Horse riders looking for equestrian camping near North Palm Beach, Florida have access to several natural areas within a 30-mile radius. The region features sandy soil trails winding through pine flatwoods, wetlands, and scrub habitats. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winter months provide more comfortable riding conditions with daytime temperatures in the 70s.
What to do
Trail riding at Jonathan Dickinson State Park: The park features miles of paved and off-road trails suitable for various skill levels. Visitors can explore diverse ecosystems including coastal sandhills and scrub forests. "Great trails to ride your bike. Clean shower and toilet areas," notes Karen in her review of Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
Climb Hobe Mountain: This unique elevated viewpoint offers panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape. "Must climb Hobe Mountain, the views are stunning. From there you can see both the intracoastal waterway and the Atlantic Ocean in one direction and sand dunes every other direction," recommends Karen.
Wildlife viewing: The natural areas support diverse wildlife populations. Janet H. reports seeing "otter, tortoise, birds, eagles" during her stay at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. The park's varied habitats create excellent opportunities for nature photography and animal sightings.
What campers like
Multiple campground options: Jonathan Dickinson offers two distinct camping areas with different advantages. "We're in River CG, more shade, a few paved sites but most are dirt/mud. The Pine Grove CG close to entrance, more spacious, not much shade, paved and nice gravel sites," explains Janet H. from her experience at Pine Grove Campground.
River activities: The Loxahatchee River provides opportunities for paddling and boat tours. "If you get the chance take the river tour. We went on the one that goes to Trapper Nelson's place where you get a ranger guided walk. Totally worth the $25 fee," recommends Janet H.
Privacy between sites: Despite satellite imagery suggesting otherwise, the vegetation creates good separation between campsites. Laura M. notes, "I looked up this campground on Google Earth to see what it was like here. It looked like a flat area with close sites near a busy highway. Was pleasantly surprised that the scrub around the sites is tall making sites more private than the view from Google."
What you should know
Shade availability: Tree cover varies significantly between campgrounds and specific sites. Arnaldo N. mentions at J. W. Corbett WMA, "The campground is amazing, but due to not having many trees we don't have shade in the campsites. Just one another have trees, unfortunately. Coming in the summer was a bit tough staying here without an RV with air conditioning."
Insects can be intense: Florida's climate supports active insect populations, particularly during warmer months. Brian M. warns, "Forgot my fan and almost eaten alive saved by Off."
Booking considerations: Reservations should be made well in advance, especially for popular times. Edward R. advises, "Make your reservations early as it books up a year ahead of time."
Tips for camping with families
Mountain biking opportunities: The trail systems accommodate riders of various ages and skill levels. Edward R. shares about DuPuis Campground, "This is an awesome campground for family's. Tons to do. We love the mountain biking trails. Perfect for all levels and ages."
Short stays work well: Even brief visits can provide satisfying outdoor experiences. Michael S. reports, "Great one night with kids. They have two parts. First one is few miles from main hwy with primitive sites for tents and small RVs. Last month we stayed in the Tent in the section closer to the highway. Very nice and clean. Had fire and bbq with kids."
Range of activities: Multiple recreation options help keep children engaged. Jennifer L. notes, "Great site for a day trip or a weekend. Lots of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Conveniently located but feels like miles away from civilization."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: For RV campers, the Pine Grove section typically offers better accommodations. Janet H. explains, "The Pine Grove CG close to entrance, more spacious, not much shade, paved and nice gravel sites."
Connectivity information: Cell service is reliable for those needing to stay connected. Laura M. confirms, "Good cell reception with AT&T and Verizon."
Supply access: Nearby commercial areas provide convenient resupply options. Arnaldo N. points out, "Another good thing is that it is close to the city with a huge Publix nearby."
