Many sites across ocala national forest are transitioning to SCAN & PAY

Watch this video from Recreation.gov to learn more about Scan & Pay

 

We ask that guests be courteous of one another and limit floats in the swimming area to under 60 inches across.

〰️

We ask that guests be courteous of one another and limit floats in the swimming area to under 60 inches across. 〰️

Many of our Day Use areas will be moving online for payment, instead of having a fee tube. Please download the Recreation.gov app before visiting, so you can simply use Scan & Pay the fees.

Fee tubes will no longer be available at these sites after may 2023.

Please be advised that the swimming, or ‘day use, areas close prior to the gate during some parts of the year. Staff will advise you of closure times upon entry. These early closures are to account for changing sunset times.

 Juniper Springs Recreation Area

Juniper Springs Recreation Area Complex is centrally located in the forest on State Road 40 approximately 4 miles west of the intersection of State Road 40 and 19. Juniper Springs is the most heavily visited recreation facility in the National Forests of Florida. Juniper Prairie Wilderness is adjacent to the north and east sides of Juniper Springs Recreation Area Complex. The Civilian Conservation Corps initially constructed the facilities in the 1930’s and the area has been under USDA Forest Service administration since that time. It is one of the oldest and best known National Forest recreation areas in the eastern United States and includes a millhouse with a working water wheel on a crystal clear spring. The unique subtropical vegetation surrounding the complex includes hardwood swamps, palms and sand ridges. 

Juniper Spring and Fern Hammock Spring located within the recreation area have a combined daily flow of 13 million gallons per day and maintain a constant 72 degrees year round. Juniper Springs, the focal point within the Juniper Springs Recreation Area Complex is a 100 foot wide freshwater spring surrounded by a stone wall. Juniper Springs Run, a primary recreational attraction originates at the spring and is a popular start for canoeists who paddle northeast 7 miles through the Juniper Prairie Wilderness Area to the take out at Juniper Wayside on State Road 19. From this take out point Juniper Run continues on to Lake George. Fern Hammock Spring does not allow swimming or boating and is in a natural state. 

  • Fees:

    • $12 + tax/per-person

    • $75 + tax Annual Day Use Pass Available to Purchase On-Site

    • Activities: Swimming, Picnicking, Hiking, Canoeing, Visiting the Millhouse

    • Private Kayak and Canoe launch: $10/per watercraft

    • Rental Kayaks

      • There is limited availability 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. daily. Rental launches have required orientations every hour on the half hour. You will not be able to launch a rental kayak without attending this orientation. Please call (352) 625-3147 to confirm availability on your desired visit date.

      • The shuttle is available for privately owned vessel launches.

      • All rentals and services are first come, first served.

  • Restrooms: Bathhouse with Showers

  • Amenities: Amphitheater, 24 Picnic Tables, 12 Grills, 4 Picnic Shelters, Concession Building


Alexander Springs

Alexander Springs Recreation Area is located in the Ocala National Forest near the beautiful, turquoise waters of Alexander Springs, approximately 6 miles northeast of the intersection of State Road 40 and County Road 445. The Civilian Conservation Corps initially constructed the facilities in the 1930’s and the area has been under USDA Forest Service administration since that time. The water is a constant 72 degrees and extraordinarily clear with a sandy bottom. Visitors can swim, snorkel and dive year-round in the crystalline waters of the spring.

Alexander Springs is a 300 foot wide freshwater spring that gushes approximately 70 million gallons of water per day and maintains a constant 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Alexander Springs Creek, a primary recreational attraction originates at the spring and is a popular water trail for canoeists. 

The unique subtropical vegetation surrounding the complex includes hardwood swamps, palms and sand ridges. With forested scenery and abundant water, the recreation area offers camping, swimming, canoeing, scuba diving (for certified divers), hiking, birding and wildlife viewing. PLEASE NOTE: Pets are not allowed in the day use area.

  • Fees:

    • $12 + tax/per-person

    • $75+ tax Annual Day Use Pass Available to Purchase On-Site

  • Activities: Swimming, Picnicking, Hiking, Canoeing, Birding, Wildlife Viewing, Scuba Diving

  • Restrooms: Bathhouse with Showers

  • Amenities: 60 Picnic Tables, 40 Grills, 2 Picnic Shelters, Amphitheater, Concession Building

  • Lifeguard: 7 days a week May 15 - September 15: 10am to 6pm


Screen+Shot+2020-02-19+at+2.39.27+PM.jpg

NEW VEHICLE RESERVATION REQUIREMENT AT SILVER GLEN SPRINGS


From May 27 through Sept. 4, 2023, vehicle reservation passes will be required every Saturday & Sunday plus Memorial Day, Juneteenth, 4th of July and Labor Day. Parking passes must be purchased online, and are available up to 14 days in advance of visit.

