Belle Meade Horse Trail, near Naples, FL
|
Trail Rating:
Camp Rating:
|
I drove for 2 hours from Southwest Ranches which is about 30 minutes longer than I like. The roads to the park are not that nice. Some are in need of new pavement as they were pretty bouncy pulling my trailer so drive carefully. The campground area was nice and clean. The stalls are well built. The horse trails were very wide and well maintained. They could be marked better. I always ride with my GPS and I needed it to find my way back to camp. I only rode for the day but I did about 7 miles. This time of the year it was still cool in the morning until about noon. The trails were very dry. There is a nice hammock called Kirkland which is a nice destination for a day ride. I like Dupuis better but this was a nice change. |
| Reviewed by Doc WhipLash on 3/22/2009 5:27:17 PM |
Experience: Expert |
Ride Date: 3/21/2009 |
Hometown: Southwest Ranches, FL |
|
Dupuis Management Area, near Port Mayaca, FL
|
Trail Rating:
Camp Rating:
|
February was a great month this year. There has been no rain for months and it has been very cool. The park is just beautiful. The trails are all dry and there has been some controlled burns so the trails a clear and wide. The more I ride this park the more I like it. You can find places to just sit on a log and enjoy a good smoke or drink. I always see some wildlife from deer to birds to snakes. You can ride for 1 hour or 8 hours. I did over 21 miles there one day. |
| Reviewed by Doc WhipLash on 3/22/2009 5:33:03 PM |
Experience: Expert |
Ride Date: 2/28/2009 |
Hometown: Southwest Ranches, FL |
|
|
Trail Rating:
Camp Rating:
|
Trails will be under 2-3" of water most of the year. The bugs are many but the camping is good. Stalls for the horses. Easy to get to. |
| Reviewed by Doc WhipLash on 2/13/2008 8:22:31 PM |
Experience: Expert |
Ride Date: 1/10/2008 |
Hometown: Southwest Ranches, FL |
|
Jonathan Dickinson State Park, near Hobe Sound, FL
|
Trail Rating:
Camp Rating:
|
There is now horse camping available. The trails are very easy. I have seen deer and birds but little else. It is hot and humid during the summer but cool during the winter. There are better places to ride. |
| Reviewed by Doc WhipLash on 10/31/2009 9:13:08 PM |
Experience: Expert |
Ride Date: 10/31/2009 |
Hometown: Southwest Ranches, FL |
|
St. Johns Trail Head, near Palatka, Fl
|
Trail Rating:
Camp Rating:
|
This is one of my favorite rides. It is a good day ride. There are 2 separate trails on either side of the campgrounds. You can ride one side in the morning and then the other side after lunch. One trail is straight and about 7 or so miles. It is the old construction road used when the canal was built. It is 2 levels and is shaded with the canal on one side and the forest on the other. The other side is the St. Johns Loop and zig-zags through the forest and abutts the Rodehaver Boys Ranch. I have seen Bald Eagles, deer, bobcats, fox and many other wildlife. The weather stays cold to cool from Oct to May. |
| Reviewed by Doc WhipLash on 3/22/2009 5:43:04 PM |
Experience: Expert |
Ride Date: 10/14/2008 |
Hometown: Southwest Ranches, FL |
|
|