W.
Access to multiple water bodies: Several horse campgrounds near Ruskin feature lakes or rivers for fishing and boating. "This is a reclaimed land from an old phosphate mine. The mine was closed 20 years ago and the land was reclaimed and turned into a beautified park and campground. There are four lakes, campsites are located on one of the bigger lakes," reports Jim W. about Hardee Lakes Park.
Weather and seasonal considerations: Summer camping means preparing for heat and insects. "We were here in July. Fortunately, there is lots of shade even while hiking due to the canopy trees and this kept things cooler during in the summer. We did not have a problem with biting bugs until nightfall," reports Travyl Couple about Palmetto Ridge Campground.
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "In-Season campsites are often difficult to find. In addition, the lower campground is sometimes flooded out or closed for repairs putting even more pressure on the two campgrounds closer to the main park entrance," advises Perry J. about Myakka River State Park.
Campground noise levels: Some campgrounds experience higher noise levels from recreational vehicles. "Peace River is the place to go in SWFL if you have toys! Trails, mud holes, beaches... In all this campground is fun but it's not what you want if your looking for the calm, beautiful nature camping vibe," notes Leslie M.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ruskin, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ruskin, FL is Little Manatee River State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Ruskin, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 equestrian camping locations near Ruskin, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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