Equestrian camping near North Port, Florida centers around several parks within a 30-mile radius. The region has sandy soil conditions and average winter temperatures of 60-75°F, making it suitable for year-round camping. Most horse-friendly areas don't have dedicated corrals, so portable containment systems are needed.
What to do
Hiking trails at multiple difficulty levels: Myakka River State Park provides 39 miles of diverse hiking paths. "We had 39 miles of hiking trails and off road/mountain biking at your pleasure. We were here in July. Fortunately, there is lots of shade even while hiking due to the canopy trees and this kept things cooler during in the summer," shares one visitor at Palmetto Ridge Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The parks around North Port host diverse ecosystems with abundant wildlife. At Myakka River State Park, visitors often encounter "tons of alligators, birds, deer etc. There is also a scenic drive in the park, a 'fisherman's loop' & a few picnic areas."
ATV and off-road adventures: For those with motorized equipment, Peace River Campground provides "plenty of places to find a spot on the river to camp in the wilderness. Bring your rafts and canoes to float down the river or just hang out on the beach in your lawn chair and watch the fun! Lots of trails for dirtbikes, ATVs and UTVs!"
Fossil hunting excursions: The Peace River area is known for paleontological discoveries. "This park seems to flood and have limited sewer sites but is a great place to find Shark teeth and other fossils. I once had to abandon my Tilapia as the alligator appeared to want it more than me!"
What campers like
Spacious sites with natural separation: At Flying A Campground, "All the sites are quite large and well separated from neighboring sites. With the right mix of campers, you could have a super peaceful night in the forest without having to bushwhack your way in."
Primitive camping with basic amenities: Flying A Campground provides a balance of wilderness and convenience. "Nice but small primitive state forest campground. Only 10 sites and one is for the camp host. About half the sites are back-in and can hold small RVs. The rest are tent only although the parking space is large enough to put a van-sized RV in sideways."
Water-based activities: Little Manatee River State Park offers river access for paddling. A visitor notes it provides "a gentle river for an easy paddle" and rates it as "serene & simply beautiful." The campground is "clean with good natural foliage dividers between campsites."
Private lakeside campsites: Hardee Lakes Park provides waterfront primitive sites. "I was excited to discover all these primitive sites with water are right on the lake," reports one camper who stayed in "a primitive site(p14) with water."
What you should know
Seasonal flooding affects availability: Certain campgrounds experience periodic closures due to water levels. "Big Flats is about 3 miles down the road from the entrance close to Lake Myakka where the tour boat, boat ramp, general store etc is found. We have never stayed here as it has been closed for repairs, maintenance and flooding on numerous occasions."
Security measures at some campgrounds: At Flying A, "The campground is gated (you get the lock code when you reserve a site). Note that this campground requires reservations." Security is important as "by the many many signs posted, they're threatening to shut the sites down permanently if you don't" lock the gate.
Limited equestrian facilities: While several parks permit horses, dedicated equestrian amenities are minimal. Little Manatee River State Park is noted as a "great place to take horses camping" though it lacks corrals or dedicated horse-specific infrastructure.
Varying levels of site maintenance: Condition of sites can be inconsistent. One camper at Flying A reported their "campsite looked like it wasn't maintained at all. There was a big dilapidated bin of random trash that looked like it had been there for quite some time (site 3), a ton of cigarette butts, melted plastic pieces everywhere."
Tips for camping with families
Consider noise levels when booking: Some campgrounds are quieter than others. At Little Manatee River State Park, one visitor noted, "If you're looking for a family get away with easy access to those sort of things, or just looking to party with friends, then I highly recommend. If you're looking for some peace and quiet out in nature - as I was - this may not be your jam."
Pack for varying weather conditions: Florida weather can change quickly. At Caloosahatchee Regional Park, campers find "great paths to manicured campsites. All have fire ring, bbq, and picnic table. Primitive showers available; restrooms available."
Check wildlife activity before planning activities: Alligator presence affects safety considerations. One camper reported, "Went to drain the tanks yesterday morning and a large sounding gator started to growl territorially at me. So heads up with your pets please."
Bring transportation for gear: Some parks require hauling equipment. At Caloosahatchee Regional Park, "You do have to carry all your gear to the campsites, but they have carts near the checkin office. Staff is always friendly and the restrooms are usually always clean."
Tips from RVers
Cell service varies by provider: Coverage is important for planning. At Flying A Campground, "Cell service on Verizon was ok with a jetpack, better with a MIMO antenna attached (1 bar without /2-3 bars with but data speeds with MIMO were decent). T-Mobile service was good but kept bouncing between 4G and 5G on phone, which made it a bit erratic."
Choose campground loops based on rig size: Not all loops accommodate larger vehicles. At Myakka River State Park, "Old Prairie Campground(sites 27–48) and Big Flats Campground(sites 1–26) are the oldest. These sites were not necessarily built for large RV's although you can get into some of them with an RV up to 30 feet. Palmetto Ridge Campground(sites 49–90) is the newest and will accommodate RV's of any size and has sewer hookups."
Water levels impact camping conditions: Peace River Campground experiences seasonal fluctuations. "The river was low so the kayak rental & boat tours were shut down. Tons of great hiking & even some elevated bridges for site seeing."
