4 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Trails End Outdoors RV Park & Cabins features dedicated horse corrals for equestrian campers, making it one of the more established horse camping options near Orange Park. The campground combines comfortable accommodations with equestrian-specific facilities on its sprawling property. Sites are arranged around a large open-air hall structure with grills and outdoor seating areas, creating a community atmosphere for horse enthusiasts. Horse pens are kept in good repair at most sites, though occasional maintenance issues have been noted. Primitive camping is also available across 20 open acres for tent campers traveling with horses. The property includes spacious RV sites with 30 and 50 amp electric hookups, septic connections, and water access for both human and equine guests.
Equestrian campground options extend to Princess Place Preserve, where riders find spacious sites with 14x14 horse pens at the equestrian campsites. Most pens are shaded and some areas include high-lines for securing horses, though riders should check the condition of facilities upon arrival. The preserve maintains an extensive network of well-kept trails through pine forests and along waterways, providing varied terrain for trail rides. Primitive camping supplies are necessary as only non-potable water is available on-site. Welaka State Forest's Equestrian Campground offers another alternative with electric hookups and toilet facilities accessible to horse campers. The substantial trail system attracts riders seeking longer excursions through the Florida backcountry, with most trails well-marked and maintained through pine forests and natural hammocks.
"A few people brought their horses out there which was nice to see. This park seems to still be in development which was perfect for me because we didn’t have a lot of movement."
"This was a perfect stopping point on our way to the southwest coast of Florida as it was directly on our travel path and very reasonable in pricing."
from $23 / night
"**Campground Review: ** Bayard Conservation Area is located in Green Cove Springs Florida and is maintained by the St. Johns River Water Management District."
"Hiked in about 3.3 miles, but OnX user beware, trust the trail’s red marks, not the trail marked on most maps! Part of the trail was reblazed to go around a washed out section."
"The proximity to Cecil Field meant planes flew overhead regularly, but it died down after sunset."
from $9 / night
"Located just about 20 minutes due northwest of Palatka – dubbed ‘Florida’s State Farmers Market’ where you will easily discover that this north central town is teeming with fresh agriculture every which"
"Just off the Palatka-Lake Butler Bike trail. Campgrounds are About 4 miles in on bikeable hard roads. Six Sites have picnic tables, lots of room, fire ring with grate, bbq grills, a latrine nearby."
from $9 / night
"Equestrian campsites are nice and spacious, most sites are fairly big-rig friendly."
"But I learned on the way out that it takes about six and a half hours to drive from Miami to the state border on the most direct route, I-95, which is also the dullest route, so I wanted to break up that"
from $20 / night
"You can do anything from buying an RV renting an RV a camper tent if you're not from around there bill will help you out overall great customer service"
"But be forewarned, if you are driving just a bit faster than one ought to on Highway 20 just west of Palatka between the drive-by towns of Hollister and Interlachen, you might just miss this hidden gem"
"The location itself was very quiet and peaceful with good trails. There were a several other campers at the hookup sights."
"Please note there isn’t much close by, so stop at the grocery and get fuel before you turn off 17."
from $10 - $15 / night
from $9 - $22 / night
GuideThe six sites available are spread out in the Cary State Forest. You can see the tops of some RV’s but they’re not close. The site has a very nice picnic table, fire pit,benches around the fire pit, a free standing grill, water, electric and a concrete pad to park on with a tent site behind the pad. Grass is freshly cut and the site is clean!
TravelerWent on a last minute trip out here and it was nice! Each site has a fire ring, picnic table, charcoal camp grill (probably wouldn’t use if you didn’t have to), and a sectioned off tent spot. The proximity to Cecil Field meant planes flew overhead regularly, but it died down after sunset.
ScoutGreat quiet spot just outside the city. Good showers, water, and electricity. Has only 6 rv sites, miles of trails to explore. Mosquitos are not bad. Surprisingly, yellow flies are abundant, however.
TravelerJust off the Palatka-Lake Butler Bike trail. Campgrounds are About 4 miles in on bikeable hard roads. Six Sites have picnic tables, lots of room, fire ring with grate, bbq grills, a latrine nearby. Etonia Creek is a couple miles from camp but a beautiful destination on its own
LegendLocated just about 20 minutes due northwest of Palatka – dubbed ‘Florida’s State Farmers Market’ where you will easily discover that this north central town is teeming with fresh agriculture every which way you look – Etoniah [pronounced: ET-oh-NI-ah, not E-TOE-nia] Creek State Forest is a little known gem(which is actually inaccurate as far as descriptors go as this State Forest is nearly 9K square acres) that many folks will bypass enroute to Gainesville, without even noticing the secrets that this pine tree lined park paradise has to offer. With tons of hiking trails and a nice southwest access point for some great fishing at Georges Lake (just further north is Mike Roess State Park, which is nothing short of amazing itself, but see my reviews on this SP elsewhere for the details) offers about 500 feet of lake frontage.
