Best Equestrian Camping near Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Are you looking for a place to stay in Ponte Vedra Beach with your horse? Equestrian camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. With our help, you'll find the best Florida equestrian campsites from scenic to easily accessible.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (7)

    Camper-submitted photo from Bayard Conservation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Bayard Conservation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Bayard Conservation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Bayard Conservation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Bayard Conservation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Bayard Conservation Area

    1. Bayard Conservation Area

    3 Reviews
    17 Photos
    166 Saves
    Green Cove Springs, Florida

    This conservation area’s importance is magnified by its closeness to the St. Johns River and the Jacksonville metropolitan area. Its riverine bottomland hardwoods, pine flatwoods and sandhill communities protect approximately seven miles of the St. Johns River, which borders the east side of the property. In addition, the property provides storage of flood waters and preserves water and natural resources in the Lower St. Johns River Basin. One of the special highlights of this property is its two campsites within area 1 in the northern section of the property. Both are special spots. The Hammock campground is tucked back into the flatwoods with an ephemeral stream directly to the east of the camp site. The Riverside campsite is located directly along the St. Johns River with fantastic views of the cypress trees that flank the banks of the river. The Riverside campsite and the trail leading to it can be wet due to seasonal flooding.

    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Equestrian
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    Camper-submitted photo from Cary State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Cary State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Cary State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Cary State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Cary State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Cary State Forest

    2. Cary State Forest

    8 Reviews
    15 Photos
    83 Saves
    Bryceville, Florida
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $25 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve

    3. Princess Place Preserve

    10 Reviews
    47 Photos
    219 Saves
    Palm Coast, Florida

    Tent Camping Only (No RV's). Tent Camping is allowed at designated campsites in the Princess Place Preserve.

    Princess Place Preserve, with its rich history and 1500 pristine acres, attracts nature enthusiasts from near and far. It provides a glimpse of old Florida. Visitors can take in its splendor while on one of the many hiking trails, fishing the salt marshes along the Matanzas River and Pellicer Creek, or camping out under the stars. The preserve is a popular spot for horse enthusiasts, with an equestrian campsite and plenty of trails that make it is easy to embrace nature while enjoying a ride.

    This beautiful 1,500-acre preserve is situated in the northern part of Flagler County. It was purchased by Henry Cutting in 1886 and passed on to his widow Angela Mills Cutting Worden, who eventually married Boris Scherbatoff, an exiled Russian prince. Angela assumed the title of princess and it was then that the once named "Cherokee Grove" came to be known as "Princess Place." The original lodge, built by Henry Cutting, stills stands as Flagler County's oldest intact structure. It is also home to Florida's very first in-ground swimming pool.

    Hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday. There are Lodge tours Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. on a first come first serve basis. There is no reservations for the tours, simply meet the Rangers at the Lodge at 2pm. Camping check-in is from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Ranger Station. For more information about camping or pavilion rentals, call Parks and Recreation at 386-313-4020.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • Tents

    $20 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve - Moody Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve - Moody Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve - Moody Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve - Moody Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve - Moody Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve - Moody Campground

    4. Princess Place Preserve - Moody Campground

    2 Reviews
    11 Photos
    22 Saves
    Palm Coast, Florida
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $20 - $25 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Etoniah Creek State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Etoniah Creek State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Etoniah Creek State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Etoniah Creek State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Etoniah Creek State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Etoniah Creek State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Connors Family Campsite
    Camper-submitted photo from Connors Family Campsite
    Camper-submitted photo from Connors Family Campsite
    Camper-submitted photo from Connors Family Campsite
    Camper-submitted photo from Connors Family Campsite
    Camper-submitted photo from Connors Family Campsite
    Camper-submitted photo from Trails End Outdoors RV Park & Cabins
    Camper-submitted photo from Trails End Outdoors RV Park & Cabins
    Camper-submitted photo from Trails End Outdoors RV Park & Cabins
    Camper-submitted photo from Trails End Outdoors RV Park & Cabins
    Camper-submitted photo from Trails End Outdoors RV Park & Cabins
    Camper-submitted photo from Trails End Outdoors RV Park & Cabins

Recent Equestrian Reviews in Ponte Vedra Beach

28 Reviews of 7 Ponte Vedra Beach Campgrounds


  • L
    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve - Moody Campground
    Apr. 15, 2024

    Princess Place Preserve - Moody Campground

    Beautiful place

    This is an excellent place to pitch a tent and spend time in nature without traveling far. Great hiking trails and the Pelicer Creek is available for fishing. Bring a kayak.

    The camp sites are huge. The tent sites are elevated which should help keep the soil dryer in case of rain.

