4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Okaloacoochee Slough Hunt Camp offers a dedicated horse corral for equestrian campers visiting the Everglades region. Located on County Road 832 in Felda, this established campground provides essential amenities for horse owners including electric hookups with both 30-amp and 50-amp options, water hookups, and picnic tables at each site. The primitive setting accommodates both tents and RVs with spacious sites suitable for large rigs and horse trailers. Campground reviews note the quiet, peaceful experience with minimal traffic noise. The non-potable water available at the adjacent horse corrals serves as a practical resource for horses, though campers should bring drinking water.
Trail access connects directly to the surrounding Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest, offering miles of natural terrain for horseback riding. Nearby trails feature native grass that varies in height seasonally, creating diverse riding conditions throughout the year. Reservations are required for all sites, which typically cost around $10-11 per night. The adjacent overflow campground provides additional camping options when the main Hunt Camp reaches capacity. Generator use is permitted throughout both campgrounds, allowing for extended stays without shore power. Chemical toilets are available, but no shower facilities exist on-site. Most sites provide excellent solar exposure for those using solar panels, and the natural prairie setting with low-growing trees creates an authentic wilderness experience for riders.
"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 this 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 near Everglades City, Florida offers access to wilderness trails through subtropical terrain ranging from prairie grasslands to cypress hammocks. The area receives approximately 55 inches of annual rainfall, primarily between June and October, creating seasonal changes in trail conditions. Wildlife observation opportunities include deer, various bird species, and occasionally panthers in the less disturbed areas.
Wildlife viewing at dawn/dusk: The early morning and late evening hours at Picayune Strand State Forest's Horseshoe Primitive Campground provide prime wildlife spotting opportunities. "Deer roaming the campground" are commonly seen according to camper Penny M., while Tucker B. suggests visitors "keep your eyes peeled for a panther sighting!"
Trail riding through native grasslands: The trail system at Dinner Island Ranch WMA connects riders to miles of natural terrain. Sam S. notes there are "two units to camp in here," with Kowechobe Camp offering widely spaced sites in "a big field" and Hammock Camp providing sites "in the trees."
Fishing in nearby canals: Water access points near several campgrounds provide fishing opportunities. At Horseshoe Primitive Campground, Paul W. reports that "fishing in the canals is excellent," making it a worthwhile activity during your stay.
Spacious sites for trailers: Picayune Strand State Forest Horseshoe Primitive Campground earns praise for its layout. Teala S. describes it as having "spacious spots" and being "a perfect primitive spot with a great location," ideal for accommodating horse trailers.
Peaceful atmosphere: The tranquility of these remote camping locations is frequently mentioned in reviews. Joe D. at Horseshoe Primitive Campground describes the experience as "very peaceful" and mentions the 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."
Star gazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing conditions. Joe D. notes Horseshoe provides "a great view of the sky's above" and is "definitely a nice place to search out for a nice nite star gazing."
Water availability concerns: Non-potable water is the norm at most equestrian campgrounds. At Okaloacoochee Slough SF Overflow Campground, Roger W. notes, "Ram gets report as non-potable water at Hunt Camp, .25 miles," so campers must bring their own drinking water.
Seasonal variations in trail conditions: The height and density of native grasses change throughout the year. Roger W. observed that nearby trails had "talk of grass to comfortably walk in" and attributed this to "this year's wet winter."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area require advance booking. Sam S. points out that Dinner Island Ranch "requires reservations up to two weeks in advance through their website. Reservations are free."
Generator policies: For families needing power, understanding generator rules is important. At Okaloacoochee Hunt Camp, generators are permitted, which supports extended stays with children who may need powered equipment or climate control.
Bathroom facilities: Prepare for primitive toilet options at most sites. Roger W. reports that Okaloacoochee Hunt Camp offers only "chemical toilets" and no shower facilities, so families should pack accordingly with personal hygiene supplies.
Wildlife education opportunities: Turn animal sightings into learning experiences for children. Dave V. mentions that "wildlife abounds and birding is huge during winter migratory months" at Horseshoe Campground, where visitors might see "the nesting pair of bald eagles, gopher tortoise, wood stork, eastern indigo snake, red cockaded woodpecker, osprey, red-shouldered hawk, kites, and a myriad of wading birds."
Solar panel performance: The region's open terrain makes solar power highly effective. Roger W. rates the solar potential at Okaloacoochee Slough Overflow Campground as "the best," which benefits self-contained RVs using alternative power sources.
Site surfaces and accessibility: RV campers should note ground conditions. At Bonita Lake RV Resort, more developed infrastructure is available with full hookups, making it a good alternative when seeking more amenities than the primitive equestrian campgrounds provide.
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies significantly. Roger W. reports "1 bar" of AT&T service at Okaloacoochee Hunt Camp and "1 to 2 bars" at the Overflow Campground, important information for RVers who need to maintain communications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Everglades City, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Everglades City, 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 Everglades City, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Everglades City, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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