Do you love the outdoors and horses? If you're looking for a rustic but comfortable experience, horse camping in Cortez is the way to go. Finding a place to stay in Florida while traveling with your horse has never been easier. Find Florida equestrian campgrounds with ease on The Dyrt.
The park features three campgrounds with 90 campsites. Each site is equipped with 50-amp electrical service, water, a fire ring and picnic table. The sites in Palmetto Ridge also have sewer hook-ups. A dump station is located near Old Prairie Campground. Laundry facilities are available to all campers in Old Prairie and Palmetto Ridge campgrounds. All campsites are located within 40 yards of restroom facilities with hot showers.
NOTE: Non-Potable Water
Effective May 11, 2023: Drinking water is temporarily unavailable at Myakka River State Park. Please remember to bring your own water. Bottled water is also available at no cost at the ranger station from 8 a.m. to sunset.
Sites in Old Prairie and Big Flats are dirt-based. The sites in Palmetto Ridge are gravel-based, except for four ADA paved sites adjoining restrooms. Old Prairie and Big Flats do not have vegetation buffers.
The Big Flats Campground is located near the Upper Myakka Lake, Myakka Outpost, a fishing deck and Wi-Fi.
Old Prairie and Palmetto Ridge campgrounds are located near the State Road 72 park entrance, the Myakka River, the campfire circle, a small playground and Myakka Friends Gift Shop. Well-behaved pets are welcome in these three campgrounds, up to four per site.
There are six primitive campgrounds (Mossy Hammock, Bee Island, Honore, Panther Point, Oak Grove and Prairie) located along the hiking trails for backpackers. These rustic settings provide campers with a fire pit and post to hang items. Each campground has three campsites, and a maximum of four people may be on each site. Only Bee Island, Oak Grove and Prairie have water pumps. Water at these sites is not potable; it requires boiling/chemical treatment. Other sites do not have water; you must bring your own. The terrain is primarily prairie, and dehydration is possible even on the coolest days.
Myakka River State Park is one of Florida’s largest parks with 37,000 acres of its own. Home to the officially designated “Wild and Scenic” Myakka River, this state park is the perfect destination for outdoor adventurers who are looking to get closer to the natural, diverse Florida wildlife.
Choose from one of over 80 campsites while Myakka State Park camping and get ready to explore!
Bring your kayak and make your way through a variety of waterways where you can spot american alligators, snook, ospreys, and countless species of birds.
Embark on one of many hiking trails to explore more of the unique environments found within Myakka River State Park. Trek to the highlands to get a look at Florida’s traditional wetlands where marshes, cypress dome trees, and grazing birds will welcome you. Go even deeper to reach the diverse array of grasses, wildflowers, and vines that grow freely in the park’s protected dry prairies. Don’t forget to bring your camera with you! Short shrubs in the dry prairies allow visitors to see for miles in any direction.
You’ll also want to bring the camera atop the Canopy Walkway at Myakka River. Just a short walk from the main road, this suspension bridge provides a panoramic view of the entire park from a unique vantage point above the tree canopy. Every camper can find what they’re looking for at this Florida park.
$26 / night
LMR1
$22 / night
Standing out from the relatively flat topography of Central Florida is Alafia River State Park, a reclaimed phosphate mine with some of the most radical elevation changes in the state. This makes it a hot spot for mountain bikers, who traverse the scenic and challenging International Mountain Bike Association trails.
Equestrians and hikers can explore 20 miles of hilly trails through forests and flatwoods, stopping to relax and admire one of the park's pristine lakes.
Canoeing and fishing opportunities are available along the South Prong of the Alafia River with some lakes scattered throughout the park.
The park also offers picnic pavilions, a playground, a full-facility campground and a full-service bike shop.
Family campground is suitable for RVers and tent campers. Campers will find water and electrical hookups at each of the 30 campsites. Clean restrooms feature solar-heated showers. There are two large picnic pavilions in the campground.
Equestrian campers have access to 12 sites with equestrian designation and tie-outs for horses. Equestrian campers can access the barn, which is a short walk from the campground. There are 12 stables and 6 paddocks available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Extra parking for trailers can be accessed near the barn area. Equestrians and hikers can explore 20 miles of hilly trails through forests and flatwoods, stopping to relax and admire one of the park's pristine lakes.
For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
$22 / night
Hardee Lakes Park is approximately 1200 acres, and has horse trails, hiking trails, handicap-accessible hiking trails, and bike trails. There are 3 restrooms located throughout the park. The restrooms in the camping areas also have showering facilities available. There are also picnic areas, a picnic pavilion, and a playground available. The park includes a boardwalk that winds around the lakes and through the woods, with an observation tower where people can watch wildlife.
The fisheries are controlled by the Florida Game and Fish commission, and fishing is allowed in all the lakes. Hardee Lakes Park contains 4 lakes in total; Lake Hardee is 120 acres, Deer Lake is 110 acres, Lake Firefly is 97 acres, and Gator Lake is 47 acres.