    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 and water for washing dishes if you plan on doing some cleanup. Also, there are bathrooms but they’re pretty far. The campsites do have nearby porta potties.

  • B
    Camper-submitted photo from Etoniah Creek State Forest
    Feb. 26, 2024

    Etoniah Creek State Forest

    Very Nice primitive camping

    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. Etonia Creek is a couple miles from camp but a beautiful destination on its own

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Etoniah Creek State Forest
    Jan. 1, 2024

    Etoniah Creek State Forest

    Equestrian Trail-Riding w/ Primitive Camping Options

    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 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!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Trails End Outdoors RV Park & Cabins
    Jan. 1, 2024

    Trails End Outdoors RV Park & Cabins

    Hidden Equestrian Campground Gem

    Should 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!

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Cary State Forest
    Oct. 4, 2023

    Cary State Forest

    Very Quiet, level and clean

    Camping 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.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve - Moody Campground
    Aug. 17, 2023

    Princess Place Preserve - Moody Campground

    A Waterfront Camping Diamond in the Rough

    If you're like me and think that the most perfect campsite is the one that sits on the water's edge that provides both a simply amazing waterfront view as well as EZ access into the waters that you are just digging to try your kayak and canoe on, then welcome to what is, quite possibly, one of the best waterfront campground destinations in the whole of Florida (and given all of the access to both salt and fresh water access here in the Sunshine State, that's saying something!).  Trust me, every once in a while, along comes a very special campground that upon reflection, one thinks that maybe they should just keep this little secret for myself. But then what good are secrets if they aren’t (eventually) shared, me thinks? 

    Well, here’s one helluva campground find that comes with pristine natural surroundings and, depending upon what type of camping you are looking for, Princess Preserve offers up just about every outdoor possibility that one could conjure up and wish for. As far as Princess Preserve itself is concerned, there are more than 1,500 square acres to explore that will offer the best of sea and land. When it comes to frackish (combo of salt and fresh H20) water, you’ll have the trifecta of salt marshes from the Matanzas River, slow-moving currents of the Moody Creek and abundant fishing of the Pellicer Creek to contend with – all three of which make for perfect kayak, canoe and paddle board exploration (just be on the watch for gators!). Back on land, there’s plenty of hiking trails that provide a bevy of well-cleared fully-functioning foot paths, while on the other hand, you will discover trails that are in dire need of some decent pruning.  And if you come with your noble steeds, you'll find simply sublime trails to 'giddy up' on.

    The name Princess Preserve comes from the widow Angela Cutting who remarried a Russian prince and assumed the title of princess (although there was no coronation). The entire park is managed by the very good folks from Flagler County Parks & Recreation, who enlist some great support from locals in the community who work together in passionate way to keep this beautiful natural gem in pristine condition. To begin with, Princess Preserve, complete with an endless array of live, ancient Oaks dripping with Spanish Moss every which way you look, features not just 1 single campground to choose from, but rather 5 individual, completely differentiated campgrounds– one just as unique and different from the other as the next. For this particular review, I will be focused on the Moody Campground. 

    If you, like me, believe that the very best campsites are those that are located waterfront and/ or at least have some view of the water, be it a silent stream, roaring river or the lapping waves of an ocean, then here at Moody Campground, you have hit the outdoor camping lottery jackpot! In addition to being very flat and well-shaded, PPP offers up spacious campsites, which I'm sure you’ll also absolutely fall in love with this very particular campground that places you so incredibly close to waterfront camping bliss that you will be able to open your tent flap door, take 10 paces and launch your kayak or canoe. Seriously, it does not get any better than this! And the view here is simply outstanding. There’s only a small handful of campsites to reserve (5 in total) and most of those sit right in front of the river, so book early and pointedly. 

    Camping here is fairly basic and primitive with just water spigots, fire ring and designated trash receptacles as well as a port-O-potty, but each campsite has a wooden frame (14 x 14) sandy perimeter to pitch your tent on for the night. Please note that here at Moody Campground you are located in the easternmost in all of Princess Place Preserve and the Equestrian Campground is just a very short distance from where you are (so perhaps you can convince someone over there to let you tie up your horse). Amenities include: no shortage of hiking, biking & riding trails, campfire rings, BBQ grills, canoe / kayak launch, historic sites, interpretive exhibits, picnic tables, pavilions (available for rent), restroom facilities and natural preserves. For those not coming with their own tents or trailers, there are 3 cottages (1 ADA) that are available for rent. 

