Ocala National Forest Campgrounds & Camping Guide
Every campground in the Ocala National Forest, from the full-hookup RV loop at Salt Springs to primitive lake sites and dispersed camping in the sand pine scrub, with site counts, hookups, seasons and reservation rules taken from the U.S. Forest Service and Recreation.gov.
How Many Campgrounds Does the Ocala National Forest Have?
The U.S. Forest Service and Recreation.gov list twelve Ocala National Forest campgrounds with individual tent and RV sites, about 560 sites in all. Three sit beside the big spring recreation areas (Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs and Salt Springs), and nine are smaller lake and off-highway-vehicle campgrounds (Clearwater Lake, Fore Lake, Lake Dorr, Lake Eaton, Big Bass, Hopkins Prairie, Big Scrub, Lake Delancy West and Lake Delancy East). Five group camps, a rental cabin on Lake Dorr, three free primitive riverside sites at Davenport Landing and dispersed camping round out the options. The forest covers 383,000 acres across four counties, according to Recreation.gov, and its western edge begins a few miles east of Ocala on SR 40.
Spring campgrounds
Juniper, Alexander and Salt Springs: hot showers, swimming areas, reservations through Recreation.gov. Salt Springs has the forest's only full hookups.
Lake and OHV campgrounds
Nine quieter campgrounds from 14 to 47 sites at $10 to $38 a night; only Fore Lake has electric, and several have vault toilets and no potable water.
Group and dispersed
Group camps for 50 to 250 people, three primitive sites on the Ocklawaha River, and dispersed camping under Forest Service rules.
This page covers only the national forest. For Silver Springs State Park, Marion County cabins and private RV parks, see our wider guide to camping near Ocala. Silver Glen Springs is a day-use area with no overnight camping; see Silver Glen Springs for how to pair it with a forest campground.
Ocala National Forest Campgrounds Compared: Fees, Hookups and Seasons
Nightly fees are the rates Recreation.gov showed for a single site on October 21, 2026; site counts are the Forest Service's unless noted. Fees change, so confirm on Recreation.gov before you book.
| Campground | Sites | Per night | Hookups | Showers | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Springs | 94 RV + 52 tent (Recreation.gov) | $70 RV, $38 tent | Full on RV sites (50-amp electric, water, sewer) | Yes | No seasonal closure listed |
| Juniper Springs | 79 | $38 | None | Yes | No seasonal closure listed |
| Alexander Springs | 67 | $38 | None | Yes | No seasonal closure listed |
| Clearwater Lake | 42 | $38 | None | Yes | No seasonal closure listed |
| Fore Lake | 31 | $36 electric, $20 standard | 30-amp electric at 5 sites | Yes | No seasonal closure listed |
| Lake Dorr | 34 | $20 | None | Yes | No seasonal closure listed |
| Big Scrub (OHV) | 47 | $20 | None | Yes | No dates listed |
| Hopkins Prairie | 21 | $16 | None | No (vault toilets) | Open year-round (Forest Service) |
| Big Bass | 19 | $15 | None | No (vault toilets) | October to April |
| Lake Eaton | 14 | $10 to $15 | None | No (vault toilets) | October 1 to June 1 |
| Lake Delancy West (OHV) | 30 | $10 | None (Recreation.gov) | No (vault toilets) | No seasonal closure listed |
| Lake Delancy East | 29 tent-only | Not listed | None | Not confirmed | October to April; temporarily closed Oct. 2026 |
Davenport Landing's three primitive sites are free, with no restrooms or drinking water. Group camps run $70 to $350 a night on Recreation.gov (see below).
Spring Recreation Area Campgrounds
The three busiest Ocala National Forest campgrounds are attached to spring swimming areas run for the Forest Service by the concessionaire Naventure. Campsite reservations go through Recreation.gov; day-use fees and hours are set by Naventure and vary by season.
