We're here to help you find where to go horse camping in St. James City. It's easy to find St. James City campgrounds for horse camping with The Dyrt. Search horse campsites and discover top-rated spots, as reviewed by other campers.
The park features three campgrounds with 90 campsites. Each site is equipped with 50-amp electrical service, water, a fire ring and picnic table. The sites in Palmetto Ridge also have sewer hook-ups. A dump station is located near Old Prairie Campground. Laundry facilities are available to all campers in Old Prairie and Palmetto Ridge campgrounds. All campsites are located within 40 yards of restroom facilities with hot showers.
NOTE: Non-Potable Water
Effective May 11, 2023: Drinking water is temporarily unavailable at Myakka River State Park. Please remember to bring your own water. Bottled water is also available at no cost at the ranger station from 8 a.m. to sunset.
Sites in Old Prairie and Big Flats are dirt-based. The sites in Palmetto Ridge are gravel-based, except for four ADA paved sites adjoining restrooms. Old Prairie and Big Flats do not have vegetation buffers.
The Big Flats Campground is located near the Upper Myakka Lake, Myakka Outpost, a fishing deck and Wi-Fi.
Old Prairie and Palmetto Ridge campgrounds are located near the State Road 72 park entrance, the Myakka River, the campfire circle, a small playground and Myakka Friends Gift Shop. Well-behaved pets are welcome in these three campgrounds, up to four per site.
There are six primitive campgrounds (Mossy Hammock, Bee Island, Honore, Panther Point, Oak Grove and Prairie) located along the hiking trails for backpackers. These rustic settings provide campers with a fire pit and post to hang items. Each campground has three campsites, and a maximum of four people may be on each site. Only Bee Island, Oak Grove and Prairie have water pumps. Water at these sites is not potable; it requires boiling/chemical treatment. Other sites do not have water; you must bring your own. The terrain is primarily prairie, and dehydration is possible even on the coolest days.
Myakka River State Park is one of Florida’s largest parks with 37,000 acres of its own. Home to the officially designated “Wild and Scenic” Myakka River, this state park is the perfect destination for outdoor adventurers who are looking to get closer to the natural, diverse Florida wildlife.
Choose from one of over 80 campsites while Myakka State Park camping and get ready to explore!
Bring your kayak and make your way through a variety of waterways where you can spot american alligators, snook, ospreys, and countless species of birds.
Embark on one of many hiking trails to explore more of the unique environments found within Myakka River State Park. Trek to the highlands to get a look at Florida’s traditional wetlands where marshes, cypress dome trees, and grazing birds will welcome you. Go even deeper to reach the diverse array of grasses, wildflowers, and vines that grow freely in the park’s protected dry prairies. Don’t forget to bring your camera with you! Short shrubs in the dry prairies allow visitors to see for miles in any direction.
You’ll also want to bring the camera atop the Canopy Walkway at Myakka River. Just a short walk from the main road, this suspension bridge provides a panoramic view of the entire park from a unique vantage point above the tree canopy. Every camper can find what they’re looking for at this Florida park.
$26 / night
-Parking Fee is $1 per hour or $5 per day
-Dogs are not permitted at this park.
-Alcohol, gasoline powered generators and electric bicycles are not allowed in the park per County Ordinance 18-12 (as amended)
-Collection of plants, animals, shells or other natural and cultural resources is not allowed.
-Helmets are strongly encourage for all mountain bikers and are required by state law for anyone under the age of 16.
-Volunteer Opportunities are available
$15 - $40 / night
Peace River Campground offers over 100 acres of wilderness camping for your enjoyment. You can make camp anywhere you like, including many places right on the beautiful Peace River's edge. During less busy times you can spend days out of site of other campers. While there are no utilities, picnic tables, or other campground amenities, you are only a short walk to our hot showers, swimming pool, campground store and all the trappings of the "civilized" world.
$16 - $80 / night
The majestic Myakka River flows through 58 square miles of one of Florida’s oldest and largest parks.
