Horse camping is the perfect way to enjoy Tampa. If you're an equestrian lover who prefers nature-based adventure, yet still wants comfort, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Finding a place to stay in Florida while traveling with your horse has never been easier. You're sure to find the perfect site for your Florida horse camping excursion.
LMR1
$22 / night
Colt Creek State Park
$24 / night
Standing out from the relatively flat topography of Central Florida is Alafia River State Park, a reclaimed phosphate mine with some of the most radical elevation changes in the state. This makes it a hot spot for mountain bikers, who traverse the scenic and challenging International Mountain Bike Association trails.
Equestrians and hikers can explore 20 miles of hilly trails through forests and flatwoods, stopping to relax and admire one of the park's pristine lakes.
Canoeing and fishing opportunities are available along the South Prong of the Alafia River with some lakes scattered throughout the park.
The park also offers picnic pavilions, a playground, a full-facility campground and a full-service bike shop.
Family campground is suitable for RVers and tent campers. Campers will find water and electrical hookups at each of the 30 campsites. Clean restrooms feature solar-heated showers. There are two large picnic pavilions in the campground.
Equestrian campers have access to 12 sites with equestrian designation and tie-outs for horses. Equestrian campers can access the barn, which is a short walk from the campground. There are 12 stables and 6 paddocks available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Extra parking for trailers can be accessed near the barn area. Equestrians and hikers can explore 20 miles of hilly trails through forests and flatwoods, stopping to relax and admire one of the park's pristine lakes.
For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
$22 / night
Separate primitive camping areas available for individual and equestrian camping. Backcountry camping available. Campsites for cars and primitive cabins available. Groups can reserve tent site or cabins up to 90 days in advance. Reservation and fee are required and can be made up to 30 days in advance.
Equestrian, group and primitive campsites. Sites have picnic tables, fire rings and/or grills. A free reservation is required and must be displayed on dashboard at campground.
Equestrian and Primitive Sites: Separate sites available for equestrians and primitive camping. Sites have picnic tables, fire rings and/or grills. A free reservation is required and must be displayed or available at campground.
Backcountry Camping Sites: High Bluff , Foster Bridge, Concession Stand and Gator Hole.
Restrooms and Water ADA accessible portable toilets available at campgrounds. Nonpotable water available at River Road entrance and equestrian and primitive campgrounds.
Equestrian and primitive camping available. Sites have picnic tables, fire rings and/or grills. A free reservation is required and must be displayed or available at campground.
A free camping reservation is required and must be displayed.
Guide
We camped overnight on a Friday and were the only people in the area. Lovely space for dispersed camping with a picnic table, fire pit, an outhouse and hiking trails. We'll definitely visit again when we're in Florida.
Legend
We stayed in site 26, which was tucked back and fairly private. We planned on trail riding, but rain changed the plans. We didn’t get to explore much, but will be back. Nice long drive down to the sites. Electric and water were both great, and dump stations easy. Staff was extra friendly.
Scout
Stayed in spot #8, not as much shade as I had hoped for, would've been better in 10-14. Sites are plenty large and relatively well spaced out. There was a large anthill between the spot and where you park which made packing in and out an adventure (very active colony). Otherwise, the site was level and devoid of rocks & roots. A good night's sleep despite the racoon who pilfered my SunChips during the night.
LegendSmall spacious park. Restroom clean and showers, laundry $1.50 each. Firewood available to purchase. Lots of walking, biking, and hiking. Beautpark. Great camp hosts and ranger.
ScoutVery quiet and spacious. Wildlife in abundance. We were a 45’ motorcoach with a 20’ tow behind. Stayed in spot 3. Will return soon.
GuideThis campground is obviously quite new. Spacious and open sites that are very big rig friendly. Pads are L-shaped to accommodate the picnic table, yet because of the spacioiusness there's room to pitch a screen tent in the grass.
The demerits for us were (1) laundry is coin op only (no credit card), surprising for such a new park; and (2) no plastic bag dispenseries for dog clean up. Such amenities are nice for extended stays.
Legend
Site 2 HC restroom directly next store 50 amp water only Paved Spacious site Partial shade Clean restrooms and showers with HC ones 2 washers and 2 dryers brand new $2.50 EACH Plenty of walking, hiking, and biking Clean cg
TravelerSo I will say this site has super clean bathrooms, nice tent campsites and freshly paved roads. The tent sites have hookups and very close to the bathrooms. The only downfall is there isn't a ton to do here so don't expect anything spectacular.
Guide
Very spacious camp sites with lots of room between sites. Very clean bath house.
Traveler
We stayed in Cumpressco Campground first, and then Ashley. This campground is free to stay in for 7 days, 6 nights. You can leave for a day and come back but you can only book 30 days per calendar year!
Not many campers on the Cumpressco side but tons on the Ashley. Beware however of mating season for the caterpillars! They were everywhere!! No potable water at either site. Bring your own! There is a Porto at the Cumpressco site and an outhouse on the Ashley campsite.
Other than that, it’s beautiful! lives on site if you ever need him! Super nice guy! See you next year!
