3 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Cary State Forest Campground, located in Bryceville, Florida, provides camping opportunities about 30 miles west of Fernandina Beach. The campground features six spacious, spread-out sites with water and electric hookups for RV and tent camping. While no dedicated horse corrals are listed among the amenities, the forest allows horses on its trails and camping areas. Sites include picnic tables, fire rings with benches, and access to a sanitary dump station. The concrete pads are level and accommodate large rigs. Campers report the sites are private, pushed back from the road, and set within a pine forest environment. The campground maintains clean restroom facilities with hot showers.
Multiple trails traverse the state forest, providing opportunities for horseback riding through pine forests and natural Florida terrain. Riders have spotted wildlife including deer and wild turkeys while exploring the trail system. The forest features both short boardwalks and longer hiking paths suitable for equestrian use. Campers should be prepared for potential muddy conditions after rain, particularly on the hard-packed dirt roads throughout the property. Mosquitoes and yellow flies can be abundant during certain seasons. Bayard Conservation Area offers an alternative horse-friendly camping option in the region, with primitive campsites accessible via a 3.3-mile hike. These sites include fire rings with cooking grates and picnic benches, plus river access at some locations.
"A few people brought their horses out there which was nice to see. This park seems to still be in development which was perfect for me because we didn’t have a lot of movement."
"This was a perfect stopping point on our way to the southwest coast of Florida as it was directly on our travel path and very reasonable in pricing."
from $23 / night
Check Availability"**Campground Review: ** Bayard Conservation Area is located in Green Cove Springs Florida and is maintained by the St. Johns River Water Management District."
"Hiked in about 3.3 miles, but OnX user beware, trust the trail’s red marks, not the trail marked on most maps! Part of the trail was reblazed to go around a washed out section."
"The proximity to Cecil Field meant planes flew overhead regularly, but it died down after sunset."
from $9 / night
Check Availability
GuideThe six sites available are spread out in the Cary State Forest. You can see the tops of some RV’s but they’re not close. The site has a very nice picnic table, fire pit,benches around the fire pit, a free standing grill, water, electric and a concrete pad to park on with a tent site behind the pad. Grass is freshly cut and the site is clean!
TravelerWent on a last minute trip out here and it was nice! Each site has a fire ring, picnic table, charcoal camp grill (probably wouldn’t use if you didn’t have to), and a sectioned off tent spot. The proximity to Cecil Field meant planes flew overhead regularly, but it died down after sunset.
ScoutGreat quiet spot just outside the city. Good showers, water, and electricity. Has only 6 rv sites, miles of trails to explore. Mosquitos are not bad. Surprisingly, yellow flies are abundant, however.
GuideCamping area has only 6 spread-out spots that are pushed back off the road, so privacy is good. Site 6 is quite large with table, and fire pit with benches.
Note the roads are hard-pack and it is a Florida pine forest so it gets a bit muddy (and mosquito-y) on rainy days. Dump station is not fully paved so it too, gets muddy.
GuideGreat riverside campsite. Hiked in about 3.3 miles, but OnX user beware, trust the trail’s red marks, not the trail marked on most maps! Part of the trail was reblazed to go around a washed out section.
Otherwise, the campsite itself was great. It’s right next to the river, and includes plenty of space, a fire pit with cooking grates, and a picnic bench. Tons of squirrels, osprey, an owl, and I’m sure more if you’re able to hike a little quieter than myself and my 7 and 9 year old boys.
Only problem we had is it was a little tough to find nice dry firewood. Most of the log sized potential firewood was pretty green, but there’s plenty of tinder and kindling to make up for it.
There’s a stop on the way near the other campsite that includes some picnic benches, a (non-potable) water pump, and a bathroom with a roof and toilet paper. What more could you want?
TravelerWe were at site 5. When we arrived and hooked up the 30amp breaker kept flipping. We had just left crooked river and hadn’t had any issues. We told the camp host and she moved us to site 4 for the night. After 2 nights they told us the 30amp breaker was replaced and we could go back to site 5. Site 4 had someone coming. When we went back and began hooking up the breaker once again flipped. We contacted reserve America to see about a refund. It’s over 100 degrees and we aren’t willing to camp without ac. We told the host and ranger that we had contacted them and that we were leaving. The ranger said they didn’t replace the breaker (even though the host text us that they did). They were very friendly and tried to accommodate as much as they could. They did say they will have it checked out again, so hopefully future campers won’t have the problem.
GuideHave waited six months into our RV life to start reviews for fair comparisons. Spent 7 nights. This is one of the oddest places we have stayed. On arrival we were thrilled. Less than 10 sites all tucked in the woods, seemed like paradise. Sites are huge and private. But the woods seemed….dead. In our week there we only saw a handful of birds and a squashed dead pygmy rattlesnake. There was something just a bit sad about it. Do have some hiking trails and short boardwalks.
