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Equestrian Camping near Sumatra, FL

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    Tate's Hell State Forest offers primitive dispersed camping throughout the 202,000-acre forest, with several sites accommodating horses along the Carrabelle River. Camping areas feature fire rings, picnic tables, and cleared tent areas accessible via maintained dirt roads that can support horse trailers. While there are no dedicated horse corrals, the forest allows horses throughout the camping areas and extensive trail system. Most sites can accommodate popups or RVs, but lack electrical, water, or sewage hookups. The campground provides primitive bathroom facilities with newly renovated showers. Sites remain relatively private and inexpensive, with campers reporting clean grounds and attentive but non-intrusive caretakers. Many sites offer direct water access for horses with nearby boat launches.

    The forest's extensive trail network connects riders to the Florida National Scenic Trail and multiple forest service roads suitable for horseback riding. Trails wind through diverse ecosystems including pine flatwoods, cypress swamps, and river corridors. Riders must bring all necessary feed and equipment as no horse-specific amenities or supply stores exist within the forest boundaries. Reservations can be made by calling 1-877-879-3859, with the regional ranger station located in Carrabelle providing information on current trail conditions and temporary closures. Sites remain relatively quiet with minimal visitor traffic, though several reviewers noted encountering only a handful of other people during multi-day stays. Nearby restaurants and grocery stores in Carrabelle provide convenient resupply options within a short driving distance from the camping areas.

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    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Sumatra (4)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Tate's Hell State Forest

      5.0(3)21mi from SumatraRVs, Tents

      "Tate's Hell State Forest is a primitive dispersed camping area slightly north the Gulf of Mexico in the Florida Panhandle region."

      "We could drive right up to it, it was clean with no junk in the firepit & it was good, level ground, & very private & inexpensive."

      from $8 - $10 / night

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      2. Newport Park Campground

      4.2(10)50mi from SumatraCabins, Glamping

      "This is the area where Tarzan was filmed and located across the street from St Marks State Park and on the St Marks RV with boat ramp."

      "Brian was very nice on the phone and didn't even come around to collect $! In fairness, I was there for a short time and dropped the appropriate fare by the door of their RV on my way out."

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      3. Fort Braden Tract Primitive Campsites — Lake Talquin State Forest

      4.0(2)41mi from Sumatra3 sitesTents

      "Three wonderful loop trails 2 primitive camp sites and a great view through the trees."

      "Fetch your own water from the lake. No modern amenities. Brilliant view of Lake Talquin, right on the water. Thickly treed so hanging hammocks and bear lines was no problem."

      from $9 - $18 / night

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      4. Crazy 8 Ranch

      4.0(1)40mi from SumatraRVs, Tents

      "At the time we were there (8/14/20) she had 21 horses, a Bantam rooster, two pot bellied pigs (one that looks pregnant), a pregnant goat, a bull and a dairy cow (also pregnant ) and three dogs; one if"

      from $10 - $30 / night

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    Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Sumatra, FL

    6 Photos of 4 Sumatra Campgrounds

    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Sumatra, FL

    16 Reviews of 4 Sumatra Campgrounds

    • C
      Aug. 17, 2020

      Crazy 8 Ranch

      Very peaceful ranch.

      Marcie is the owner of this rescue ranch. She’s just starting out having RV’s come in (we were her 4th). There’s power and water hookups, but no dumping stations yet. She runs a quaint rescue ranch for various animals. At the time we were there (8/14/20) she had 21 horses, a Bantam rooster, two pot bellied pigs (one that looks pregnant), a pregnant goat, a bull and a dairy cow (also pregnant ) and three dogs; one if which was an adorable Great Pyrenees puppy that she saved from deaths door). She also offers guided trail rides in the adjacent state park (we only spent the night, so we did not do that). You really can’t beat it fir $25.00 a night!Note: the road into her ranch is pretty rough and beat up, so use caution and go slowly. Make sure you bring plenty of carrots and apples for the animals! Feeding them was a big highlight of our stay!

    • Jeanene A.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 13, 2017

      Fort Braden Tract Primitive Campsites — Lake Talquin State Forest

      Three for One

      Three wonderful loop trails 2 primitive camp sites and a great view through the trees. Camping was in the Center and West loops with 2 of the 3 sites being near the lake (the third site was in the center of hte Center Loop and for groups). Nice elevation changes (refreshing for Florida hiking)

      It took us an extra try to find this location - first our directions lead us to the Lines Tract - great for biking and bike camping - but not so much for hiking and camping. Make sure you review your directions because there is not much of a signal out there. There are 5 separate tracts to this forest.

      When we finally got to the correct location the hike was beautiful. We chose the 2 campsites that were near the water for our stay (but a bit of a steep drop off (you do not want to fall in - we were told lots of gators hand along the shore). The shore was fish-able though. Lots of frogs to sing us to sleep. There was some boat activity on the lake, but not as much as I expected. You do have to watch your step - this is prime copperhead territory.

      Primitive campsites were small and cozy. There was a group site in between that was very nice and we were told was often used by youth groups. Was worth the hike in and we had a lot of down time to relax even hiking all 3 loops. Was nice to have sit down quiet time. only saw 3 other people in the 3 days we were there.

