4 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Okaloacoochee Slough Hunt Camp features a dedicated horse corral among its camping amenities, making it one of the few equestrian-focused campgrounds near Copeland, Florida. This established campground accommodates both tent and RV camping with electric hookups, water hookups, and sewer connections. The primitive setting includes picnic tables and allows campfires with a generator-friendly policy for campers requiring power. The camp maintains a notably quiet atmosphere despite its proximity to County Road 832, with infrequent traffic creating minimal dust or noise issues during most stays.
Trail access from the campground connects riders to the surrounding Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest, offering miles of riding opportunities through native Florida landscapes. Located approximately 30 minutes from the boardwalk on Sic Island Drive, campers can experience both forest and prairie environments. Non-potable water is available at the horse corrals for equine use. Most sites are spacious with gravel surfaces that accommodate any size rig, though they lack natural barriers between campsites. Reservations are required for the $10 nightly fee, and visitors should be prepared for basic amenities with only chemical toilets available. Cell service is limited to 1-2 bars in most areas, but the open setting provides excellent solar charging opportunities for those staying multiple days.
"Camping in Florida is not for the faint of heart, but for the adventurous...much like any state."
"Just hit this equestrian campground for a single night and I had the place to myself. There was a single cameraman from a local news affiliate shooting video of deer in the field at sunset."
from $9 / night
"Hunt Camp, Okaloacoochee SF: We stayed at the nearby Overflow CG. I expect this would have been the same quiet and peaceful experience, as noticed during our walks by Hunt Camp."
Available next weekend
from $9 / night
"To Do: Nearby trails here to talk of grass to comfortably walk in. Either not much recent horse traffic or they just have not been mowed. Either is probably due to this year’s wet winter ."
from $9 / night
"To Do: Nearby trails here to talk of grass to comfortably walk in. Either not much recent horse traffic or they just have not been mowed. Either is probably due to this year’s wet winter ."
from $9 / night
TravelerAwesome offloading in sugar sand. Camping spot was remote and did run into a few equestrian friends. Saw lots of deer and owls. Primitive camping.
TravelerNot for the average tent peaceful camper. Some of the RVrs blast their generators all night. Very load people last 2 times we have been.
GuideA perfect primitive spot with a great location. Kind campground host and spacious spots. It is very open and you will see a lot of your neighbors, but that isn’t too much of a worry as many folks are here for hunting. It’s quiet in the evenings and makes for a great sunset spot.
LegendHunt Camp, Okaloacoochee SF: We stayed at the nearby Overflow CG. I expect this would have been the same quiet and peaceful experience, as noticed during our walks by Hunt Camp. (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer. Our rating of a campground is influenced by the following: The general ambiance- sort of wilderness feel the campground gives us. A selection of campsites which offer some visual privacy and/or view from sites. Cleanliness of whatever facilities are offered is important and usually noted in my review.
Overall Rating: 4.5 for large sites. No natural barrier in between.
Price 2023: $ 10
Security: None
Usage during visit: 1/2 to full.
Site Privacy: No
Site Spacing: Large sites.
Site surface: Gravel
Reservations: Required.
Campground Noise: Quiet.
Road Noise: Adjacent to the road, but there is not much traffic.
Through Traffic in campground: No
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: No
Potable Water Available: Non-potable water is available at the adjacent horse corals.
Generators: Allowed
Bathroom: Chemical toilets
Showers: No
Pull Throughs: No
Cell Service (AT&T): 1 bar
Setting: Adjacent to prairie with fairly dense low growing trees which obstructs view.
Recent Weather: Sunny
Solar: Great
Host: No
Rig Size: Any
Sites: I like all of the sites. #3 is the best location in the loop.
LegendPanther Pond: We really liked this quiet campground with very secluded sites. More sunshine and solar at Okaloacoochee Overflow and Hunt Camp. To Do: Nearby trails here to talk of grass to comfortably walk in. Either not much recent horse traffic or they just have not been mowed. Either is probably due to this year’s wet winter .