In a scene reminiscent of what early Native Americans and Spanish explorers witnessed, arching palm trees and live oaks are reflected on a winding tea-colored stream. The cries of limpkins and osprey pierce the air while alligators and turtles sun lazily on logs and riverbanks.
This is the Myakka River, Florida’s first state-designated wild and scenic river, and it flows through a vast expanse of unspoiled wetlands, prairies, hammocks, and pinelands that make up Myakka River State Park. Boating, fishing, canoeing and kayaking are popular activities on the water while hikers and bicyclists explore miles of trails and backroads.
$8 / night
$10 / night
RV /CAMPER sites TENT sites and Cabins in Naples Florida
No electric hook-ups, self contained welcomed, generators okay!
Meadow River Ranch offers 6 campsites, in addition to a log cabin rental. Our campsites are for RVs and self contained rigs, We do have out door shower and out house. We are pet friendly!
Amazing SUNNY Naples Florida location location location.... This RIVER FRONT Ranch is a very rare property very quiet peaceful 6 PRIVATE ACRES. Pictures say it all short drive to famous Naples Beach.
The Log home has a large living room, kitchen, 2nd floor master with single window seat which would sleep another person. Beautiful front porch for the water views and sunsets. The back screened in great room is a great spot to spend an evening. The cabin includes the use use of the Waterfront outdoor kitchen Cabana.
$89 / night
$10 - $15 / night
Scout
Great campground for any type of camping. All sites at Palmetto Ridge are full hookup and many sites are pull through. ATT WiFi is fast enough to stream YouTube and YouTube TV via my Apple TV box tethered to my iPhone.
Traveler
Tucked away between Englewood and North Port, this primitive site is only eight dollars to stay at. Not too bad, but the campsite looked like it wasn't maintained at all. There was a big dilapidated bin of random trash that looked like it had been there for quite some time (site 3), a ton of cigarette butts, melted plastic pieces everywhere, etc. We even found an... adult toy about ten feet outside of the area of our site.
That being said, it was quiet, and you couldn't beat the scenery and nature once we cleaned up the area a bit. The sites are spread apart enough that it doesn't feel like your neighbor is on top of you, which was a huge plus.
Out of all the sites, 3 had the most privacy and had great views of the forest. If we decide to go again, we will definitely stay at this site. The other sites seemed a little bare and less private.
For the price, you can't complain too much. Just make sure to lock the gate behind you because by the many many signs posted, they're threatening to shut the sites down permanently if you don't.
Traveler
If you are a traditional camper stay away. This place is mainly for trucks and ATV’s. There is sugar sand everywhere and my car got stuck. After they helped me get out I left.
Legend
Hunt Camp, Okaloacoochee SF: We stayed at the nearby Overflow CG. I expect this would have been the same quiet and peaceful experience, as noticed during our walks by Hunt Camp. (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer. Our rating of a campground is influenced by the following: The general ambiance- sort of wilderness feel the campground gives us. A selection of campsites which offer some visual privacy and/or view from sites. Cleanliness of whatever facilities are offered is important and usually noted in my review.
Overall Rating: 4.5 for large sites. No natural barrier in between.
Price 2023: $ 10
Security: None
Usage during visit: 1/2 to full.
Site Privacy: No
Site Spacing: Large sites.
Site surface: Gravel
Reservations: Required.
Campground Noise: Quiet.
Road Noise: Adjacent to the road, but there is not much traffic.
Through Traffic in campground: No
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: No
Potable Water Available: Non-potable water is available at the adjacent horse corals.
Generators: Allowed
Bathroom: Chemical toilets
Showers: No
Pull Throughs: No
Cell Service (AT&T): 1 bar
Setting: Adjacent to prairie with fairly dense low growing trees which obstructs view.
Recent Weather: Sunny
Solar: Great
Host: No
Rig Size: Any
Sites: I like all of the sites. #3 is the best location in the loop.
