Salt Springs Recreation Area: Not a State Park
Salt Springs is a U.S. Forest Service recreation area in the Ocala National Forest, not a Florida state park. It has a slightly salty mineral spring for swimming, the forest's only full-hookup campground, and a run that flows to Lake George.
Salt Springs at a Glance
| Managed by | U.S. Forest Service, Ocala National Forest (not Florida State Parks) |
|---|---|
| Operated by | Naventure, the Forest Service concessionaire |
| Address | 13851 Highway 19, Salt Springs, FL 32134 (Marion County) |
| Phone | (352) 685-2048 |
| Day-use fee | $14.50 per person plus tax; 5 and under free; $80 annual day-use pass |
| Gate hours | Closes 8 PM March-October, 6 PM November-February |
| The spring | Second-magnitude mineral spring, about 52 million gallons a day at 74 degrees |
| Camping | 94 full-hookup RV sites ($70/night) and 52 tent-only sites ($38/night) on Recreation.gov |
| Pets | Campground only, on a leash; not allowed in the day-use area |
| Cell service | None; Recreation.gov says there is no cell or internet service |
Is Salt Springs a State Park?
No. Many people search for "Salt Springs State Park," but there is no state park by that name. Salt Springs Recreation Area belongs to the Ocala National Forest, which the U.S. Forest Service manages as part of the National Forests in Florida. The Forest Service page says the site is operated by Naventure, a private company that runs the campground, day-use area and marina under the Forest Service.
That changes how a visit works. Campsites are reserved on Recreation.gov, the federal booking site, or by phone at 1-877-444-6777. Day-use fees are set and collected by Naventure, which sells its own $80 Annual Day Use Pass on site. The Forest Service says that pass is good for one year at the four recreation areas Naventure runs: Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, Silver Glen Springs and Salt Springs. Forest Service rules apply, such as the 14-day camping limit in any 30-day period and the order that keeps pets out of the day-use area.
If you want a spring that is a Florida state park, two near Ocala are Silver Springs State Park in Ocala and Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon. The other Forest Service springs in the forest are compared in our guide to springs in the Ocala National Forest.
What Makes Salt Springs Different from Other Ocala National Forest Springs?
Salt Springs Recreation Area sits along State Road 19 in the northeast part of the Ocala National Forest, in the small community of Salt Springs. Recreation.gov places it between the St. Johns and Ocklawaha rivers, about 35 miles east of Ocala. What sets the spring apart is its water: Recreation.gov says potassium, magnesium and sodium salts give it a slight salinity, which is where the name comes from. The Forest Service notes that in the early 1900s many people came to the spring believing it had healing powers.
According to the Forest Service, the spring puts out about 52 million gallons of water a day at a constant 74 degrees. The St. Johns River Water Management District classes it as a second-magnitude spring with a pool about 190 feet by 130 feet, fed by four vents in the limestone floor, with concrete walls and a walkway along three sides. Naventure describes shallow, clear water for wading and a designated area for swimming and snorkeling.
The campground is the largest in the Ocala National Forest and the only one in the forest with full hookups for RVs, according to the Forest Service. Recreation.gov lists 146 reservable sites: 94 RV sites with 50-amp electric, water and sewer hookups at $70 per night, and 52 tent-only sites at $38 per night in a separate tent area a short walk from parking. (The Forest Service amenity list gives slightly different totals, 106 electric and 54 tent sites, so check Recreation.gov for what you can actually book.) Sites hold up to 5 people and 2 vehicles, RVs can be up to 40 feet, and quiet hours run from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., when generators must be off. To compare Salt Springs with the forest's other campgrounds, see our guide to Ocala National Forest campgrounds.
Salt Springs Run leaves the spring and, per the water management district, flows southeast for about 4 miles before entering the northwest corner of Lake George, which the district calls the second-largest lake in Florida. The Forest Service says the run reaches the lake near Drayton Island. Salt Springs Marina, near the beginning of the run, rents paddle craft and has a double boat ramp. The run ends in the open lake, so plan a round trip back upstream to the marina.
