Lake Wales, Florida sits in central Florida at an elevation of 153 feet on the Lake Wales Ridge, an ancient sand dune formation that runs through the center of the state. The region features sandy soil, pine flatwoods, and freshwater lakes creating diverse habitats for wildlife. Equestrian campers find multiple trail systems with varying terrain near Lake Wales, with summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F and high humidity levels.
What to do
Horseback riding on dedicated trails: At Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground, riders can explore extensive trail systems throughout the property. "We stayed middle of July for 4 days. Only saw 3 other campers the whole time. Park is super quiet and there is a ton of wildlife roaming," notes Corey K. The trails offer opportunities to spot native wildlife up close.
Attend a weekend rodeo: Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo hosts regular rodeo events that complement an equestrian camping trip. "The boys loved the rodeo that was held on the weekend. They even got to participate in chasing the calf to win a prize," shares Christy C. The resort offers western-themed activities beyond just riding.
Explore prairie landscapes: The open grasslands provide unique riding experiences. At Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, riders can traverse wide-open spaces. "The air was so clean that we felt like we were on oxygen! The night sky was absolutely breathtaking, but catching dawn and dusk over the landscape is really nice too," reports Roxxy G. The park's trails are well-maintained and designed to showcase diverse ecosystems.
What campers like
Dark sky viewing: At Kilpatrick Hammock Campground — Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, equestrian campers appreciate the night sky viewing opportunities. "The night sky was pretty dark but I couldn't see the Milky Way (there was a half moon during my stay). Lots of wildlife around... deer, turkeys, gators, lots of birds and I could hear coyotes off in the distance at night," shares Monte W. The park is Florida's only certified dark sky site.
Wildlife encounters: Campers report frequent wildlife sightings while riding trails. "Wild turkeys visited us daily to hang out by a fallen tree near our site. Deer passed by every evening," recounts Barbara J. at Lake Kissimmee State Park. These encounters enhance the riding experience for equestrian campers.
Well-maintained facilities: Lake Louisa State Park Campground receives praise for its upkeep. "All of the sites seemed level, most are quite private with a fair amount of trees/foliage in between sites, have a sizable picnic table and nice fire ring with grate," notes Cyndi B. The park provides essential amenities for both riders and horses.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian campgrounds require advance booking. "Reserve America does not note which ones have sewer too but when I did some more research I found one review that mentioned that site #'s 16,18,20, 30, 32,33, 34 (ADA), 35,36 (ADA), 37,38,39, & 40 are the sites that have sewer too," explains Travyl Couple at Lake Louisa State Park.
Weather considerations: Summer heat affects riding conditions. "We stayed in June and bugs were only bad at nightfall. We got good reception with our verizon and only ok with our sprint," reports Travyl Couple.
