Florida Sport Horse Club

Tenoroc Public Use Area
3829 Tenoroc Mine Road, Lakeland FL, 33805
Phone: (863) 499-2421
http://myfwc.com/viewing/recreation/wmas/lead/tenoroc/ 

Things to know:

• Hours of operation: 6am to 7pm on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
• There is a $3 day-use fee, payable when you present your Coggins in the office.
• Parking for horse rigs is just past the office on the right.
• Restrooms are available at the pavilion south of the parking area.
• Three large trail loops are open to horses and carts. The north and south loops combined equal about 9 miles; the east loop adds about 14 miles.
  • The south loop has the most shade.
  • The north loop is about 1/3 shaded.
  • The east loop (accessed at marker #7 off the south loop) begins by going down a steep ditch and up the other side. One must walk along a shell road for about ¾ mile before entering shade and a softer trail. Much of the remaining trail, except for the pine flatwoods, is in sun.
• Water is available in the parking area.
• During the summer biting flies are minimal compared to other riding areas, making it a favorite of locals.
• Trails are well marked and maintained, and staff is very responsive to concerns and reports of trail issues.
• Ask for the horses’ trail map in the office. Otherwise you may end up with the hikers’ map, which is very different.
• Wildlife: All kinds of birds, alligators, bobcats, otters, gopher tortoises, armadillos and opossums. Wild pigs are frequently encountered, as well as the occasional loose cow on the north loop.

Cautions:

• The parking area has been torn up by pigs; it can be very bumpy.  Creeping indigo is present, so don’t let your horses graze.  And it can get boggy in wet weather.
• The property contains a shooting range and is (as of October 2018) adding skeet shooting. There are also occasional hunts at the dove field. While none of the shooting closes the trails or poses danger to the horses, the noise can spook horses at some points. But you can use the trail as a great desensitizing experience for your horse!
• Riders are warned to remain on designated trails at all times. The area is a reclaimed phosphate mine, and there are many hidden holes, pits and bogs. The “lakes” have extremely steep drop-offs; one step in can pitch a horse into very deep water with no way to get out. There are also a few militant hikers who, if spotting evidence of horses on hiking trails, will report us to the office.

(**NOTE:  This map is older.  The trails have been slightly modified but are still well-marked. No new map is yet available.)