ScoutThis campground was an absolute gem. Sites are spread out and HUGE!! Several trails and plenty of room for kids to play on site!!! The only thing preventing me from giving five stars is we got the only site that had electric and water on passenger side so we had to run electric under our rig. If we would have been in a class B or C you could go nose first. They have a dump station on site and access in and out of park is super convenient. We didn’t get to check out bathrooms so I can’t speak to those. Park was super clean and they provide a trash can at the edge of the site. We will definitely be going back when the temperature drops a little!!!
LegendWe like this park a lot because we like large sites, peace and tranquility. We only got to stay there 2 nights.
Cary State Forest Campground offers primitive equestrian camping west of Fernandina Beach, Florida. The forest maintains six designated campsites with water and electrical hookups within a pine forest setting approximately 30 miles from coastal attractions. Sites accommodate both RVs and tent campers with concrete pads that can handle larger vehicles. The surrounding area features multiple state forests and conservation lands with trail systems available for day use and overnight camping.
Explore forest trails: The trail system at Cary State Forest provides opportunities for hiking through native Florida ecosystems. "We didn't get to check out bathrooms so I can't speak to those. Park was super clean and they provide a trash can at the edge of the site. We will definitely be going back when the temperature drops a little," reports David S.
Bird watching: Multiple conservation areas near Fernandina Beach support diverse bird species. "In our week there we only saw a handful of birds and a squashed dead pygmy rattlesnake. There was something just a bit sad about it. Do have some hiking trails and short boardwalks," notes Christina about her experience at Cary State Forest.
Riverside camping: Bayard Conservation Area offers primitive campsites with river access. "Great riverside campsite. Hiked in about 3.3 miles, but OnX user beware, trust the trail's red marks, not the trail marked on most maps! Part of the trail was reblazed to go around a washed out section," advises Nate D.
Quiet atmosphere: The limited number of campsites at horse campgrounds near Fernandina Beach creates a peaceful environment. "We like this park a lot because we like large sites, peace and tranquility. We only got to stay there 2 nights," shares Annell N. about Cary State Forest.
Wildlife viewing: Conservation areas provide opportunities to observe native Florida wildlife. "On our way to our campsite we were able to spot many animals including: deer, otter, turkey, and wild pigs," reports Jenn B. about her experience at Bayard Conservation Area.
Site privacy: Campsites are typically well-separated from neighboring sites. "This campground was an absolute gem. Sites are spread out and HUGE!! Several trails and plenty of room for kids to play on site," explains David S. about Cary State Forest Campground.
Seasonal insects: Bug protection is essential when camping in North Florida forests. "TAKE BUG REPELLENT... MOSQUITOES ARE BAD. Electric and water hookups with a sanitary dump station," warns Robert L. about his stay at Cary State Forest.
Trail conditions: Many trails in the area can become muddy after rain. "Note the roads are hard-pack and it is a Florida pine forest so it gets a bit muddy (and mosquito-y) on rainy days. Dump station is not fully paved so it too, gets muddy," explains J V. about Cary State Forest.
Primitive facilities: Some equestrian campgrounds near Fernandina Beach have limited amenities. "The bathroom looks like it belongs on a horror movie the river camp spot is beautiful the forest one had deer drinking from the stream," reports Geoffrey S. about Bayard Conservation Area.
Bring activities: Some campgrounds offer limited structured recreation. "This campground was arranged by my kids scouts group. It was beautiful but maybe that's because there wasn't a lot of human traffic. A few people brought their horses out there which was nice to see," shares Sualen L. about Cary State Forest.
Prepare for wildlife encounters: Children should be supervised due to potential wildlife interactions. "During our stay, my only annoyance were the wasps in the bathroom. The spiders we stayed away from lol but found a pigmy rattlesnake that we caught in a bucket and walked it a little further away from the bathroom and camping site," notes Sualen L.
Consider site location: Some sites are better suited for families than others. "Sites are roomy. TAKE BUG REPELLENT... MOSQUITOES ARE BAD. Electric and water hookups with a sanitary dump station. This was a perfect stopping point on our way to the southwest coast of Florida," advises Robert L.
Check hookup compatibility: Verify your RV's hookup requirements match site configurations. "The only thing preventing me from giving five stars is we got the only site that had electric and water on passenger side so we had to run electric under our rig. If we would have been in a class B or C you could go nose first," notes David S.
Prepare for electrical issues: Some campgrounds may have maintenance challenges. "When we arrived and hooked up the 30amp breaker kept flipping. We had just left crooked river and hadn't had any issues. We told the camp host and she moved us to site 4 for the night," reports Hayley S. about her experience at Cary State Forest.
Consider road conditions: Access roads may present challenges during wet weather. "The place is big enough to maneuver a big rig around the areas. We enjoyed it. Stayed 2 days," shares Gwoo T. about navigating Cary State Forest Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Fernandina Beach, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Fernandina Beach, FL is Cary State Forest Campground with a 4-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Fernandina Beach, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Fernandina Beach, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
