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Florida State Parks

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USA Parks
Florida
Central Region
Ocala National Forest
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Ocala National Forest © Laura French
Ocala National Forest © Laura French
Ocala National Forest © Laura French
Ocala National Forest © Laura French
Ocala National Forest © Laura French
Ocala National Forest Looking Foxy © Myrna Erler-Bradshaw
Beautiful Gray Fox walking thru and opening in the trees.
Ocala National Forest Hunting for acorns © Myrna Erler-Bradshaw
Young Black Bear hunting acorns
Ocala National Forest © Jan Cree
Ocala National Forest Florida Scrubjay with a mouthful © Myrna Erler-Bradshaw
While exploring the forest, I came across this Scrubjay family busy gathering acorns.
Ocala National Forest © Lori Parr
Ocala National Forest Racoon © Julie Jones
Ocala National Forest Racoon1 © Julie Jones
Ocala National Forest Bear Tracks © Julie Jones
Ocala National Forest Sandhill Crane © Julie Jones
Ocala National Forest © Jan Cree
Ocala National Forest © Lori Parr
Ocala National Forest © Jan Cree
Ocala National Forest Wild Raspberry © Julie Jones
Ocala National Forest Swallow-Tailed Kite © Julie Jones
Ocala National Forest © Laura French
Ocala National Forest © Jan Cree
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OCALA NATIONAL FOREST
OCALA NATIONAL FOREST
325 John Knox Rd
Tallahassee, Florida   32303

Phone: 904-942-9300
The Ocala is a unique and fascinating forest that offers an accommodating climate for year round recreating. The mild winters are fine for family camping while a summer canoe trip down a palm-lined stream is a cool way to spend an August day. The temperatures for the dry months of November through February range from a daily average of 50 F to a high of 72 F. The summer season is much warmer and wetter. Short afternoon thundershowers often raise the humidity to about 90% while the temperatures range from 80 F to 95 F. The average rainfall is approximately 55 inches per year.

Water plays an important part in a variety of recreational opportunities on the forest. There are huge springs, twisting streams and lakes for fishing and water skiing. Many of the scenic lakes were formed when limestone bedrock dissolved, permitting the surface layer to slump and fill with water. The cool crystal-clear water of Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, Salt Springs and Silver Glen Springs entice many visitors to take a cool dip. Snorkelers frequently find a thrilling underwater view of fish, swaying vegetation and cavernous springs. No wonder the Ocala National Forest is one of the most heavily used National Forests in the United States. Some recreational activities require a pass or permit.
Cabins
Large families and small groups will enjoy a cabin either at Lake Dorr or Sweetwater Spring. The Lake Dorr cabin is nestled on the south end of Lake Dorr and can accommodate 10 persons. Sweetwater Spring cabin can accommodate 12 people and is situated on a freshwater spring that flows into Juniper Run.

These cabins are very secluded in the general forest area and have their own secured entrances. Guests have the exclusive use of the cabins for a week. Both of these facilities are managed by Recreation Resource Management, a concessionaire contracted by the Forest Service. Since availability is limited, a lottery drawing for dates is held annually for the following year. Long range planning is necessary for these two gems of the forest. For more details call: (352) 625-0546.
Camping
Camping can be enjoyed during all seasons on the Ocala. Visitors are welcome to stay as long as fourteen days in most campgrounds and even longer in other campgrounds, depending on the season. The majority of camping is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Salt Springs, Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs and Clearwater Lake now take reservations through ReserveUSA, in addition to a first-come, first-serve basis. You may make reservations online or by telephone, toll free: 877 444-6777. All of the group campgrounds and cabins are by reservation only.

Camping can be divided into three classes based on the type of facilities offered and fees charged; developed campgrounds, primitive campsites and dispersed tent camping. Developed campgrounds provide a variety of amenities including; showers, restrooms, picnic tables, charcoal grills, fire rings, lantern holders, drinking water, sanitation facilities and trash receptacles. Primitive campsites provide very few if any of these amenities. Dispersed tent camping is for the adventurous that prefer no facilities at all and is permitted throughout the general forest area.

