Ocala National Forest in Florida: Complete Visitor Guide

Where It Is and How to Get There

The forest lies east of Ocala. State Road 40 crosses it from Ocala toward Ormond Beach, passing Mill Dam and Juniper Springs. It is also the most direct road to the Atlantic coast; see our Ocala to Daytona Beach drive guide for that trip. State Road 19 runs north and south through it, past the Juniper Run take-out and the Seminole Ranger District office near Umatilla. On the east side, Silver Glen Run and Salt Springs Run flow into Lake George, which the Forest Service calls the second-largest lake in Florida. Our Ocala National Forest map guide shows where each area sits.

The forest has two ranger districts. Stop at either office for maps, passes and current conditions.

Office details from the Forest Service’s offices page. The National Forests in Florida supervisor’s office is in Tallahassee (850-523-8500).

Hiking, Paddling, Biking and Horseback Riding

Hiking and the Florida Trail

The orange-blazed Florida National Scenic Trail runs through the forest; the Forest Service describes a 72-mile unbroken segment that backpackers often break at Juniper Springs. From Alexander Springs it is 9.7 miles south to Clearwater Lake and 7 miles north to Farles Lake. The Forest Service also notes that visitors can hike anywhere on the forest, on or off trail. Read more in our Florida Trail guide.

• Salt Springs Trail: 1.9-mile loop with a boardwalk and observation deck.
• Lake Eaton Trail: 2.3-mile loop (the Lake Eaton Sinkhole trailhead is listed as closed).
• Clearwater Lake Nature Trail: 1.3-mile loop with benches for birding.
• Lake George Trail (3 miles round trip) and Spring Boils Trail (0.75 mile) at Silver Glen.
• Yearling Trail: through the scrub to Pat’s Island, which the Long family once called home.
• Timucuan Trail at Alexander Springs (0.9-mile loop): listed as temporarily closed.

See our best hikes in the Ocala National Forest, Lake Eaton and Bear Swamp Trail guides.

Paddling

• Juniper Run: about 7 miles, narrow and winding under old-growth forest, with the take-out near SR 19. Kayak rentals and a shuttle are available at Juniper Springs; the operator says the run is not for beginners.
• Alexander Run: about 6 miles into the Alexander Springs Wilderness; paddle back unless you arrange a take-out.
• Salt Springs Run: about 4 miles to Lake George, with canoe rentals at the marina.
• Silver Glen Run: kayak and canoe rentals; boats must stay out of the swimming area.

Boating in the national forests is regulated by the state of Florida. More in our kayaking and lakes near Ocala guides, plus Lake Kerr.

Mountain biking

The Paisley Woods Bicycle Trail is a 22-mile route of two 11-mile loops between Alexander Springs and Clearwater Lake, marked with yellow diamonds, with deep soft sand in places. It is free unless you start at Alexander Springs or Clearwater Lake, where the day-use fee applies. The Forest Service treats e-bikes as motor vehicles, so they are allowed only on motorized trails. See our biking guide.

Horseback riding

The free Ocala One Hundred Mile Horse Trail has the 40-mile Flatwoods Trail (red blazes), the 40-mile Prairie Trail (white) and the 20-mile Baptist Lake Trail (blue). Riders need proof of a negative Coggins test. Horses are not allowed on the Paisley Woods Bicycle Trail, the Florida Trail or in developed campgrounds. See horse trails near Ocala.

Fees and Passes

• Springs recreation areas: Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, Silver Glen Springs, Salt Springs and Clearwater Lake are operated by Naventure and charge day-use fees. Prices change, so check with the recreation area or our page for each spring before you go.
• Springs Hopper Pass: Naventure, which runs the springs, sells this annual day-use pass on site for $80 plus tax per person; the Forest Service's Juniper Springs and Silver Glen Springs pages list it as good at Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, Silver Glen Springs and Salt Springs (its Alexander Springs page names Clearwater Lake and Wildcat Lake instead of Salt Springs). Confirm the current price where you buy it.
• Smaller sites: Recreation.gov sells day-use passes for sites such as Lake Dorr, Fore Lake, Lake Eaton, Mill Dam and Farles Prairie.
• Free: the Paisley Woods Bicycle Trail (unless you enter through a fee area), the One Hundred Mile Horse Trail and the FWC Ocala Shooting Range.
• America the Beautiful passes: sold at both Ocala ranger district offices. The annual pass is $80, the senior annual $20 and the senior lifetime $80; military, access, 4th-grade and volunteer passes are free. The Forest Service notes that some passes and discounts may not be accepted at concessionaire-run areas, so ask first.

Rules and Safety

Wildlife includes the threatened Florida scrub-jay, which lives only in Florida’s scrub. Hearing booms? The Navy trains at the Pinecastle Range inside the forest. See our guide to the Pinecastle bombing range and its posted schedule.

Map and Planning

Start with our Ocala National Forest map guide for the springs, trails and roads. For official maps, the Forest Service points visitors to its visitor maps and guides, the ranger district offices and the National Geographic Trails Illustrated map, which shows which trails allow which uses.

• Check each site’s status on the Forest Service page the day you go.
• Book campsites on Recreation.gov; Alexander Springs is reservation only.
• Carry a Florida fishing license if you plan to fish.
• Staying nearby? See hotels in Ocala and day trips from Ocala.

Frequently Asked Questions