Make sure to make the 30 minute drive to the board walk on Sic Island Dr. Short walk to the short boardwalk. Outstanding way to leave with a taste of the slough.
Bicycles on Wildcow Rd
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 4.5 for Great privacy.
Price 2023: $ 10 for seniors
Security: None
Usage during visit: 1/4 full
Site Privacy: most all sites – excellent, with shrubbery in between sites.
Site Spacing: very nice
Site surface: dirt
Reservations: required
Campground Noise: Quiet
Road Noise: Maybe a little from Cow Path Rd. Very little travel.
Through Traffic in campground: No
Electric Hookup: no
Sewer Hookup: no
Dump Station: no none
Potable Water Available: a couple miles away at Hunt camp there is a hand pump at the horse corals. Rangers say it is not portable.
Generators: allowed
Bathroom: chemical toilets
Showers: no
Pull Throughs: None
Cell Service (AT&T): one bar
Setting: in a long pine forest, with lots of palm tree shrubbery
Recent Weather: clear with highs in the upper 60s
Solar: some sites. See below.
Host: no
Rig Size: 17 to 20 foot trailer will fit in some sites in my opinion. See below.
Sites: Will easily fit a 17 foot trailer: 1,2,3*,5*,7,6,9*,11,
*very nice solar at 2 PM, but not all day.
LegendOverflow CG, Okaloacoochee FLSF: We had a peaceful experience staying here for 5 days.
To Do: Nearby trails here to talk of grass to comfortably walk in. Either not much recent horse traffic or they just have not been mowed. Either is probably due to this year’s wet winter .
Make sure to make the 30 minute drive to the board walk on Sic Island Dr. Short walk to the short boardwalk. Outstanding way to leave with a taste of the slough.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good.
Wildcow Rd beginning at the campground is a nice walk. Three walks with only 1 vehicle during our walk.
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer. )
Overall Rating: 4.5 for mostly large sites, but no privacy in between.
Price 2023: $ 11 about w taxes
Security: None
Usage during visit: 1/2
Site Privacy: Open
Site Spacing: most of the 6 sites are large
Site surface: Gravel
Reservations: Required
Campground Noise: Very quiet.
Road Noise: Wildcow, a backcountry road, runs along campground. Not busy during our visit, but can be more busy I hear. Could be a dust problem when there is less rain.
Through Traffic in campground: Along Wildcow.
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: No
Potable Water Available: Ram gets report as non-potable water at Hunt Camp, .25 miles.
Generators: Allowed
Bathroom: Chemical toilets.
Showers: No
Pull Throughs: No
Cell Service (AT&T): 1 to 2 bars.
Setting: 3’ tall native grass in between sites.
Recent Weather: Sunny, not too hot
Solar: The best
Host: No
Rig Size: Any size.
Sites: 1 is best. 6 is second, but closer to the road which was infrequently used during our stay. 3 and 4, unfortunately back up to each other.
GuideExactly as described. The host was great and helpful. Porta potties available, but no drinkable water. Dusty. Bugs weren’t terrible at all. Fishing in the canals is excellent.
ScoutVery open quiet spot. Nice and helpful camp host. Beautiful scenery.
GuideThere are two units to camp in here. The first is Kowechobe Camp, which is basically a big field with spaced out sites. The second is Hammock Camp, which is the site I’m staying at.
Hammock Camp is in the trees, but spots are MUCH closer together. I mean the site I’m staying at, #10, is a nice clearing underneath some trees - and this clearing is shared between four sites. The flip side to this is that there are far fewer campers in Hammock Camp then Kowechobe.
Note: this place requires reservations up to two weeks in advance through their website. Reservations are free.
Equestrian camping options near Copeland, Florida allow riders to explore the diverse wetland ecosystems of southwest Florida. The region sits at essentially sea level with annual flooding patterns that transform the landscape seasonally. Primitive to semi-developed camping facilities cater to horse owners throughout the area, with most offering basic amenities and trail access to native Florida habitats.