Named after the Etoniah Creek that runs through the northeast of this state forest, to discover the lone primitive campsite that is available, you’ll actually have to head clear to the southeast corner of the forest. You’ll discover all sorts of wildlife here from white-tailed deer and a dozen or so different hawk species, wild turkey and eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, to name a few. If you are into hiking and longing for some serious P&Q, then Etoniah has you covered with 3 different trails: (1) George’s Lake hiking trail, which is about a mile rountrip and will place you at an observation deck overlooking the lake; (2) Lake Blossom Trail is an even shorter½ mile loop around the tall grass marshes; and (3) Longleaf Pine Trail, which is part of the Florida National Scenic Trail and takes you to the southern end of the park, which is where the primitive camping spot is located.
As for the primitive campground itself, in order to stay in the stand-alone Iron Bridge shelter, you must book this really unique free-standing camping spot WELL in advance. This enclosed camping shelter is one part simple 4-walled wooden framed open-air lodge that is one half (lower) wood and one half (upper) metal screen encased unit all with a fortified roof and solid foundation. There is even a wooden loft built inside the structure that allows for 2 people to sleep comfortably well-above the floor as a well as a proper porch. We weren’t lucky enough to book this unit, so we set up our tent camp adjacent to the Iron Bridge shelter, which served us up just fine.
Insider’s tips: (1) Day use is from sunrise to sunset here and they’re pretty stringent upon locking the gates before and after these times; (2) Etoniah is part of a wildlife corridor that offers up safe passage for the black bear, so be sure to read up on how to prepare to encounter black bears in these parts(although none were spotted during our particular outing); (3) If you have horses and are interested in taking your steed for a nice ride, there is a fantastic horse trail that runs the circumference of this park and the sandy-dirt trails are perfect for horseshoes!; and (4) When you get tire of thinking about that next meal and don’t want to build a fire to cook something, then check out the local scene just due east in Palatka, where I would recommend you check out mi Jamaican bredren at Caribbean 450 for some nice jerk chicken, grilled mojo chicken, oxtail and some coconut water to wash it all down with.
Happy Camping!
LegendShould you find yourself in north central Florida where the sun melts the unrelenting scorching hot humid days into a bright inferno dusk before sprinkling the night sky with shining bright holes to heaven in a moonlit nocturnal ceiling of utter darkness and are looking for the perfect spot to experience what the great Sunshine State has to offer, then I would recommend a nice little respite called Trails End Outdoors RV Park& Cabins. But be forewarned, if you are driving just a bit faster than one ought to on Highway 20 just west of Palatka between the drive-by towns of Hollister and Interlachen, you might just miss this hidden gem.
To access Trails End Outdoors, you will head north on Willis Road and follow a series of quick turns and curves on this slow-moving jagged gravel road, but no worries, the good folks of this campground outpost have cunningly placed a sign to guide you along your way at any single point that you might drive in the wrong direction. After a few minutes of navigating what looks to be somewhat hidden residential areas with large country farm lawns and plenty of pasture for cattle and horses, you will eventually arrive at what looks like at first a country western ranch, where you’ll turn into the property.
Heading straight ahead, you’ll come across a massive open air hall-like structure that offers up an outdoor living room complete with chairs and lawn furniture, grills and BBQs as well as some rocking chairs. Just beyond this informal community gathering area to the left, you will see a raised pool that is quite inviting and has a nice wooden deck all the way around it- just the perfect escape from the blistering heat that this part of Florida is known for. The next two buildings will make you reminisce about the Wild West with its wooden facade country store-looking main office building, followed by a‘his and hers’ outhouse, the former of which is where you will check-in. And just beyond the main office to the north, you will glimpse vast open pastures full of farm animals hiding beneath the shade of ancient Oaks dripping with Spanish moss as though these trees had been growing long white beards for hundreds of years.
After checking in, depending upon what set-up you’ve signed up for, you’ll be directed back the way you came, where a small singular loop will take you around the property, first to the handful of scattered wooden cabins(cleverly named after famous cowboys like Wyatt Earp, John Wayne and Doc Holiday) that make up their own small cul-de-sac with each log cabin unit offering up a porch with rocking chairs and/ or patio chairs with nice tall lanterns in front of each cabin. If you continue down the lane, you’ll pass a number of conjoined trees that have fresh-cut wood, perfect for a roaring fire to be set later in the evening. Beyond the handful of cabins, you’ll arrive to the rest of the property that is reserved for RVs and 5th Wheelers. All of these spaces have a simple but effective layout with very long slots that have been freshly laid with larger black stone gravel, with the entire area very easy to navigate and pull into. Standard hook-ups are available with 30 and 50 amp electric along with septic and water. There’s no real privacy between all of the slots, so no matter where you go, while some slots have better shade than others, there will be unobstructed views between you and your neighbors.
