Camping Near Ocala, Florida
Spring-side campgrounds in the Ocala National Forest and at Silver Springs State Park, with site counts, hookups and booking details checked with the agencies that run them.
What Are the Best Campgrounds Near Ocala?
Most camping near Ocala is east of the city in the Ocala National Forest, where three spring recreation areas have developed campgrounds run by the concessionaire Naventure for the U.S. Forest Service. Silver Springs State Park, on the east edge of Ocala, has its own campground and cabins run by Florida State Parks.
Hookups differ a lot between them, so check before you bring an RV: Salt Springs has full hookups, Silver Springs has water and electric, and Juniper and Alexander Springs have none.
The three spring areas are only part of the picture. The Forest Service lists nine more lake and off-highway-vehicle campgrounds in the forest, from Fore Lake on CR 314 to Clearwater Lake near Paisley, plus group camps and dispersed camping. Our guide to Ocala National Forest campgrounds compares all twelve with site counts, hookups, seasons and reservation rules.
Top Campgrounds Near Ocala
Ocala National Forest
A spring swimming area (72 degrees, per Recreation.gov), the Juniper Run canoe and kayak trail, and a shaded campground with picnic tables, grills, fire rings, hot showers, flush toilets and a dump station. There are no hookups.
Leashed pets are allowed in the campground only, not the day-use area. The boardwalk is closed for renovation.
Ocala National Forest
A constant 72-degree spring with a swimming area, the Timucuan interpretive trail, and canoe and kayak rentals. The campground has a bathhouse with hot showers, drinking water and a dump station, but no electric, water or sewer hookups.
Pets are not allowed in the day-use area.
Ocala National Forest
A 74-degree spring with swimming, snorkeling, fishing and a boat ramp and marina on Salt Springs Run. The Forest Service and Recreation.gov say it is the only campground in the Ocala National Forest with full RV hookups; tent sites are in a separate tent-only loop.
Pets are not allowed in the day-use area. Recreation.gov notes there is no cell or internet service.
Florida State Parks, Ocala
The closest of the four to Ocala. The campground and cabins are at the park's camping entrance, separate from the main entrance with the glass-bottom boats. Swimming is not allowed in the springs here.
Leashed pets are allowed in the campground, not in the cabins. See our Silver Springs camping guide for current rates.
Types of Camping Near Ocala
Forest Campgrounds Without Hookups
Juniper Springs and Alexander Springs have hot showers, flush toilets and dump stations, but no electric, water or sewer at the sites. They suit tents and self-contained RVs. Fore Lake Campground, on the forest's western edge off CR 314, has 31 sites with a bathhouse and dump station; Recreation.gov lists five of them with electric.
RV Sites With Hookups
Salt Springs is the forest's full-hookup campground, and Silver Springs State Park has water and electric at every site. For private parks, see our RV parks guide and WhimCycle Trail Resort.
Group Camping
The forest has group sites such as Mill Dam Group Campground and Doe Lake. Silver Springs State Park has a primitive group camp for organized groups, booked through the ranger station.
Cabins
Silver Springs State Park has 10 cabins that sleep up to six, with a kitchen, heat and air. Book them the same way as campsites, through Florida State Parks. Marion County also rents four rustic cabins at Horseshoe Lake Park & Retreat (two-night minimum, no pets) through Marion County Parks & Recreation at (352) 671-8560.
Planning Tips
- →Check closures first: the Forest Service says some Ocala National Forest campsites, day-use areas and trails are temporarily closed for hurricane damage. Check the site's page on fs.usda.gov before you go.
- →Check fire restrictions: the Forest Service posts fire restrictions for the Ocala National Forest as alerts on fs.usda.gov.
- →Day-use passes: the spring day-use areas charge entry, sold by Naventure. An annual pass covers Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, Silver Glen Springs and Salt Springs.
- →Store food: the Ocala National Forest has black bears. Keep food and trash in your vehicle or a bear-resistant container, and never feed wildlife.
- →Get maps: download Forest Service maps from fs.usda.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:What is the best time to camp near Ocala, Florida?
Many campers prefer the cooler, drier months from about October through April. Summers are hot and humid with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, though the springs at Juniper, Alexander and Salt Springs stay 72 to 74 degrees year-round.
Q:Which Ocala National Forest campground has full RV hookups?
Salt Springs. The Forest Service and Recreation.gov describe it as the only campground in the Ocala National Forest with full RV hookups. Juniper Springs and Alexander Springs have no hookups; both have a dump station.
Q:Do I need a reservation for camping near Ocala?
Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs and Salt Springs campsites are booked through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777, and the Forest Service says Alexander Springs is reservation-only. Silver Springs State Park campsites and cabins are booked through Florida State Parks at reserve.floridastateparks.org or 800-326-3521.
Q:Are pets allowed at Ocala National Forest campgrounds?
Pets are not allowed in the day-use areas at Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs or Salt Springs. Recreation.gov says leashed, supervised pets are allowed in the Juniper Springs campground. At Silver Springs State Park, leashed pets are allowed in the campground but not in the cabins.
Q:How long can I camp in the Ocala National Forest?
The Forest Service limits stays at Alexander Springs to 14 consecutive days in a 30-day period. Check the Forest Service alerts for the forest-wide rule on camping more than 14 days.
Q:What camping types are available near Ocala?
Tent and RV camping without hookups at Juniper Springs and Alexander Springs, RV sites with hookups and a tent-only loop at Salt Springs, and tent and RV sites with water and electric plus cabins at Silver Springs State Park. Private RV parks are covered in our RV parks guide.
Updated October 11, 2026. An earlier version of this page said Juniper Springs and Alexander Springs had hookups and listed campsite prices we could not confirm; we have corrected it. Sources: Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs and Salt Springs (U.S. Forest Service); Juniper Springs and Salt Springs (Recreation.gov); Silver Springs State Park (Florida State Parks).
Explore More Ocala Outdoor Experiences
Ocala National Forest
Our visitor guide to the forest's springs, trails and recreation areas.
Learn more →Ocala National Forest Campgrounds
All twelve forest campgrounds, group camps and dispersed camping rules.
Compare campgrounds →Ready to Book a Campsite?
Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs and Salt Springs are booked through Recreation.gov or 1-877-444-6777. Silver Springs State Park is booked through Florida State Parks at reserve.floridastateparks.org or 800-326-3521.
Reserve on Recreation.govMore Places to Stay in Ocala
Whether you're visiting for a weekend or relocating, Ocala has lodging for every traveler — from major hotels and budget motels to vacation rentals, bed-and-breakfasts, RV parks, and forest campgrounds.
Campamentos cerca de Ocala, Florida
Los principales campamentos cerca de Ocala son Juniper Springs (79 sitios), Alexander Springs (67 sitios) y Salt Springs (94 sitios con conexiones completas para casas rodantes más 52 solo para carpas, según Recreation.gov) en el Bosque Nacional Ocala, y el Parque Estatal Silver Springs en Ocala, con 59 sitios con agua y electricidad y 10 cabañas. Salt Springs es el único campamento del bosque con conexiones completas para casas rodantes; Juniper y Alexander Springs no tienen conexiones. Los campamentos del bosque se reservan en Recreation.gov o al 1-877-444-6777, y Silver Springs se reserva con Florida State Parks al 800-326-3521. La entrada del campamento de Silver Springs está en 1425 NE 58th Ave, Ocala, FL 34470.