Ocala National Forest is the southernmost national forest in the United States. Here are some of the local favorites for campgrounds and cabins.

The Ocala National Forest offers a wealth of natural getaways, from more than 2 dozen primitive campsites to complete resort facilities. Here are a few favorite campgrounds and cabin rental opportunities:

Ocala National Forest Camping:

The campground and Juniper Springs is a forest favorite.

JUNIPER SPRINGS RECREATION AREA. A perennial favorite, Juniper Springs recreation area offers camping in semi-tropical scenery along the scenic Juniper Creek. The 7-mile spring run is among the most popular canoeing destinations in the state. The unique swimming area at the spring’s source dates from the 1930s. Primitive camping is available to backpackers at Hidden Pond in the Juniper Prairie Wilderness. Campsite fees begin at $13 a night, and showers are available. Canoe rentals begin at $23 for the day. The Juniper Springs Recreation Area is located on SR 40, about 17 miles east of Silver Springs. For information, contact the Ocala National Forest Visitor Center, 3199 NE Hwy. 315, Silver Springs Fl 34488. Phone: (352) 236-0288. (Learn more about Juniper Springs.)

SALT SPRINGS RECREATION AREA. Since the turn of the century — when visitors sought the healing power of its slightly salty water — Salt Springs has been a popular destination for campers. The park was completely renovated in 1999. Local activities include fishing, snorkeling, bird watching, hiking and swimming in the spring’s headwaters. The recreation area is located on State Road 19 in Salt Springs, just north of Highway 314. In addition to tent camping, the recreation area offers full-hookup camping for trailers and motor homes. Showers are available. Primitive campsites cost $13 a night, or $17 with full-service hookups. For additional information, contact the Salt Springs Visitor Center, 14100 North Highway 19, Salt Springs, FL 32134. Phone: (352) 685-3070.

ALEXANDER SPRINGS RECREATION AREA. This scenic spring has been popular with the locals for something like a thousand years. Archaeological excavations have uncovered evidence of native Timucuan Indian settlements dating back to 1,000 A.D., and these are explained on the short nature trail near the campground. The spring provides swimming and snorkeling year-round, as well as one of the better canoe runs in the region. Campsites cost $15 a night, and canoe rentals cost $26 per day. For additional information, contact the Pittman Visitor Center, 45621 South SR 19, Altoona, FL 32702. Phone (352) 669-7495 or (352) 669-3522. (Learn more about Alexander Springs.)

Other popular campgrounds include Hopkins Prairie, Delancy West, Delancy East, Lake Eaton, Fore Lake, Lake Door, Clearwater Lake and Big Bass.

Ocala National Forest Cabins:

One of many rustic cabins in the Ocala National Forest.

The Forest Service itself offers a handful of rustic cabins that provide visitors a way to enjoy the natural beauty of the “Big Scrub” without the need to rough it. Here are a few local favorites:

Sweetwater Cabin. This secluded forest paradise is located about halfway down the Juniper Creek run. Built in the mid 1930s as a Civilian Conservation Corps project, it was later the home for the crew of the 1945 movie “The Yearling” starring Gregory Peck. The film won two Oscars in 1947. The book by Marjorie Kinan Rawlings was modeled after the Long family, which lived on nearby Pat’s Island. The cabin sleeps 12 people, has a full kitchen and facilities, along with a private deck over Sweetwater Spring. Since it’s off-limits to canoeists and kayakers, you’ll have the place to yourself. If you’re lucky enough to win the lottery, that is. The forest service gives away 52 weeks’ stay each year in a lottery starting January 1st. If you win the lottery, you’ll pay $800 per week. Call (352) 625-0546.

Elite Resorts at Salt Springs is situated on the shores of Little Lake Kerr, one of the forest’s fishing hotspots. The 70-acre RV park has 475 sites and 38 cabins. The cabins are 2 bedrooms each and sleep up to 12 people. Full sized kitchen and cable TV are included. The resort has a variety of amenities. For information call 1-800-356-2460.