Wildlife viewing on horseback trails: Multiple trail networks throughout Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest connect to the Okaloacoochee Slough Hunt Camp camping areas, offering opportunities to spot native wildlife. One camper noted, "Trail access from the campground connects riders to the surrounding Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest, offering miles of riding opportunities through native Florida landscapes."
Fishing in nearby canals: Water management canals near primitive camping areas provide fishing opportunities. A visitor at Picayune Strand State Forest Horseshoe Primitive Campground reported, "Fishing in the canals is excellent," making this a worthwhile activity when not on horseback.
Birding during migratory seasons: The wetland environments attract numerous bird species, particularly during winter months. Experienced campers report seeing "bald eagles, gopher tortoise, wood stork, eastern indigo snake, red cockaded woodpecker, osprey, red-shouldered hawk, kites, and a myriad of wading birds" throughout the region.
Spacious equestrian facilities: The dedicated horse corrals at equestrian campgrounds provide ample space for animals. At Okaloacoochee Slough Overflow Campground, a reviewer appreciated the layout: "We had a peaceful experience staying here for 5 days... most of the 6 sites are large" with easy access to trails.
Minimal light pollution: The remote location of many horse campgrounds near Copeland creates excellent stargazing conditions. One visitor to Picayune Strand noted it was "a great place to search out for a nice nite star gazing," providing an additional evening activity after trail riding.
Helpful camp hosts: Many equestrian campgrounds have attentive hosts who enhance the experience. A motorcyclist at Picayune Strand appreciated that the "very friendly camp host...was eager to greet me n my crew of moto riders and offer us a cooler with ice and a dozen bottles of water."
Limited water availability: Most equestrian campgrounds in the area lack potable water. A camper at Dinner Island Ranch WMA noted similar conditions at nearby facilities: "There are two units to camp in here. The first is Kowechobe Camp, which is basically a big field with spaced out sites. The second is Hammock Camp, which is the site I'm staying at."
Seasonal road conditions: Access roads can become impassable during wet seasons (typically June through November). During dry season, dust can be an issue as one camper mentioned about the Okaloacoochee Overflow area: "Wildcow, a backcountry road, runs along campground. Not busy during our visit, but can be more busy I hear. Could be a dust problem when there is less rain."
Camping reservations required: Most equestrian sites require advance booking, though fees are reasonable. A visitor to Picayune Strand reported the "super affordable" $10 nightly fee, but noted "it does require a little extra time to get there as there isn't a quick exit off the main highway."
Bug preparation essential: Mosquitoes are prevalent year-round in this low-elevation wetland region. Pack appropriate repellents as one experienced camper warns visitors to "prepare for mosquitos year round" at these locations.
Limited bathroom facilities: Most equestrian sites have only basic chemical toilets. A recent visitor noted at Okaloacoochee: "Bathroom: Chemical toilets. Showers: No," which requires family camping preparation accordingly.
Nearby attractions for day trips: Plan excursions to complement horse activities. A camper at Bonita Lake RV Resort appreciates that "they don't make visitors sign in, there's people of all ages, & very kind staff! Laundry, showers, grills, a pool" making it a potential base for mixed activity trips.
Solar power advantages: The open settings at most equestrian campgrounds provide excellent solar charging opportunities. A camper at Picayune Strand observed "ample room for solar chargers" with "the best" solar conditions noted at the Okaloacoochee Overflow sites.
Generator policies: Unlike some primitive campgrounds, most horse camping facilities near Copeland permit generators. This provides power options at sites like Okaloacoochee Hunt Camp where a camper noted the "generator-friendly policy for campers requiring power."
Surface conditions: Gravel pads at horse campgrounds accommodate large rigs but can create dust during dry periods. A reviewer at Picayune Strand explained that "the grass is on a sugar sand base. So plan accordingly" when considering large RV access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Copeland, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Copeland, FL is Horseshoe Primitive Campground in Picayune Strand State Forest with a 4.3-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Copeland, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Copeland, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
