Vero Beach Equestrian Club and Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo provide horse-friendly camping options near Merritt Island, Florida. Vero Beach Equestrian Club features 9 RV sites with electrical hookups and water connections. Westgate River Ranch Resort accommodates various camping styles including tents, RVs, cabins, glamping, and yurt options. The rodeo grounds at Westgate offer weekend events popular with equestrians and their families. Both locations permit horses, though specific corral facilities are limited. Many guests rent golf carts at Westgate to navigate the expansive property where horses and riders have access to designated areas.
Trail access varies between these equestrian-friendly campgrounds. Westgate River Ranch connects to riding paths along the Kissimmee River basin, providing scenic water views for riders. Lake Kissimmee State Park, located approximately 35 miles northwest of Merritt Island, offers additional horse-friendly camping with more extensive trail systems. The park's trails wind through diverse Florida landscapes including pine flatwoods and oak hammocks where deer and wild turkeys are frequently spotted by riders. Reservations are recommended for all equestrian camping in the region, particularly during winter months when northern visitors increase demand. Bathrooms at Lake Kissimmee State Park campground remain exceptionally clean, making it a comfortable base for trail riding expeditions.
"I live within a hours drive from this park and have been camping here for 40 plus years. This State Park is Old Florida, sites are secluded from the other sites compared to many other parks."
"The path is very clear with markers and when you arrive at the site, there is a clear indicator to follow. The path to the site is right off the main trail."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 / night
"This review relates to River Ranch RV Resort, which is next to the Westgate property. I would personally not stay at the Westgate RV since it is basically just an open field with RV spots. "
"Good off-roading nearby ! All the amenities you want. Nice staff"
"Vero Beach Equestrian Club is new to the Dyrt and accepting reservations! Check them out and leave a review about your stay on the Dyrt!"
Available this weekend
from $40 - $80 / night
GuideLots of amenities with plenty to do, water park was nice, ice cream shop, marina, and skeet range were cool. Staff was inconsistent - some allowed the kids to have fun but others break out the measuring stick to deny activities. Head scratching at times but will probably go back.
LegendSpent five nights at this beautiful campground. It is absolutely so peaceful. Tons of deer all over, all the time. The campground is definitely nice and pitch black at night. We walked over to the observation tower and could see the cow camp from there. We rode our bikes to the cow camp and snooped around. That was really interesting. Our site was really nice and big. All the palms around the site give it some privacy. Most of the trails are still flooded. Our rainy season just ended and we’ve had a lot of rain towards the end of it.
Laundry is $1.25 per load. Bathhouse was clean each time we used it. Park rangers were friendly each time we saw them.
TravelerNice spot to just get away and relax. Lots of hiking trails and some wildlife. Deers all around even among the campsites. Some tours available close by for airboats. We will be back here again.
GuideBeautiful shaded sites and long biking/ trails
TravelerWe loved our tent camping experience at Lake Kissimmee. Our site was 22 in Loop 1 and we were pleasantly surprised to discover that we had our own direct path to the bathroom, which wasn’t something featured on the FL State Park booking site. On-site store was only open on specific days of the week and did not carry ice, but they did have small bundles of firewood. We look forward to booking the same spot when we come back to visit during the colder months.
RangerTons to do on property including little stores, bbq restaurant, pizza, ice cream etc. Horseback riding, petting zoo, rock climbing. BUT, my only complaint is the noise level of the area. Lots of boat noise, gas golf carts (big property) & it just happened that my neighbors loved their gas blowers & pressure washing lol. Lots of great sites to choose from. Nice staff. Pet friendly.
LegendJake from the Dyrt here! Vero Beach Equestrian Club is new to the Dyrt and accepting reservations! Check them out and leave a review about your stay on the Dyrt!
ScoutNice campground. Sites are wooded and moderately spacious. Bathhouse is clean. Far from everything. 30 min from anything, so bring what you need. Quiet during the week.
ScoutThis park was clean, quiet and well kept. The bath house was tidy and the hot water was HOT. There are numerous trails, an observation tower, playground, boat ramp and fishing area. A replica 1870s Florida cow camp is also located on one of the trails. The sites are level and nearly all are shaded. The electric and water were good and the dump station had a hose to help with wash out. There is a small camp store with a few necessities but if you forget something there is a Dollar General about 20 minutes away.