Salt Springs is a favorite retreat in the Ocala National Forest. Lodging options include camping, cabin rentals and the Elite Resorts RV Park.

Mill Dam Lake Resort offers inexpensive lakefront cabins starting at $195 per week on the off season, or $249 per week after November 4th. Mill dam is a 168-acre lake that has a nice swimming area and respectable fishing opportunities. The cabins include cable and WiFi, and a diner is on the premises. Shopping is three miles away. For information, call (352) 625-4500.

Lake in the Forest Black Bear Resort is an ideal base camp for a week of fishing on Half Moon Lake, which produces many of the area’s trophy largemouth bass. The family-operated campground has RV sites, a pool, and recreation center. Six cabin rentals are available. The 1-bedroom cabins sleep 4-6, and include a sleeping loft. The rate is $84 per night or $400 per week. For information, call (352) 625-4500.

Horseshoe Lake Cabins. This retreat and conference center is located 2.5 miles east of Orange Springs on CR318, at the north end of the Ocala National Forest. The park surrounds a spring-fed lake and offers nature trails, fishing, canoeing, and swimming. Cabins are equipped with central air and heat, refrigerators, screened porches, picnic tables and barbecue grills. For info, call (352) 671-8560.

For local hotel and motel information in Ocala and Silver Springs, visit the Ocala Chamber of Commerce for more lodging information. You’ll also find Ocala rentals by owner on Ocala4sale.com, a local classified site. For a complete list of Florida campgrounds that you can filter and sort based on your needs (such as amenities, activities and region) check out the campground comparison tool at FindTheBest.com.

The scenic Ocklawaha River is one of Florida's great kayak tours.

SILVER SPRINGS, FL — Deep under the shade of cypress, swamp maple and sable palms, central Florida’s Ocklawaha River runs clear and cool, even now in the stifling heat of summer. Out here on a weekday afternoon, far removed from the sound of civilization, you can kayak through a forest so thick you’ll wonder if  you’ve drifted back into another age.

For taking the trouble to venture out, you’ll be rewarded with plenty of interesting sights: Alligators silently patrolling the shoreline or sunning themselves on the snags. Reptilian long-nose gar — some of them half the length of your paddle — swimming alongside your kayak. You might even spot a rhesus monkey or two. They’re not native, but they seem quite at home in this jungle.

All this can be had for a reasonable price and a modest amount of effort. The Ocklawaha Outpost in Ft. McCoy offers canoe and kayak rentals and it’s the perfect jumping off point.  Here you can rent what you need for a day trip or an overnight adventure. They also provide snacks, sporting goods, and a nice picnic and camping ground.

River Cooter on the Ocklawaha River

“I grew up on the Wekiva and Rock Springs runs, and I’ve never seen as much wildlife as you’ll find on this river,” said Larry Reiche, who owned the Outpost. “People see bear, deer, turkey, otters. A couple of people — and I really believe them — say they’ve seen a panther.”

The most popular kayak trip takes in 8 miles of the Ocklawaha from Gore’s Landing to the SR 316 overpass — the stretch that is least traveled by motor boats. Reiche will drop you off at Gore’s Landing, where you can follow the current north along the edge of Ocala National Forest. Along the way, you’ll pass just one home, sitting on a bluff as you pass Eaton Creek. On a mid-week trip, a friend and I paddled for hours without seeing another human being.

The Ocklawaha originates near Weirsdale at the southern edge of Marion County and winds its way north for 110 miles before merging with the St. Johns River south of Palatka. The “c” in the river’s name only received official endorsement a short time ago, Reiche said.

But as remote and narrow as this river seems, it was once a popular route for riverboat cruises on their way to Silver Springs. At the Outpost you can take a look at some of the old double-decker paddleboats that once plied these waters. Reiche told of one post-Civil War riverboat operator by the name of Hubbard L. Hart who won a fat government contract to keep the Ocklawaha clear for commercial traffic. It was a great deal, considering that his Hart Line represented the only commercial traffic on the river at that time.

