Equestrian camping near Pensacola, Florida offers access to the Blackwater River State Forest's 213,000 acres containing sandy trails and diverse ecosystems. The region's mild climate allows for year-round camping, with winter temperatures averaging 50-65°F and summer temperatures reaching 85-95°F. Campgrounds situated along waterways provide opportunities for combining horseback riding with water recreation.
What to do
Trail riding adventures: Blakeley State Park provides 26 miles of trails through historical Civil War sites and along the Blakeley River. "You will walk through historic civil war sites, trails that were once the streets of the town of Blakeley. A beautiful hike on boardwalks along the Blakeley River then through a swamp on deep into woods amongst ancient oaks," notes Julie D. at Blakeley State Park Campground.
Tube the rivers: The sandy-bottomed rivers offer excellent tubing opportunities with crystal clear water. At Wilderness Landing, "It is located right on the Blackwater River and has a boat launch and two pavilions with tables and barbeque grills right on the beach. The river is sand bottom and fairly clear," reports Stealie F.
Historical exploration: Several campgrounds offer access to local history sites. Kevin L. describes Blakeley State Park as having "2000 acres, walking auto cell phone tours of civil war, boat tours" with "big pull through rv spots and a tent campground."
What campers like
Private sandbars: Many campers appreciate the exclusive water access at equestrian campgrounds. Jennifer P. notes that at Coldwater Equestrian Campground, "You even have a private huge sandbar for campers only" and "a lot of the campsites are right on the water."
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high in camper reviews. At Wilderness Landing, Salvador G. appreciates the "Clean showers/toilet building" and mentions "Pavilions and grills by the river" as notable amenities.
Wildlife viewing: The forests around Pensacola provide ample wildlife watching opportunities. Christopher M. at Peaceful Camping in the Woods reports a "Quiet and clean" experience with "level ground, dry, lots of deer."
What you should know
Variable site sizes and layout: Site dimensions and privacy vary significantly between campgrounds. Dale W. notes about Coldwater Equestrian Campground: "The only complaint is the campsites are right next to each other with no screening between sites."
Connectivity challenges: Cell service varies widely across the region. Terran B. reports that Coldwater Recreation Area is "way back in the woods. Cell service was on the struggle bus the whole time, but overall this is a great little place."
Driving conditions: Some campgrounds require navigation on rough roads. Donna G. mentions that Wilderness Landing offers "Beautiful views, clean restrooms, and free. The only reason for a 3 is the rough drive getting there."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly ranger interactions: Rangers at some campgrounds go above and beyond for children. Jennifer P. shares that at Coldwater, "Faye (one of the rangers) is great. We had our 3 year old granddaughter with us and she came by at least twice a day to give her a ride on the golf cart and printed of pages she could color on rainy days."