Juniper Springs Recreation Area
SR 40, Silver Springs
- 79 tent and RV sites (Forest Service count); Recreation.gov books them at $38 a night and says there are no sites with full hookups
- Hot showers, flush toilets and a dump station; spring swimming area and the Juniper Run canoe trail; the boardwalk is closed for renovations
- Leashed pets allowed in the campground only, not the day-use area
- Gate locked 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. March to October and 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. October to March; up to 2 tents, 5 campers and 2 vehicles per site
Alexander Springs Recreation Area
CR 445 between Astor and Altoona (Lake County)
- 67 sites for tents and RVs up to 35 feet (Forest Service); $38 a night on Recreation.gov; no electric, water or sewer hookups
- Hot-shower bathhouse and dump station; all campsites are reservation-only
- A Vehicle Access Reservation is also required on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day
- Gate locked at 8 p.m. March to October and 6 p.m. November to March; late arrivals finish check-in at the gatehouse the next morning; leashed pets in the campground only
Salt Springs Recreation Area
SR 19, Salt Springs
- Recreation.gov lists 94 RV sites with 50-amp electric, water and sewer at $70 a night and 52 tent-only sites a short walk from parking at $38 a night
- The largest campground in the forest and the only one with full hookups for RVs; RVs up to 40 feet
- Two vehicles included in the site fee; quiet hours 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. with no generators; no cell or internet service
- Pets are not allowed in the day-use area
Lake and OHV Campgrounds in the Ocala National Forest
These nine campgrounds are smaller and quieter than the spring areas. Several have vault toilets only and no drinking water, so campers should arrive with their own supply. Counts, fees and seasons below are as published by the Forest Service and Recreation.gov in October 2026.
Clearwater Lake Campground
24511 CR 42, just outside Paisley
- 42 lakefront spaces for trailers and tents (Forest Service); Recreation.gov books 38 of them at $38 a night; no hookups
- Bathhouses with warm showers, flush toilets, a dish-washing station in both loops, swim beach and canoe rentals
- Gate locks at 6 p.m. March to October and 4 p.m. November to March; leashed pets in the campground only
- Reservations on Recreation.gov; facility phone (352) 669-0078
Fore Lake Campground
14434 CR 314, western edge of the forest
- 31 sites; Recreation.gov lists 5 with 30-amp electric (sites 16 to 20) at $36 a night and 26 without at $20
- Bathhouse with hot showers and flush toilets; dump station free for paid campers
- Fishing pier, canoe launch and beach access on Fore Lake; no gasoline engines; day-use fee $5
- Gates 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; check-in 3 p.m., check-out 11 a.m.
Lake Dorr Campground
Northwest shore of Lake Dorr, near Altoona
- 34 standard non-electric sites at $20 a night on Recreation.gov, plus a lakefront rental cabin that sleeps 10
- Flush toilets and showers, boat ramp and picnic area
- Gates 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; limited staffing on site
- Reservations at 1-877-444-6777; general information (352) 625-2520
Lake Eaton Campground
North-central forest, in the Big Scrub
- 14 primitive tent and RV sites at $10 to $15 a night on Recreation.gov; no hookups and no potable water
- Open seasonally, October 1 to June 1
- Boat ramp, accessible fishing pier and vault toilets on the 308-acre lake
- The Lake Eaton Sinkhole Trailhead nearby is listed as closed by the Forest Service
Big Bass Campground
South edge of the forest near the Ocklawaha River
- 19 tent and RV sites, including two accessible sites, at $15 a night
- Dump station; $5 per use for campers not registered there
- Open seasonally, October through April
- Vault toilets; the Forest Service page lists drinking water but also says potable water is not available, so bring your own
Hopkins Prairie Campground
Central forest, on the Florida Trail
- 21 tent and RV sites (Forest Service), all non-electric; Recreation.gov books 20 at $16 a night (the Forest Service page still says $15)
- Vault toilets; Recreation.gov lists a hand-pump well, but the Forest Service says there is no potable water, so bring your own
- Open year-round with a Florida Trail trailhead; busy season October through March; low branches limit tall RVs
- Reservations required on Recreation.gov; same-day booking when sites are open
Big Scrub Campground
11990 SE Forest Road 588, south-central forest
- 47 sites (Forest Service); Recreation.gov lists 36 standard and 10 tent-only, all non-electric, at $20 a night
- Showers, restrooms and drinking water
- Campsite-to-trail access to the 47-mile Ocala Centennial OHV Trail; riders need a pass and safety gear
