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.
The Ocala National Forest has twelve campgrounds with individual sites: Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, Salt Springs, Clearwater Lake, Fore Lake, Lake Dorr, Lake Eaton, Big Bass, Hopkins Prairie, Big Scrub, Lake Delancy West and Lake Delancy East. Salt Springs is the only one with full RV hookups. Most sites are booked on Recreation.gov or at 1-877-444-6777, and camping anywhere in the forest is limited to 14 days in a 30-day period.
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, roughly 570 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, three primitive riverside sites at Davenport Landing, hunt camps and dispersed camping round out the options.
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; most have vault toilets and no hookups, and several have 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.
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 says there are no sites with full hookups
- 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; 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
- Day-use hours 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; campers get a 24-hour gate code; leashed pets in the campground only
Salt Springs Recreation Area
SR 19, Salt Springs
- 106 standard electric sites plus 54 tent-only primitive sites a short walk from parking (Forest Service)
- The only campground in the Ocala National Forest with full hookups for RVs
- Two vehicles included in the site fee; quiet hours 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. with no generators
- 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
Southeast edge of the forest, just outside Paisley
- 42 lakefront spaces for trailers and tents; 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
CR 314, western edge of the forest
- 31 sites; Recreation.gov lists 5 with electric (sites 16 to 20) and 26 without
- Bathhouse with hot showers and flush toilets; dump station free for paid campers
- Fishing pier, canoe launch and beach access on Fore Lake; 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
- 34 standard non-electric sites plus one rental cabin
- Bathroom and shower house, 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
- 14 primitive tent and RV sites; no hookups and no potable water
- Open seasonally, October 1 to June 1
- Boat ramp, accessible fishing pier and vault toilets
- 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
- $15 per night for a single site; dump station $5 per use for non-registered campers
- Open seasonally, October through April
- Vault toilets; no potable water, so bring your own
Hopkins Prairie Campground
Central forest, on the Florida Trail
- 21 tent and RV sites at $15 per night; 50 percent discount for federal Senior and Access pass holders on a single site
- Vault toilets; no potable water
- Year-round trailhead for the Florida Trail; busy season October through March
- Reservations on Recreation.gov
Big Scrub Campground
South-central forest in the Big Scrub
- 47 sites (Forest Service); Recreation.gov lists 36 standard and 10 tent-only, all non-electric
- Showers, restrooms and drinking water
- Direct access to the 47-mile Ocala Adventure Trail; an OHV permit is required to ride the trail system
- 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 at $10 per night
- OHV corrals 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; potable water is not available
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. Day-use only in spring, summer and early fall; a group campground with tent camping the rest of the year. No electricity, water or sewer 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 centered on a restored 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps dining hall overlooking the lake, with fishing, horse camping and water activities.
Buck Lake, River Forest and Lake Shore Group Camps
Buck Lake is a primitive, secluded group camp for up to 50 people; the Forest Service allows boats with motors up to 25 horsepower on the lake. River Forest Group Site, on the St. Johns River, takes up to 125 guests with no hookups. Lake Shore Group Camp, on 12-acre Fore Lake, takes up to 50 guests with no electricity, water or sewer hookups. All three are listed on Recreation.gov.
Davenport Landing and Hunt Camps
Davenport Landing has three primitive campsites on the Ocklawaha River at a former steamboat stop. East Tower Hunt Camp offers year-round primitive camping and is used mainly as a hunt camp during general gun season.
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 adds a 14-day limit and a hunting-season restriction.
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 (set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), camping is allowed only in designated campsites, developed recreation sites and designated hunt camps
- 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: 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?
Campsites at the spring recreation areas, Clearwater Lake, Fore Lake, Lake Dorr, Lake Eaton, Hopkins Prairie and Big Scrub are booked through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. The Forest Service says all Alexander Springs campsites require reservations, and Recreation.gov adds that Alexander Springs needs a Vehicle Access Reservation on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Camping fees cover two vehicles, check-in is typically 2 or 3 p.m. with check-out at 11 a.m., and a $10 service fee is withheld from refunds at the Naventure-run areas, which do not refund for weather. Holders of the federal Senior and Access passes get 50 percent off a single campsite, but not utility or hookup fees.
RV campers have one full-hookup choice, Salt Springs; Fore Lake adds five electric sites, and Alexander Springs takes RVs up to 35 feet without hookups. Riders of off-highway vehicles can camp at Big Scrub, which opens onto the 47-mile Ocala Adventure Trail, or at Lake Delancy West on the Ocala North OHV Trail System; an OHV permit is required to ride either system. 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, Alexander, 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, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 3 p.m. 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 is administered from the Lake George Ranger District office on SR 40 in Silver Springs, with the National Forests in Florida Supervisor's Office 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 (106 electric plus 54 tent-only), 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), three primitive riverside sites at Davenport Landing, and dispersed camping across most of the forest.
Which Ocala National Forest campground has full hookups for RVs?
Salt Springs Recreation Area. The Forest Service describes it as the only campground in the Ocala National Forest with full hookups for RVs, with 106 standard electric sites and a separate tent-only area of 54 primitive sites. Fore Lake has five electric sites according to Recreation.gov. Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, Clearwater Lake, Lake Dorr and Big Scrub have no hookups, though Juniper, Alexander and Fore Lake have dump stations.
Do I need a reservation to camp in the Ocala National Forest?
For the spring campgrounds, yes. The Forest Service says all Alexander Springs campsites require reservations, and Juniper Springs and Salt Springs are booked through Recreation.gov or 1-877-444-6777. Clearwater Lake, Fore Lake, Lake Dorr, Lake Eaton, Hopkins Prairie and Big Scrub also appear on Recreation.gov. Big Bass and the two Lake Delancy campgrounds list no reservation system on their Forest Service pages, so call the Lake George Ranger District at 352-625-2520 before you go.
How long can you camp in the Ocala National Forest?
Forest Order 08-05-FL-13-01 limits camping to 14 days within any 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. The Forest Service also says establishing residency on the forest is against federal regulation.
Can you camp for free in the Ocala National Forest?
Dispersed camping outside developed recreation areas has no campground fee. The Forest Service 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, camping is allowed only in designated campsites. 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. Mill Dam is a day-use area in spring, summer and early fall and becomes a group campground for the rest of the year. The spring recreation areas, Clearwater Lake, Fore Lake, Lake Dorr, Hopkins Prairie and Big Scrub do not list a seasonal closure, but the Forest Service 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, 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. Day-to-day management is through the Lake George Ranger District, 17147 E. State Road 40, Silver Springs, FL 34488, phone 352-625-2520, open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 3 p.m. The Forest Service directs visitors to the concessionaire Naventure for hours and day-use fees at the spring recreation areas.
Updated October 11, 2026. Sources: U.S. Forest Service pages for the National Forests in Florida camping directory, Ocala National Forest, Lake George Ranger District and alerts; Recreation.gov listings for each campground. An earlier version of this page gave nightly rates, a 100-foot setback rule, a "$0 to $70" range and an eight-campground count that we could not confirm with the Forest Service; they have been removed.
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 (106 con electricidad más 54 solo para carpas), 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 para casas rodantes. Las reservaciones se hacen en Recreation.gov o al 1-877-444-6777, y la estadía máxima en todo el bosque es de 14 días en un periodo de 30 días. El Servicio Forestal administra el bosque desde el Distrito Lake George, 17147 E. State Road 40, Silver Springs, FL 34488, teléfono 352-625-2520.