Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Lake Alfred, FL has a lot to offer. Lake Alfred is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Lake Alfred and user-submitted reviews.
$56 - $201 / night
"Lake is great to sit by or take a boat. Have to rent it from them, unable you take your own. They have nightly campfires that are Disney themed, Chipmunks."
"From water park to horse rides to lots of evening activities, plenty to do here without going to any theme parks. Skip the Bingo and enjoy everything else!!!"
$24 - $120 / night
"Lake Louisa is located on the edge of the Orlando metropolitan region. Close to Disney but accessible to other area attractions and communities, if that's what you are lookimg to do."
"Lake Louisa is located in Clermont Florida and is only 20 miles from Disney in Orlando. It is a newer park and the facilities were really nice."
$24 / night
"Colt Creek State Park is one of the newest parks in the Florida State Park System. Their RV/Tent Campground just recently opened in early 2018. RV spots are spacious."
"The equestrian area was the nicest to us. But you must have a horse to stay there."
$20 / night
"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."
"We camp a lot during the summer but since this is Florida it's HOT regularly and sizzling during the summer months."
"Caverns are beautiful under the water but it is constantly crowded around. Pets need to be put on a leash. Horses are permitted. Many opportunities for hiking, biking, swimming, and kayaking."
$20 - $100 / night
"You can’t get more centrally located that bill Frederick. Located In metro west, this park is close to both the theme parks, and a commutable distance to north Orlando."
"if you choose primitive campground (10$) you will have to walk a little bit. the car parking is far away from the actual campsite. huge plus arw free showers with hot water. area is beautiful!"
$22 / night
"Miles of horseback trails to ride. Very nice horse stalls to put horses in overnight. Perfect place for equine vacation!"
"Widely known in Florida for the mountain bike trails. Not much else to do in the area, but very nice space to chill out. The night sky is far enough away that you can really take in the stars."
"So, campers will need to bring their own water or filtration system…
You’re situated right off to the side of some immediate access to 16 miles of partially wooded roads (“trails”) marked for multiuse"
"Lovely space for dispersed camping with a picnic table, fire pit, an outhouse and hiking trails. We'll definitely visit again when we're in Florida."
"Stayed at Ashley campground, which is free with a reservation through Southwest Florida water management."
"This section of the FT is quite a nice walk, and I assume that most individuals looking at a site on the trail, are looking at Gator Hole."
"Check for scheduled hunts, hunters do not like hikers even though Florida trail is open year round. 5 minute walk from river if you need drinking water. Make sure to filter and watch for gators."
LegendColt Creek State Park is one of the newest parks in the Florida State Park System. Their RV/Tent Campground just recently opened in early 2018. RV spots are spacious. There is not a lot of privacy between spots but cover will grow in in time. Most sites are in full sun most of the day. Tent camping areas are on grass not gravel. very nice dump and wash area at gate to campground. They also offer equestrian, group, and primitive camping at this location. The equestrian camp is well used and quite large with standard amenities for horses and campers. There are 2 primitive sites along a 10 mile loop trail. Group site does not have a pavilion but does have port o lets ( no water or electric). There are 4 lakes ( no swimming) on the property kayak/canoe rentals, nice fishing ares and a dock. Lots of wildlife. Great for biking as well.
LegendThe Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve is one of the largest contiguous recreation areas in Hillsborough County.
There are lots of different parks and areas all contained within the Preserve with all park sites managed by the Hillsborough County Conservation and Environmental Lands Management Department.
You can only camp within 2 of these areas, the Oak Ridge Equestrian Area and at Dead River Park.
Other parks and trails are located at the Wilderness Park Off Road Loop Trail System, Flatwoods Park, and the Jefferson Equestrian Area. The Morris Bridge Park, Trout Creek Park, and John B. Sargeant Park, offer day use areas and boat/canoe launch ramps.
The multiple purposes of the LHWP are easily overlooked while enjoying the natural beauty of this suburban woodland. Here one can paddle waters of the Hillsborough River amongst wading birds, turtles, alligators, lilies and cypress swamps; explore over 60 miles of forest trails; fish from riverside boardwalks; or enjoy a relaxing picnic or cookout.
