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Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground features horse corrals among its extensive recreational offerings near Plant City, Florida. This equestrian-friendly destination accommodates tent camping, RV sites, and cabin lodging with water and electric hookups available. The campground provides dedicated facilities for horses including stalls and equestrian trails connecting to the broader resort property. Pets are allowed throughout the camping areas, creating a complete family experience for visitors traveling with both horses and dogs. Reservations are required, and the campground remains open year-round for equestrians seeking consistent access. The horse areas maintain proper maintenance with clean-up facilities and water access points for animal care.
Located approximately 45 miles west of Plant City, Washburn Equestrian Area and Primitive Campground offers free primitive camping with over 18 miles of horse trails throughout the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve. The campground features fire rings, picnic tables and clean restroom facilities in a secluded setting. Horse owners appreciate the extensive trail network that connects through oak and pine forests, providing varied terrain for day rides directly from the campsite. Trailheads connect to wider preserve areas, allowing for extended riding opportunities. The surrounding wilderness includes natural water sources and wildlife viewing along the bridle paths. Gates remain locked to prevent unauthorized access, ensuring a quiet experience for registered equestrians. Reservations must be displayed at the campground entrance, with combination access provided when booking.
"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."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $22 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Other parks and trails are located at the Wilderness Park Off Road Loop Trail System, [Flatwoods Park](https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us"
"Chevy Malibu isn't really known for off-roading lol"
"This campground is an excellently maintained recreation area part of the [SouthWest Florida Water Management District](http://SouthWest Florida Water Management District)."
"It's nice quiet clean close to Publix and gas station, trails are not really maintained but great for horses. Camping is ok I guess ."
"Equestrian, Car/RV camping and there is a back country site on a 7 mile loop trail that runs part of the way along the river."
"A lot of walking trails for people and horses. A surprise was the amphitheater. Washers and dryers are located outside the bathrooms. Friendly hosts and other campers. Would came again."
from $22 / night
Check Availability"There aren't many free spots in this area of Florida. Of course, they provide nothing other than a spot to camp with fire ring and old table, and an outhouse."
"There are pot holes as you drive in that are kinda steep however nothing too serious. The spots are spacious and all other campers were respectful of noise volume and kept spots clean."
"This campground is part of the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve within the [Oak Ridge Equestrian Area](http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us"
"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."
ScoutQuiet. Definitely skewed toward equestrian. Sites are well spaced. Outer loop is best. Restroom/showers are very well kept. Not much for kids. Short trails are ok. Cayaking is best option if you're in to that. Relax here, enjoy the peace and have your favorite beverage
GuideTook the littles (ages 5 &4) for their first tent camping trip - had a blast once they learned what s’mores were all about! Decent space, warm days and unusually cool nights.
ScoutGood clean site.
GuideNice state park. Plenty of lakes, but also plenty of gators at this time; hatching season. Wide open space, great roads. Not all sites have sewer hookups, it’s worth finding out which one before booking, if it is important for you. Even glamping tents and cabins are available, cabins are right next to the lake. Swimming area at Lake Louisa has a playground with swings and even a beach/swimming area, but that seems awfully dangerous, given the noises the gators make about 30 feet away. Unfortunately there is not a lot of things to do near the state park if one wants to do anything outside of camping, at least not a lot I could find, maybe you are better at that. Apparently it is very popular with bikers and triathletes, I have seen at least 10 today, using the great roads.
LegendVery pretty and clean campground. Bathhouse was clean as well. Loved riding our bikes and walking the trails.
RangerMy friends and I stayed here on May 26th and 27th, and the campground was pretty empty, which is honestly a shame because it’s such a beautiful place. It feels like you’re right in the middle of an untouched natural oasis. The campsites are separated by large plants, which gives you a really private and cozy feeling. The bathrooms and showers were clean and well maintained. The host was also very kind and helpful. I’d definitely recommend staying here.
ScoutWe were looking forward to staying here, but when we arrived the gate was locked and we did not have the code. We called the phone number at the gate, but nobody answered so we were left scrambling for somewhere else to stay at 9pm.
I'm sure it is a lovely park, but I didn't see anything on their website or here about the gate being locked.
TravelerStayed just one night on March. Great tent sites and mostly private. Facilities are clean with showers. Water and power at the site. Beautiful walks and lakes, Lots of birds and rabbits.
Only issue was the early morning traffic on the nearby highway (#27) was noisy.
ScoutCheck in is at 2 PM onwards, check out by 2 pm Sunday. Lively rivers and trails to explore for kids.
