Horse camping is the perfect way to enjoy Ponce de Leon. If you're an equestrian lover who prefers nature-based adventure, yet still wants comfort, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Whether you own a horse or are joining a tour group, equestrian camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. The Dyrt can help you find the perfect equestrian sites that are scenic and easy to access.
BH1
$20 / night
Permit required
Fishing, Trail riding, Hiking, and Primitive Camping Fishing is available in the 100-acre lake. Primitive roads throughout the forest provide a scenic view for trail rides. The longleaf forests provide ample habitat for viewing many native wildlife species including: deer, turkey, quail, rabbit, fox, bobcat, squirrel, and non-game species as well. The Alabama Hiking Trail Society has established and maintains a hiking trail around the lake. Each of these recreational activities requires a daily permit which can be obtained at Geneva State Forest Lake.
This 25-acre park offers a boat ramp, primitive RV and tent sites (first come-first serve), picnic areas, restrooms, hiking, and fishing.
Guide
Great State Park. Facilities are great. Not a park for a lot of large RVs. Cavern’s were great to tour, good walking trails. Lots to do around the county. This area is all about outdoors. If you are traveling and need a stop over, this is a great option.
Guide
Note - I drive a 20’ van - so non level is ok for me but these sites were not level - but I spent 2 nights sat/sun - and it was gorgeous especially for sunrise. Wish I could have stayed longer but I didn’t want to get stuck there in the rain - it was about 5 miles of dirt roads to get in there and they were well maintained but I didn’t want to risk it.
There are 2 hiking trails - more like atv trails that go to either side of the lake from the campground. You can go further into the forest but it was deer hunting season so I didn’t explore.
It was so peaceful and the sunrises over the lake were breathtaking.
$5 a day and there is a QR code on the board to pay, or you can by an annual pass for $40 if you plan on staying at least 9 days it’s worth it. It doesn’t hold your place on the form unless you create an account which is why the dyrt link doesn’t work.
Overall if I’m passing through again I would go back.
Also appreciated the free trash cleanup, clean porta potties and picnic tables. No fire rings really but you can tell where people burn campfires.
It’s a well maintained park and you can tell a lot of love has gone into it. Even had a ranger come through!
GuideBeautiful park to camp next to the lake with 2 fishing docks. No bathrooms just port a potty. The camping price is $2 per night, no reservation is needed, and is online payment.
GuideBeautiful views, clean restrooms, and free. Other campers were very friendly. The only reason for a 3 is the rough drive getting there.
ScoutWant to be away from it all - this is the place. Grass sites, some shade.
TravelerCaverns and trails are a must. Ran out of time to kayak. Campsite was nice and clean, and campground area is very friendly and quiet
LegendWe stopped in without a reservation. Heading home to central Florida after polar vortex made camping miserable. Spent Christmas Day here. 21 degrees overnight.
Welcomed. Helpful friendly staff.
Starlink best for download & upload Strong download but week upload are both 5G services, T-Mobile and Verizon
Visible was strong enough for tv streaming
TravelerStayed here with my wife and two daughters. We enjoyed the cavern tours and the hiking, but we did not take advantage of their kayak rentals during this trip.
The Good:
The Bad:
TravelerVery well kept RV spot 2 miles south of the main cavern attractions but still within the park and walking distance to the blue hole spring. Not a lot of shade but plenty of space between neighbors. Clean bathrooms and shower facilities. Lots of hiking, biking trails.
GuideStayed here in one of the 3 tent only sites. Very peaceful and had bath house with shower right near sites. Pavilion also across from sites which was great when it poured rain on us. A little farther is a small spring which allows swimming the kids loved it on hot days to cool off. They also offer canoe and kayak rentals, and of course a tour of the caverns!
RangerWhat a sweet little campground! Small loop of 32 sites. Plenty of space between sites, although with the hurricane there was very little foliage. We had perfect weather but as it gets warmer you will need the awning and AC. The sites were set up at a 90° angle from the street so very very difficult for anything but tiny rigs to back into on the first try, but we eventually got there with our 24’ trailer. All the sites have FHU but some have an odd placement for the sewer (ours was at the very front of the site by the curb) so either bring long hoses or plan to pull forward and pull the tanks on the way out. Bathhouse was clean and had a great shower and dressing set up with wonderful water pressure. Rangers and hosts were friendly, and there are lots of trails to hike including several right across from the campground with more trailheads at the park Visitors Center. Saw deer and bunnies and heard owls at night! All in all a quaint and QUIET park to relax in nature.
GuideSmall campground with very generous spacing between sites. Sites are wide and have full sewage, electric, and water. They also have hammock posts. Bathrooms were heated and are clean. Washer and dryer are available. Camp hosts were awesome and friendly. You can buy firewood from them. The kids love visiting the caverns, museum, and gift shop. Awesome experience!
