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Trails End Outdoors RV Park & Cabins in Florahome offers horse corrals for equestrians, with spacious RV sites and cabins arranged around a central facility. The campground provides full hookups with 30 and 50 amp electric service for RV campers, while tent sites are available in an open 20-acre field. A large open-air community area includes outdoor furniture, grills, BBQs, and rocking chairs for relaxation after trail rides. The property features vast pastures shaded by ancient oak trees draped with Spanish moss where horses can be observed. The park maintains clean facilities with hot showers and acceptable restrooms that have been recently updated.
Located between Hollister and Interlachen off Highway 20, Trails End Outdoors connects to several riding trails in the surrounding area. Equestrians can access nearby Etoniah State Forest Campground for additional horseback riding opportunities on well-maintained trails. Princess Place Preserve, another horse-friendly option in the region, features 14x14 horse pens at its equestrian campsites, most of which are shaded for animal comfort. Some sites include high-lines for securing horses, though riders note these are sometimes poorly maintained. The preserve's equestrian sites are spacious enough to accommodate large rigs and include standard amenities like fire rings, picnic tables and garbage cans. The wild hog population should be monitored as riders have encountered large groups during trail excursions.
"**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."
"Located just about 20 minutes due northwest of Palatka – dubbed ‘Florida’s State Farmers Market’ where you will easily discover that this north central town is teeming with fresh agriculture every which"
"Just off the Palatka-Lake Butler Bike trail. Campgrounds are About 4 miles in on bikeable hard roads. Six Sites have picnic tables, lots of room, fire ring with grate, bbq grills, a latrine nearby."
from $9 / night
Check Availability"The proximity to Cecil Field meant planes flew overhead regularly, but it died down after sunset."
from $9 / night
Check Availability"You can do anything from buying an RV renting an RV a camper tent if you're not from around there bill will help you out overall great customer service"
"There is a picnic table & a fir pit the fire pit was a little to close to the camper to have a fire. It is a very quiet and woodsy campground."
"Stayed at site 31 which is probably the furthest walk from parking but the most private. We saw wild bison, wild turkeys, deer, snakes, and several different species of birds."
from $18 / night
Check Availability"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"Equestrian campsites are nice and spacious, most sites are fairly big-rig friendly."
"But I learned on the way out that it takes about six and a half hours to drive from Miami to the state border on the most direct route, I-95, which is also the dullest route, so I wanted to break up that"
from $20 / night
Check Availability"But be forewarned, if you are driving just a bit faster than one ought to on Highway 20 just west of Palatka between the drive-by towns of Hollister and Interlachen, you might just miss this hidden gem"
"The location itself was very quiet and peaceful with good trails. There were a several other campers at the hookup sights."
"Please note there isn’t much close by, so stop at the grocery and get fuel before you turn off 17."
from $10 - $15 / night
Check Availability"Surrounded by trees quiet and peaceful"
"Beautiful views, close to hiking, and national parks, this place had nice restrooms, and no problems with rl citric or water.. creepy men is the only problem we have. The pools was wonderful."
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!
ScoutI love this campground very clean and has nice big sites.
GuideSurrounded by trees quiet and peaceful
RangerThis is a really nice campground surrounded by beautiful nature. The bathhouse is a little older, but still fine. The area itself is really impressive though, with lots of wildlife all around. If you take a short walk, you’ll find a spot with a water view and tons of seating areas — a really beautiful place to relax. For the price, you honestly can’t complain. There are quite a lot of insects at night, so bringing good bug spray is definitely a good idea. But for our one-night stay, it was absolutely worth it.
LegendArriving to Griffin Ranch just outside Fort McCoy feels like stepping into a page of classic Florida history, where 30+ acres of shaded woods, ponds, pastures and trails invite you to slow down long before you ever unpack your bags. The ranch’s cabins, Airstream camper and cottage rentals, each with antique-inspired interiors, set the tone for a timeless, unhurried stay. The accommodations are rustic in the very best way: solidly built, thoughtfully equipped spaces that feel cozy rather than pretentious, and the hosts are genuinely welcoming, making you feel like part of the ranch family rather than just a guest. During our visit, we watched the kids wander out toward the pasture at sunset, chasing fireflies and laughing at the horses’ gentle nickers, while the sun dipped behind the trees in that golden light only old pastures seem to have. While this isn’t a ‘back-to-barebones’ campground in the primitive sense, it is more of a cabin-centric ranch stay than a full-service campground, so if you’re coming with a big RV or tent setup in mind, you’ll want to book one of the on-site cabins instead of relying on typical campsites. The best lodging options are the cabins tucked deeper into the woods or near the ponds, which offer the most serenity and EZ access to the ranch trails and wildlife watching. Nearby you can easily stock up on supplies in Fort McCoy or make short drives to local eats like Rocco’s Italian or a long list of options in nearby Gainesville. Also, the closeness to Ocala National Forest and Silver Springs makes this a great base for exploration. We’d recommend Griffin Ranch for families who appreciate quiet evenings under ancient oaks, authentic old-Florida ranch character, space for kids and pets to run wild and host hospitality that turns a simple stay into lasting memories. This place is one part history, one part nature retreat and entirely welcoming.