- Gates 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; check-in 3 p.m., check-out 11 a.m.; reservations at 1-877-444-6777
Lake Delancy West OHV Campground
Western shore of Lake Delancy
- 30 tent and small-trailer sites (Forest Service) at $10 a night; Recreation.gov also books sites 14 to 120 as dispersed camping on the middle island
- OHV corral and access to the Ocala North OHV Trail System (pass and safety gear required)
- Designated backpacker campground on the Florida Trail, 0.3 mile from the main trail
- Vault toilets; no potable water; food must be stored in a bear-proof container or vehicle
Lake Delancy East Campground
Eastern shore of Lake Delancy
- 29 tent-only primitive sites; no potable water
- Season of use October through April; the Forest Service page showed it temporarily closed in October 2026
- ATVs are not permitted
- Bears frequent the area; food must be stored in a bear-proof container or vehicle
Group Camps and Primitive Sites
Mill Dam Group Camp
Groups of up to 150 on 168-acre Mill Dam Lake, $100 a night on Recreation.gov. The Forest Service says group camping is by reservation only from October 1 to March 15; from March 16 to September 30 it is a day-use area with no overnight stays. Tent camping only, with no hookups, no showers, and no alcohol or pets. Recreation.gov lists (352) 625-3147 for general information.
Doe Lake Group Camp
A reservation-only group camp (no walk-ins) for up to 250 people, centered on a restored 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps dining hall with a group kitchen overlooking the lake. The Forest Service lists it at $350 a night. Flush toilets, showers and hitching posts; RVs and horse trailers are limited to set areas with no hookups. It is between Moss Bluff and Umatilla, reached on unpaved forest roads.
Buck Lake, River Forest and Lake Shore Group Camps
Buck Lake is a primitive group camp for up to 50 people with a vault toilet, a hand pump (the Forest Service says to filter the water) and a group fire ring; Recreation.gov showed $70 a night and the Forest Service page $170, so check the booking page. River Forest Group Site, on the St. Johns River across from DeLand, takes up to 125 guests with a bathhouse and screened pavilion but no hookups, at $200 a night. Lake Shore Group Camp, on 12-acre Fore Lake, takes up to 50 guests with showers and flush toilets but no hookups, at $100 a night. All three are booked on Recreation.gov.
Davenport Landing (Free)
Davenport Landing has three free primitive campsites on the Ocklawaha River at a former steamboat stop, for up to 15 people in all (five per site) with a four-day stay limit. There are no restrooms and no drinking water, and the floodplain setting means heavy mosquitoes. A 0.6-mile interpretive trail leads to the old landing.
Dispersed Camping Rules in the Ocala National Forest
Camping outside developed recreation areas carries no campground fee, but the Forest Service sets the following rules for the National Forests in Florida, and Forest Order 08-05-FL-13-01 sets the 14-day limit.
Hunting season 2026-27: FWC lists muzzleloading gun season Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, 2026 and general gun season Nov. 14, 2026 to Jan. 10, 2027 for most units of the Ocala WMA. Camping outside designated campgrounds and the Juniper Prairie Wilderness is prohibited during general gun season. See the full dates.
Where and how long
- Not allowed in the vicinity of developed recreation areas or within 100 feet of streams and other water sources
- Choose a site that has already been used; avoid open clearings and meadows
- 14 days within any 30-day period, unless a site is posted differently; establishing residency is against federal regulation
- During general gun season (Nov. 14, 2026 to Jan. 10, 2027 in most units of the Ocala Wildlife Management Area), the FWC brochure prohibits camping except in designated campgrounds and the Juniper Prairie Wilderness; see the hunting season dates
- Groups of more than 75 people need a special use permit
Fire, waste and bears
- Stage 1 fire restrictions have been in effect since March 6, 2026 and were still posted on October 21, 2026: developed campsites with Forest Service fire rings and grills are exempt, dispersed campers must use propane, and charcoal is allowed for grilling
- Use existing fire rings and make sure fires are dead out and cold before leaving; gather only dead and down wood
- Pack it in, pack it out; bury human and pet waste at least 6 inches deep and 100 feet from water
- Store food, trash and other bear attractants properly; the Forest Service tells campers to be bear aware, and Lake Delancy East requires a bear-proof container or vehicle
- Check the National Forests in Florida alerts page for current closures and restrictions before every trip
How Do Reservations Work at Ocala National Forest Campgrounds?