ScoutWe started off at the rv / tent campground. Not too private but very clean. We moved to tent only site when one was available. Peaceful, clean facilities, hot showers and a firepit. Poles for hammocks too. Helpful staff and firewood on site to purchase 5$
ScoutWe stayed here right after it reopened after damage from Hurricane Michael. The newly renovated campground is very nice, with water, electricity, and sewer hookups. The sites are nicely spaced and near a beautiful little lake called the blue hole. The restaurants we are at were delicious. One was Mashawy Grill right near the entrance to the park, and they had the best lamb chops! Then we are at Landshark Restaurant, which was about 13 miles away and had some of the best seafood we’ve ever had and we are used to good seafood as we are from Louisiana. The raw oysters were the best we’ve ever had and the fried crab claws and catfish were perfectly cooked and so good!
ScoutCamping with a scout troop & it was awesome even though it rained. The caverns were just incredible & the amenities were great. Plenty of room to roam & setup camp.
LegendThe caverns are a must see in this park. Come early before they open as there is a line. The spring is closed as is the campground and some trails due to hurricane damage. The staff are friendly and very well organized. There is a store. Our guide was very knowledgeable.
Guide7/23/2020 Closed due to construction until further notice. Includes the caverns.
GuideIf you want to see caves in Florida. This is the place to go. Not much else to do there besides the caves.
ScoutHay
LegendOnly cave in Florida where you can take a tour. I love caves and this was a great tour I was very surprised of the extent of this cave in Florida. There was some pretty good hiking trails and the campground was small but decent. There's a waterway that runs by the campground you can go kayaking.
TravelerThis natural wonder of Florida is amazing. I highly recommend a visit and touring the caverns.
LegendWe took this trip mid summer, and it was ridiculously hot. There was no coastal breeze, in fact there was no breeze at all. The playground was nice but the equipment was too hot to touch.
Luckily we cooled off in the Blue Hole... which, let me warn you, is ICE cold all year long. It felt amazing and the kids loved it!
There are a few hiking trails that are nice, including one with a cave tunnel. The cave itself is wonderfully cool, and although it isn’t very big, it is still quite beautiful. It was easy to navigate for those that are looking to see what a cave looks like without the full crawling and spelunking experience.
The little shop at the cave tours was well stocked (including ice cream!). There is also a museum that gives lots of information about the cave and the area in general; on Sunday they had a reptile/wildlife presentation.
The restrooms were large and clean. Staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. Overall would definitely go back... just during a different time of year!
GuideThis beautiful, and historic Park is one I'd like to revisit. My husband and I spent only one night there, as a pit stop along a long drive between South Florida and Texas.
We were so impressed with the beautiful nature around us. Admittedly, we didn't have time to go into the caverns this trip, and therefore need to go back when we can. We did get to hike around the grounds a bit, and enjoyed every minute of it.
We chose a tent site, which required a very short hike from our car. This is the first time we had done that, and although the city side of us may worry around our car and it's contents, it sure made us feel more in the woods than we were. It was quiet and beautiful, having a campfire surrounded by nothing but sky-high trees.
They did experience damage from Hurricane Michael, but I plan on revisiting once things are repaired!
TravelerWhen plugging into electric, if you need a 20 amp, it is at an angle. It can be easily missed. Ranger was very helpful with issue. lesson learned. Will go back.
Rangervery nice and auiet camp ground with lots of shade and places to walk and bike ride
RangerVery beautiful but small cavern.
GuideMy husband and I were pleasantly surprised at our stay at Florida Caverns State Park. Although not a huge cavern such as Carlsbad or Mammoth, Florida Caverns did not disappoint.
We found plenty to do at the park. We rode our bikes several miles on the many trails in the park and had a blast. Roots and rocks galore...but excellent mountain biking. The campsites are very nice with good bathroom facilities. The swimming hole rocks and the water is crystal clear. So much to do...mountain biking, hiking, swimming, geocaching (we found a cache), kayaking and even horseback riding.
The cave tour was nicely done and we were impressed as there are some nice formations and the trail near the cave was amazing...a short hike that will give you an idea of what a Florida swamp looks like and you can view several sink holes and alternate cave entrances (closed off of course).
Lot's of stuff if you are into horses...stalls, trails, corrals and a horse camp facility...pretty cool!
Another great place to camp for all ages...beautiful, fun and perfect for families with children.
This is "The Real Florida"
Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ponce de Leon, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ponce de Leon, FL is Blue Hole Campground — Florida Caverns State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 33 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Ponce de Leon, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Ponce de Leon, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