Lake Kissimmee State Park, located approximately 35 miles northwest of Merritt Island, serves as one of the central equestrian campgrounds in the region. The park contains diverse terrain with pine flatwoods and oak hammocks where wildlife observation opportunities abound. Temperatures average 72°F year-round with summer highs reaching the 90s and winter lows occasionally dropping to the 40s, creating varied camping conditions throughout the seasons.
Wildlife observation tours: Lake Kissimmee State Park offers multiple opportunities to spot native Florida wildlife. "Animals are abundant - wild turkeys, eagles, bobcats, AND the Florida Panther! While sitting in our screen gazebo, I was awed by the passing of a male panther about 25 yards from our campsite," reports Barbara J.
Biking trails: The network of trails at Lake Kissimmee State Park provides excellent cycling opportunities on varying terrain. "Beautiful shaded sites and long biking trails," notes Alexandra E., making this an ideal destination for cyclists seeking exercise while exploring equestrian campgrounds near Merritt Island.
Airboat adventures: For water exploration near equestrian facilities, consider booking local airboat tours. "We went on an airboat ride. It was great," shares Susan K. from her experience at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo. Similar tours operate near several horse-friendly campgrounds in the region.
Private, spacious sites: Lake Kissimmee State Park receives consistent praise for site layout. "This site was very large, mostly level, with beautiful trees surrounding the site and great privacy," writes Denise. Another camper adds, "Campsites are far enough apart for privacy with lots of shades trees. Each site has a firepit."
Clean facilities: Consistently maintained facilities enhance the camping experience. "Like all state parks the bathrooms were spotless and rivaled those of a Marriott," notes Perry J. about Lake Kissimmee State Park. This attention to cleanliness extends to other amenities, with Lauren W. adding, "Extremely clean restrooms, great washing machine and dryer, clean place to wash dishes!"
Weekend entertainment: Structured activities provide additional recreation options beyond trail riding. "We really enjoyed the rodeo," mentions Susan K. about Westgate River Ranch Resort. Family-friendly entertainment complements the equestrian focus at several campgrounds near Merritt Island.
Limited cell service: Connectivity can be challenging in more remote equestrian areas. "Cell service is practically non existent in the park and within 10 miles from the park," warns Corey K. about Lake Kissimmee State Park. Another camper confirms, "We had no cell service, which made us cancel another stay we had planned since we needed cell service for remote work."
Transportation considerations: Some larger properties require additional planning for getting around. "You need a golf cart or bikes to get around," advises Vikki L. about Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo. Golf cart rentals, while convenient, can add significant cost, with one visitor noting they cost "$60 a day."
Limited services: Basic amenities may require advance planning. "Keep an eye on gas, there's one place about 6 miles from the park and town is about 15 miles away," advises Corey K. Campers should prepare for limited access to supplies at most equestrian facilities near Merritt Island.
Diverse activities for children: Beyond horseback riding, families appreciate varied recreation options. "We did a swamp buggy ride, skeet shooting, petting zoo and rode a mechanical bull," shares Tina S. about her stay at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo. Multiple activity choices keep children engaged throughout extended stays.
Educational opportunities: Several equestrian camps offer cultural learning experiences. "The idea of cowboys in Florida was unexpected, but added a unique element to the park," states Sara S. about Lake Kissimmee State Park. Historical demonstrations provide context about Florida's ranching heritage.
Accessible amenities: Facilities accommodate diverse visitor needs. "We had the handicapped site, plenty of room, wonderful neighbors," reports Lauren W. about Lake Kissimmee State Park. Handicap-accessible sites typically offer concrete pads and proximity to restrooms.
Hookup variations: RV facilities differ significantly between equestrian campgrounds. "You can get a RV site through Westgate which is more of a field or through River Ranch RV Resort which has full hook-ups," explains Tina S. Sites at Vero Beach Equestrian Club feature electrical hookups and water connections for RVs.
Low hanging branches: Tree canopy creates challenges for larger rigs. "If you have a tall rv low hanging branches in the camp area might be an issue," cautions Corey K. Another camper advises, "Be careful of low hanging tree branches when backing in." Most sites can accommodate standard-height vehicles without modification.
Site surface types: Surface materials vary between equestrian campgrounds. "The spots are pretty level and the pads are crushed shells. Spot 9 is fully concrete," notes Corey K. about Lake Kissimmee State Park. This information helps RVers prepare appropriate leveling equipment based on site assignments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Merritt Island, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Merritt Island, FL is Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 31 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Merritt Island, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Merritt Island, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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