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.
LegendGreat location with plenty of dark skies. The spots are well spaced in the woods, with plenty of room. The location is great for visiting the prairie and easy access to Gainesville.
LegendThis campground is really dark, quiet and pretty. The bathhouse was always clean. You can smell the well water in the bathhouse. Brings me back to my childhood memories. We rode our bikes to the observation tower, but we were not lucky enough to see any bison or wild horses. Still nice to see the open prairie. We had a big rainstorm and the back of our site did become a lake, but it was gone overnight. The bugs lit us up all hours, so make sure you different bug sprays.
Equestrian camping near Green Cove Springs, Florida offers direct access to several forest trails. The area sits at approximately 10 feet above sea level with a humid subtropical climate that remains mild through winter months. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity from June through September, while winter daytime highs typically range from 65-75°F.
Explore hiking trails at Bayard Conservation Area: Located in Green Cove Springs, this conservation area features miles of trails through pine forests, hammocks, and riverside areas. "We have day hiked here many times, but this trip we were going to do some primitive camping at one of the campsites. There are several areas to park and then hike in. The campsites are a few miles from the parking area," notes Jenn B. from Bayard Conservation Area.
View wildlife in natural habitats: The preserves around Green Cove Springs contain diverse animal populations. "On our way to our campsite we were able to spot many animals including: deer, otter, turkey, and wild pigs," reports a Bayard Conservation Area visitor. At Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, campers can see "wild horses, bisons, snakes and gators. Great for fishing and kayaking," according to Brenda S.
Kayak the local waterways: The St. Johns River and nearby creeks provide excellent paddling opportunities. At Princess Place Preserve, Taylor notes, "You'll see from the photos that the sites are expansive and beautifully shaded. I stayed in equestrian site 1 (EQ1) and was amazed by how much space there was and how far we were from others."
Spacious equestrian sites: The camping areas designed for horse owners offer generous space. At Cary State Forest Campground, David S. says, "Sites are spread out and HUGE!! Several trails and plenty of room for kids to play on site!" This provides ample space for trailers and horses.
Dark skies for stargazing: Away from city lights, several campgrounds offer excellent night sky viewing. At Paynes Prairie, Joe R. reports, "Great location with plenty of dark skies. The spots are well spaced in the woods, with plenty of room."
Waterfront camping options: Sites directly on rivers and creeks are available at several preserves. At Princess Place Preserve - Moody Campground, Louis B. describes, "The tent sites are elevated which should help keep the soil dryer in case of rain... The campsites do have nearby porta potties."
Limited potable water access: Many preserves have restricted water availability. At Princess Place Preserve, Aida K. advises, "Water is non potable so bring plenty. You are allowed to gather wood if it has fallen, however it's a good idea to buy some locally as none is sold by the campground."
Wildlife encounters are common: Prepare for interactions with local fauna. "The wild hog population should be monitored as riders have encountered large groups during trail excursions," according to reviews. Geoffrey S. from Bayard Conservation Area observed, "It was dirt roads not really trails, 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."
Advance reservations needed: The more desirable sites fill quickly. At Etoniah Creek State Forest, Stuart K. notes, "In order to stay in the stand-alone Iron Bridge shelter, you must book this really unique free-standing camping spot WELL in advance."
Pack extra bug spray: Insect protection is essential year-round. "Hot with skeeters the majority of the year, cold overnight in the winter. All kinds of little critters in the woods and access to hikes and many gators," warns Dan X. from Paynes Prairie.
Check pet policies before arriving: Not all trails permit dogs. Denise from Paynes Prairie shared, "The biggest disappointment for this state park is that all of the things they advertise - bison, horses, wildlife - are all on trails where pets are not allowed. We did one of the only trails you can take your dog on."
Consider ranger-led activities: Some parks offer educational programs. "We did the Ranger led hike which was really nice, my 5 year old struggled to keep up with the Ranger and there are decent elevation changes," reports Lindsey H. from Paynes Prairie State Park.
Check electrical reliability: Some campgrounds have reported power issues. At Cary State Forest, Hayley S. experienced problems: "When we arrived and hooked up the 30amp breaker kept flipping. We had just left crooked river and hadn't had any issues."
Bring leveling blocks: Some sites may require adjustment. "Nice concret pad that was very level. Sites are roomy. TAKE BUG REPELLENT... MOSQUITOES ARE BAD," advises Robert L. at Cary State Forest.
Expect limited privacy: Many RV sites have minimal separation. "The only downside to this entire place is the lack of privacy that you'll encounter here," notes Stuart K. about nearby RV campgrounds, adding "it is quite barren and therefore doesn't offer much in the way of privacy or a sense of seclusion."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Green Cove Springs, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Green Cove Springs, FL is J.P. Hall Bayard Conservation Area with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Green Cove Springs, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 equestrian camping locations near Green Cove Springs, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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