How much does camping cost at Buck Lake Group Campground?

Camping fees at Buck Lake Group Campground are $70/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Buck Lake Group Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Buck Lake Group Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Buck Lake Group Campground before I book?

Yes! Buck Lake Group Campground has 8 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Buck Lake Group Campground?

Buck Lake Group Campground is open January 01 to December 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Buck Lake Group Campground?

Buck Lake Group Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Buck Lake Group Campground have?

Buck Lake Group Campground has 1 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Buck Lake Group Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Buck Lake Group Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Buck Lake Group Campground?

Buck Lake Group Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Buck Lake Group Campground?

Popular activities at Buck Lake Group Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Buck Lake Group Campground

4.15

56 reviews

(352) 669-3522, Umatilla, FL 34488, USA

Top 24% in FLSpring

CReport Card

Summer Destination

Quick Facts

69 ft

Price

$70/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Season opens January...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Adventure Ocala Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

69 ft

Price

$70/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Season opens January...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Adventure Ocala Official Website

Get Directions

Buck Lake Group Campground

$70.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $70.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

Group Site Fee$70.00

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Provider

352-625-2520alexandersprings@adventureocala.com

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

(352) 669-3522, Umatilla, FL 34488, USA

Buck Lake Group Campground

(352) 669-3522, Umatilla, FL 34488, USA

Weather at Buck Lake Group Campground

Best Time to Camp at Buck Lake Group Campground

Best season: spring. Spring offers the best balance of comfortable temperatures (typically daytime highs in the mid-60s to low-80s°F and nights in the 50s) and low humidity, making long hikes through the rare sand pine scrub and shoreline fishing especially pleasant. Wildflowers and active bird migration brighten the landscape and wildlife viewing is at its peak before summer insects swell; morning mist over Buck Lake makes for memorable sunrise views. Crowds are moderate — busier on spring weekends and around local Peak months: April, March, May, February

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.5 / 5

Top 24% in FL

Overview states spring is best—comfortable temps, low humidity and excellent hiking conditions.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 01 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Season opens January 1, 2025, and closes December 31, 2025.

About Buck Lake Group Campground

Buck Lake Group Campground sits in the Ocala National Forest near Umatilla, operated by Adventure Ocala for group reservations only. The campground offers private lakefront access for fishing and boating amid rare sand pine scrub habitat, with a large communal fire ring and primitive facilities. Reviewers praise the scenic setting and solitude but note vault toilets require maintenance and the dirt access road can be rough.

Buck Lake Group Campground offers primitive group camping for up to 50 people. No tent-only or cabin accommodations are provided.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: spring. Spring offers the best balance of comfortable temperatures (typically daytime highs in the mid-60s to low-80s°F and nights in the 50s) and low humidity, making long hikes through the rare sand pine scrub and shoreline fishing especially pleasant. Wildflowers and active bird migration brighten the landscape and wildlife viewing is at its peak before summer insects swell; morning mist over Buck Lake makes for memorable sunrise views. Crowds are moderate — busier on spring weekends and around local Peak months: April, March, May, February

Elevation69 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies lakefront property on Buck Lake, surrounded by sand pine scrub forest. This globally rare ecosystem exists only in north central Florida, where ancient white sand ridges meet pristine lakes. The forest creates overhead canopy while sandy soil stretches underfoot. Morning mist rises from the lake's surface at sunrise. The site sits within the 383,000-acre Ocala National Forest, which contains roughly 600 lakes and multiple springs connected by winding rivers.

Lodging & AccommodationsLodging accommodations such as hotel-style facilities are not available. This campground exclusively offers primitive group camping.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay allowed is 14 nights total within a rolling 30-day period.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Up to 50 guests are allowed per reservation in this group-use facility.

Groups

The group campsite accommodates up to 50 people and offers exclusive access during reservations.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov and require advance booking.

Site SizeSites are large enough to accommodate up to 50 people, as noted in user reviews.

PrivacyThe campground offers private access during reservations and is gated for exclusivity.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesBring tick repellant and portable toilets as the only restroom is an outhouse. Avoid gasoline motors and account for dirt road access challenges.

Need help booking Buck Lake Group Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Buck Lake Group Campground is a primitive camping facility in Ocala National Forest, Florida. It provides exclusive use for reservations and is ideal for group gatherings. Amenities include a vault toilet, a hand pump for drinking water, six picnic tables, and a group campfire ring.

Potable water

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Group Sites

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Buck Lake Group Campground

Recreational activities include fishing, boating, hiking, picnicking, and swimming. Visitors can enjoy a trail loop around Buck Lake and access fishing opportunities for bass, crappie, and panfish.

Fishing4.0/5

Hiking3.5/5

1.7-mile loop around Buck Lake that connects to the Florida Trail; short but scenic hikes.

Boating3.5/5

Boating allowed on Buck Lake with electric motors only—good for quiet paddling/boats.

Water Sports3.5/5

Lake access and electric-motor boating permit make kayaking/canoeing feasible and pleasant.

Winter Activities

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available; the campground only provides vault-style toilets.

Food Storage RequiredFood storage lockers are available but require additional supplies brought by campers for events.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.2

56 reviews

Satisfactory

Buck Lake Group Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the campground as a great spot for group camping with access to a scenic lake and basic amenities. However, complaints include overflowing trash cans, lack of running water, and hunting dogs occasionally intruding.

Review Summaries

Based on 56 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive feedback includes the scenic beauty of Buck Lake, good fishing opportunities, private access, and the large group fire ring. Many users appreciate the peaceful environment and primitive...

Based on 56 reviews

Common Concerns

Negative aspects include filthy vault toilets, overflowing trash cans, limited space for larger RV groups, and potholes on access roads during rainy seasons.

Based on 56 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Campsite 001 has mixed reviews, with users mentioning cleanliness improvements in recent years but also issues with trash and intrusions from hunting dogs.

Based on 56 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tips include bringing portable toilets for convenience, mosquito and tick repellents due to bugs, and ensuring the gate remains locked to avoid intrusions.

Based on 56 reviews

Seasonal Insights

During summer thunderstorms, potholes on access roads can fill with water, making navigation difficult for cars. Winter and spring are generally more favorable seasons with cooler temperatures and...

Based on 56 reviews

Camper Quotes

"We have been coming year after year for a group trip and love it! If you do not mind primitive camping it is awesome!" - Marlene Viola. "Off the beaten path w/a lake and I believe roughly $175 for...

Based on 56 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews specifically addressing accessibility features are available.

Based on 56 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed at the campground, and reviews do not indicate significant issues or specific pet-friendly features.

Based on 56 reviews

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Buck Lake Group Campground

$70.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $70.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

Group Site Fee$70.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

352-625-2520alexandersprings@adventureocala.com

Go if

You're booking a group outing and want lakefront privacy for fishing and boating in a quiet forest setting.

Skip if

You need modern restrooms, RV-friendly access roads, or individual site reservations instead of group-only booking.

Nearby Campgrounds

Highly Popular

4.3

(970)

Alexander Springs Recreation Area

49525 CR 445, Altoona, Florida, 32702, USA

Alexander Springs Recreation Area sits in Ocala National Forest near Altoona, centered on a crystal-clear, 72°F spring-fed waterway. Operated by the U.S. Forest Service, this mid-sized campground draws swimmers, snorkelers, paddlers, and wildlife watchers to spacious sites surrounded by Florida scrub and hardwood forest. Tent, RV, primitive, and group camping options accommodate a range of visitors seeking spring-fed recreation and forest trails.

Buck Lake Group Campground

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