Horseback Riding Trails in Jacksonville, FL

The Best Trail Riding | Palatka | St Augustine

The best horseback riding trails near Jacksonville, Florida. Enjoy horseback riding in picturesque Northeast Florida including trail riding in Duval, Baker, Clay, St Johns, Nassau, and Putnam counties.

The areas described below offer Northeast Florida horse trail riding facilities for experienced horseback riders with their own horses. To find guided horse trail rides with horses provided, horse rentals or beach horseback riding, click here.

Enjoy your weekend horse trail rides in one of Florida's equestrian friendly parks. Proof of a current Coggins test is required on all state property.

Best Horseback Riding Trails in Northeast Florida

• Jennings State Forest Jennings National Forest features some of the best horseback riding trails that can be found in northeast Florida and covers areas in both Clay and Duval counties. The 24,000 acre forest features 15 different natural biological communities, each with unique plants, animals, and physical characteristics. This results in an abundance of wildlife residing in the forest. Horse riding trails and trail heads are indicated on the site.
• Jacksonville-Baldwin Trail
The Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail is a 100 foot wide Right-of-Way (ROW) currently extending approximately 14.5 miles from Imeson Road in Jacksonville to the Town of Baldwin. A 12’ wide paved trail currently exists for hikers, bikers and roller-bladers to enjoy. An equestrian trail parallels the paved trail. The ROW is flat and passes through rural areas with abundant plant life, wildlife and trees..
• Amelia Island State Park Amelia Island State Park is on Amelia Island near Jacksonville, Florida. The park protects over 200 acres of unspoiled wilderness along the southern tip of Amelia Island. Beautiful beaches, salt marshes and coastal maritime forests provide visitors a glimpse of the original Florida.
• Beach horseback riding on Amelia Island is an amazing experience! Amelia Island Horseback Riding: They offer daily beach rides, including sunrise, sunset, and day rides. You can enjoy the scenic beauty of the sandy beaches while riding along the coast. They have been providing horseback riding tours since 1993 and have a great reputation.
• Happy Trails Walking Horses: This place offers beach rides with Tennessee Walking Horses, known for their calm demeanor and smooth gait. They provide both morning and evening rides, and you can even book private rides. Both options provide a memorable experience with beautiful views and well-trained horses. Reservations are required and maximu weight and minium age restrictions may apply.
• Additionally, there is an option to ride your own horses along the beach. Visitors who would like to ride the shoreline with their own horses need to contact the ranger station at 904-251-2320. Daily capacity limits may apply.
• J.P. Hall Bayard Conservation Area The Bayard Conservation Area’s importance is magnified by its closeness to the St. Johns River and the Jacksonville metropolitan area. Featuring equestrian horse trails, the conservation area runs along the western bank of the St. Johns River, east of U.S. 17, south of State Road (SR) 16 in Clay County, just southeast of Green Cove Springs and 12 miles south of Jacksonville. Equestrian trail heads may be found on the Map
• Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area The Black Creek Ravines Conservation area is located in Clay County, about one mile east of Middleburg, along the south bank of Black Creek. This tract consists primarily of natural woodlands and wetlands. Horseback riding is allowed on many conservation areas on equestrian horse trails in designated areas and established roads and fire lines, except where restricted by signs. Check area maps for horse riding opportunities. Map
• Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area is located six miles south of Palatka in Putnam County, bounded on the east by the St. Johns River and on the south by the Ocklawaha River. The area is located at the confluence of the Ocklawaha and St. Johns rivers. The area helps the restoration of these two major rivers and protects threatened and endangered species. The management area is a large, diverse tract which connects the Cross Florida Greenway with the Ocala National Forest. Equestrian horse trails are available in designated areas.
• Cary State Forest Cary State Forest located in northeastern Florida near Jacksonville in Nassau and Duval Counties. Horseback riding is a popular activity on the forest and is allowed on all open forest roads as well as two designated eight mile horse riding trails. The 12 mile Fireline Trail and Red Root Trail takes horse riders through many different forest ecosystems which include: mature longleaf pine stands, immature slash pine stands and basin swamps.
• Dunns Creek Conservation Area Dunns Creek Conservation Area is situated on the east side of Dunns Creek, west of State Road (SR) 100 and east of U.S. 17, at the north end of Crescent Lake, approximately eight miles south of Palatka in Putnam County. The majority of the area is floodplain swamp and hydric hammock, which protects about five miles of shoreline on Dunns Creek. Pine flatwoods and upland mixed forests with small strand swamps and dome swamps are interspersed. Equestrian horse trails are available. See the map for horse riding trail heads in the Dunns Creek Conservation Area.
• Newmans Lake Conservation Area (North Tract)
• Newmans Lake Conservation Areas offers equestrian horseviding trails in the St. Johns River Management District near Palatka, Florida. This area encompasses nearly two miles of Newmans Lake shoreline and parts of its two major tributaries — Hatchet Creek and Little Hatchet Creek — protecting a large area of floodplain wetlands. The conservation area also includes numerous isolated wetlands such as depression marshes, dome swamps and a large basin swamp known locally as Gum Root Swamp. Horse riding is allowed on many conservation areas on trails in designated areas and established roads and fire lines, except where restricted by signs. Check area maps for horse riding opportunities.
• Guana River Wildlife Management Area Guana River Wildlife Management Area is Located midway between fast-growing Jacksonville and St. Augustine. Horse riding is permitted on most named and numbered roads, established trails and fire lanes. Horse riding is prohibited during archery, muzzle loading gun, general gun, small game and spring turkey seasons. Children under the age of 16 are required to wear a riding helmet when riding on public lands. All horseback riders must have proof of current negative Coggins Test results for their horses when on state lands.
• Welaka State Forest Welaka State Forest is located in northeastern Florida, approximately 17 miles south of Palatka, off of U.S. Highway 17. The forest is on State Road 309, 1 mile south of the town of Welaka. The eastern half of Welaka State Forest boasts 18 miles of multi-use trails that are primarily used by equestrian riders. This includes the 6-mile Sandhill Horse Trail, which is part of the Florida Trailtrotter Program. The equestrian campground offers two 24-stall horse stables, a training arena, a show horse arena, six semi-primitive tent campsites and five full-hookup RV campsites, which are all available for rental.

