Scott Springs Park Ocala
A free 21.68-acre City of Ocala park in southwest Ocala with a natural spring grotto, walking and bike trails, a bicycle skills area, and a playground
What Can You Do at Scott Springs Park in Ocala?
Scott Springs Park is a 21.68-acre City of Ocala park at 2825 SW 24th Avenue in southwest Ocala, about half a mile east of Paddock Mall. It is named for the natural spring at its center, known as the grotto. The grotto is for looking, not swimming: the city does not allow swimming at Scott Springs or at any of its parks.
Most visitors come to walk, ride, or let the kids play. The park has paved walking trails and a separate bike trail, and the city points out that Scott Springs has a bicycle skills area, an exception to the rule that bikes, scooters, and skateboards stay off walking trails. There is playground equipment, outdoor exercise equipment, benches, restrooms, and water fountains.
For a picnic, the park has a pavilion/picnic shelter, picnic tables, and BBQ grills. The pavilion can be reserved online through the City of Ocala (details and prices are in the pavilion section below). City park rules do not allow alcohol, balloons or confetti, bounce houses, or feeding the wildlife, so plan a party around those.
Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome on the trails, but the city asks owners to keep them away from the playground and to pick up after them. Fishing is not on the city's list of parks where it is allowed, so leave the rods at home and try one of the local fishing spots instead.
There is no splash pad at Scott Springs. For water play, the City of Ocala runs free splash pads at Lily's Splash Pad (2200 NW 17th Place) and Citizens' Circle downtown; see our Ocala splash pads guide. Scott Springs pairs well with errands or a meal along SW College Road (SR 200), and downtown's Tuscawilla Park is about three miles to the northeast. For more places to walk, see our Ocala walking trails guide.
The Grotto
The natural spring the park is named for, set in the park's woods. Viewing only: no swimming.
Trails & Bike Skills Area
Paved walking trails, a bike trail, and a bicycle skills area. Keep bikes off the walking trails.
Playground & Exercise Equipment
Playground equipment for kids plus outdoor exercise equipment for adults.
Picnic Shelter & Grills
A small pavilion for up to 30 people, picnic tables, and BBQ grills. Reserve the pavilion online through the City of Ocala: $25 per half day.
Park Information
Hours & Access
Park Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Admission: Free
Size: 21.68 acres
Pavilion rental: $25 half day, $50 full day (up to 30 people)
Recreation & Parks: (352) 368-5517
Park Ranger line: (352) 789-1133
Location
Address:
2825 SW 24th Avenue
Ocala, FL 34471
Area:
Southwest Ocala, under a mile east of Paddock Mall
Amenities
Spring grotto (viewing only)
Walking trails
Bike trail
Bicycle skills area
Playground equipment
Exercise equipment
Pavilion / picnic shelter
Picnic tables & BBQ grills
Benches
Restrooms
Water fountains
Park Rules to Know
- No swimming at the grotto or anywhere in city parks.
- Leashed dogs are welcome on trails; keep them away from the playground.
- No bikes, scooters, or skateboards on walking trails; use the bike trail and skills area.
- Do not feed the wildlife.
- No alcohol, fireworks, balloons or confetti, or bounce houses.
- No fishing: the city allows catch-and-release fishing only at Tuscawilla, Toms, Ritterhoff and S. Stanley Malever Nature parks.
- No smoking near the playground or other areas where children gather.
- Metal detectors need a city permit.
Source: City of Ocala Recreation & Parks (Scott Springs park listing and park rules).
Renting the Pavilion at Scott Springs Park
Scott Springs Park has one of the City of Ocala's small pavilions, which the city rents for birthday parties, family reunions and other gatherings. Reservations are made online, at least 72 hours ahead, and paid in full at booking. The city's pavilion rental page lists these terms:
| Capacity | Up to 30 people (2 to 4 picnic tables) |
|---|---|
| Time blocks | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2 to 6 p.m.; a full day means booking both blocks |
| Price | $25 per half day, $50 for a full day |
| What's there | Picnic tables and charcoal grills (bring your own charcoal); no electricity or water, though small, quiet generators are allowed |
| Not allowed | Alcohol, bounce houses and inflatables, balloons, confetti, silly string, glitter, birdseed, glass and polystyrene containers; decorations must be freestanding, not taped or nailed to posts or tables |
| Refunds | The city does not refund reservations made less than 30 days in advance |
| Questions | (352) 368-5525 |
Source: City of Ocala Pavilion Rentals page, checked Oct. 21, 2026. Need room for more than 30? The city's large pavilions, which hold 100, are at Jervey Gantt Recreation Complex East, Lillian F. Bryant Park and the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex.