Hikers have two trails nearby. The Bear Swamp Trail is an easy 1.3-mile loop through the old forest that edged the spring when botanist William Bartram visited in 1774. The Salt Springs Trail is a loop of less than two miles through the Big Scrub, with some sharp climbs, a long boardwalk and a birdwatching deck at the end. The Great Florida Birding Trail notes a free trailhead for the Salt Springs Trail a little over a mile south of the recreation area, and lists limpkins, green herons and bald eagles among the birds seen here.
Things to Do at Salt Springs
Swimming in Mineral Water
Swim or snorkel in the designated area of a slightly salty, second-magnitude spring that the Forest Service says stays 74 degrees year-round. Shallow edges suit wading. Powerboats are not allowed in the spring area.
Paddling Salt Springs Run
The run flows southeast about 4 miles to Lake George. Rent a kayak or canoe at Salt Springs Marina, first come, first served, and plan to paddle back upstream.
Full-Hookup RV Camping
The only full-hookup campground in the Ocala National Forest: 94 RV sites with 50-amp electric, water and sewer at $70/night, plus 52 tent-only sites at $38/night. Hot showers and a dump station on site.
Hiking Trails
Walk the easy 1.3-mile Bear Swamp Trail, or the Salt Springs Trail, a loop of under two miles that ends at a birdwatching deck. Campers can also reach a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail.
Fishing
Fish the small coves along the cypress-lined run downstream of the swimming area, boat ramp and marina. Florida requires a state fishing license. Fishing is not permitted at the marina itself.
Marina & Boat Launch
Salt Springs Marina has a double boat ramp to the run and Lake George, paddle-craft rentals and 34 covered slips. Launching costs $20 plus tax per vehicle, trailer included.
Visitor Information
Admission & Fees
- Day use: $14.50 per person plus tax (5 and under free); $80 plus tax annual day-use pass, sold on site
- RV camping with full hookups: $70/night (94 sites)
- Tent-only camping: $38/night (52 sites)
- Two vehicles are included with a campsite (a boat counts as one); extra vehicles pay a nightly fee
- Campers who arrive before check-in pay the day-use fee
- Boat launch at the marina: $20 plus tax per vehicle, trailer included
Hours & Contact
- Gate closes 8 PM (March-October) and 6 PM (November-February); late campers check in the next morning
- Campground check-in 2 PM, check-out 11 AM
- Recreation area: 13851 Highway 19, Salt Springs, FL 32134, (352) 685-2048
- Salt Springs Marina: 25711 NE 134th Place, Salt Springs, FL 32134, (352) 685-0044; open 6 AM to 10 PM daily, day use only
- Campsite reservations: Recreation.gov or 1-877-444-6777
- Nearby dining: Salt Springs Pizza
- Another spring south on SR 19: Silver Glen Springs, a day-use swimming area
Rules to Know Before You Go
- Pets stay in the campground on a leash. They are not allowed in the day-use area, restrooms, boardwalk or run.
- No alcohol in the day-use area.
- Day use is first come, first served until the area reaches capacity, and the Forest Service warns that sites fill on weekends.
- Campsites hold up to 2 tents, 2 vehicles and 5 people. Park on paved surfaces only.
- Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.; generators may not run then.
- Store food in approved containers. Naventure says bears and raccoons are active, and the primitive tent sites have bear-proof lockers.
- Personal golf carts are not allowed in the Ocala National Forest.
- Swimming, wading and fishing are not allowed at the marina.
- There is no cell phone or internet service, so download maps and your Recreation.gov reservation before you leave.
Check the National Forests in Florida alerts page for closures and fire restrictions before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salt Springs a state park?
No. Salt Springs Recreation Area is not a Florida state park. It is a U.S. Forest Service recreation area in the Ocala National Forest, part of the National Forests in Florida, and the campground, day-use area and marina are operated for the Forest Service by the concessionaire Naventure. Campsites are booked on Recreation.gov and day-use fees are paid to Naventure, not to Florida State Parks.
Where is Salt Springs Recreation Area?
Salt Springs Recreation Area is at 13851 Highway 19 in Salt Springs, Florida 32134, in the northeast part of the Ocala National Forest in Marion County. Recreation.gov places it between the St. Johns and Ocklawaha rivers, about 35 miles east of Ocala. The phone number is (352) 685-2048.
How much does it cost to visit Salt Springs?