    Insider’s tips? Sure, here’s a few: (1) Over at Moody Campground, where most of the campsites sit alongside the river, 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, or if not, when the coal and embers of the fire burn down, use your shovel or trowel to place the still warm coals in a perimeter around your tent – this small amount of warmth will keep reptiles at bay; (2) Everywhere you go the water is non-potable, so be sure to bring your own fresh water to drink; (3) If you are interested in taking advantage of the historic tours that are offered here, please note that they are offered up on a first-come, first-served, so upon arriving here, be sure to check in with a Park Ranger for availability; (4) While the kayaking here at Princess Preserve was nothing short of awesome, after a few days of paddling down the same rivers, we were given well-heeded advice to drop on over to Faver-Dykes State Park, located just due north of Princess Preserve (you can actually paddle over there from PPP, or better, drive over and launch from there); and (5) When you get tired of firing up frank & beans for dinner and don’t mind throwing on a polo shirt, head on over to 386 (only a 20 minute drive from Princess Place Preserve), where they’ll delight you with the best of surf (1 lb rock lobster, Mexican triggerfish and blue crab flounder) & turf (prime filet, pork chop with peach chutney). 

    Happy Camping!

  • Will C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Connors Family Campsite
    Apr. 10, 2022

    Connors Family Campsite

    Overall as listed. Bill is great to work with

    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

  • N
    Camper-submitted photo from Bayard Conservation Area
    Nov. 15, 2021

    Bayard Conservation Area

    Quiet, pretty, and peaceful

    Great riverside campsite. 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.

    Otherwise, the campsite itself was great. It’s right next to the river, and includes plenty of space, a fire pit with cooking grates, and a picnic bench. Tons of squirrels, osprey, an owl, and I’m sure more if you’re able to hike a little quieter than myself and my 7 and 9 year old boys.

    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.

    There’s a stop on the way near the other campsite that includes some picnic benches, a (non-potable) water pump, and a bathroom with a roof and toilet paper. What more could you want?

  • H
    Camper-submitted photo from Cary State Forest
    Aug. 31, 2021

    Cary State Forest

    Electrical Issues

    We were at site 5. When we arrived and hooked up the 30amp breaker kept flipping. We had just left crooked river and hadn’t had any issues. We told the camp host and she moved us to site 4 for the night. After 2 nights they told us the 30amp breaker was replaced and we could go back to site 5. Site 4 had someone coming. When we went back and began hooking up the breaker once again flipped. We contacted reserve America to see about a refund. It’s over 100 degrees and we aren’t willing to camp without ac. We told the host and ranger that we had contacted them and that we were leaving. The ranger said they didn’t replace the breaker (even though the host text us that they did). They were very friendly and tried to accommodate as much as they could. They did say they will have it checked out again, so hopefully future campers won’t have the problem.

  • Katie M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve
    Aug. 4, 2021

    Princess Place Preserve

    Enchanting Summertime Solitude

    When I planned my trip to the Smokies, I left the last few days open, so I could decide at a later time what kinda ✨vibe✨ I was feeling.

    Would I want to travel through more of Tennessee and down through central Georgia, skipping North and South Carolinas entirely? Maybe spend some time in Asheville? Backtrack the same way I came? Wholly free spirited and wondrously stupid, given the holiday weekend.

    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 stretch on my way home. By the time I began planning my return leg of the trip, every campground within an hour of 95 was booked.

    Then I can across Princess Place Preserve and it appeared to mainly be an equestrian campground from what I read, but I called them anyway. I don’t know any horse people, but they can’t be that bad, right? And luckily there were several sites still available, so I snagged one.

    Well, this is not all what I expected and I haven’t seen a single horse or horse person since I’ve been here, but this place might be my ✨favorite campground of all time.✨ There are only 13 camp sites in the entire park and they are all spread out. The park doesn’t seem like it gets busy in general, but it closes to the public at 6 pm, so that means you basically have the next three hours of daylight to roam the entire place by yourself! And there’s ✨so much to roam!!✨There are so many trails and winding, sandy roadways to bike or hike that I squeezed every last ounce of sunlight out of the day. The peace and serenity that Princess Place provided was the perfect ending to this road trip.

  • Christina
    Camper-submitted photo from Cary State Forest
    Apr. 3, 2021

    Cary State Forest

    Could have been great

    Have waited six months into our RV life to start reviews for fair comparisons. Spent 7 nights. This is one of the oddest places we have stayed. On arrival we were thrilled. Less than 10 sites all tucked in the woods, seemed like paradise. Sites are huge and private. But the woods seemed….dead. In our week there we only saw a handful of birds and a squashed dead pygmy rattlesnake. There was something just a bit sad about it. Do have some hiking trails and short boardwalks.

