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Trails End Outdoors RV Park & Cabins accommodates horse owners with dedicated corral facilities and camping options including tent sites, RV sites, and cabins. The campground provides direct access to riding trails and features an open-air community gathering area, pool, and well-maintained grounds for equestrian guests. Horse-friendly spaces include freshly laid gravel RV sites with standard hookups including 30 and 50 amp electric, septic, and water connections. The park offers approximately 20 acres of open land for tent camping adjacent to equestrian facilities. Visitors note the property borders pastures where farm animals graze beneath ancient oak trees draped with Spanish moss.
Horseback riding opportunities extend beyond the campground with access to nearby Oak Hammock Camp, Rice Creek Preservation Area, and Etoniah Creek State Forest, all offering trail networks suitable for riding. Etoniah Creek State Forest provides extensive horse trails that run the circumference of the nearly 9,000-acre property with sandy-dirt trails ideal for horseshoes. The State Forest features primitive camping options including the Iron Bridge shelter, which requires advance booking. Highway 20 provides convenient access to several small lakes including Lake Ida, Mirror Lake, and Jewel Lake, each with boat launches for additional recreational opportunities. Basic supplies and services are available in nearby Interlachen, including hardware stores, groceries, and dining options for campers needing provisions during their equestrian camping trip.
"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"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"
"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"Older Florida park with roots in the CCC and Forestry Service. Large park with hiking, bike and equestrian trails."
"The campsites are spacious, well shaded, and with in easy walking distance to the Bathhouse/Restrooms. The facilities are kept clean and neat."
from $18 / 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"
from $45 / 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"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"Although in a populated area of Ocala, this campground is positioned in the trees and makes you feel like you are miles from civilization. The sites are spacious and most are shaded."
"With camping along the edge in the woods and also in the field with some trees. Lots of open tent camping also. The bathrooms are huge and modern and super nice."
from $22 / night
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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!
ScoutWe had an awesome time here. The camp hosts were very helpful, professional, and friendly. The bathrooms and showers were exceptional and clean. If someone moved out, within 30 minutes there was someone checking their site for anything they may have left behind. The only complaint I have, is the other campers that let their dogs do their business and not pick it up. This is not a negative against the campground and their employees.
ScoutI love this campground very clean and has nice big sites.
LegendThis campground is located on the grounds of the World Equestrian Center– a premier equestrian facility in the US located in Ocala. The campground is large (300 sites) campground and capable of fitting any size RV. The roads in the park are really easy to navigate and easy to back into for any size RV. All sites are back-in with 50/30A full hook-up. Sites 600-733 have more space between them and would be my preferred sites. There is really no check-in lane, you just stop on the road going into the campground and other have to go around you. The laundry is open 24-hours but be aware that people are washing horse blankets, dog beds, and other pet items, so stay away if you are allergic. Conveniently located before the campground is a fuel station (with gas and diesel). The campground is located on a venue that primarily holds equestrian events but also accommodates other sporting events. Some of the venues are quite a long walk away and parking can be difficult. Golf cart rentals are available at the campground. The camp store is nice and more of a gift shop but has a great selection of a range of items from clothes to drinks to food and RV items. They have a coffee bar and also sell alcohol. Restaurants on-site ranging from a coffee shop with pastries to fine dining and everything in between. Our site was long and level and the WIFI worked well. We had nice space between us and our neighbor and were treated to nice sunsets. Overall, we really liked this campground and would come back. We were there when equestrian events were going on and liked that we could watch them for free. Downtown Ocala is about ten minutes away and a cool town. We had lunch, walked around the square and checked out the painted horses. Lunch at the airport restaurant was great!
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.
ScoutBeautiful campsite right on Lake George. No bathrooms or electrical hookups. Gorgeous views and easy kayak access
RangerAfter exploring the museum, enjoying the nature trails, enjoy some fishing, or bird watching along the river. See where the river sinks( ends) and look for the turtles in the water. The campsites are shaded, level and qell kept. Bathrooms are clean, handicapped accessable, and conviently located. Pets welcome, families welcome. Big rigs may find the campground roads tight, but there are multiple sites available for big rigs. Be aware there are trees along the roads, so be aware of any lower branches.