Every developed campground in the forest except Lake Delancy East is booked through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. The Forest Service says all Alexander Springs campsites require reservations, and Recreation.gov says the same for Hopkins Prairie, with same-day booking allowed when sites are open.
- Pick a campground from the table above by what you need: full hookups (Salt Springs only), showers, a spring swimming area or an OHV trailhead.
- Search the campground on Recreation.gov and choose a site that fits your rig; Salt Springs warns that the site you reserve is the site you get, with no moving later.
- Enter any discount pass when you book. Federal Senior and Access pass holders get 50 percent off a single campsite they occupy at Alexander Springs, Clearwater Lake, Hopkins Prairie and Juniper Springs, and Salt Springs takes passes for single sites at booking; the discount does not cover hookup fees or group sites, and the Forest Service says America the Beautiful passes get no camping discount there.
- Add a Vehicle Access Reservation if you are visiting Alexander Springs on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
- Arrive before the gate closes. Recreation.gov lists check-in at 2 p.m. at Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, Clearwater Lake and Hopkins Prairie and at 3 p.m. at Fore Lake, Lake Dorr, Lake Eaton, Big Bass, Big Scrub and Lake Delancy West, with check-out at 11 a.m. At Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs and Clearwater Lake, campers who arrive after the gatehouse closes must finish check-in the next morning or risk a no-show charge.
Site fees cover up to two vehicles at most campgrounds, and extra vehicles pay a nightly charge; Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, Clearwater Lake and Hopkins Prairie also limit each site to five people. Recreation.gov keeps a $10 service fee from any cancellation refund, and Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, Clearwater Lake and Hopkins Prairie give no refunds for bad weather.
RV campers have one full-hookup choice, Salt Springs, where RV sites take rigs up to 40 feet; Fore Lake adds five 30-amp electric sites, and Alexander Springs takes RVs up to 35 feet without hookups. The Forest Service does not allow rental RVs or trailers to be dropped off at a campground; the person on the reservation has to drive it in. Riders of off-highway vehicles can camp at Big Scrub, which opens onto the 47-mile Ocala Centennial OHV Trail, or at Lake Delancy West on the Ocala North OHV Trail System; the Forest Service says riders need a pass and safety gear, and riders under 16 must pass an online course. For motocross and ATV tracks outside the forest, see our Hardrock Offroad Park page.
Hookups at a glance
Full hookups: Salt Springs only. Electric only: 5 sites at Fore Lake. No hookups: Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, Clearwater Lake, Lake Dorr, Lake Eaton, Big Scrub and the rest. Dump stations at Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, Salt Springs, Clearwater Lake, Fore Lake and Big Bass.
Who to call
Reservations: 1-877-444-6777. Lake George Ranger District: 17147 E. State Road 40, Silver Springs, FL 34488, 352-625-2520. Seminole Ranger District: 40929 State Road 19, Umatilla, FL 32784, 352-669-3153. Both offices are open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 3 p.m. Juniper Springs: (352) 625-3147. Alexander Springs: (352) 669-3522. Clearwater Lake: (352) 669-0078.
Which National Forests Are in Florida?
Florida has three national forests: the Apalachicola, the Osceola and the Ocala. The U.S. Forest Service manages them together as the National Forests in Florida, covering almost 1.2 million acres of north and central Florida, including about 500,000 acres of wetlands and more than 85,000 acres of designated wilderness. The Ocala National Forest is the closest to Marion County.