The Plant City area offers diverse camping options across wetland ecosystems at elevations rarely exceeding 150 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures frequently reach the 90s with high humidity, while winter nights can occasionally drop below 45°F. Equestrian campsites typically provide hitching posts and dedicated trail access separate from hiking paths.
Mountain biking at Alafia River State Park: The park features multiple difficulty levels of trails built on former phosphate mining land. "This park is close to home for me, I come here often for the Mountain Biking and the awesome humans. The facilities are clean and the MTB trails are constantly changing so we are never bored here," notes Jennifer T. from Alafia River State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing at Colt Creek: The park's diverse habitats support abundant wildlife throughout the 5,000-acre property. "This park is beautiful, quiet, alive with wild life, we saw deers, owls, turtles, rabbits & a mama wild boar with her piglets," reports Barbara A. at Colt Creek State Park Campground.
Horseback riding on backcountry trails: Multiple preserves offer dedicated equestrian trails through natural Florida landscapes. "Very nice facilities. Miles of horseback trails to ride. Very nice horse stalls to put horses in overnight. Perfect place for equine vacation!" writes Donna H. about Alafia River State Park.
Spacious sites with utilities: Many campgrounds provide generously sized sites with full hookups. "Camp spots are big, flat with gravel parking areas. Power and water an each site for RV camping. Nicer (newer) bathrooms than most FL state parks," says SanDal B. about Colt Creek State Park.
Natural separation between campsites: Many horse campgrounds near Plant City maintain privacy through vegetation. "The long and windy ride in gives you a trip back to some real Florida. The campground is well maintained and has large, level sites," explains Joe R. from Colt Creek State Park.
Free camping options: Several equestrian campgrounds offer no-cost stays with advance reservations. "We stayed in the Backcountry site only to find someone there. We made a reservation days in advance," reports Selena H. at Upper Hillsborough Preserve — Alston Tract, highlighting the importance of confirming reservations even at free sites.
Gate access systems: Many horse-friendly campgrounds use locked gates requiring combinations obtained during reservation. "Stayed 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," explains Abby M. from Green Swamp — West Tract.
Variable water quality: Non-potable water is common at primitive equestrian sites. "Has a good shaded area w/o buffers but not a lot of people due to it being primitive camping. again used generator and 50 gals of water," notes Nate D. about Green Swamp — West Tract.
Seasonal mosquito conditions: Insect activity varies significantly by location and season. "Sites and facilities are nice and clean. Sites were decent size. Good for RVs and tents. However, sites are not shaded at all and because of the quarry and stagnant water the mosquitoes were RIDICULOUS! Probably worst mosquitoes in 30 years of camping," warns AJ G. about Alafia River State Park.
Accessible camping options: Several parks offer modified sites for visitors with mobility needs. "We had the opportunity to camp at one of the handicap accessible sites recently and found it to be very convenient. Path and pad on site were roomy and fire pit was higher than usual for safety," shares Jeanene A. from Colt Creek State Park about their handicap-accessible accommodations.
Entertainment beyond trails: Some campgrounds offer organized activities. "We really love camping here. The campground is well laid out and the campers really get into the Disney spirit with decorations. The bath houses are immaculate," comments Darcy S. about Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
Distance from services: Many equestrian campgrounds are remote with limited cell service. "Stayed at Green Swamp West for a night in November of 2020. It is free but had to register at watermatters.org - (Southwest Florida Water Management). They provide you with a code to unlock the gate once registered," reports Monte W. about the registration process.
Site access challenges: Some equestrian campgrounds have tight turning areas despite accommodating large rigs. "Our campsite was 1709. We were walking distance to the pool, arcade, trading post, and campfire/sing along. My only problem with wilderness camping. There is not a lot of room in the loops to pull your rv into the spot," explains Samantha O. about Disney's Fort Wilderness.
Level parking surfaces: Most developed horse campgrounds provide graded sites. "We love this place. The long and windy ride in gives you a trip back to some real Florida. The campground is well maintained and has large, level sites. We have stayed in site 1 and 11 and didn't need blocks for either," notes Joe R. about Little Manatee River State Park Campground.
Campground layout considerations: Site proximity varies significantly between horse-friendly campgrounds. "This has been our first park Campground and couldn't ask for a better one to start with. Very private and spacious spot for Big Rigs as well as the medium size. The equestrian rentals were very nice also," says Ronald H. about Little Manatee River State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Plant City, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Plant City, FL is Colt Creek State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 34 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Plant City, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 equestrian camping locations near Plant City, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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