Fees at developed areas range from $4.00 to $20.00, while primitive and dispersed camping is free. Camping permits and discount passports for senior and disabled U.S. citizens are available. Please see Passes & Permits for more information.

Developed Campgrounds:

The word Ocala is thought to be a derivative of a Timucuan Indian term meaning ?fair land? or ?big hammock?. The Ocala?s vegetation lives up to its name, as you will discover towering palms, huge live oaks and scrubby sand pines. Developed campgrounds in the Ocala are nestled in each of these settings. Of the twenty developed campgrounds, only Salt Springs offers full hook-up service. However, several campgrounds have dump stations and shower facilities. The remaining campgrounds offer fewer amenities. All of Ocala?s campgrounds allow pets, but they must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and are not permitted in designated swimming and picnicking areas. Many swimming areas also prohibit alcohol.

An annual pass is available for several of the campgrounds. Because these campgrounds have fewer amenities, the proceeds from the sales of the passes go towards improvements. These annual passes are part of the fee demo program and are sold at Ocala?s visitor centers and ranger stations.

Accessible campsites, restrooms, showers and walkways are available throughout various campgrounds in the Ocal National Forest. Call the appropriate district to determine if the facility you have chosen will suit your needs.

Primitive Camping:

The ?Leave No Trace? ethic is a consideration for all visitors whether they are dispersed camping, primitive camping or developed camping. To leave no trace of ourselves each time we use the Forest can be challenging, but every effort to maintain the natural state of the area will contribute to protecting it from overuse. Remember to remove all garbage and trash, ?pack it in, pack it out?. Leave vegetation intact, replace sticks and logs that were moved to clear areas for tents and campfires, and preserve water systems. Erasing evidence of our presence will keep each individual?s impact on the Forest at a minimum.

Primitive campsites, can be used by individuals camping with tents or any motorized vehicle. These are specific areas in the forest that offer little or no facilities. Some of these campsites are also hunt camps and may be open year round. Those that are not hunt camps will be closed during the established hunting season. While any motorized vehicle is permitted in these primitive campsites, not all areas are accessible by all types of vehicles. Sandy and narrow woods roads may make navigation difficult or impossible for some vehicles. Visitors should treat these roads with cautious respect.

Boating
Recreational opportunities abound on the many water bodies of the Ocala National Forest as well as on land. Activities range from canoeing, boating, skiing, to use of personal watercraft. All visitors engaging in water sports should keep safety first and foremost. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regulates water vessels and should be consulted for safety requirements, registration and other regulations.

The Ocala National Forest?s canoeing adventures are many, as it contains approximately 600 lakes and ponds, several streams and has 2 rivers along its boundary. There is no whitewater such as you would find in the mountains, but a variety of streams awaits your visit.

Canoeing/Kayaking:

Each stream has its own characteristics that make it unlike any other. Some, like Alexander Spring Creek, begin broad with slow moving water and then become narrow and deep downstream. Others, like Juniper Creek, start scarcely wider than the canoe and end up more than a hundred feet wide.

You can usually cover 2.5 miles per hour in open streams, assuming you periodically stop to enjoy the scenery. In streams with obstructing logs you may only move about 1.5 miles per hour.

The streams are kept in their natural condition. You won?t find roads running parallel alongside the stream. You may have to duck under low hanging tree branches or lift the canoe over partly submerged logs. The streams are left in these primitive conditions to provide a challenge and a sense of achievement, and to let visitors experience the quiet beauty of the unspoiled environment.

Be considerate of those who will canoe after you. Carry out all your trash so the stream will look natural. Please leave flowers, cypress knees, and shrubs for others to enjoy.

Canoe rentals are available from the concessionaire at Salt Springs Marina (352-685-2255), Juniper Springs (352-625-2808), Alexander Springs (352-669-3522), Silver Glen Springs (352-685-2799) and Clearwater Lake (352-669-0078) or you may bring canoes and paddle on your own. If you prefer, arrangements may be made with the concessionaire for rehaul service. Canoes need to be rented before 11am. Reservations are possible by calling each location, but canoes can also be rented on a "first-come, first-served basis".