      Call ahead for your camping permit!

    • irena J.
      Aug. 29, 2018

      Tate's Hell State Forest

      Tate's Hell State Forest

      Tate's Hell State Forest is a primitive dispersed camping area slightly north the Gulf of Mexico in the Florida Panhandle region. Instead of a single campground with multiple sites, Tate's Hell provides individual camps sites through out the forest, many of which are along the Carabelle River. Sites offer fire ring, picnic table and cleared tent area. All sites are accessed by dirt roads that are fairly well maintained. Many of these sites can accommodate a popup or RV, but there are no electrical, water or sewage hook ups in the state forest. If you are looking for an authentic backwoods, roughing it camping experience - this is your place!

      Sites can be reserved 1 877 879 3859. The regional ranger station is located at 290 Airport Rd, Carrabelle, FL 32322.

      More info https://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Tate-s-Hell-State-Forest

    • R C.
      Feb. 3, 2025

      Newport Park Campground

      Good value small-ish campground

      I’m a tent camper. The location is a good jumping off point for seeing nearby attractions. The host is very nice and the place has decent washroom/shower facilities. $15 nightly fee. I did not like the proximity to the busy highway (noisy) and the campground itself isn’t big (although it does seem to cram in these enormous rv’s and trailers). Lot of electric light at night. Ok for a short stay but not very conducive to being out in nature.

    • Juke W.
      Apr. 22, 2020

      Newport Park Campground

      Inexpensive on St Marks River

      This is the area where Tarzan was filmed and located across the street from St Marks State Park and on the St Marks RV with boat ramp. Sites run around $17 and there is centrally located bathroom and shower facilities. Less than 100 sites and away from the rush of humanity.

    • Tucker B.The Dyrt PRO User
      May. 21, 2021

      Newport Park Campground

      Overnighted B4 Paddling the St. Marks

      Called ahead and booked a tent site at this county campground.

      Brian and Betty were the hosts (BnB!). Brian was very nice on the phone and didn't even come around to collect $!

      In fairness, I was there for a short time and dropped the appropriate fare by the door of their RV on my way out.

      Nice bathroom facilities gave me the chance to clean up.

      There's a boat ramp within walking distance if you've got one!

    • RThe Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 26, 2021

      Tate's Hell State Forest

      Great Camping

      We primitive camped at Tates Hell for 4 nights at the end of March 2021. Our campsite was awesome! We could drive right up to it, it was clean with no junk in the firepit & it was good, level ground, & very private & inexpensive. The bathrooms/showers were less than 6 months old & were very clean. The caretakers were close to the bathroom & were very kind & attentive but very non-intrusive. The water was just a few yards away with a boat launch so we could launch our kayaks. If you like seafood & oysters, there are a few really good, reasonably priced restaurants just a few miles away, along with grocery shopping. Highly recommend & we are planning to return.

    • jason F.The Dyrt PRO User
      Mar. 18, 2026

      Newport Park Campground

      Short visit, didn’t stay overnight

      Was actually at the spot geocaching, but really like the look of this little campground. And I mean little.

      There’s a combination of electric hook ups and non-electric hook ups. It’s all very well kept and clean and organized.

      Favoring this one for potential return to actually camp at. Gave this one 4 to 5 stars which is above average for me. But I’ve earned a fifth star if it wasn’t so close to the road with road noise and had been staffed full-time, and had a few more amenities.

    • Phillip H.
      May. 5, 2026

      Newport Park Campground

      Small but functional

      Very small county campground. Went selected for location to bike trails and beaches. Bathhouses were mostly clean but well worn. No personal on site most of the time. Handful of long term people who are friendly.

    Guide to Sumatra

    Tate's Hell State Forest offers primitive dispersed camping along the Carrabelle River with sites accessible for equestrians and their horses. Each primitive site includes a fire ring, picnic table, and cleared areas that can accommodate tent camping and horse trailers. The forest's well-maintained dirt roads provide access to individual campsites scattered throughout the 202,000-acre forest rather than concentrated in a single campground area. Most sites can accommodate popup campers or small RVs, though no electrical, water, or sewage hookups are available within the forest. The sites remain inexpensive and very private, with caretakers available but non-intrusive.

    Connected to numerous forest roads and trails, Tate's Hell provides excellent opportunities for horseback riding through pine flatwoods and cypress swamps. Riders can explore miles of natural Florida Panhandle terrain while camping in the backcountry. The forest requires permits for camping, which can be reserved by calling 1-877-879-3859, with the regional ranger station located in Carrabelle. Nearby Crazy 8 Ranch offers an alternative with electric and water hookups for those seeking accommodations with direct access to guided trail rides in the adjacent state park. The ranch maintains 21 rescue horses and allows campers to feed carrots and apples to the animals. Fort Braden Tract in Lake Talquin State Forest also provides primitive camping options with three loop trails, though the steep shoreline requires caution when watering horses.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Sumatra, FL?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Sumatra, FL is Tate's Hell State Forest with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.

    What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Sumatra, FL?

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