Florida Horse Trail Directory for Florida State Forests

Many state forests in Florida offer horse trails and some provide for equine camping. The Florida Horse Trail Directory shows where horseback riding trails are located within the state forests.

Florida Horse Trail Directory for Florida State Parks

Within Florida there are 45 state parks offering horseback riding trails. Many times these equestrian trails are shared with bicycles and hikers so horseback riders should be aware of others on the trails. Many of the parks have equestrian camping facilities that may include barns, paddocks, and tie outs at designated camp sites.

Florida Greenways and Trails

The Florida Greenway system is a vast network of protected lands and trails designed to preserve the state's natural beauty and provide recreational opportunities. Spanning over 300 miles, it connects various parks, forests, and waterways, offering diverse outdoor activities like hiking, biking, horseback riding, and kayaking.

The system is home to a rich array of wildlife and plant species, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts. Key areas include the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway and the Black Bear Scenic Byway. The Greenway system not only promotes conservation but also enhances the quality of life for Floridians and visitors alike.

Equestrian trails and camping are integral to the Florida Greenway system, which provides numerous opportunities for horseback riding and outdoor adventures. The Greenway's network of trails includes designated equestrian paths that traverse diverse landscapes such as forests, wetlands, and grasslands. These trails offer riders scenic and varied terrain to explore.

Equestrian camping sites within the Greenway are equipped with facilities like horse corrals, water access, and designated areas for trailers and tents, ensuring both riders and horses have a comfortable experience. This setup allows for multi-day horseback riding adventures, immersing riders in the natural beauty and tranquility of the Greenway.

Overall, the Florida Greenway system enhances the equestrian experience by offering well-maintained trails and camping facilities, making it a prime destination for horse enthusiasts seeking to connect with nature.