Location
Ocala National Forest is located near Belleview, Lady Lake and Ocala

Trails
The Ocala portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail traverses the forest north to south, winding through multiple ecosystems. Hikers can experience rolling hills in the open longleaf pine forest, vast prairies, wooden boardwalks through swamps, thick scrub oak ? sand pine, and oak hammocks. The Trail meanders approximately 67 miles through the Ocala National Forest, making it an excellent choice for backpacking. Hikers may primitive camp while backpacking as long as campsites are at least 200 feet from the trail. Those who prefer not to rough it as much will encounter a spur trail to a developed campground about every 10 or 12 miles. These developed sites offer varying levels of facilities. Backpackers are not required to have a permit nor register with the ranger station prior to their outing, although filing a hiking plan with family and friends is highly recommended. Primitive camping in the general forest area is prohibited during the general gun deer hunting season, which is November 8, 2003 to January 4, 2003. The only exception to this regulation allows primitive camping within the Juniper Prairie Wilderness, which is closed to all hunting.

Many shorter loop trails are available for hikers looking for a less arduous experience. The Salt Springs Trail, Lake Eaton Sinkhole and Lake Eaton Loop Trails are among these, while the St. Francis Trail provides 2 loops 3 and 8.5 miles long.

Bicycling:

The Paisley Woods Bicycle Trail is a challenging 22 mile long ride through live oak domes, grassy prairies and stands of pines. Since the trail is in a figure eight shape, shorter loops can be made at the halfway point. Because this trail is not paved, bicycles need to be suited for rough terrain. Mountain bikes are ideal. There is no fee to ride the trail and there is free parking available at the trailhead at Clearwater Lake and the parking area of FR 538. Alexander Springs is located at the north end of the trail and Clearwater Lake is located at the south end. Water, showers and flush toilets are available at both locations, but please note there is a fee to use these facilities. Water is not available along the trail, so be sure to bring plenty of water. The trail is marked with yellow diamonds and arrows and posts at road crossings.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
December 20 clear cutting by [email protected]
park review stars; one to five There are thousands of acres to clear of trees. Readers Digest version...Why are the clear cuts being done in the small horse back riding community of Altoona/Pitman area? We riders from around the world use twenty square miles.....why decimate the public lands where the boomers have spent good moneyto buy homes in these towns hoping to retire by the was... Pristine forest. Got any intelligent feed back for the destruction of our forested trails that have been used for generations? Yours truly, Nanci Sullivan Fish.
March 10 peace ..... fresh air ... silence ... so by german
park review stars; one to five I go to the forest 3 or 5 times a year , at least for a few hrs .... when I return home ( orlando ) I feel new ....WHY IS THAT ? ... I think that we , like human we need silence ..we make too much noise with ours cars and industries ( painfully we need our cars and industries ) ...Ocala Forest is a place were we can find the sound of nature .... and the fresh air from the trees .... and just the look of only trees , the sound of the thunders and rain , the colors of the sky ..... I return from Ocala with new energy , with a deeper understand of myself and our world ..Ocala Forest make me think that WE MUST build our civilization in harmony with nature . WHY people go there to hunt the so few animals left ? . I believe that the animals in Ocala are part of that beauty ... I can see more animals and birds in Orlando that Ocala Forest probably because is SOOOOOOO many hunting there .... is not time to stop the hunting ? and let the animals and birds live there without fear of human so we can enjoy their beauty ? is not better watch an alive animal that see them in the agony of death ? Please stop the hunting of the few animals left .... I guess lots of people like guns for nature , problem is ...is so few animals left that is like use your credit card to the limit ....
March 6 Offers stress relief by -Sue S
park review stars; one to five I have ridden horses in the southern part of the ONF, near the Big Bass Campsite and find it so enjoyable & relaxing. On several occassions I have seen deer, eagles, turtles, bear footprints, etc. There are trails and wide open spaces to ride in with various types of plants and trees to see. It is truly beautiful. You could spend days out there, discovering new things everyday. So thankful for this National Forest!
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