Moving at a comfortable pace, the kayak trip takes about three hours. After paddling for an hour or so you’ll find several suitable places to stop for lunch. We noticed a few mosquitoes only when we wandered ashore. On the river they left us alone.

Near the end of the journey, we encountered a flipped canoe that was half full of water. Its two former occupants were floating alongside, trying frantically to recover their belongings. A flotilla of soda cans began to stretch downriver as we approached. After a few clumsy attempts to help right the canoe, we decided to float together the rest of the way since we weren’t far from the Outpost. Besides, in the heat of summer there are worse disasters than flipping a canoe in a cool river. That is, as long as you remember to leave your valuables at home.

Ocklawaha River Kayak Rentals:

WHERE: The Ocklawaha River Outpost is located at 16260 NE 152nd Place in Fort McCoy, Florida. For info, call 1-866-236-4606.

WHEN:  Departure times for day trips: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. Return must be made before 6 p.m. weekends and 5 p.m. weekdays. During the summer, the 10 o’clock trip offers the best chance of avoiding afternoon thunderstorms. Allow at least 3 hours. The Outpost is closed Tuesdays. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. The cost starts at $44 for a two-person canoe with shuttle service. Overnight trips, canoe shuttles, and camping are also available. (Or check out more Ocala Camping options nearby.) Kayak rentals start at $34.

Other Canoeing and Kayaking Options:

Though rentals are not available at Ray Wayside Park, it’s also a good place to begin exploring near the junction of the Ocklawaha and the  Silver River. Wayside Park is located 4 miles east of Silver Springs on Highway 40. The parking fee is $4.25 per vehicle.

Note: On the Ocklawaha and Silver River, you’re likely to share your adventure with motor boats. For a more wild experience, check out Florida Kayaking or try the Juniper Springs Canoe Run.

Canoeing Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest

You won’t be the first to discover the delightful swimming hole at Alexander Springs. People have been enjoying this idyllic and refreshing spring form at least 10,000 years. Its ancient residents, the Timucuan Indians, enjoyed the springs for the same reason people go today: “It was a place where they would go swimming and recreate,” said ranger Jim Thorsen.

Alexander is one of Florida’s 27 “first-magnitude” springs, each of which produce mor than 64.6 million gallons of water a day. (Nearby Silver Glen Springs is another, along with Manatee Springs near Chiefland.) Alexander Springs (ranked 23rd) discharges 80 million gallons a day, according to Thorsen.

Archaeologists have discovered numerous artifacts near the springs, including pottery, bows, even an ancient stew. Its ingredients included fresh water snails, mussels, gar fish, catfish, speckled perch, largemouth bass, turtle, bird, white-tailed deer and palmetto berries.

Hiking the Nature Trail at Alexander Springs in Ocala National Forest

Today the picnic area is on the site of a “shell mitten,” Thorsen said. “It’s a large mound of shells and crayfish. That was the diet of the Timucuan Indians.”

How Alexander Springs got its name is a mystery. “Nobody really knows the answer,” Thorsen said. “It was probably named after a person when the forest was created in 1908.”

The nearby Billies Bay Wilderness, however, “was named after a person who was half Seminole Indian and half caucasian,” Thorsen said. “He used to be a renegade who went in there to hide. His name was Billy Bowleg something.”

Alexander’s 1-mile Timucuan Nature Trail loops through four distinct environments common to Ocala National Forest: aquatic, swamp, Oak Hammock and Sand Pine Scrub. Along the way, informational signs describe the plants as they were used by Timucuan Indians. Much of the trail is on elevated boardwalks, and two observation platforms offer fishing and a good view of Alexander Creek.

The large swimming area feels more natural than the developed site at Juniper Springs. There’s more water, too. Juniper Springs discharges only a fourth the amount of water as Alexander Springs. The 28-foot pool at the head of the spring is a favorite spot for scuba divers.