Learn more at ReserveOcala.com

Silver Glen Springs

Reserve your vehicle reservation for Silver Glen Springs in advance at www.ReserveOcala.com

〰️

Reserve your vehicle reservation for Silver Glen Springs in advance at www.ReserveOcala.com 〰️

Located on the western shore of Lake George the 7 acre Silver Glen Spring Recreation Area is located on the eastern edge of the Ocala National Forest off State Road 19 approximately 6 miles north of the intersection of State Roads 40 and 19. The area, privately developed, has been under USDA Forest Service administration since 1990. The spring releases 65 million gallons of fresh water per day and a lush subtropical forest ecosystem surrounds the spring that is described as the most beautiful spring on the Ocala National Forest. It is here where Jody, from the book “The Yearling” fell asleep watching the hypnotic action of the “flutter mill” that he had built in the water. There are no overnight camping facilities. No tents are permitted at any time. Snorkeling is permitted but no scuba or free diving is allowed. 

  • Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. daily

  • Admission Fees:

    • $12 + tax/per-person

    • $75+ tax Annual Day Use Pass Available to Purchase On-Site

  • Vehicle Reservation Fees:

    • WEEKDAYS: No charge for parking on weekdays except for Memorial Day (May 29, 2023), Juneteenth (June 19, 2023), Independence Day (July 4, 2023), and Labor Day (September 4, 2023).

    • WEEKENDS: $15/per-vehicle from May 27 through Sept. 4, 2023. Purchase vehicle reservations in advance at ReserveOcala.com.

  • Activities: Swimming, Picnicking, Hiking, Canoeing

  • Restrooms: Portable Toilets available with Changing Area

  • Amenities: 58 Picnic Tables, 30 Pedestal Grills, Canoe/Kayak Launching area, Retail store with convenience items (we do not have cooked foods available)

Rentals: available during store hours (Last rental is at 2:00 p.m.). Equipment is provided - life jackets are for youth and adults 50lbs and up.


Clearwater-Lake

Clearwater Lake

32 acre Clearwater Lake is located on the southeastern edge of the Ocala National Forest approximately 6 miles east of the town of Altoona, FL and 1/4 mile north of State Road 42. The Seminole State Forest borders the southern edge of the forest and lies just south of SR 42 near Clearwater Lake. The area has been under USDA Forest Service administration since construction of the facilities in the 1960’s. A longleaf pine forest and wiregrass ecosystem surrounds the 32 surface acre lake and provides a beautiful, shaded, wooded setting for the facility. 

  • Fees: $8.00 + tax per person ($75+ tax Annual Day Use Pass Available to Purchase On-Site)

  • Activities: Swimming, Picnicking, Hiking, Boating, Bicycling

  • Restrooms: Bathhouses with Showers

  • Amenities: 16 Picnic Tables, 8 Pedestal Grills, 10’x15’ Canoe/Kayak Launching Deck


73344.jpg

Mill Dam

Mill Dam recreation site is located approximately 5 miles east of the intersection of State Roads 40 and 19 then north ½ mile off FSR 79. Mill Dam Lake, a 400 acre lake is great for day use recreational activities and offers visitors a picnic area including group picnic shelter and fire rings. 

Mill Dam Recreation Area offers two different experiences for the public. Between March 16 and September 30, it's a day use recreation area with a large swimming area and sandy beach accessible by wheelchairs. For the remainder of the year, October 1 - March 15, it becomes a group campground / recreation area for both day use and tent camping.

  • Fees: $5 per person. $5 launch fee for boat ramp. (Moving to Scan & Pay)

  • Activities: Swimming, Boating, Picnicking

  • Restrooms: Flush Toilets with Changing Rooms

  • Amenities: Group picnic shelter, Boat Launch, 20 Picnic Tables, 33 Pedestal Grills, 2 Group Fire Rings

  • Lifeguard: Fri-Sun May 15 - September 15: from 10 am to 6 pm


wildcat-lakejpg

Wildcat Lake

Wildcat Lake Day Use Area is centrally located in the forest approximately 1 mile east of the intersection of State Roads 40 and 19 on the south side of Highway 40. It is surrounded by National Forest system lands and situated in the sand pine/longleaf pine ecosystem. Wildcat Lake, 335 surface acres, is a deep clear lake that is a favorite of anglers seeking largemouth bass, sunfish and black crappie. 

  • Fees: $8.00 per person (moving to Scan & Pay)

  • Activities: Swimming, Picnicking, Boating, Fishing

  • Amenities: 3 Picnic Tables, Fishing Pier