Last Updated on November 3, 2023
Considering a visit to Ocala National Forest? Read on!
Living in Florida is all about adventures in the great outdoors. Everything from the quiet pine forests, sandy scrubs, thick palmettos, and towering oak hammocks.
Central Florida’s Ocala National Forest, the second largest in the U.S., has plenty to offer any traveler in search of authentic Florida.
Ocala National Forest
The Forest is home to four major springs referred to as “jewels of the Ocala National Forest.” The bubbly, aqua-clear springs of Alexander, Juniper, Silver Glen, and Salt Springs offer unique and lovely retreats away from it all.
The Ocala National Forest is known as the “The Big Scrub” by virtue of its dense Florida scrub vegetation, particularly the sand pine scrub. It is considered one of the most endangered ecosystems in Florida.
The Forest provides year-round recreation with almost 400,000 acres, 600 lakes, numerous rivers, and springs.
If you are seeking adventure on a kayak or canoe, you are in for a treat. This Forest is also one of the best destinations for the paddling enthusiast.
Do you want to go on a hike? There are hundreds of miles for the casual and serious hiker.
Want to swim or sit in some cool springs and do nothing? Fish? Camp? Are you hoping to go horseback riding?
Look no further than Ocala National Forest for all of these experiences. And, if you visit in December, you can even cut down your own Authentic Florida Christmas tree.
This forest offers unique habitats for plants and animals.
Threatened species such as manatees, black bears (Ocala National Forest has the largest bear habitat concentration in the U.S.), turtles, alligators, and many rare birds enjoy a special haven and you may be lucky enough to see some while enjoying this beauty.
Top Ocala National Forest Excursions
We have highlighted a few of our favorite Ocala National Forest excursions to help plan your next trip. Consider starting your journey at one of several Visitors Centers, where you’ll find plenty of information, maps, and tips.
Juniper Spring Park, Ocala National Forest
The stunning Juniper Spring Park and Creek qualify as one of the BEST that Florida has to offer. This adventure is a solid “10” on the Authentic Florida scale, and we’re ready to return.
The beauty and pristine Florida surroundings of Juniper Springs will delight your senses and also become an adventure you’ll never forget.
Located in the Ocala National Forest, Juniper Springs is 90 minutes north of Orlando, 22 miles due east of Silver Springs on State Road 40.
Juniper Creek Run
This pristine, stunning journey is filled with lush, tropical forests, palms, cypress, and southern hardwoods at almost every turn.
The canoe/kayak run is a seven-mile, five-hour, one-way trip down Juniper Creek, through the (Juniper) Prairie Wilderness Area.
The Juniper Spring is the origin of the main swimming hole, which empties into the Creek, and eventually flows by the Wayside Park (Highway 19 bridge).
Canoes can be rented at the main concessionaire and you may also reserve your bus seat for the return trip.
Note: This excursion is recommended for intermediate paddlers. Or consider sharing a canoe with someone more experienced.
Juniper Springs Nature Trail (Currently Closed)
For those who don’t want to try the Juniper Creek Run, an easy trailhead sits adjacent to the Juniper Spring.
A boardwalk along the Juniper Run to the Fern Hammock Spring is worth it. Once at the spring, watch the water bubbling upward through small natural vents.
While you can’t swim or canoe there, it’s considered one of the most stunning springs in all of Florida.
The Yearling Trail, Ocala National Forest
You can find something special in the midst of thousands of acres of scrub in the Ocala National Forest and the Juniper Prairie Wilderness.
This area has a special area that inspired Marjorie Kinnan Rawling’s 1938 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Yearling.
She based her prize-winning story on a real-life Florida family who homesteaded in this same scrub. In the 1870s, Reuben and Sara Jane Long established a home in an area named Pat’s Island.
Pat’s Island is a shady, high spot surrounded by Florida pine scrub, not water. The Longs carved out a pioneer existence living on small crops, cattle, hogs, fishing, and even moonshine.
The Yearling Trail is located across from the entrance to Silver Glen Springs Park, 6.2 miles from SR 19 and SR 40 with parking.
There are two recommended trails – one 6-mile trek or a shorter 3-mile loop.
Hikers can visit historical remains and artifacts such as two homesteads, a graveyard, a water cistern, a cattle dip vat (for ridding ticks), and a large, dry sinkhole.
The kiosk at the trailhead provides information that includes a trail map and the history of Pat’s Island.