Alexander Springs Recreation Area Info:

From Ocala, take Highway 40 to Astor Park, then take Highway 445 south for five and a half miles. Canoes can be rented for a 7-mile run along Alexander Creek (with a free pickup) or for as little as two hours. The 67-unit campground, accessible to the handicapped, is open year-round. The park is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, except for overnight campers. Features: Camping, picnicking, hiking, swimming, scuba diving, canoeing and kayaking.  Contact: (352) 669-3522

Silver Glen Springs in the Ocala National Forest

If you can manage to get the place to yourself — and it is possible, but not on busy weekends or holidays — there are few better places to enjoy the unspoiled beauty of Ocala National Forest than Silver Glen Springs.

From the comfortable lawn surrounding the spring, under a gentle shade of Spanish moss, you can watch the spring boil up silently from the Florida Aquifer. Seventy-two million gallons a day erupt from the spring and spread out into a transparent underwater meadow teeming with fish. The limestone pool, about 200 feet across, is the color of pale emeralds, accented by abstract swaths of water grass.

Silver Glen, along with nearby Alexander Springs,  is one of Florida’s 33 first-magnitude springs. It is larger than both Juniper Springs and Salt Springs.

A little blue heron may patrol the hyacinth looking for a quick meal, while great blues stand sentry farther off in the shadows. Cormorants and anhingas stretch their wings on the buoys, soaking up the afternoon sun.

“People tend to think there isn’t much to see in the winter time,” said Jerry Clutts, back when he was Lake George District Ranger. “But there are quite a few fish seeking warm water, stripped bass even some saltwater species that come up from the St John’s–some rays and some groupers.” Bald eagles, as well as many other birds, are also seen at the park.

The site is surrounded by an Indian shell mound and has been a popular swimming hole for at least 7,000 years. A small collection of artifacts from the site is on display at the Ocala Public Library. “The whole area around the spring apparently at one time was a shell mound,” Clutts said. “But a lot of it was been excavated years ago. [The shells were] taken and used for road surfacing. A lot of the area has been disturbed.”

In recent years a hiking trail has been added that takes you along a three-mile round trip to a bluff along Lake George.  The trail begins near where a historic Timucuan village once existed and follows the spring run to one of Florida’s largest lakes. Watch for alligators along the way.

If quiet solitude isn’t your aim, you’ll have plenty of company on weekends and holidays. Boating traffic along the half-mile spring run might be the Ocala National Forest’s equivalent of Daytona Break during spring break. If you like a crowd, you’ll be in luck. If not, you’ll want to wait for the mid-week or off season to enjoy the tranquility of this scenic gem.

Silver Glen Springs from Jamie Hellmich on Vimeo.

Silver Glen Springs Info

Silver Glen Springs is located near Lake George on Highway 19, six miles north of SR 40 in Ocala National Forest. Activities include boating, fishing, picnicking, swimming and snorkeling. Camping is not permitted. (But read here for a list of Ocala National Forest Campgrounds.) The park is open daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with canoe rentals available on site from $16 to $38 (full day).  Free kayak launching. Day use fee is $5.50 per person. Snorkeling, but not SCUBA, is permitted.

A single annual pass ($60 per person) gets you into several Ocala National Forest recreation areas, including Juniper Springs, Salt Springs, Clearwater Lake, Wildcat Lake, Alexander Springs and Silver Glen Springs. For information, call 352-236-0288

Fern Hammock Springs is located at the end of the short Juniper Run Trail in the Ocala National Forest.

As the sun rises over the tall grass and scrub pines of Juniper Prairie Wilderness, lighting up the mist on Hidden Pond, the only sound is the gentle breeze in the trees and the occasional call of scrub jays or the echo of woodpeckers. Here in the nation’s southernmost wilderness, six miles by trail from the nearest road, dawn comes quietly and reveals a landscape barely changed by the passage of time.