$25 - $28 / night
The majestic Myakka River flows through 58 square miles of one of Florida’s oldest and largest parks.
In a scene reminiscent of what early Native Americans and Spanish explorers witnessed, arching palm trees and live oaks are reflected on a winding tea-colored stream. The cries of limpkins and osprey pierce the air while alligators and turtles sun lazily on logs and riverbanks.
This is the Myakka River, Florida’s first state-designated wild and scenic river, and it flows through a vast expanse of unspoiled wetlands, prairies, hammocks, and pinelands that make up Myakka River State Park. Boating, fishing, canoeing and kayaking are popular activities on the water while hikers and bicyclists explore miles of trails and backroads.
$8 / night
Experience a slice of old Florida at the Rye Preserve. You don't have to travel far, the Rye Preserve is closer than you think. Rye Preserve is a 145 acre property located just northwest of the Lake Manatee Dam. The preserve features nature trails, horseback trails, picnic areas, a playground and a canoe/kayak launch. The preserve's trail system leads visitors through four distinctive ecosystems, including sand pine scrub, xeric oak scrub, oak hammocks and the river community. A variety of interesting creatures can be seen in these areas including the rare gopher tortoise and Florida scrub-jay.
Birding, Camping, Canoeing, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Kayaking, Natural Wildlife Viewing, Playground, Swimming, Tubing
$20 - $25 / night
Scout
Great campground for any type of camping. All sites at Palmetto Ridge are full hookup and many sites are pull through. ATT WiFi is fast enough to stream YouTube and YouTube TV via my Apple TV box tethered to my iPhone.
Traveler
Tucked away between Englewood and North Port, this primitive site is only eight dollars to stay at. Not too bad, but the campsite looked like it wasn't maintained at all. There was a big dilapidated bin of random trash that looked like it had been there for quite some time (site 3), a ton of cigarette butts, melted plastic pieces everywhere, etc. We even found an... adult toy about ten feet outside of the area of our site.
That being said, it was quiet, and you couldn't beat the scenery and nature once we cleaned up the area a bit. The sites are spread apart enough that it doesn't feel like your neighbor is on top of you, which was a huge plus.
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.
For the price, you can't complain too much. Just make sure to lock the gate behind you because by the many many signs posted, they're threatening to shut the sites down permanently if you don't.
ScoutThe campsites are well-shaded and have easy access to walking & biking trails. We've visited Myakka on day trips previously, and just recently camped there for the first time. It's quiet, and there's plenty of wildlife to be seen: Lots of birds, alligators, deer, wild turkeys. Bathrooms with laundry facilities were conveniently located, but we didn't use them. Campsite was clean, level, and easy to back into.
Legend
Site 2 HC restroom directly next store 50 amp water only Paved Spacious site Partial shade Clean restrooms and showers with HC ones 2 washers and 2 dryers brand new $2.50 EACH Plenty of walking, hiking, and biking Clean cg
Guide
Very spacious camp sites with lots of room between sites. Very clean bath house.
Guide
We stayed in April of 2023 during the week. I think there might be 10 sites full. Verizon 3 bars
RangerWe were fortunate enough to get here before the hurricanes destroyed parts of this campground. It is so peaceful and naturally beautiful. Plenty of places to walk and ride bikes to. Our site was shady and a really good size. Bathhouse was always clean. Cannot wait to go back.
GuideI was really excited to stay here. I heard so many great things about this park, but we were incredibly disappointed in our site. The site looks like a bulldozer drove thru here and knocked down all the trees and brush last month and left all the debris around the perimeter to rot. Most other sites do not look like this and I’m including photos of ours and another empty one for contrast. We are here for 4 days during spring break but the site is so ugly we won’t be hanging around camp much. Most of them are beautiful so it’s the luck of the draw, I guess. The check-in was easy and the staff at the gate was super sweet. Camp office has ice and firewood but they close at 5 so plan ahead. Bathhouse is new and really nice. Because I think the rest of the park is so nice I’m still giving 4 stars but make sure to look at site photos and avoid mine, which is 17. The other photos in my review are of site 22 and it’s beautiful.
Edit: I came back to remove a star because I went back in n the website to see if any other sites were available since a ton of spaces around us were empty. I could only see availability for “tomorrow” and I could see that a spot that is available tomorrow and the rest of our time here is also empty today. I called the front gate to ask if we could move because of the condition of our site. The lady was VERY offended and said the debris is from a hurricane 6 months ago. I get it. That’s not the issue. The issue is that had I known the site was this bad, I wouldn’t have booked. That shouldn’t have made her mad. But it sure did. She told me I’d have to go online to make a change to my reservation, which I had already tried to do. After talking it over we decided to leave early so I called back a few minutes before 5. She answered an told me she was helping someone in front of her and she’d come back. She came back after 5 and when I told her I wanted to leave early and the website wouldn’t let me cancel my reservation early she said was closing because it was now after 5 and I’d have to call her tomorrow or I could call the main reservation line. I did. They said only the local camp office can help. We will not be back to this park. We drove from out of state to camp 2 days in basically a trash pile and be told we should be happy about it.
