Horse camping is the perfect way to enjoy Merritt Island. If you're an equestrian lover who prefers nature-based adventure, yet still wants comfort, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Finding a place to stay in Florida while traveling with your horse has never been easier. Search nearby equestrian campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
LK1
$20 / night
Experience one of the last untouched pieces of Florida wilderness at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo – an authentic Florida dude ranch that lies just one hour South of Orlando in Polk County, FL – where guests can return to the days of "Old Florida" when the state was home to cowboys and cattle ranchers. The Ranch, which lies on 1,700 acres overlooking the scenic Kissimmee River, completed a multi-million dollar renovation in October 2013 and features horseback riding, an award-winning Saturday night rodeo and much more. It's the ideal destination for an unforgettable family vacation getaway!
Welcome to our extraordinary 60-acre equestrian estate, a haven for passionate RVers seeking an idyllic getaway amidst breathtaking scenery and boundless possibilities. Nestled within this expansive property, you'll discover a haven where the freedom of the open road intertwines seamlessly with the tranquility of the great outdoors.
As you arrive at our estate, you'll be greeted by sweeping landscapes that span as far as the eye can see. Imagine vibrant green pastures stretching out to the horizon, dotted with majestic trees and a sense of natural grandeur. The air is crisp and invigorating, carrying with it the gentle melodies of chirping birds and the soft rustling of leaves in the wind.
For RV enthusiasts, our estate offers an abundance of space and flexibility. You'll find ample room to park your motorhome or camper, nestled within the equestrian surroundings.
The equestrian element adds an enchanting touch to the estate, creating a harmonious atmosphere where horses and humans coexist in perfect harmony. Watch in awe as graceful equine companions roam freely through the pastures, their manes dancing in the breeze. If you're an equestrian enthusiast, you'll have the opportunity to embark on leisurely horseback rides, explore scenic trails, or even participate in riding lessons or equine events.
For those seeking a touch of leisure and relaxation, bask in the golden rays of the sun, enjoying a delightful picnic or simply unwinding with a book in hand. As the evening draws near, watch the most amazing sunsets, sharing stories and laughter under a star-studded sky that seems to stretch endlessly above you.
Our 60-acre equestrian estate offers a remarkable escape for RVers, inviting you to embrace the boundless freedom of the open road while reveling in the serenity of wide open spaces. Come, immerse yourself in the splendor of nature, and create unforgettable memories within this enchanting haven.
Embrace the spirit of adventure and exploration as you venture beyond your RV at Vero Beach Equestrian Club.
$40 - $80 / night
Guide
Beautiful shaded sites and long biking/ trails
TravelerWe loved our tent camping experience at Lake Kissimmee. Our site was 22 in Loop 1 and we were pleasantly surprised to discover that we had our own direct path to the bathroom, which wasn’t something featured on the FL State Park booking site. On-site store was only open on specific days of the week and did not carry ice, but they did have small bundles of firewood. We look forward to booking the same spot when we come back to visit during the colder months.
Guide
Tons to do on property including little stores, bbq restaurant, pizza, ice cream etc. Horseback riding, petting zoo, rock climbing. BUT, my only complaint is the noise level of the area. Lots of boat noise, gas golf carts (big property) & it just happened that my neighbors loved their gas blowers & pressure washing lol. Lots of great sites to choose from. Nice staff. Pet friendly.
Legend
Jake from the Dyrt here! Vero Beach Equestrian Club is new to the Dyrt and accepting reservations! Check them out and leave a review about your stay on the Dyrt!
ScoutNice campground. Sites are wooded and moderately spacious. Bathhouse is clean. Far from everything. 30 min from anything, so bring what you need. Quiet during the week.
ScoutThis park was clean, quiet and well kept. The bath house was tidy and the hot water was HOT. There are numerous trails, an observation tower, playground, boat ramp and fishing area. A replica 1870s Florida cow camp is also located on one of the trails. The sites are level and nearly all are shaded. The electric and water were good and the dump station had a hose to help with wash out. There is a small camp store with a few necessities but if you forget something there is a Dollar General about 20 minutes away.
GuideGreat sites in a beautiful area with hookups, water, picnic table, and fire ring. The bathrooms are exceptionally clean!
GuideI’m surprised by the negative reviews. Although this park was somewhat out of the way, we thought it was quiet and enjoyable. We had a nice site with plenty of room. Most sites were taken but everyone was really nice, not loud or anything. We enjoyed walking around the park and seeing some cool wildlife. Not really any wifi at the sites, but sometimes that’s fine with us!
RangerHidden gem in Florida. Now one of our favorite campgrounds. Spacious sites with lovely trees and greenery. Good privacy between sites. Miles of beautiful and varied hiking trails right from the campground - some shady and forested, others through prairies or along lakes. Good kayaking on the canal and lake but my husband must have been wearing the wrong pants cause he didn’t catch any fish - lol. Wifi connection available at /around the concession stand. Another great aspect was that we met many wonderful people - fellow campers just enjoying the peace, nature and community that Lake Kissimmee has to offer. We will definitely return!
RangerLake Kissimmee is a great escape from life. There are miles of hiking/biking trails; waterways for small motorized boats, kayaks, and canoes; decent sized camp sites(especially for tents and small campers); and many opportunities to see wildlife including deer, amarillo, gators, and others. Another plus is that the camp store is well stocked. Also the Cow Ranch is a great piece of history and definitely worth a visit. There are some challenges including little to no wifi, the trails are very sandy so biking can be difficult unless you have wide tires.
