Camping

Alexander Springs Recreation Area

There are 27 first-magnitude springs in Florida, and Alexander Springs is one of the easiest for visitors to enjoy. A broad and naturally gently sloped spring pool becomes a natural water park for swimming, snorkeling and canoeing. The water is a constant 72°F and extraordinarily clear.

Alexander Run begins here, which is a six mile stretch of river for canoeing and kayaking. Tent and RV camping available.

See Also: More about Alexander Springs, Swimming, The Springs - Byway Video Clip

Links: Alexander Springs - Ocala National Forest

Ben’s Hitching Post

Located on the edge of the Ocala National Forest and close to Silver Springs and all its facilities. An activity-oriented RV community for full timers or part timers: Bingo, Shuffle Board, and Bocce Ball Tournaments, potluck and holiday dinners as well as a community fire pit.

Directions:
SR 40 east of Silver Springs. Turn south on NE 115th Ave.

Links: http://benshitchingpost.com

Buck Lake Campground (Group camping)

Buck Lake Group Use Area provides primitive camping for groups up to 50. Campers have access to Buck Lake to enjoy fishing and semi-private boating (limit 25 horsepower).

Amenities are limited to one vault toilet, picnic tables and fire rings. There is access to hiking on the Florida Trail via a scenic trail that loops around the lake for 1.7 miles.

Directions:
Buck Lake Group Use Area is located west of SR 19 between Altoona and SR 40, north of CR 445. Access is via unimproved roads.

From Ocala: follow SR 40 east for 32 miles to the intersection with SR 19, past Juniper Springs Recreation Area. Turn right (south) and continue 4.6 miles. Look for the sign. Turn right on FR 535, which after a half mile turns into FR 595C. Continue 0.9 mile to FR 595-2 and turn right. Continue 0.6 mile and turn left. Continue another half mile to the Group Use Area.

Links: Reserve Buck Lake

Elite Resort at Salt Springs

In the heart of the Ocala National Forest on Little Lake Kerr, the 70 acre RV Park has 475 RV sites. Family-focused and pet-friendly. Two large pools. Rental Cottages available.

Directions:
HWY 19, south of Palatka, at the junction with 316 in the community of Salt Springs.

Links: Elite Resort at Salt Springs

Hopkins Prairie

Hopkins Prairie borders the byway along SR 19. The Florida National Scenic Trail, Pat’s Island and the Yearling Trail traverse parts of the prairie. The Hopkins Prairie Campground is a seasonal destination for campers looking to get a bit off the beaten path. It sits right along the Florida Trail and offers opportunities for fishing and birding along miles of prairie shoreline. Vault Toilets available.

Open: Oct 1-Jun 1
Closed: Jun 2 - Sep 30

Directions:
The turnoff for Hopkins Prairie is 9.2 miles north along SR 19 from the intersection with SR 40. Turn west onto the dirt road and follow the signs to reach the camping area.

Links: Hopkins Prairie

Lake in the Forest Black Bear Resort

This is a great spot for kids, with supervised activities, a pool, a beautiful nearby lake, and plenty of space for kids to run wild. The activities include games, crafts and even Karaoke in the evening. It has a very social atmosphere.

The lake is a great fishing spot, and mist often sits on the lake in the early morning. You will probably spot a gator if you look off the docks or go out fishing. This is a lake with too many gators for swimming. People enjoy spotting bears near this camp, too.

Located in the middle of the byway at Forest Corners, there are cabins for those who don’t want to rough it as much as a tent. RVs are welcome. This is a low-maintenance way to get closer to nature with the whole family. Great jumping – off spot to wander elsewhere during the day and return for night festivities.

Open Year Round.

Gates Closed: 5pm – 9am

Directions:
Off SR 40: 16 miles east of Silver Springs; 12 miles west of SR 19 intersection. Turn south on 183rd Ave. Rd. and follow signs.

Links:Lake in the Forest

Lake Delancy West

Lake Delancy West provides an OHV recreation area along Lake Delancy with OHV corrals, access to numerous marked OHV trails along the Ocala North OHV Trail System, and camping along the lake. The recreation area also serves as a trailhead and designated campground along the hiking-only Florida Trail.

Directions:
From Salt Springs, drive north along SR 19 for 5.7 miles to the "Lake Delancy" sign on the left side of the highway. Turn left. Follow this forest road, FR 75, around the north side of the lake to the campground and day use area entrance clearly marked on the left.

Links: Lake Delancy West

Lake George State Forest

Lake George State Forest offers many recreation opportunities. Bluffton Recreation Area is located on the St. Johns River and offers FISHING, PICNICKING, and a 3/4 mile interpretive NATURE TRAIL. While there is no boat ramp available, CANOES AND JON BOATS may be launched from the bank. Fishing is also available at Jenkins Pond.