ScoutSmall state park, with really large sites and great facilities. The only thing missing are sewer hookups. 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. We have stayed at most of the state parks in Florida. We liked this one a lot.
ScoutNot a very welcoming place for tent campers. Seems like they will be catering more to Glamper's and RV's which is a shame !!!
GuideThis is our 2nd time at Myakka River State Park and it doesn't disappoint. We stayed at the PR section with full hookups. Site was spacious and the park even had smiling gators.
GuideThis was our first time in this park. Absolutely enjoyed it!
ScoutThis is a great park. Best campground I have stayed in so far. Very quite and relaxing. Trails around lakes that can be driven to view nature and wildlife.
LegendNice but small primitive state forest campground. Only 10 sites and one is for the camp host. About half the sites are back-in and can hold small RVs. The rest are tent only although the parking space is large enough to put a van-sized RV in sideways.
All the sites are quite large and well separated from neighboring sites. With the right mix of campers, you could have a super peaceful night in the forest without having to bushwhack your way in. (Our night included a site with small kids the parents kept yelling at. Ugh.)
All sites have a fire ring and picnic table
There are vault toilets available in the loop and there is a potable water spigot at the nearby ranger station (firewood also available there).
Nearby hiking trails are rated easy and moderate and the trailhead is just a quarter mile down the road.
The campground is gated (you get the lock code when you reserve a site). Note that this campground requires reservations.
If you're self-contained and looking for a nice quiet spot to camp, this would be a good spot to choose.
Cell service on Verizon was ok with a jetpack, better with a MIMO antenna attached. (1 bar without /2-3 bars with but data speeds with MIMO were decent).
T-Mobile service was good but kept bouncing between 4G and 5G on phone, which made it a bit erratic. On jetpack that only does 4G, had a strong signal with good data rates.
ScoutVery welcoming staff, clean peaceful campground. Great privacy between sites
TravelerNice little park. Campgrounds were lade out well. Showers clean and well kept.
ScoutWe stayed here a couple of years ago and loved the piece and quiet! My husband enjoyed riding his fat tire along with our dog. We are hoping to visit again in February!
GuideAmazing place to camp if you want to catch a thrill on your bike in FL. You can bring your own bikes but we like to rent the ones there because they are made for that specific terrain (sand,stumps, etc). The biking trails are man crafted meaning HILLS in FL!
All in all a great place for an adventure and camping was quaint. Nothing special, open spaces, clean.
TravelerThis campground is 2 miles from the main road therefore very quiet and peaceful. We saw turtles, rabbit and deer.
TravelerWe had a great experience. Lots of wildlife around… great neighbors all around..
ScoutWe arrived at the gate! After hearing of the wilderness preserve we decided to go ahead and get the permit. You drive about a mile down the road from the main state park entrance to find the wilderness preserve entrance which is code protected. After driving back to the parking area, we realized we had the 600 acres to ourselves. We then hiked to the deep hole. There we saw tons of alligators birds and wildlife! A great piece of raw Florida!
TravelerThis is 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. The trees have had time to mature. 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. The campground and amenities are extremely well maintained.
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. Park is located in a rural area of central Florida. We used is as a halfway stop when traveling form the west coast to the east coast of Florida.
Tip: There are two brothers that sell firewood not to far from the campground.
You can go there your self or they will deliver to you. Camp office can give you their contact info.
LegendThis is an eco experience with much diversity in flora and fauna. From gators to wild pigs, they have it all. Be careful as this campground is run by the racoons! Store has cool gear and excellent food. Try the Aligator stew! Also wood available for open fires. Lots of rules but worth the visit.
GuideThe only things to do at the campground are biking and hose back riding. The campsites are spread out. Campfires were permitted. No sewer connections.
TravelerWe spent a night in Little Manatee River State Park, and were pretty happy with how easy it was to access the trails, canoe launch, playground and bathroom. We’ve spent time at various state parks and sometimes the trailhead is so far from camp it takes longer to get there than it does to hike it (exaggerating here but you know what I mean!). We could easily access all that we needed to keep busy, and better yet, took advantage of it!
Tons of birds, butterflies and great views of the stars. Few tent campers but still, everyone was respectful and quiet. We will definitely be back once the cooler months come around again!
GuideHardee Lakes Park is a nice quiet park. Camp sites are nice and clean, with beautiful lake views.
Stayed at a non-electric site right on the lake. Fire pit is great and camp hosts even recommended a local small biz that will bring you firewood.
Trail system is great from dirt paths to boardwalks to cut straight through the woods.
Bath house was clean and in good working order.
Overall a great quiet place to visit for a connection with nature.
TravelerWe love it
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Cortez, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Cortez, FL is Palmetto Ridge Campground — Myakka River State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 36 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Cortez, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Cortez, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