Located in deep in the heart of Ocala National Forest, about half an hour east of Silver Springs, the wilderness if strictly off-limits to motor vehicles. So to experience this untouched corner of Florida, you’re limited to walking or paddling. Either way, it’s worth the effort.

Canoe or Kayak Juniper Springs

The seven-mile canoe run from Juniper Springs is one of the best canoeing opportunities in central Florida. The canopied creek winds through dense, primeval forests that seem untouched by man — on weekdays, anyway. Come early in the morning and you’ll paddle through dappled light that filters through the trees down into crystalline water.

At first glance, the run looks too narrow to navigate, but it grows in size steadily as it meanders past ancient cypress trees and lush semi-tropical forests. The narrow creek is filled with obstacles, and it takes some effort to avoid submerged snags and squeeze under overhanging branching. Whether you find it fun or frustrating may depend on your canoeing skills.

For the best experience, avoid the place on weekends and holidays. As many as 50 or 60 canoes and kayaks may crowd the creek during peak days, but during the week you may only have to share the run with the local wildlife.

Regardless of when you go, you’re bound to spot several species of wading birds during the last half of the canoe run, where the creek is wide and bounded by cattails. With a bit of luck, you may even spot a bald eagle. The creek is also home to a family of playful otters. These animals aren’t shy, and they boldly approach passing canoes. There are alligators too, which is one reason wading or tubing is not allowed on the creek.

The run takes between three and five hours, but it’s worth spending the whole day. The landing at the half-way point is a popular spot to stop for lunch. (Throwaway containers, such as bottles and cans, are prohibited on the run, and violators may be fined $25.)

A shuttle service for canoeists runs between Juniper Wayside Park (at the bridge on U.S. Highway 19) and Juniper Springs. The last shuttle leaves each day at 4:30 p.m. The shuttle is free if you rent a canoe, and $5 per person otherwise.

Hike Juniper Prairie Wilderness

If you’d rather walk into the heart of Juniper Prairie, the Florida Trail cuts through the center of the wilderness. The scenic trail stretches the entire length of the Ocala National Forest (and much of the state), but the prairie offers the best hiking in the area. It’s also the only section of the Florida trail that runs through a designated wilderness area. Eventually the Florida Trail, which was started in 1966, will include 1,300 miles of continuous trail from the Big Cypress National Preserve to the Gulf Island National Seashore.

From Juniper Springs, it’s a 12 mile round-trip hike to Hidden Pond, located in the center of the wilderness area. Here you can rest and enjoy lunch under the shade of the scrub pines, or fish for bass or panfish on one of the nearby ponds. If you bring a tent and a sleeping bag, Hidden Pond makes an ideal primitive campsite. Primitive means no toilets, and water is only available from the ponds — but it must be boiled or treated because of the presence of a parasite called Giardia, which causes diarrhea.

Although the trail itself sees a lot of human traffic, it’s easy to get away from people if that’s what you want. Just be sure you know how to use a map and compass (or GPS unit) because it’s easy to get lost in the network of side-trails.

Since only a few feet of elevation change can create a dramatic change in the landscape, the trail provides a good overview of the various biological communities in central Florida, from swamp to sand pine to prairie. And this variety of habitats also means a good chance of seeing many types of wildlife. The extensive wildfires in recent years have opened up the prairie in some areas and dramatically increased the bird life.

Save some time before or after your adventure to take the short (3/4 mile) nature trail along the beginning of Juniper Creek and Fern Hammock Springs. Together, Juniper and Fern Hammock Springs produce about 15 million gallons of water a day. (It’s significantly smaller than than the nearby First-Magnitude springs such as Silver Glen Springs, Alexander Springs and Silver Springs.) A bridge over Fern Hammock Springs provides a close look at the sandy boils where the water originates.

And don’t forget to bring a swimsuit, especially during summer. The 72-degree spring is one of the finest old-fashioned swimming holes you’ll find anywhere, and it makes a great place to cool off after a day of exploration.

If you go:

Call Juniper Springs Recreation Area for canoe rental and campground information: (352)625-0546