  • B H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve
    Jan. 17, 2021

    Princess Place Preserve

    Beautiful and Mosly Well-Maintained

    Equestrian campsites are nice and spacious, most sites are fairly big-rig friendly. The equestrian campsites have a garbage or two, fire ring, picnick table, 14 x 14 horse pens (uncovered but must are shaded), and some have a high-line (though ill strung). Most of the pens are kept in good repair, unfortunately my gate was off its hinges and had rusted sharp edges. I ended up wrapping it so my horse didn’t lacerate himself; this was a bit disappointing to see such disrepair in an otherwise pristine campground. Another pen had a dead and potentially dangerous limb hanging right over the area which was also unsafe. The bathrooms at the equestwian 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. The grounds and trails are always very well kept. Would like to see the wild hog population controlled a bit more as we ran into a large group and saw the extensive damage the pigs left behind.

  • Taylor
    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Princess Place Preserve

    Beautiful Preserve

    I stayed at Princess Place Preserve from 10/23-10/27 and cannot wait to return. You’ll see from the photos (all taken from my site) that the sites are expansive and beautifully shaded. I stayed in equestrian site 1 (EQ1) and was amazed by how much space there was and how far we were from others. This site was across from bathroom/shower (convenient & clean) but be sure to bring your own water - the water provided is non-potable. You can collect firewood as well but plan on bringing some of your own. The rangers were incredibly kind and I felt very safe. Surrounded by stunning, natural Florida habitat! We saw deer more frequently than we saw other humans lol. My dog & I were truly at peace here!

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve
    Sep. 3, 2020

    Princess Place Preserve

    Beauty in tranquility

    What a beautiful and quiet place! The campsites are spacious, spread out and on the water. The park has a small but adequate shower facility, clean campsites and plenty of wildlife.

  • D
    Camper-submitted photo from Cary State Forest
    Aug. 24, 2020

    Cary State Forest

    Spacious sites

    This campground was an absolute gem. Sites are spread out and HUGE!! Several trails and plenty of room for kids to play on site!!! The only thing preventing me from giving five stars is 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. They have a dump station on site and access in and out of park is super convenient. We didn’t get to check out bathrooms so I can’t speak to those. Park was super clean and they provide a trash can at the edge of the site. We will definitely be going back when the temperature drops a little!!!

  • Annell N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cary State Forest
    Aug. 14, 2020

    Cary State Forest

    Cary State Forest - Florida

    We like this park a lot because we like large sites, peace and tranquility. We only got to stay there 2 nights.

  • Scott S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve
    Aug. 6, 2020

    Princess Place Preserve

    Tent Only Bliss

    This place is amazing and I am hesitant to even give it a review because it is one of my special spots that I go a few times a year. Waterfront campsites well space depart with complete seclusion and peaceful views! Launch your boat from your site, fish and enjoy. There are creeks meandering all through the preserve for paddleboard and or kayaking. There are hiking trails and horseback riding trails and a cool old house once owned by a princess.

  • Robert L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cary State Forest
    Jul. 12, 2020

    Cary State Forest

    Great for overnight stopping.

    Nice concret pad that was very level. Sites are roomy. TAKE BUG REPELLENT... MOSQUITOES ARE BAD. Electric and water hookups with a sanitary dump station. 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. We will definitely remember this Campground and use it in the future due to convenience.

  • Geoffrey S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Bayard Conservation Area
    Mar. 30, 2020

    Bayard Conservation Area

    Lots of wildlife

    It was dirt roads not really trails ,the bathroom looks like it belongs on a horror movie the river camp spot is beautiful the forest one had deer drinking from the stream

  • Aida K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve
    Jan. 3, 2020

    Princess Place Preserve

    Felt like a Princess!

    We chose Princess Place Preserve to celebrate my girlfriend’s 60th birthday. She had not camped in years. It was a fantastic perfect choice.

    It’s obvious Princess place is lovingly cared for by the Rangers and administration. Everything is designed to provide a peaceful enjoyable experience. It is spacious and beautiful with so much to do.

    It is primitive camping. Water is non potable so bring plenty . You are allowed to gather wood if it has fallen, however it’s a good idea to buy some locally as none is sold by the campground.

    There are showers and flush toilets. The Ranger who was working when we were there was really helpful. He gave us a private tour of the historic buildings because no tour was scheduled during our stay.

    Palm coast and Flagler beaches and towns are great and nearby for a days adventure off camp.

    Go for it !

