Carney Island Recreation & Conservation Area
A 750+ acre Marion County park on Lake Weir at 13275 SE 115th Ave, Ocklawaha, with two swim-beach park sites, a boat ramp, a kayak launch, pavilions, playgrounds and trails. $7 per vehicle; pets not permitted.
About Carney Island Recreation & Conservation Area
Carney Island Recreation & Conservation Area is a Marion County park at 13275 SE 115th Ave in Ocklawaha, on Lake Weir. According to Marion County Parks, the property includes more than 750 acres of sandhill islands, causeways, wetland systems and shoreline beaches, and was acquired by the county to protect its ecological character and provide resource-based recreation.
The county describes two park sites, each with a swim beach, picnic tables, grills, a playground and three pavilions, along with a boat ramp, a hand kayak launch and a trail system where visitors may see wild turkeys, sandhill cranes and gopher tortoises. The facility directory also lists restrooms, horseshoes and volleyball.
The park is open 7 AM to 8 PM from March 1 through October 31 and 7 AM to 5 PM from November 1 through the end of February. The daily user fee is $7 per vehicle, and pets and animals are not permitted. Call Marion County Parks & Recreation at (352) 671-8560 for pavilion reservations.
Park Amenities
As listed by Marion County Parks & Recreation:
On the Water
- •Two swim beaches
- •Boat ramp
- •Hand kayak launch
- •Monofilament recycling
On Land
- •Picnic pavilions (three at each park site)
- •Picnic tables and grills
- •Playgrounds
- •Hiking and walking trails
- •Horseshoes and volleyball
- •Restrooms
Planning Your Visit
Hours
March 1 through October 31: 7 AM to 8 PM. November 1 through the end of February: 7 AM to 5 PM.
Fees
The daily user fee is $7 per vehicle.
Pets
Pets and animals are not permitted at Carney Island.
Pavilion Reservations
Each of the two park sites has three pavilions. Contact Marion County Parks & Recreation at (352) 671-8560 to reserve.
History of Carney Island
According to Marion County Parks, Captain John L. Carney and his brother E.L. Carney bought the land in 1875 and developed a citrus grove there; the Carneys are credited with propagating citrus varieties including the Parson Brown. Citrus was shipped by steamboat from a packinghouse on the property across Lake Weir, and pilings from that packinghouse remain today.
The Coca-Cola Company acquired the property in 1960 when it purchased the Minute Maid Corporation. In 1990, Coca-Cola agreed to sell Carney Island to Marion County below market value, and the county bought it with funds from its “Pennies for Parks” program.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Carney Island?▼
Carney Island Recreation & Conservation Area is at 13275 SE 115th Ave, Ocklawaha, FL 32179, on Lake Weir in southeastern Marion County. It is a Marion County park; call Marion County Parks & Recreation at (352) 671-8560 for information.
What are the hours and entry fee for Carney Island?▼
According to Marion County Parks, Carney Island is open 7 AM to 8 PM from March 1 through October 31, and 7 AM to 5 PM from November 1 through the end of February. The daily user fee is $7 per vehicle.
Can you swim at Carney Island?▼
Yes. Marion County Parks lists a beach and swimming among the amenities, and the county describes two park sites at Carney Island, each with a swim beach.
Is there a boat ramp at Carney Island?▼
Yes. The park has a boat ramp on Lake Weir and a hand launch for kayaks, according to Marion County Parks. Anglers should follow Florida freshwater fishing license rules from FWC.
Does Carney Island have pavilions and playgrounds?▼
Yes. Marion County describes two park sites, each with a swim beach, picnic tables, grills, a playground and three pavilions. Pavilions can be reserved through Marion County Parks & Recreation at (352) 671-8560.
Are dogs allowed at Carney Island?▼
No. Marion County Parks states that pets and animals are not permitted at Carney Island.
What wildlife can you see at Carney Island?▼
Marion County says visitors on the park trail system may see wild turkeys, sandhill cranes and gopher tortoises, among other wildlife.
Carney Island en Lake Weir (Ocklawaha)
Carney Island Recreation & Conservation Area es un parque del Condado de Marion de más de 750 acres a orillas del Lake Weir, ubicado en 13275 SE 115th Ave, Ocklawaha, FL 32179. Tiene una rampa para botes, un área para lanzar kayaks y dos zonas de parque, cada una con playa para nadar, mesas de picnic, parrillas, área de juegos infantiles y tres pabellones, además de senderos para caminar. La entrada cuesta $7 por vehículo y no se permiten mascotas. El horario es de 7 a.m. a 8 p.m. del 1 de marzo al 31 de octubre, y de 7 a.m. a 5 p.m. del 1 de noviembre al final de febrero. Para más información, llame a Marion County Parks & Recreation al (352) 671-8560.