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.
Equestrian trails wind through pine forests surrounding Keystone Heights, Florida, a region known for its sandy soil and oak hammocks. The area borders several freshwater lakes with elevations ranging from 100-130 feet above sea level. Weather ranges from humid summers reaching 90°F to mild winters with occasional frost, making fall through spring ideal for horse camping expeditions.
Trail riding at Etoniah Creek State Forest: Access nearly 9,000 acres of riding trails with sandy-dirt paths perfect for horses. "Etoniah Creek State Forest is a little known gem... with tons of hiking trails and a nice southwest access point for some great fishing at Georges Lake," notes Stuart K. The Etoniah Creek State Forest Green Camp features primitive camping options for equestrians.
Swimming at O'Leno State Park: Cool off during hot months at designated swimming areas. "The campsite was nice and private. The bathrooms were clean. The park had nice hiking trails, but I enjoyed the kayaking most of all. There is a swimming section," reports Sean B. at Dogwood Campground.
Wildlife viewing at Paynes Prairie: Observe diverse wildlife including wild horses on designated trails. "This park has 8 trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. We were able to see wild horses, bisons, snakes and gators. Great for fishing and kayaking," writes Brenda S. The prairie provides excellent opportunities for photography and nature observation.
Spacious equestrian facilities: Campers appreciate dedicated areas for horses with proper amenities. "Very nice small campground. Best asset is the access to hiking and biking. Miles of trails," notes Esther M. about Santos Trailhead & Campground, which connects to extensive trail systems.
Natural water features: Lakes and rivers near horse campgrounds provide additional recreation. "Nice riverside campsite. Hiked in about 3.3 miles... 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," writes Nate D. about Bayard Conservation Area.
Quiet, natural settings: Horse-friendly sites typically offer more seclusion. "Sites are spread out and HUGE!! Several trails and plenty of room for kids to play on site!!!" reports David S. about camping at Cary State Forest. Many equestrian campgrounds maintain sufficient distance between sites to accommodate horses and trailers.
Trail conditions vary seasonally: Prepare for different ground conditions throughout the year. "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. about Paynes Prairie Preserve.
Equestrian-specific restrictions: Some trails prohibit pets or have limitations. "All of the things they advertise (and I was looking forward to) - bison, horses, wildlife - are all on trails where pets are not allowed," notes Denise about Paynes Prairie.
Limited services: Most horse campgrounds near Keystone Heights have basic facilities. "Please note there isn't much close by, so stop at the grocery and get fuel before you turn off 17," advises AnnMarie E. about Welaka State Forest, which offers equestrian camping.
Choose sites with child-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with open play areas near horse corrals. "Lovely Park with lots of wildlife!! La Chua trail was beautiful and we saw lots of gators. 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," shares Lindsey H.
Consider educational opportunities: Several parks offer ranger programs about local wildlife. "Definitely one of the more popular destinations in the area because of the buffalo and wild horses... grounds are well-kept and events (like baby alligator educational sessions) are above-par," notes Kristin T.
Plan for insects: Mosquitoes and flies can be problematic, especially with horses. "Nice campground. Clean and well maintained. Very shady site, but tons of mosquitoes. We went in late October," reports Lauren W. at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Campground.
Check hookup locations: Some sites have unusual utility placements for horse camping areas. "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.
Verify electrical capacity: Confirm amps before booking at smaller equestrian campgrounds. "When we arrived and hooked up the 30amp breaker kept flipping. We had just left crooked river and hadn't had any issues," reports Hayley S. about Cary State Forest Campground.
Reserve well in advance: Horse-friendly sites are limited and popular. "It's challenging to get a reservation for the campgrounds but worth it if you can. Go hiking, biking, kayaking, or fly a kite. Backcountry camping is first come first serve— get there early to get a permit," advises Issa F. about primitive camping options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Keystone Heights, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Keystone Heights, FL is Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 35 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Keystone Heights, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 equestrian camping locations near Keystone Heights, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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