Within the Ocala National Forest, the Forest Service lists four wilderness areas, including the 14,283-acre Juniper Prairie Wilderness in the Big Scrub and the 7,941-acre Alexander Springs Wilderness. The forest has two ranger district offices, Lake George on SR 40 in Silver Springs and Seminole on SR 19 in Umatilla, and the National Forests in Florida Supervisor's Office is in Tallahassee (850-523-8500). For trails, springs and driving routes, see our Ocala National Forest guide and swimming guide.
Ocala National Forest Camping FAQ
How many campgrounds are in the Ocala National Forest?
The U.S. Forest Service and Recreation.gov list twelve Ocala National Forest campgrounds with individual sites: Juniper Springs (79 sites), Alexander Springs (67), Salt Springs (94 full-hookup RV sites plus 52 tent-only sites on Recreation.gov), Clearwater Lake (42), Fore Lake (31), Lake Dorr (34), Lake Eaton (14), Big Bass (19), Hopkins Prairie (21), Big Scrub (47), Lake Delancy West (30) and Lake Delancy East (29). There are also five group camps (Mill Dam, Doe Lake, Buck Lake, River Forest and Lake Shore), a rental cabin at Lake Dorr, three free primitive riverside sites at Davenport Landing, and dispersed camping across much of the forest.
How much does it cost to camp in the Ocala National Forest?
Recreation.gov listed these nightly rates in October 2026: $70 for a full-hookup RV site at Salt Springs; $38 for a standard site at Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs or Clearwater Lake, or a tent-only site at Salt Springs; $36 for an electric site at Fore Lake; $20 at Fore Lake (non-electric), Lake Dorr and Big Scrub; $16 at Hopkins Prairie; $15 at Big Bass; $10 to $15 at Lake Eaton; and $10 at Lake Delancy West. Davenport Landing's three primitive sites are free, and dispersed camping away from developed recreation areas has no campground fee.
Which Ocala National Forest campground has full hookups for RVs?
Salt Springs Recreation Area. The Forest Service describes it as the largest campground in the Ocala National Forest and the only one with full hookups for RVs, and Recreation.gov lists 94 RV sites with 50-amp electric, water and sewer at $70 a night, plus 52 tent-only sites. Fore Lake has five sites with 30-amp electric only. Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, Clearwater Lake, Lake Dorr, Big Scrub and the other campgrounds have no hookups, though several have dump stations.
Do I need a reservation to camp in the Ocala National Forest?
At the developed campgrounds, yes in practice. The Forest Service says all Alexander Springs campsites require reservations, and Recreation.gov says Hopkins Prairie reservations are required, with same-day booking when sites are open. Juniper Springs, Salt Springs, Clearwater Lake, Fore Lake, Lake Dorr, Lake Eaton, Big Bass, Big Scrub and Lake Delancy West are all booked through Recreation.gov or 1-877-444-6777. Lake Delancy East has no Recreation.gov listing, so call the Lake George Ranger District at 352-625-2520 before you go. Group camps are reservation-only.
How long can you camp in the Ocala National Forest?
Forest Order 08-05-FL-13-01 bars camping in excess of 14 days in a 30-day period unless a site is posted with a different limit. Recreation.gov repeats the rule as a 14-day stay limit in a 30-day period in all Ocala National Forest campgrounds. Davenport Landing has a shorter four-day limit. The Forest Service also says establishing residency on the forest is against federal regulation.
Can you camp for free in the Ocala National Forest?
Yes. Dispersed camping outside developed recreation areas has no campground fee, and the Forest Service lists Davenport Landing, three primitive campsites on the Ocklawaha River, as free. The dispersed camping rules are: do not camp in the vicinity of developed recreation areas or within 100 feet of streams and other water sources, choose a site that has already been used, bury human waste at least 6 inches deep and 100 feet from water, pack out all trash, and observe the 14-day stay limit. During general gun season (Nov. 14, 2026 to Jan. 10, 2027 in most units of the Ocala Wildlife Management Area), the FWC brochure prohibits camping except in designated campgrounds and the Juniper Prairie Wilderness. Groups of more than 75 people need a special use permit.
