Best Equestrian Camping near Port Charlotte, FL

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Port Charlotte, FL

119 Reviews of 10 Port Charlotte Campgrounds

• 

  Kathy L.

  Ranger

  Mar. 9, 2025

  Hardee Lakes Park

  Nice park and campground

  We got lucky to get a site here last minute after our state park campground was closed for extended period due to hurricane repairs (without letting us know so it was a scramble to find alternatives).  The campground is nice.  We stayed in an "equestrian" site and most people didn't have horses (neither did we).  While much of the park isn't shaded (in fact there is waayyyyy too much lawn/grass in all the communal areas - would be much better if they planted trees and let forest grow back), most sites do seem to have at least some trees providing partial shade. Not much privacy between sites, but that didn't really bother us.  There are lots of walking "roads" (dirt roads) to the various lakes. All in all, we were glad to have a site and would return if needed again.

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• 

  Jeanene A.

  Legend

  May. 18, 2018

  Little Manatee River State Park Campground

  So much to offer!

  What an amazing State Park - they have multiple camping options. Equestrian, Car/RV camping and there is a back country site on a 7 mile loop trail that runs part of the way along the river.

  The Car/RV camping spots are roomy, somewhat private. bathrooms are clean, almost always have camp hosts available.

  Access to the back country loop trail and camping is just down the road. Reservations are required and you check in at main gate. camp is about 4 miles in on trail if hiking counter clockwise. There is a space for fire and picnic table at site. This is a nice place for beginner backpackers to try out. Sadly just through the tree line is a golf course and housing community. Note: resident raccoon is very large - you must hang your secure food and trash! You can see lights through the trees at night and hear the lawn equipment in the mornings. This can be comforting to first timers though. The hike along the river is just beautiful.

  Equestrian camping group camping area offers 4 sites has stalls and other amenities for horse camping. fire pits and picnic tables. There are 12 miles of trails in the state park

  There is also a primitive group camping site for scouts and other similar organizations.

  There are many ranger and local outfitter activities and seasonally there are offered full moon horseback and kayak trips that allow you to see the area in a "different light"

  Fishing is available also on the river, The "lake" is man made and has little to offer for those wanting a catch.

  Make sure you book your reservation early as this park fills up fast!

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• 

  Patti D.

  Traveler

  Feb. 12, 2021

  Little Manatee River State Park Campground

  A lovely state park

  Really enjoyed our stay here, good size lot, #10, with electric, water, picnic table and fire ring. Clean dump station. Natural trees providing privacy between lots. A lot of walking trails for people and horses. A surprise was the amphitheater. Washers and dryers are located outside the bathrooms. Friendly hosts and other campers. Would came again.

• E

  Elizabeth H.

  Traveler

  May. 15, 2019

  Palmetto Ridge Campground — Myakka River State Park

  Not the Florida you imagine about when you think Florida...

  Hidden cabins, hiking, off-road biking, boating, wildlife...so much beauty and activities to enjoy in this park! The cabins are off the main path, tucked away and private. They are super roomy and comfortable with their own picnic tables and grills. You can launch canoes/kayaks or book a trip on the boats in the park. If you like off-road biking there are several nice trails. Really family-friendly!

• 

  Perry J.

  Legend

  Feb. 14, 2021

  Old Prairie Campground — Myakka River State Park

  Quintessential Florida

  This is kind of our go to Florida State Park as we live very close and really enjoy the hiking, biking and paddling the river and lake. We typically book last minute as“In-Season” campsites are often difficult to find. In addition, the lower campground is sometimes flooded out or closed for repairs putting even more pressure on the two campgrounds closer to the main park entrance which is further from the lake and general store. 

  I may have reviewed this park before but always find different things to share. Their are three main campgrounds:

  (1) Old Prairie where we usually stay. This is an older campground with a more rustic, state park vibe. Maybe 20 sites typically hosting smaller trailers, vans and tents etc.

  (2) Palmetto Ridge is more more or less across from Old Prairie with a more open and modern looking vibe and where you will see more of your typical RV crowd of Big Rigs and larger trailers

  (3) 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. Perhaps something to consider if you are booking way in advance. 