Adjoining the Wilderness Preserve is the 3,000-acre Hillsborough River State Park, which in itself is an area of beauty and tranquility known as the Seventeen Runs of the Hillsborough River. This park also has wonderful camping.
Camping
Dead River Park
· Camping fee.
· Campsite available to youth groups by reservation only. Minimum of 6 and maximum of 30 campers allowed. Groups must have their own insurance.
· A 0.25-mile hiking trail for use by campers located adjacent to campground.
· Bathhouse and picnic facilities provided.
The Oak Ridge Equestrian Area has 2 different campgrounds.
The Oak Ridge Primitive Campgrounds and the Washburn Primitive Campground
· Camping free.
· Campsite available by reservation only and is required and must be displayed or available at campground
· Over 16-miles of equestrian/hiking trail for use by campers located throughout the campground.
· Sites have picnic tables, fire rings and/or grills and there are ADA portapotty and non-potable water available.
· The Oak Ridge Campground also has a pavilion
LegendThis campground is an excellently maintained recreation area part of the [SouthWest Florida Water Management District](http://SouthWest Florida Water Management District). With the OakRidge campground being wonder part of the Lower Hillsborough Preserve just outside Tampa, FL.
The campground here is huge as you can use it either as a primitive site or an equestrian site. Although it's nice and open you actually have a ton of tree coverage. You can get the combination for the lock when you make your reservation (required) or just hike yourself in from the large lot off Highway 568 "Morris Bridge road" which is only about 3/4 of a mile.
While hiking in I came across several deer and some gopher tortoise.
This campground has 3 "sites", with tables and fire rings, and one nice pavilion. There is a good water pump (non-potable) which you'll need to boil or treat and an actual clean ADA toilet on site.
You then have access to miles and miles of trails and can really enjoy yourself out here.
RangerLake Louisa is located on the edge of the Orlando metropolitan region. Close to Disney but accessible to other area attractions and communities, if that's what you are lookimg to do.
We needed a break from life so we went to chill and hang out in the park. What a beautiful park it is. Miles of trails, a small beach, 3 lakes for fishing and kayaking, and 2 fishing piers. They also have equestrian facilities for horseback riding. Including a stable where you can sign up to join a ride.
The park's campground is compact with 2 very clean bathhouse, a small camp store, and 60 sites. The sites are nicely setup with lots of privacy. There are a few sites with both 50 amp electric and sewer service. One issue, especially in the summer, is the lack of shade so make sure you bring your own shade structures and a fan. In addition to traditional sites, the park has glamping tents, eco tents, primitive tent sites, equestrian sites, cabins, and a youth group area.
The park is really beautiful. The riolling hills, pine forests, and pretty lakes. The wild flowers are also very pretty.
We've been to many of Florida's state parks and this is among our new favorites. Just love it! Enjoy!
LegendStayed at Ashley campground, which is free with a reservation through Southwest Florida water management. They provide a Lock code for you to enter upon entering so there’s always a locked gate during your stay. The sites are very well-kept and I’ll have a firing and covered picnic table. The sites are a little close as there are not a lot of trees for privacy but overall a really nice camp spot. Has two vault toilets which were relatively clean. Mixture of equestrian campers and non-equestrian campers. Barely any cell service so wasn’t ideal for my work situation and had to go into town. 1-2 bars of 4G via AT&T.
GuideWell we didn't like the tent and RV sites. They're in an open area on gravel with no shade and hardly no divisions. There are other areas for special groups that are much nicer. But for individual campers. The equestrian area was the nicest to us. But you must have a horse to stay there.
LegendIf you’ve got one of those incredibly large mobile homes on wheels, then this particular RV location just off of Highway 414 near Hiawassee may just be the perfect spot for you. OK, there were a few tents here, but you could tell this place was really built for the mobile campers in mind. With 28 ample slanted, elongated parking lanes for your parking pleasure, all of the sites come equipped with the typical 30 / 50 amp electrical hook-ups, waste disposal and water connections. The bathrooms and shower facilities are clean and fairly well-maintained.
