Southwest Florida Trail Riding

Horseback Riding | Biking | Hiking

Southwest Florida trail riding in state parks brings you close to the real Florida with all their splendor outside of the big cities. Horseback riding, biking, and hiking through oak and pine hammocks, across picturesque savannahs, and along breezy coastal trails is truly a memorable experience.

Horse trail riding in Sarasota, Naples, Fort Myers, Venice, and Everglades City. You will find horseback trail riding facilities for experienced riders with their own horses. To find guided trail rides with horses provided, horse riding rentals or beach horseback riding, click here.

Hiking, biking, kayaking, and canoeing, are also favorite activities in Florida's state and national parks.

SW Florida Biking, Hiking, and Trail Riding Directory

Prairie Pines Preserve
Prairie Park Preserve features horse trails on over 2654 acres consisting of a mosaic of several native plant communities, including wet and mesic flatwoods (an open canopy of tall pines and dense undergrowth,) depression marshes, wet prairies, prairie hammocks and a small baygall (low lying boggy land with bay trees.) Past agricultural practices have disturbed about 7% of the Preserve. Hiking, Horseback Riding, 3-mile primitive at-grade Bike Trail, Bird Watching & Nature Study/Photography. North Fort Myers, Florida, main entrance and parking of Hwy 41, just north of Del Prado Blvd.

Caloosahatchee Park

This park has sustained some hurricane Ian damage but is partially open. Call ahead to assure equestrian trails are available. North Side Mountain Bike & Equestrian Trails (Parking Lot #3. 18251 North River Rd.) Six miles of equestrian horseback riding trails, primitive, and equine camping.

Myakka State Forest  with its horseback riding trails is located in the south western portion of Sarasota County within the city limits of North Port. The forest was purchased in 1995 as part of the Myakka Estuary Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) project using Preservation 2000 and Save Our Rivers funds. North Loop 6 miles. South Loop 7.4 miles. Trail map.

Picayune Strand State Forest
In the heart of an ecosystem called the Big Cypress Basin, equestrian horse riders will appreciate the Picayune Strand State Forrest for its wildlife viewing opportunities. Located just two miles east of Naples, the Belle Meade Tract provides equestrians with a 22 mile horseback riding trail, 10 paddocks and non potable water along with an equestrian horse camping area.

Mabry Carlton, Jr. Memorial Reserve
The Mabry Carton Jr. Memorial Reserve offers back country hiking, biking, canoeing, equestrian horseback riding trails, picnicking, nature trails, parking, and restrooms. Located at 1800 Mabry Carlton Parkway in Venice, Florida.

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
Over 100 miles of dirt roads allow hikers, bicyclists, and horseback riders to explore prairies, wetlands, and shady hammocks. Ranger-led prairie buggy tours take visitors to remote areas of the park. For overnight stays, the park has full-facility and primitive equestrian campgrounds.

Lake Okeechobee
Visitors can enjoy nearly 112 miles of trails for walking, hiking, rollerblading, bicycle and horseback riding around Lake Okeechobee. Designated as part of the Florida National Scenic Trail in 1993, the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail is an approximately 110-mile trail encircling the lake. More than half of the horseback riding trail is paved, and the remainder consists of a two-track gravel roadway on top of the 35-foot high Herbert Hoover Dike.

Florida Greenways and Trails
Explore recreational maps and descriptions of equestrian greenways and horseback riding trails throughout the state.

Florida State Parks
Listing of all Florida State Parks and those that feature horseback riding trails. Trails in Southwest Florida are featured.