  The reason Myakka is so popular to Florida visitors is it has outstanding beauty, a real Jurassic Park feel but is very near Sarasota with all the beaches, museums, restaurants and activities literally less than 1/2 hour away. Lots of people vacationing Florida on the cheap like to set up home here“in-season” and jump from site to site and stay as long as they can. Summers are much easier to find a site. 

  We are lucky to live so close. We are here more in the summer and swing seasons. This park makes an excellent 2 or 3 day adventure or a great Basecamp for your Florida vacation. You won’t be disappointed. 

  NOTE: Some of the public facilities have been closed due to COVID including the “Canopy Walk” which is very cool so you may want to check if that sort of thing interests you.

  It is always interesting to me how all the Florida State Parks are a little different as the park manager seems to have some autonomy. Certain parks have public facilities closed like the Canopy Walk here at Myakka but another Florida State Park might have their observation tower open even though the structures are similar. Go figure.

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• 

  Travyl Couple !.

  Ranger

  Dec. 7, 2019

  Palmetto Ridge Campground — Myakka River State Park

  Camping and Canopy Trees

  One of the largest state parks in Florida. This great Park has full and partial hook ups for all styles of camping to include hammock camping. There are 6 primitive campgrounds; group camping and Cabins too! We stayed at the Palmetto Ridge campground which were gravel and had the full hook ups. The old prairie and big flats were regular ground surface electric/water (no sewer) . These also had a little less privacy. You will have 39 miles of hiking trails and off road/mountain biking at your pleasure. We bike with hybrid specialized bikes and had no problems off road. 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. We did not have a problem with biting bugs until nightfall. You will enjoy biking the 7 miles of paved (flat) roads in Park. There are Rivers and lakes for kayaking/canoe and we enjoyed the fishing and paddling. Great gift shop and cafe area near boat launch on lake. There is even a flat bottom boat tour on the Upper Myakka lake. The visitor center offers a lot of rentals too... from kayaks to tandem bikes. (For the die hard road bikers it is only 12.5 miles to Legacy Rail to trail). We had a blast and our video goes into more detail about the park. Be sure to visit the nearby Crowley Nature Center less than 5 miles away. (Crowley nature center is a separate video located on our YouTube channel and website)

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• 

  Donna H.

  Guide

  Aug. 28, 2018

  Little Manatee River State Park Campground

  Neat, nothing fancy

  Great place to take horses camping

• 

  Ronald H.

  Guide

  Feb. 6, 2020

  Little Manatee River State Park Campground

  Quiet peaceful Spot no no

  This has been our first park Campground and couldn’t ask for a better one to start with. We arrived an hour sooner then the check in time and it was already available so no need to wait. The fire ring was clean as well as the RV spot. Rangers were very helpful getting us around and renting the canoes. Very private and spacious spot for Big Rigs as well as the medium size.. The equestrian rentals were very nice also. The bathrooms and showers are under construction and are located at spots from 1 thru 4 so if wanting more privacy 6 and up are for me much better. Our spot was 10 and we loved the privacy of the nature between every campsite along those areas for bigger rigs. The River is really nice for canoeing as well as for fishing and nature views. Hopefully we find again a spot to come again this year. Clean, well organized and well kept facilities and staff

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• J

  Jim W.

  Traveler

  Jul. 9, 2021

  Hardee Lakes Park

  Secluded and well maintained

  This is reclaimed land from an old phosphate mine.

  The mine was closed 20 years ago and the land was reclaimed and turned into a beautified park and campground. The trees have had time to mature. There are four lakes, campsites are located on one of the bigger lakes. Like all parks some site are better than others, none are bad.  We had the end site on the lake that was very private. The campground and amenities  are extremely well maintained.

  Lots of very nice trails around the lakes and surrounding woods. the trial's are wide and hard backed. we were able to ride our electric scoters on them easily.  Park is located in a rural area of central Florida. We used is as a halfway stop when traveling form the west coast to the east coast of Florida. 

  Tip: There are two brothers that sell firewood not to far from the campground.

  You can go there your self or they will deliver to you. Camp office can give you their contact info.

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