Guide
Had a marvelous time at the Meadow River Ranch. The grounds are well kempt, with a thick, lush carpet of a St. Augustine and rye grass blend covering the acreage. Very quiet and peaceful. A great place to just “be”. My grandson and I tried our luck fishing in the canal. Jeff was very accommodating. Let us run our generator as much as we wanted. Even let us run our dogs off leash for awhile.
We stayed at MRR in a self-contained RV, and as such had no need to use the outdoor toilet or solar shower, so I offer no comment on those facilities.
ScoutThe campsites are well-shaded and have easy access to walking & biking trails. We've visited Myakka on day trips previously, and just recently camped there for the first time. It's quiet, and there's plenty of wildlife to be seen: Lots of birds, alligators, deer, wild turkeys. Bathrooms with laundry facilities were conveniently located, but we didn't use them. Campsite was clean, level, and easy to back into.
RangerWe were fortunate enough to get here before the hurricanes destroyed parts of this campground. It is so peaceful and naturally beautiful. Plenty of places to walk and ride bikes to. Our site was shady and a really good size. Bathhouse was always clean. Cannot wait to go back.
Guide
Exactly as described. The host was great and helpful. Porta potties available, but no drinkable water. Dusty. Bugs weren’t terrible at all. Fishing in the canals is excellent.
Guide
The host was helpful and informative. Great quiet place. Plenty of carts to move your gear and none of the sites are far from the parking lot. I would definitely recommend this place. Biking, fishing, hiking and camping, nothing better. If you’re looking for fish and have a kayak, Telegraph creek is 3 miles away and full of fish and Alligators 😃
LegendAshley here with The Dyrt. We'd like to welcome your host, Jeff, to our platform. Lots of personal touches as this property, from hand-made signs to hammocks. There is a nice screened in porch to make your breakfast and a communal fire-pit. Check out this property and give them some love!
ScoutVery open quiet spot. Nice and helpful camp host. Beautiful scenery.
ScoutNot a very welcoming place for tent campers. Seems like they will be catering more to Glamper's and RV's which is a shame !!!
Scoutmy last visit was great i would have liked to stay longer
GuideThis is our 2nd time at Myakka River State Park and it doesn't disappoint. We stayed at the PR section with full hookups. Site was spacious and the park even had smiling gators.
GuideNo, you can't drive to your site, but really good carts are available to help you with the load, so no RV,s at the campground. The sites are generous with firepits and BBQ's on them and are well shaded. There is a fire ban on at the moment although they will allow charcoal. This is Easter Weekend and I'm surprised it's this quiet. The toilets are clean and there are plenty of rustic shower facilities. $15 a night, but it is primitive, sort of, no electric or running water on the sites. Alva is only 10 minutes away and La belle and Ft Myers Shores are within easy reach if you need supplies. Will I come back....you bet!!!
LegendNice but small primitive state forest campground. Only 10 sites and one is for the camp host. About half the sites are back-in and can hold small RVs. The rest are tent only although the parking space is large enough to put a van-sized RV in sideways.
All the sites are quite large and well separated from neighboring sites. With the right mix of campers, you could have a super peaceful night in the forest without having to bushwhack your way in. (Our night included a site with small kids the parents kept yelling at. Ugh.)
All sites have a fire ring and picnic table
There are vault toilets available in the loop and there is a potable water spigot at the nearby ranger station (firewood also available there).
Nearby hiking trails are rated easy and moderate and the trailhead is just a quarter mile down the road.
The campground is gated (you get the lock code when you reserve a site). Note that this campground requires reservations.
If you're self-contained and looking for a nice quiet spot to camp, this would be a good spot to choose.
Cell service on Verizon was ok with a jetpack, better with a MIMO antenna attached. (1 bar without /2-3 bars with but data speeds with MIMO were decent).
T-Mobile service was good but kept bouncing between 4G and 5G on phone, which made it a bit erratic. On jetpack that only does 4G, had a strong signal with good data rates.