Sources
The address, acreage, amenity list and park phone come from the City of Ocala's Scott Springs listing; hours, the no-swimming rule, dog, bike and fishing rules from its park FAQs and rules; pavilion terms from its Pavilion Rentals page; and splash pad details from its Aquatic Fun Centers page. The paved trails and the no-entry-fee policy are described in the Ocala/Marion County Visitors & Convention Bureau listing. The map pin and the distance to Paddock Mall come from Google Maps. All were checked on Oct. 21, 2026.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Scott Springs Park located?
Scott Springs Park is at 2825 SW 24th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471, in southwest Ocala. It is a City of Ocala park, about half a mile east of Paddock Mall. Use the street address in your map app to reach the entrance on SW 24th Avenue.
Is Scott Springs Park free?
Yes. The Ocala/Marion County Visitors & Convention Bureau lists no entry fee for Scott Springs Park, and the only charge on the City of Ocala's pages is for reserving the small pavilion, which the city rents for $25 for a half day or $50 for a full day.
How do I rent the pavilion at Scott Springs Park?
The City of Ocala rents the Scott Springs pavilion online. It is a small pavilion for up to 30 people, with two to four picnic tables and charcoal grills (bring your own charcoal); there is no electricity or water. Rentals run in 4-hour blocks, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2 to 6 p.m., cost $25 per half day or $50 for both blocks, and must be booked at least 72 hours ahead and paid at booking. For questions, call the pavilion rental line at (352) 368-5525.
What is the grotto at Scott Springs Park?
The grotto is the natural spring the park is named for; the City of Ocala lists it among the park's amenities as a spring and unique land feature. It is for looking only: the City of Ocala does not allow swimming at Scott Springs or in any of its parks.
Can you swim at Scott Springs?
No. The City of Ocala says there is no swimming at Scott Springs or any of its parks. For water play, the city runs two free splash pads (Lily's Splash Pad at 2200 NW 17th Place and the Citizens' Circle splash pad at 151 SE Osceola Avenue downtown), open seasonally from the second Saturday of March to mid-November, and two Aquatic Fun Centers.
What amenities does Scott Springs Park have?
According to the City of Ocala, Scott Springs Park has a bike trail and a bicycle skills area, walking trails, the spring (the grotto), playground equipment, exercise equipment, a pavilion/picnic shelter, picnic tables, BBQ grills, benches, restrooms, and water fountains. There is no splash pad.
Are dogs allowed at Scott Springs Park?
Yes. City of Ocala park rules welcome well-behaved dogs on leashes on park trails. Keep dogs away from the playground area and pick up after them.
What are the hours for Scott Springs Park?
City of Ocala parks, including Scott Springs, are open from sunrise to sunset. There is no entry fee. Questions about the park go to Ocala Recreation & Parks at (352) 368-5517; for issues in the park itself, such as injured wildlife or a restroom problem, call the Park Ranger line at (352) 789-1133.
Can I bike at Scott Springs Park?
Yes, on the bike trail and in the bicycle skills area. City park rules do not allow bicycles, roller blades, scooters, or skateboards on walking trails or courts, but the city specifically notes that Scott Springs has a bicycle skills area.
Explore Ocala's Parks & Green Spaces
From spring grottos to playgrounds and paved trails, Ocala's parks offer outdoor recreation for every age.
Scott Springs Park en Ocala
Scott Springs Park es un parque de la Ciudad de Ocala de 21.68 acres, ubicado en 2825 SW 24th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471. Según la oficina de turismo de Ocala/Marion County, la entrada es gratis; el parque abre desde el amanecer hasta el atardecer. Tiene la gruta de un manantial natural, senderos para caminar, un sendero para bicicletas, juegos infantiles, mesas de picnic, parrillas y baños. No se permite nadar en el manantial. El pabellón, con capacidad para 30 personas, se reserva en línea con la ciudad por $25 medio día o $50 el día completo.