Equestrian trails in the Lacoochee area traverse pine flatwoods and floodplain swamps with elevation changes ranging from 40-75 feet above sea level. Trail conditions vary seasonally, with summer months bringing higher humidity and increased insect activity. The region's sandy soil provides good drainage on most trails except during periods of heavy rainfall when low-lying areas can remain flooded for days.
What to do
Trail exploration at Green Swamp West Tract: Hike approximately one mile along the Florida Trail to reach the Gator Hole backcountry site. "We hiked out about a mile along the Florida Trail and stayed for a night at the Gator Hole campsite. It was so peaceful, lots of space to explore (we had a 3 year old and two dogs!) and the symphony of Sandhill Cranes and Coyotes as the sun set was a memory I'll never forget," reports Kelly S. from Green Swamp West Tract.
Wildlife observation: Bring binoculars for spotting deer, bobcats, and various bird species. Barbara A. notes at Colt Creek State Park Campground: "This park is beautiful, quiet, alive with wild life, we saw deers, owls, turtles, rabbits & a mama wild boar with her piglets."
Off-road adventures: Navigate sandy jeep trails throughout the forest. "The best thing about this place is the surrounding area: lots of (walking only) trails but my favorite, the seemingly endless off roading sandy Jeep trails throughout this forest state park - lovely!" states R C. at Holder Mine Recreation Area.
Water activities: Paddle through multiple lakes with rental equipment available at specific locations. "There are 4 lakes (no swimming) on the property kayak/canoe rentals, nice fishing areas and a dock. Lots of wildlife. Great for biking as well," shares Jeanene A. about Lake Louisa State Park.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer more separation between camping areas. "The sites are very well-kept and all have a firing and covered picnic table. The sites are a little close as there are not a lot of trees for privacy but overall a really nice camp spot," writes Abby M. about Lake Panasoffkee.
Clean facilities: Restrooms and shower areas are maintained regularly at established campgrounds. "The bathrooms had 3 toilets and 3 shower/dressing areas. They were clean and decorated with butterfly theme," notes Samantha O. at Disney's Fort Wilderness.
Accessibility options: Several parks provide accommodations for campers with mobility needs. "We had the opportunity to camp at one of the handicap accessible sites recently and found it to be very convenient. Path and pad on site were roomy and fire pit was higher than usual for safety," explains Jeanene A. about Colt Creek State Park.
Free camping opportunities: Several public lands in the area offer no-cost camping with proper reservations. "Stayed at Ashley campground, which is free with a reservation through Southwest Florida water management. They provide a Lock code for you to enter upon entering so there's always a locked gate during your stay," explains Abby M.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian sites require advance booking through property management systems. "A free reservation is required and must be displayed or available at campground," notes Jeanene A. about Upper Hillsborough Preserve.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. "Barely any cell service so wasn't ideal for my work situation and had to go into town. 1-2 bars of 4G via AT&T," reports Abby M. about Green Swamp West.
Seasonal closures: Check hunting schedules before planning trips. "The campground and associated trails are closed during different hunting dates. Take note…" advises Elliott B. regarding Upper Hillsborough Preserve.
Road conditions: Access roads to primitive sites can be challenging. "The road to the campground is hard packed gravel but we traveled slowly and had no issues," explains David K. about Holder Mine Recreation Area, while another camper notes "the drive is very rough due to teenagers mudding out there."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible options: Seek out sites designed for diverse mobility needs. "There are 2 of these sites available and both are easily accessed from handicap parking close by. Because this is a newer park the trees have not grown in well enough yet to provide adequate shade so be prepared for that," shares Jeanene A. about Colt Creek State Park.
Evening activities: Look for campgrounds with organized events. "The sing along was fun. Chip and dale walk around to everyone. They ask that you don't leave your spot and they will come to you and really they do. They stopped at every spot to take pictures," explains Samantha O.
Trail difficulty assessment: Check trail conditions before hiking with children. "Parts of these trails can be filled with water (large puddles). The map has numbers that match small signs posted at trail junctions, making for easy navigation," notes Elliott B.
Short hike options: Select backcountry sites with minimal approach distances for younger kids. "It is only about 1.5 miles from the trailhead, so you don't need to go far, there is plenty of room for tents, and there is a provided fire ring with two picnic tables," describes Skooma M. about the Gator Hole site.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility challenges: Prepare for tight maneuvering in certain campgrounds. "There is not a lot of room in the loops to pull your rv into the spot. There is plenty of room between your rv and your neighbor next to you but not a lot of room across from your spot," warns Samantha O. about Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
Water supply planning: Bring adequate water for primitive sites. "I use a quiet run generator and bring in 50 gallons of fresh water for weekend stays," advises Nate D. about Upper Hillsborough Preserve.
Pad specifications: Note the construction and levelness of camping pads. "All sites have fire pit with grill, picnic table and level cement pad. We had a large beautiful oak on our site," reports Mary H. about Holder Mine Recreation Area.
Gate security features: Some locations provide restricted access systems. "They provide a Lock code for you to enter upon entering so there's always a locked gate during your stay," notes Abby M., adding security for vehicles and equipment.