There’s the standard picnic table, garbage receptacles and even a community BBQ. The hosts are incredibly nice and offer pricing by the night, week and month. Overall, the community is inviting and friendly and there’s at times some planned activities, with most of those featuring horse shows and competitions of some sort, throughout the week (check with the front desk). While there’s not a ton of amenities to pick and choose from, this location does come with grills, park and shelter as well as all the free glimpses of horses being trained. Of course, should you be here with your noble steed, there’s some 22 miles worth of paths to gallup. Near this RV parking lot, you do have access to Lake Apopka.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) The real draw to this particular campground is the massive equestrian infrastructure that exists as the fulcrum, so if you are camping, this can be a very nice distraction, in case you come here with the principle idea of racing / showing your horses, then this CG is ideal – and less so if you don’t have a horse and don’t want to camp alongside what could be considered a bit of a circus (especially on show days); (2) Should you grow tired of whipping up franks & beans again for supper and you wanna check out some local fare, you’re going to have to drive a bit north to South Apopka where there’s joints like The Nauti Lobstah, Verona Café, Lechonera Latina and Wings-N-Things; (3) In the event that you need to load up on supplies, there’s both a Sam’s Club and Walmart Supercenter due NE of here; and (4) For some really great hiking & biking, of course, there’s the West Orange Trail, but if you are looking for something a bit different and less trodden, then check out Oakland Nature Preserve, which sits south of Lake Apopka.
Happy Camping!
LegendThis campground is part of the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve within the Oak Ridge Equestrian Area. You’re a little closer to the road (about ¼ to ½ miles away) than if you stay at the Oak Ridge Campgrounds about 2.5 miles north on SR 597 “Morris Bridge Road”. Although this isn’t a terribly busy road so you shouldn’t hear too much traffic sounds, especially at night. You do need to get a freepermit to camp from the South West Water Management District here. The campground here is also huge as you can use it either as a primitive site or an equestrian site. Although it's nice and open you have a ton of tree coverage. Within the campgrounds themselves you do get a nice mixture of oak and pine tree coverage, so if you want to hang anything from the trees you’ll have plenty of options.
This campground is also a lot harder to find as there is no signage from the road and Google Maps is currently trying to take you to the main entrance which is where the sister Campground “Oak Ridge” and main entrance to the equestrian area is located. The GPS location for the entrance is: 28.1189, -82.2975 or the address is 14501 Morris Bridge Road Thonotosassa, FL 33592. I also have a photo of the street number sign you can see from the road. It’s basically right across the road from the Flatwoods Wilderness Park. I was all alone, and if you camp in the summer you probably will be to as it gets hot, really hot and humid. You need to make sure and bring lots of cold water to drink, because the pump isn’t portable and I doubt you’ll be feeling great after boiling it off. You can also filter it, which isn’t as bad as the water is relatively cool.
Facilities include:
Picnic tables, fire rings, a non-potable water well, and a clean (actually smelled clean) ADA portapot. No trash cans or drinking water.
Over 18 miles of Equestrian/Hiking trails
RangerWe got lucky to get a site here last minute after our state park campground was closed for extended period due to hurricane repairs (without letting us know so it was a scramble to find alternatives). The campground is nice. We stayed in an "equestrian" site and most people didn't have horses (neither did we). While much of the park isn't shaded (in fact there is waayyyyy too much lawn/grass in all the communal areas - would be much better if they planted trees and let forest grow back), most sites do seem to have at least some trees providing partial shade. Not much privacy between sites, but that didn't really bother us. There are lots of walking "roads" (dirt roads) to the various lakes. All in all, we were glad to have a site and would return if needed again.
Horse camping in Florida offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian enjoyment, with numerous campgrounds catering specifically to horse enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lake Alfred, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lake Alfred, FL is Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 129 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Lake Alfred, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 equestrian camping locations near Lake Alfred, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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