Naventure lists day-use admission at $14.50 per person plus tax, with children 5 and under free, and sells an $80 (plus tax) Annual Day Use Pass on site, which the Forest Service says also covers Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs and Silver Glen Springs. Recreation.gov lists camping at $70 a night for RV sites with hookups and $38 a night for tent-only sites. Launching a boat at Salt Springs Marina costs $20 plus tax per vehicle, trailer included.
What time does Salt Springs close?
Naventure says the entrance gate closes at 8 p.m. from March through October and at 6 p.m. from November through February. Campers who arrive after the gate closes must check in the next morning. The Forest Service notes that sites fill on weekends and may close when they reach capacity.
Does Salt Springs campground have full hookups for RVs?
Yes. The Forest Service says Salt Springs is the largest campground in the Ocala National Forest and the only one with full hookups for RVs. On Recreation.gov, all 94 RV sites list 50-amp electric, water and sewer hookups and RVs up to 40 feet, at $70 a night; the 52 tent-only sites have no hookups and cost $38 a night. Check-in is 2 p.m. and check-out is 11 a.m.
Can you bring a dog to Salt Springs?
Pets are allowed in the campground on a leash but not in the day-use area. A Forest Service order (08-05-05-02-13-0207) bars pets from the day-use area, and Naventure adds that they are not permitted in the restrooms, on the boardwalk or on the run.
Can you kayak from Salt Springs to Lake George?
Yes. The St. Johns River Water Management District says Salt Springs Run flows southeast for about 4 miles through a broad run and empties into the northwest corner of Lake George, which the district calls the second-largest lake in Florida. The run ends in the open lake, so plan a round trip back upstream. Salt Springs Marina rents paddle craft first come, first served, with paddles and life jackets included.
What hiking trails are near Salt Springs?
Naventure describes the Bear Swamp Trail as an easy 1.3-mile loop through the old forest that edged the spring when botanist William Bartram visited in 1774. The Forest Service describes the Salt Springs Trail as a loop of less than two miles through Big Scrub habitats, with some sharp climbs, a long boardwalk and a birdwatching deck at the end. Recreation.gov notes that campers also have easy access to a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail.
How We Checked This Guide
The managing agency, operator, spring flow, temperature, trails and boating rules come from the Forest Service's Salt Springs Recreation Area and Salt Springs Marina pages. Campsite counts, hookups, prices and campground rules come from Recreation.gov. Day-use fees, gate hours and marina details come from Naventure's recreation area and marina pages. The spring's size, vents and run length come from the St. Johns River Water Management District. Which springs the annual pass covers comes from the Forest Service's Juniper Springs and Silver Glen Springs pages. All were checked on October 21, 2026. Naventure's page gives the water temperature as 72 degrees; we use the Forest Service figure of 74.
By the Only In Ocala team. AI tools helped gather the sources and draft this page; each fact was checked against those sources before publishing. Questions or corrections? Contact our team or read our editorial guidelines.
Plan Your Visit to Salt Springs
Salt Springs Recreation Area is on SR 19 in the Ocala National Forest, about 35 miles east of Ocala according to Recreation.gov. It is open year-round for swimming, paddling, camping and hiking; expect full lots on weekends. Roads and official maps are on our Ocala National Forest map page.
Explore More Ocala Springs
Marion County is the spring capital of Florida — keep planning with these guides to first-magnitude springs, river adventures, and waterfront experiences nearby.
Salt Springs: área recreativa del Bosque Nacional de Ocala, no un parque estatal
Salt Springs Recreation Area, en 13851 Highway 19, Salt Springs, FL 32134 (Condado de Marion), no es un parque estatal de Florida: la administra el Servicio Forestal de EE. UU. dentro del Bosque Nacional de Ocala y la opera la empresa Naventure. La entrada de uso diurno cuesta $14.50 por persona más impuestos, y los niños de 5 años o menos entran gratis. El portón cierra a las 8 p. m. de marzo a octubre y a las 6 p. m. de noviembre a febrero. El manantial mineral, ligeramente salado, se mantiene a 74 grados, y el campamento es el único del bosque con conexiones completas para casas rodantes ($70 por noche; carpas $38 por noche, con reservas en Recreation.gov). Las mascotas no se permiten en el área de uso diurno. Teléfono: (352) 685-2048.