ScoutPlenty of wild life .deer,opossum,armadillo,cranes gators.bike and hiking trails ,boating fishing,
TravelerA week at lake Kissimmee state park. Campsites were clean and very private. Even had WiFi. Lots of wildlife to see. Many trails to choose from. Campstore staff friendly and helpful. Plan on going back again soon
TravelerThe electric hook ups on our site didn’t give us enough juice. Our site was also very small. Would recommend visiting in the colder months. Lots to do here!
GuideAbsolutely gorgeous with nice shaded sites. Bathrooms are nice and there is a general store. Playground and lookouts sites. No swimming but there is boat launches.
TravelerWe got into this site with a last minute cancellation over Labor Day weekend. It was a beautiful location! We had site 43 which was secluded from neighbors and in full shade. The back of the site opened to an open field and we constantly saw deer walking through the grounds. We also saw many armadillos and turkey! Site had water and electric as well as a fire pit and picnic bench. Each loop has a bathhouse and laundry unit. Sewage dump was clean and easy. Campground also has a general store with some essentials, snacks, WiFi and live bait. There’s water for fishing and a cleaning station, although we didn’t catch anything you could see the fish jumping constantly. There’s plenty of trails and an observation tower. We will be back!
TravelerI 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. There is a abundance of wildlife and plenty of hiking trails. This park to me is one of the best you will experience in Florida.
RangerGood off-roading nearby ! All the amenities you want. Nice staff
GuideVery nice state park here. The electric camping sites have water hook ups. I don’t have a camper so we just set up tents and luckily the only spot available was a good one. It’s mid June and it’s HOT! Some sites are spacious and private and others you can see more of your neighbors. We had deer come up to our site in the morning, we also saw wild Turkeys, armadillos, rabbits and spiders and such. The hikes are nice, some 6 mile loops to have some fun. The bathrooms are Clean and it wasn’t too busy. I’ll definitely go again
GuideThis review relates to River Ranch RV Resort, which is next to the Westgate property. I would personally not stay at the Westgate RV since it is basically just an open field with RV spots.
River Ranch RV next door is a beautiful place with fantastic spots. We stayed in spot 323 which had its own swing and fireplace. Our 37 ft rig fit perfectly and five year old loved riding bike around the park. Everyone was super friendly and I recommend renting a golf cart, though expensive at $60 a day,
Be aware of telephone phone reception. At our spot we could not get any reception with ATT. After buying a Verizon hotspot down the road in Lake Wales, we were able to WFH.a
Would highly recommend this spot in Central Florida.
GuideWe actually got a spot at RRRVR (river ranch RV resort) which is on the backside by the smoke house restaurant. It was lot 196 and it was FANTASTIC! River ranch has so much to do. Rodeos, food, putt putt, petting zoo- and tons more. A great family venue. Will definitely be back.
RangerWe stayed in site 19 for one night in early February. This site was very large, mostly level, with beautiful trees surrounding the site and great privacy. The park itself didn’t inspire us on our drive through, so we just relaxed in our site here. Two things to watch out for - be careful of low hanging tree branches when backing in, and be aware that we had no cell service (this actually made us cancel another stay we had planned since we needed cell service for remote work). We would stay here again if we were looking for a place to relax with good site separation.
LegendLake Kissimmee State Park Review This was our first visit to Lake Kissimmee State Park and it was a big surprise. Like all Florida State Parks, they are all a little different and have one attribute in particular that makes them special. For me this was the camp sites that were both spacious and private.
We were on the inside of the loop on #4. Since the pandemic spots at most state park have been few and far between so we have become way less particular and simply take what we can get at most parks.
Like all state parks the bathrooms were spotless and rivaled those of a Marriott. We enjoyed the common areas, the observation deck and the hiking. Staff and hosts were wonderful. Thanks again Florida State Parks for a great weekend! We will for sure return to Lake Kissimmee for sure.
TravelerGroup of friends and family decided to stay on this gem, I was pleasantly surprised! Clean bathrooms and showers. Lots of amenities for kids like mini golf, zip lining and mechanical bull riding.
ScoutFirst time at Lake Kissimmee State Park! We loved it. We arrived just before sun down. First of all the drive into the park is beautiful. Classic Florida landscape and made us so excited to start camping. We were in loop 1 site 13. The sites are pretty private we couldn’t see the campers to the sides of us and they are very large. Bathrooms were very clean. Best part was all the wildlife we encountered. In the morning a family of deer walked right by our tent! There are three main hiking trails up to 6.7 miles. We did the 6 mile loop and it was beautiful and peaceful. Primitive hike in campsites available along the trails which we will be checking out for next time. Reservation was easily made through reservation America.
GuideWe had a great time staying at Lake Kissimmee SP campground. We were in Loop LK1 spot 11. The loops are TIGHT for a large travel trailer such as ours. The turn in was tight and I smashed my mirror. Argh. However, the spot itself was gorgeous, plenty of space to spread out, not close to neighbors and a great spot to hang my hammock. No bugs in November was a plus!
TravelerCampsites are far enough apart for privacy with lots of shades trees. Each site has a firepit. Bathrooms were clean. Lots of small trails to explore and tall watch tower climb for observation.
TravelerBeautiful state park. Lots of wildlife. Saw deer at our campsite. The night sky so full of stars. No swimming but full of nature hikes.
Horse camping in Florida offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian enjoyment, perfect for those looking to explore the state's natural beauty with their horses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Merritt Island, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Merritt Island, FL is Lake Kissimmee State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Merritt Island, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Merritt Island, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