The forest is open to visitors during daylight hours. HIKERS, BICYCLISTS and EQUESTRIANS are welcome on roads, designated trails and permanent fire lines. Contact us to obtain a State Forest Use Permit for PRIMITIVE CAMPING or for vehicle access to portions of the Mary Farms/Dexter Units (except during Special Opportunity Hunts).

Directions:
From the junction of US 17 and SR 40 in Barberville, drive west 5.8 miles towards the town of Volusia at the Astor Bridge to the second sign for Lake George State Forest on the left. Turn south on St. Johns River Road. Drive 0.7 of a mile down this bumpy road to reach the state forest entrance.

Links: Lake George State Forest, Lake George WMA, Dexter/Mary Farms Unit

Mill Dam Recreation Area

In the shade of live oaks overlooking 168-acre Mill Dam Lake, Mill Dam Recreation Area offers two different experiences for the public. Between March 16 and September 30, it’s a day use recreation area with a large swimming area and sandy beach accessible by wheelchairs. For the remainder of the year, October 1 – March 15, it becomes a group campground / recreation area for both day use and tent camping.

Directions:
Mill Dam Recreation Area is due east several miles along SR 40 beyond the Lake George Ranger District Station. Look for the prominent sign on the left after you pass Mill Dam Lake.

Links: Mill Dam Recreation Area

Parramore's Fantastic Fish Camp & Family Resort

Located in Astor on the east bank of the St. Johns River near the Ocala National Forest. Fishing and family oriented campgrounds with pool, boat ramp, game room, fish & bait shop and cabins for rent.

Directions:
Just off SR 40 in Astor, 25 miles from Silver Springs and 25 miles from Ormond Beach. Turn north on Riley Pridgeon Rd. just east of the St. Johns River Bridge in Astor.

Links: Parramore's

Rodman Campground

Focused around the vast Rodman Reservoir, the Kirkpatrick Dam, and the Ocklawaha River, this recreation area is a magnet for anglers looking for bank fishing along the dam. An accessible pier and a boat ramp provide a variety of fishing opportunities.

On the opposite shore below the dam, a recreation area maintained by the Office of Greenways & Trails has an additional pier as well as an easy canoe launch into the meandering original channel of the Ocklawaha River.

Directions:
Follow SR 19 south from Palatka or north from Salt Springs. Turn west on Kirkpatrick Dam Road and continue several miles to the spillway. Parking is provided on both sides. Restrooms, paved boat ramp, picnic tables, and fishing pier are on the east side. The west side is managed by the Office of Greenways & Trails, and includes an unimproved boat ramp, fishing pier, and access for canoe launch.

Links: Rodman Campground

Silver River State Park & Museum

The park has a full facility campground and 10 luxury cabins. There is also a primitive campground.

The park has more than 10 distinct natural communities, dozens of springs and miles of trails. Visitors can canoe on the crystal clear river, hike or bike along one of the nature trails. The picnic area features three pavilions with grills that may be rented for group outings and a playground for the youngsters.

The park is home to a pioneer cracker village and the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center (The center is operated by the Marion County School District in cooperation with the park and is open to the public on weekends and holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00. p.m.) In addition there is camping, picnicking, canoeing and a hiking trail. Admission to the Museum is $2.00 per person. Children under 6 are free.

Directions:
Silver River State Park is located east of Ocala, 1 mile south of S.R. 40 on S.R. 35. From Interstate 75, take exit 352 onto SR 40 east, about 9 miles to SR 35. From Interstate 95 take exit 268 to Route 40 west, about 60 miles to SR 35.

Links: Silver River State Park, Silver River Museum

Tiger Bay State Forest

Recreational activities include hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, picnicking, boating, fishing, hunting, nature study and photography. HORSEBACK RIDING and BICYCLING are allowed on forest roads designated for their use only. Tiger Bay State Forest contains 1 HIKING trail (Buncombe) in the Florida Forest Service’s Trailwalker Hiking Program and 1 EQUESTRIAN trail (Rima Ridge) in the Florida Forest Service’s Trailtrotter Program.

There are TWO PRIMITIVE CAMPING AREAS on Tiger Bay State Forest. An equestrian campground has been added to the Rima Ridge Tract with five primitive campsites, five small horse corrals (16’ x 16’ each), and a non-potable water supply. Contact Tiger Bay State Forest to obtain State Forest Use Permits for either of the primitive camping areas.

Tiger Bay State Forest is managed as a Wildlife Management Area by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Indian Lake and Rattlesnake Pond are open for FISHING and small BOAT use. HUNTING for whitetail deer, hogs, and small game is permitted during designated seasons.

Directions:
Access to the Rima Ridge Tract is also available by taking SR 40 approximately 5 miles west of I-95, the entrance is on the left side of the road.

Links: Tiger Bay State Forest, Tiger Bay WMA, Rima Ridge Unit