Beyond the mobile camping parking area, there’s 20 or so open acres where you can pitch your tent. From an amenities standpoint, there’s a very good community bathhouse, just OK WiFi, as well as the communal areas that I described at the start of this review. Trails End Outdoors offers up a number of activities from fishing($35 per day), turn-key campfire set up(in 2 hour increments), ability to interact with horses and cattle as well as a(very) small pond with its own pontoon boat.
Insider’s Tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you are looking for a nice slice of nature while at Trails End Outdoors, recommend heading north to Oak Hammock Camp / Rice Creek Preservation Area or Etoniah State Forest Campground, where you’ll find some pretty amazing paths to hike or some decent horseback riding trails to gallop on; (2) Should you be towing watercraft and are looking for some decent places to dip your canoe or kayak into, you’ll be delighted to know that you are surrounded by a number of small finer lakes, of which I highly recommend Lake Ida or Mirror Lake, both just due west on Highway 20 or Jewel Lake, just NW, which has a very good boat launch; (3) Should you be looking for some restaurants in the area, I suggest you try out Hog Wild Burgers& Shakes for a couple of scoops of great ice cream, Nanna’s Country Cafe for biscuits& gravy or True Grits, well, for grits, what else?!; and (4) Should you need just about anything while out this way camping, the small town of Interlachen should have you covered with a pharmacy, Ace Hardware, post office, Circle K gas station, CVS, Family Dollar store or groceries at Hitchcock’s Market.
Happy Camping!
GuideCamping area has only 6 spread-out spots that are pushed back off the road, so privacy is good. Site 6 is quite large with table, and fire pit with benches.
Note the roads are hard-pack and it is a Florida pine forest so it gets a bit muddy (and mosquito-y) on rainy days. Dump station is not fully paved so it too, gets muddy.
LegendAs you approach Welaka State Forest, it feels as though you’ve arrived ‘at the end of the line,’ and not in a bad sense either. Here, you’ll feel as though you’ve escaped the crowds, left the commercial world only to discover a truly pristine natural jewel. You’ll be overwhelmed by the incredibly loud silence and solitude of this far-reaching outpost and the moment that you’ve crossed the threshold (or the gravel road) entering Welaka State Forest, you’ll be incredibly grateful for the wide open expanse of the place and the communion with nature that it provides.
Just due south of Welaka – where there’s a minute scattering of local eateries and distractions, this spot is fairly off the ‘beaten path,’ a good half hour south of Palatka in central Florida, along the banks of the historic St. Johns River. This federal turned state park was founded in 1935 (under the Federal Resettlement Administration) and today is both a major conservation area as well as fish hatchery for the State of Florida. In all, there’s 4 miles of river frontage area on the east bank of Little Lake George, making for some decent kayaking and canoeing, although most of this is fairly difficult to navigate as it’s swamp-like, where overgrown Cypress and Pine trees provide a very thick canopy of forested shade throughout.
If you’ve got horses en towe, then you have hit the ‘lottery of equestrian campgrounds’ as Welaka State Forest is perhaps the most perfect place to camp if you’ve brought your four-legged steeds and looking for a place that offers up nearly 20 miles of equestrian trails for plenty of galloping, including the 6-mile Sandhill Horse Trail (part of the Florida Trailtrotter Program: www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Our-Forests/State-Forests/State-Forest-Recreation/Recreational-Activities/Horseback-Riding/Trailtrotter-Program)..) The campground here at Welaka State Park is made for you horse-loving outdoor enthusiasts and provides 2 – I repeat that 2 – 24 stall horse-ready stables, show horse stage, training area, along with 6 primitive campsites along with 5 full hook-up RV drive-through sites.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you are looking to get some hiking in, there’s 2 decent trails (both integrated into the Florida forest Service’s ‘Trailwalker Hiking Program’ with the first, Spring Trail, offering a short 2-mile loop that ends in Mud Springs and the second, John’s Landing Trail, offering either a 3.5 or 4 mile loop; (2) Not interested in hiking? Not a problem, you can follow the scenic Indian Pond Road from the comfort of your own vehicle. Near here there are 2 primitive campsites that you can rent that places you right on the St. John’s River; and (3) While this SP doesn’t have much to offer apart from encounters with nature, if you find yourself missing civilization, in less than a 5 minute drive, you can join a sweltering crowd at either Shrimp R Us or, for amazing river-front gnashing, check out Welaka Lodge & Resort (for more details on this particular campground, check out my review on The Dyrt on this site).
Happy Camping!