  • Jenn B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Bayard Conservation Area
    Sep. 24, 2019

    Bayard Conservation Area

    Ranger Review: Pureland 30L Guard Backpack at Bayard Conservation Area

    **Campground Review: **

    Bayard Conservation Area is located in Green Cove Springs Florida and is maintained by the St. Johns River Water Management District. It is a track of land that has many hiking trails that traverse through shaded pine forests, hammocks, marsh, and river areas. 

    We have day hiked here many times, but this trip we were going to do some primitive camping at one of the campsites. There are several areas to park and then hike in. The campsites are a few miles from the parking area. They include a fire ring and a picnic table. The campsites have several different settings, but we chose the river view. On our way to our campsite we were able to spot many animals including: deer, otter, turkey, and wild pigs. 

    The area is kept clean and is quiet with the exception of a bit of noise pollution from the surrounding area. However, this does not distract from the experience. We enjoyed our overnight backcountry trip and highly recommend Bayard.

    ----------------

    **Product Review: **

    As a Dyrt Ranger I receive products from time-to-time and this time I am testing out the Pureland 30L Guard Backpack sold by Outdoor Element

    There are so many things to love about this backpack. The extensive cording and hooks on the outside made attaching extra items a breeze. I was able to store my trekking poles and Jetboil on the back with no problem. The hip pockets were an added plus and fit my cellphone inside of it easily. The room inside of the backpack was able to hold everything I needed for an overnight trip– including my bulky sleeping bag. The only two things that took away from the backpack was the inside zipper and the water pouch. The zipper on the inside of the bag came off the track with only a light pull while the bag was empty. It did not have the integrity that the zippers on the outside had. My 3.0L reservoir would not fit all the way in the provided pouch and hung out the top a bit. After the whole trip, I sincerely love this pack and will be using it for all of my hiking and primitive camping needs!!

  • Gwoo T.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cary State Forest
    May. 31, 2019

    Cary State Forest

    Quiet

    When we arrived to host greeted us at the pay box. Host showed us around the place. Host is very friendly and knowledgeable. The host did explain the fees because online says on thing and when we arrived price was different. The rest rooms were nice and clean. Showers hot. Very quiet except for some traffic on road near park. We stayed more towards the front. The place is big enough to maneuver a big rig around the areas. We enjoyed it. Stayed 2 days.

  • Sualen L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cary State Forest
    May. 29, 2019

    Cary State Forest

    Diamond in the rough

    This campground was arranged by my kids scouts group. It was beautiful but maybe that’s because there wasn’t a lot of human traffic. 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. There wasn’t a whole lot of wildlife that I saw personally but I loved listening to the birds singing. I wish I would’ve taken advantage of the trails but I explored just a little way away from my kids and turned back around. During our stay, my only annoyance were the wasps in the bathroom. The spiders we stayed away from lol but found a pigmy rattlesnake that we caught in a bucket and walked it a little further away from the bathroom and camping site. I’d like to go there again.

  • Tina M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve
    May. 6, 2019

    Princess Place Preserve

    Expansive. Magical. Perfect example of Florida beauty.

    This beautiful park has tons of history and it is huge and beautiful. The long sandy drive in with the towering pine trees sets the tone. There is a waterway that runs through it and you cross a gorgeous wooden covered bridge to get to the Rangers Station. The campsites on are on the water and all include a picnic table, grill, fire pit and garbage can. I 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 and an Eagles Nest Viewing Area.

  • Reid D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve
    Nov. 29, 2018

    Princess Place Preserve

    Beautiful campgrounds

    Princess Place Preserve is a beautiful campground for short overnight camping or even longer stays. It's off the beaten path sky there is very little traffic in the park compared to other local parks. PPP's camp sites have docks where you can pull a boat up if you are fishing. Some of the tent campsites are directly on one of the small rivers that empties into the Intercostal. Some of the sights only have a Porto potty but there are showers and full service restrooms a short drive away. Both tent and hammock camping is allowed!

  • Kippy N.
    Camper-submitted photo from Princess Place Preserve
    Aug. 3, 2018

    Princess Place Preserve

    Private Campsite with your own Dock!

    This campground has 2 dock sites. We stayed at Dock Site 2 in May. The site has a place to launch kayaks or a canoe. All sites are pet friendly. There are multiple hiking trails, and plenty of places to fish. Dock Site 2 had water on 2 side of the site, and had a steady breeze during our whole visit. Our site had multiple picnic tables, a fire ring, and a charcoal grill. Sites are reserved well in advance, especially for the weekends so book early.



Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ponte Vedra Beach, FL?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ponte Vedra Beach, FL is Bayard Conservation Area with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Ponte Vedra Beach, FL?

    TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.