The trails are considered “easy to intermediate,” beginning with a well-worn sandy pine scrub path. Further on, you’ll walk through ecosystems of scrub, long and shortleaf pines, and hardwoods.
You’ll definitely gain some insight into “island scrub” existence, the beauty, and the challenges pioneer families faced.
St. Francis Trail, Ocala National Forest
If you’re looking for one of the best Florida hikes, the St. Francis Trail, is located in the southeastern corner of the Ocala National Forest.
This spectacular trail passes through six Florida ecosystems including oak hammocks, swamps, river floodplains, hardwoods, scrub, and pine Flatwoods. This pathway will lead you through a dazzling spectrum of central Florida’s finest.
Each subtropical ecosystem reveals Florida’s past, which will deepen your love for the state’s natural forest. Depending on the time of year, watch for scrub jays, red-tailed hawks, pileated woodpeckers, and red-winged blackbirds.
Animal signs were everywhere, and we saw fresh bear and deer scat, a darting blacksnake, and many spiders and webs on the trail. Bright red and orange fungi peppered the forest floor.
An added bonus is that the trail eventually leads you to the remains of a turn-of-the-century port town on the St. John River floodplain – the halfway point of the seven-mile hike.
In the late 1800s, St. Francis was a thriving port town with a hotel, general store, stable, and homes.
Steamboats traveled from Jacksonville along with St. Johns, where citrus and timber were traded for household goods. A series of events threatened the town’s existence, including the late 1800’s freeze, railroads, fires, and hurricanes of the 1920s.
There are two choices for your hike. For intermediate hikers, there is a round trip 7-mile hike or an alternate 3-mile loop, Rattlesnake Well Trail, which includes a small spring. The longer hike takes approximately four hours.
The St. Francis trailhead is located on Forest Road 42-29.3 off County Road 42, across the street from the River Forest Group Camp.
Timucuan Trail, Alexander Springs Park
The Timucuan Trail, located at Alexander Springs Park is ideally suited for a family hike surrounded by semi-tropical vegetation. The Timucuan Trail boardwalk is not only beautiful but informative.
The signs give information about the indigenous Timucuan culture. The signs share information about their diet and the natural vegetation you’ll see.
A shallow pool and sandy beach surround the crystal blue Alexander Spring and are very popular for family swimming and diving.
The 7-mile Alexander Creek flows from the Spring to the St. John’s River and is a lovely canoe run to enjoy wildlife, particularly the native turtle species sunning at the water’s edge.
Alexander Springs Park is located at 49525 County Road 445, Altoona in the Ocala National Forest.
Ocala National Forest Camping
Have you been hoping to camp in Ocala National Forest? The good news is, there are a variety of different ways for you to camp there, and you can stay for up to 14 days at one time!
Check out some of the camping options available to you for camping in Ocala National Forest.
- Rent a Cabin – There are two Civilian Conservation Corps that are available for rent. The Lake Dorr Cabin is near the south end of Lake Dorr and can accommodate up to 10 people. The Sweetwater Cabin overlooks Sweetwater Spring which runs into Juniper Run and can accommodate up to 12 people.
- Campgrounds – There are 14 developed campgrounds where visitors can camp next to the lake or in the forest. Only Salt Springs offers full hook-ups. However, several have dump stations and shower facilities.
- Non-Campground Camping – If you prefer to camp away from other people, the forest has plenty of places to camp on your own.
- Camping with a group – There are more group campsites that are perfect for a family reunion or social gathering available by reservation only.
- Camping in an RV – RVs are welcome at the largest campgrounds where partial and full hookups are available.
Recommended Tips
You can find recommendations for visiting the Ocala National Forest before visiting Ocala National Forest below.
- Plan ahead and do your homework. – If you plan to visit the forest it can be helpful to know which experiences are there for. Spend some time planning before you visit so you can make the most of your time in the forest.
- Be prepared with plenty of water, food, and mosquito repellant. – Florida can get quite hot and staying hydrated is imperative to enjoy your trip. Make sure to bring along some form of pest control as this area can have a larger mosquito population.
- If you have a GPS, we recommend bringing it. – This is a large location and you will want the GPS to easily navigate.
- Start with an easier hike or trail. – If you are not ready for longer trails, kayaking, and more, you can still enjoy your trip with smaller hikes and trails.
Enjoy Your Visit
The memories of the Ocala National Forest filled our hearts with serenity and deep appreciation for authentic Florida and all its tremendous beauty.
Enjoy one of Florida’s best.
Ocala National Forest Map
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