Which Ocala National Forest campgrounds are open only part of the year?
Lake Eaton Campground is open October 1 to June 1. Big Bass Campground and Lake Delancy East list a season of use of October through April, and the Forest Service showed Lake Delancy East as temporarily closed in October 2026. Mill Dam takes group campers by reservation from October 1 to March 15 and is a day-use area with no overnight stays from March 16 to September 30. The spring recreation areas, Clearwater Lake, Fore Lake, Lake Dorr and Hopkins Prairie do not list a seasonal closure. The Forest Service page for Big Scrub says the site is seasonally closed but gives no dates, and Recreation.gov was taking Big Scrub reservations in October 2026. The Forest Service also notes that sites may close when capacity is reached.
Are there fire restrictions at Ocala National Forest campgrounds?
As of its March 6, 2026 alert, which was still posted on October 21, 2026, the Forest Service has the Ocala National Forest under Stage 1 fire restrictions. Developed campsites with Forest Service campfire rings and grills are exempt. Dispersed campers who want a fire must use propane; charcoal is allowed for grilling. Check the National Forests in Florida alerts page before each trip, because restrictions change with conditions.
Who manages the Ocala National Forest campgrounds?
The Ocala National Forest is one of three forests managed as the National Forests in Florida by the U.S. Forest Service. The Forest Service lists two ranger district offices in the Ocala National Forest: Lake George Ranger District, 17147 E. State Road 40, Silver Springs, FL 34488 (352-625-2520), and Seminole Ranger District, 40929 State Road 19, Umatilla, FL 32784 (352-669-3153), both open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 3 p.m. The spring recreation areas, Clearwater Lake and Hopkins Prairie are operated by the concessionaire Naventure, and Recreation.gov gives 352-625-2520 as the general information line for the smaller campgrounds.
By the Only In Ocala team. Updated October 21, 2026. Sources: U.S. Forest Service pages for the National Forests in Florida camping directory, Ocala National Forest, ranger district offices, alerts and each campground; Recreation.gov listings and campsite rates for each campground, checked October 21, 2026. Where the two disagree on a site count or fee, we give the Recreation.gov figure you can actually book and say so. An earlier version of this page listed nightly rates and an eight-campground count we could not confirm; this update also removed East Tower Hunt Camp, which the Forest Service places in the Osceola National Forest, and corrected the Salt Springs site counts, Mill Dam season and Alexander Springs gate rules.
AI tools helped gather the sources and draft this page; each fact was checked against those sources before publishing. See our editorial guidelines.
Plan Your Ocala National Forest Camping Trip
The Ocala National Forest begins a few miles east of Ocala on SR 40. Book spring campgrounds early for the cooler months and check the Forest Service alerts page before you leave.
More 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 del Bosque Nacional Ocala
El Bosque Nacional Ocala, al este de Ocala en el Condado de Marion, Florida, tiene doce campamentos con sitios individuales para carpas y casas rodantes: Juniper Springs (79 sitios), Alexander Springs (67), Salt Springs (94 sitios para casas rodantes y 52 solo para carpas, según Recreation.gov), Clearwater Lake (42), Fore Lake (31), Lake Dorr (34), Lake Eaton (14), Big Bass (19), Hopkins Prairie (21), Big Scrub (47), Lake Delancy West (30) y Lake Delancy East (29). Salt Springs es el único campamento del bosque con conexiones completas (electricidad de 50 amperios, agua y drenaje), a $70 por noche; los sitios estándar de Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs y Clearwater Lake cuestan $38, y los campamentos más sencillos, como Lake Eaton y Lake Delancy West, desde $10. Las reservaciones se hacen en Recreation.gov o al 1-877-444-6777, el campamento disperso es gratis, y la estadÃa máxima en todo el bosque es de 14 dÃas en un periodo de 30 dÃas. Para información general, el Distrito Lake George del Servicio Forestal está en 17147 E. State Road 40, Silver Springs, FL 34488, teléfono 352-625-2520.