ScoutCampground is not closed
Equestrian campgrounds near Orange Park, Florida offer access to diverse ecosystems including pine forests, wetlands, and freshwater waterways with elevations rarely exceeding 100 feet above sea level. Most horse-friendly campsites in this region feature sandy trails that remain passable year-round except during heavy summer rains when flooding may occur. Trail networks typically connect through conservation lands that protect native Florida habitats.
Wildlife observation opportunities: Bayard Conservation Area trails traverse shaded pine forests, hammocks, and river areas where campers can spot diverse wildlife. "On our way to our campsite we were able to spot many animals including: deer, otter, turkey, and wild pigs," reports camper Jenn B. The area offers primitive campsites with fire rings and picnic tables accessible via hiking trails.
Kayaking from waterfront sites: Princess Place Preserve - Moody Campground provides direct water access for paddling. "You will be able to open your tent flap door, take 10 paces and launch your kayak or canoe," notes Stuart K. The campground features only five sites total, most positioned directly on the waterfront with wooden framed tent pads.
Fishing opportunities: Several equestrian campsites provide access to productive fishing waters. The St. Johns River access points near horseback riding areas offer catfish and bass fishing. Pellicer Creek at Princess Place Preserve provides salt and freshwater fishing options. At Etoniah Creek State Forest, campers can access Georges Lake which has approximately 500 feet of lake frontage with designated fishing areas.
Spacious, separated sites: Cary State Forest Campground receives high marks for its site layout. "Sites are spread out and HUGE!! Several trails and plenty of room for kids to play on site," writes David S. The park maintains only six RV sites total, providing exceptional privacy in a natural setting.
Clean facilities: Horse campers appreciate well-maintained shower and restroom facilities after trail rides. "The bathrooms at the equestrian site were recently repainted and looked acceptably clean. Not the best I've seen but the update now makes them much more user friendly and less grimy," notes B H. about Princess Place Preserve.
Peaceful atmosphere: Etoniah Creek State Forest offers tranquil camping experiences away from crowds. "Six Sites have picnic tables, lots of room, fire ring with grate, bbq grills, a latrine nearby," reports Brian K. The campground sits approximately four miles down bikeable hard roads from the main entrance, providing isolation.
Water access limitations: Potable water availability varies significantly between horse camping facilities. "Keep in mind that there is no water available at the camping sites or the entire park for that matter. Potable or non potable so you have to bring in all drinking water," warns Louis B. about Princess Place Preserve. Several campgrounds offer only non-potable water supplies.
Wildlife encounters: Welaka State Forest and other equestrian campgrounds in the region require vigilance regarding native wildlife. "You'll want to be aware of alligators and snakes – and one big tip I have for keeping these reptiles at bay is keeping a fire going throughout the night," advises an experienced camper. Wild pigs may also damage trails in certain areas.
Seasonal considerations: Summer camping in horse facilities near Orange Park brings mosquitoes and biting flies. "Surprisingly, yellow flies are abundant," notes Chris S. about Cary State Forest. Most equestrian campgrounds have limited shade at corral areas, so horses may need additional protection during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.
Trail selection for children: Choose shorter loop trails when camping with younger riders. "We did the Hominy Trail which is 2.5 miles long and was well marked. There was gorgeous Live Oak trees with Spanish Moss hanging down, an adorable wild field full of white butterflies," shares Tina M. Family-friendly horse trails typically include interpretive signage identifying native plants.
Alternative activities: Connors Family Campsite offers options beyond horseback riding. "Host did the best he could to make a wonderful vacation for our family site is exactly as advertised if not better," reports Will C. Many equestrian campgrounds provide fishing access, playgrounds, or historical sites to explore when children need breaks from riding.
Firewood availability: Plan ahead for campfires at horse campgrounds. "Only problem we had is it was a little tough to find nice dry firewood. Most of the log sized potential firewood was pretty green, but there's plenty of tinder and kindling to make up for it," explains Nate D. Some sites prohibit gathering wood while others allow collection of fallen branches.
Power reliability concerns: Electric hookups at equestrian campgrounds may experience issues. "When we arrived and hooked up the 30amp breaker kept flipping. We had just left crooked river and hadn't had any issues," reports Hayley S. Bring surge protectors and be prepared for potential power limitations.
Site selection for horse trailers: Equestrian campgrounds require strategic parking for combined RV and horse trailer setups. "We got the only site that had electric and water on passenger side so we had to run electric under our rig. If we would have been in a class B or C you could go nose first," advises David S. Call ahead to confirm site configurations.
Surface conditions: RV campsites at horse facilities often have specific ground materials. "Note the roads are hard-pack and it is a Florida pine forest so it gets a bit muddy (and mosquito-y) on rainy days. Dump station is not fully paved so it too, gets muddy," warns J V. Some equestrian campgrounds feature concrete pads while others use crushed stone or compacted soil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Orange Park, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Orange Park, FL is Cary State Forest Campground with a 4-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Orange Park, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Orange Park, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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