Guide
We stayed in April of 2023 during the week. I think there might be 10 sites full. Verizon 3 bars
RangerI absolutely love this park! There are so many trails and places to ride our bikes. It was really nice just relaxing on the dock to watch the birds in the lake. Bathhouse was always clean. Our site was really nice. We had a really long driveway. Campers around us were very friendly. I would absolutely go back! We loved riding down to see the horses.
TravelerQuiet, clean,
GuideI was really excited to stay here. I heard so many great things about this park, but we were incredibly disappointed in our site. The site looks like a bulldozer drove thru here and knocked down all the trees and brush last month and left all the debris around the perimeter to rot. Most other sites do not look like this and I’m including photos of ours and another empty one for contrast. We are here for 4 days during spring break but the site is so ugly we won’t be hanging around camp much. Most of them are beautiful so it’s the luck of the draw, I guess. The check-in was easy and the staff at the gate was super sweet. Camp office has ice and firewood but they close at 5 so plan ahead. Bathhouse is new and really nice. Because I think the rest of the park is so nice I’m still giving 4 stars but make sure to look at site photos and avoid mine, which is 17. The other photos in my review are of site 22 and it’s beautiful.
Edit: I came back to remove a star because I went back in n the website to see if any other sites were available since a ton of spaces around us were empty. I could only see availability for “tomorrow” and I could see that a spot that is available tomorrow and the rest of our time here is also empty today. I called the front gate to ask if we could move because of the condition of our site. The lady was VERY offended and said the debris is from a hurricane 6 months ago. I get it. That’s not the issue. The issue is that had I known the site was this bad, I wouldn’t have booked. That shouldn’t have made her mad. But it sure did. She told me I’d have to go online to make a change to my reservation, which I had already tried to do. After talking it over we decided to leave early so I called back a few minutes before 5. She answered an told me she was helping someone in front of her and she’d come back. She came back after 5 and when I told her I wanted to leave early and the website wouldn’t let me cancel my reservation early she said was closing because it was now after 5 and I’d have to call her tomorrow or I could call the main reservation line. I did. They said only the local camp office can help. We will not be back to this park. We drove from out of state to camp 2 days in basically a trash pile and be told we should be happy about it.
ScoutSmall state park, with really large sites and great facilities. The only thing missing are sewer hookups. Widely known in Florida for the mountain bike trails. Not much else to do in the area, but very nice space to chill out. The night sky is far enough away that you can really take in the stars. We have stayed at most of the state parks in Florida. We liked this one a lot.
LegendColt Creek is an awesome park! Huge sites, long driveways, clean and well maintained. Clean restrooms and washers/dryers at $1.50 each. Plenty of hiking, walking, and biking! Rangers are fantastic! 50 amp and water.
TravelerVery pretty, very peaceful and very well kept. I just wish there were more activities..
GuideThis was our first time in this park. Absolutely enjoyed it!
Traveler
Got out late at night on a Friday and pulled into a offshoot. The next day found a very nice campsite spot to set up at. Very private, great views and the neighboring campers were very respectful! Not much in terms of single track for mountain biking, however we had fun exploring the dirt roads in our Forester. Be mindful of going after/during a good rain, it floods pretty easily. Port-a-potty was alittle run down and needed refreshing. Overall, a great little spot to camp!
TravelerStayed in the McNeil primitive camping area. Only downside was our neighbors ran a generator all night long disturbing the peace. Other than that, a great spot for a little getaway. Nice trails for biking.
ScoutThis is a great park. Best campground I have stayed in so far. Very quite and relaxing. Trails around lakes that can be driven to view nature and wildlife.
GuideWhat a lovely campground!
Everything is quiet and even though the sites are close to each other, there's lots of privacy (at least among the tent sites).
There appears to be a lot of people actives on water and on foot.
Staff has been very friendly.
TravelerAfter a simple on-line reservation and finding someone at the Publix, across the road, to show me where the entrance was, I couldn’t believe how nice it was for a free camp spot. I stayed in the primitive side, where there was only 3 sites and I had so much privacy. It was so quiet, I only heard an owl one night, during my 6 night stay. The sites have picnic tables and fire rings. It was perfect!
Traveler3.2 mile hike through mostly open Florida pine forest with the occasional swamp. Perfect time of year to come. Site has great shade and opens up at the fire pit for great star gazing. Only downside is that you are under the flight path for Tampa Intl. so you get the occasional jets above. We had a small spike buck come into our camp at night and he didn’t even flinch at us from 20 yards. Awesome experience for my son. Weather was absolutely perfect. For being generally surrounded by urban areas this place is a win for ease of access. Good cell service with T-Mobile as well. We will definitely be doing this again!
ScoutVery welcoming staff, clean peaceful campground. Great privacy between sites
Traveler
We had a quick stop here. It was a great place. Clean, quiet and lots to do. We didn't have much time, but we will visit again.
TravelerMy wife and I decided to take a little overnight camping trip here. The weather was perfect and we had a very relaxing time.
The gate on the drive in stays locked at all times and you get the combination when you make your reservation. Other than a picnic table and fire ring at each site there's not much more so you'll need to bring your own water and pack out your trash.
We will definitely camp here again!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Tampa, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Tampa, FL is Little Manatee River State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 24 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Tampa, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 equestrian camping locations near Tampa, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