GuideI camped in the wilderness area which is somewhat disconnected from the main RV site. There are trails which are used by ATV's and up until 10pm its noisy. You also get quite a lot of noise from the divided highway which runs adjacent to the site. Getting to the wilderness area can be a bit challenging if you don’t have 4 wheel drive as the trails that lead you there are comprised of Sugar Sand. If you are a party until the wee small hours kind of camper or RV’r then you might enjoy this site and there are lots of activities to keep kids and adults occupied, however if you are more interested in a laid back quieter time then this probably won’t fit the bill.
ScoutHad an awesome time nice and quiet. Fishing biking swimming. Good times but the only strike for me is totting in and having to leave my car behind. Other than that great place will be back
TravelerWe heard so many great things from friends and boy did this place live them up! This was our first trip here even though we live only 1 hour away. Great primitive camping sites. Amazing trails for ATV use and mudding. Will definitely be back! Staff was friendly and helpful. A must visit!
GuideSuper crowded, busy and loud campground. This isnt a quiet nature get Way its a two stroking music blasting party spot. The kids were all having fun, adults too. Hot showers, food trucks and plenty of dirt trails for exploring.
GuidePrivate sites on the water. Lots of nature. Trails to walk, river to kayak/fish, 4 wheeling: amazing!!
ScoutThis campground has came so far. I can remember when it was little, but so fun! I couldn't wait to go every couple weeks! I learned how to shake teeth hunt, name snake species, dig up wooly mammoth remains,canoe,4 wheel, mudding,rope swing and last but not least, I learned how to wreck every golf cart my parents rented lol. The owners now passed down to the kids,they are so sweet and always made our stays safe and fun! The kids now take care of it and they've blown it out of the water! Since Hurricane Charley nearly destroyed the place I called my 2nd home, these kids have worked so hard to rebuild it and now it's so more awesome. My mother , now widow,has since retired and lives there year round. She cleans up ,guards the gate, and does gator patrol. I wanna say thanks to the family who opened there lard and home up to so many. We have so many memories,and have made so may friends and memories. If your ever in the area check out the thousands of acres of nothing but fun times!!
TravelerThis campsite is a bit of a hike to get to and we drove past it. The campground is very open and the sites don’t really have much privacy. Nice area for horses.
TravelerProbably a favorite to camp in my area. You do have to carry all your gear to the campsites, but they have carts near the checkin office. Staff is always friendly and the restrooms are usually always clean. Lots of hiking trails down by the river. Also some really good mtb biking trails (as far as mtb biking is in S. Florida). No power at the sites. Usually there are kids playing in the playground area, so very family friendly.
ScoutWe arrived at the gate! After hearing of the wilderness preserve we decided to go ahead and get the permit. You drive about a mile down the road from the main state park entrance to find the wilderness preserve entrance which is code protected. After driving back to the parking area, we realized we had the 600 acres to ourselves. We then hiked to the deep hole. There we saw tons of alligators birds and wildlife! A great piece of raw Florida!
ScoutWent with my family for a couple of days. Probably the worst experience we have had camping in sometime. The place is filthy. The bathrooms are horrendousand filthy I don't know who cleans them but they do a poor job. On top of that you've got tons of flies Where the garbage dumpsters are. On top of that it's all dirt roads it's a cluster of dust constantly and a noise from all the ATVs and gas golf carts. I would not recommend this place to anyone. I challenge the owners to reply to this because it was a waste of our money. And on top of that super expensive. Overall horrendous experience. I will badmouth you guys all day long. Get your stuff together literally especially in your bathrooms and shower areas that are filthy. What a waste of money.!!!!!!
LegendThe staff was super helpful and very eager to make sure we had a great stay! The grounds are simply amazing! While on a zoom call from a picnic bench by the River a participant said “Looks like you guys are in Hawaii or paradise somewhere”.
Horse camping in Florida offers a unique opportunity to explore the state's beautiful landscapes while enjoying the company of your equine companions. With various campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot for your next adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near St. James City, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near St. James City, FL is Palmetto Ridge Campground — Myakka River State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 36 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near St. James City, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near St. James City, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
