Juniper Springs Rec Area

Star4.17
1.0K reviews
26701 EAST HWY 40, SILVER SPRINGS, FL, 34488, USA
Top 20% in FLWinter
C+Report Card
SwimmingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

52 ft

Price

$38 - $70/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

74 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers
Book on Ocala National ForestOfficial Website
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26701 EAST HWY 40, SILVER SPRINGS, FL, 34488, USA

Juniper Springs Rec Area

26701 EAST HWY 40, SILVER SPRINGS, FL, 34488, USA

Nearby places
Ocala (36 miles, ~40 minutes), Daytona Beach (~37 miles, ~45 minutes)

Weather at Juniper Springs Rec Area

About Juniper Springs Rec Area

I manage this campground

RV details

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Juniper Springs Rec Area
$38.00 - $70.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Pavilion Rental: $70.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $38.00; TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC: $38.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9...
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Group Site Fee$60.00

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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
352-625-3147

Go if

you want a beautiful, swimmable natural spring and can snag a Sand Loop site like 074 or 059 for privacy and easy amenity access.

Skip if

you expect polished facilities and consistent maintenance, or you land in Fern Loop, where sites like 071 offer little privacy.

Campgrounds
National Forests in Florida
Juniper Springs Rec Area
C+

Camper Report Card

How campers graded it

Rated higher than 38% of graded campgrounds

Graded on what 897 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.

Strengths

  • Grade B.Campsites
  • Grade B.Staff & hosts
  • Grade B.Safety

Watch-outs

  • Grade F.Belonging
  • Grade D.Rules & policies
  • Grade C-.Value

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.

How we grade →See how Florida grades overall

From Recreation.gov

Official information for Juniper Springs Rec Area from the federal Recreation.gov facility record.

Overview

Juniper Springs Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in the Ocala National Forest. The location offers deeply shaded sites within walking distance of some of Florida's most beautiful natural springs. The surrounding recreation area has plenty of activities to entertain visitors, including swimming, picnicking, canoeing, snorkeling, hiking, birding and wildlife viewing.

This campground was named one of Reserve America's Top 100 Family Campgrounds in the United States.

Recreation

Visitors love swimming in a 72-degree, natural pool found in the day use area. Constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, it is more developed with a pool-like look.   

Paddling Juniper Run is also extremely popular year-round. Juniper Run is recognized as one of the top 25 canoe runs in America by ReserveAmerica. This 7-mile waterway winds through a scenic landscape, surrounded by a dense canopy of ancient trees in an old-growth forest.

While the journey offers picturesque scenery, it's important to highlight that Juniper Run is not suitable for beginners due to its challenging course and changing conditions. The run travels through a National Wilderness Area, and as defined in The Wilderness Act of 1967 Section 4(c): "There shall be no use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment, or motorboats, no landing of aircraft, no other form of mechanical transport, and no structure or installation within any such area." So, clearing the run is limited to hand tools only. The run often has hazards overhead and underwater that make navigation difficult - even for seasoned paddlers. Learn more about Juniper Run and our rental kayaks & shuttle service: https://www.naventure.com/juniper-run 



Back on land, campers can spend a day in the woods on a segment of the statewide Florida National Scenic Trail, or walk a shorter nature trail within the facility. Interpretive programs are available during summer months.

Facilities

The facility is divided into a day use area and campground. Campsites are arranged into three loops near the creek and springs. All sites are shaded and equipped with a picnic table, grill, campfire ring, lantern post and space for tents. There are no sites with full hookups. Other amenities include hot showers, flush toilets and dump station.



A convenience store with camping supplies, beach supplies, drinks and ice cream is nearby. Restaurants, shopping and gas are just 10 miles from campground.

Natural Features

The natural springs are at the heart of this recreation area. Hundreds of bubbling springs emerge from crevices in the earth beneath a dense canopy of palms and oaks - an oasis within the heart of the desert-like Big Scrub ecosystem for which the national forest is known.

Abundant wildlife inhabitant the area, including alligators, turtles, deer, black bear, turkey, raccoons and numerous species of birds, as well as uncommon species like the albino gray squirrel, river otters and American eels.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (352) 625-3147.

Nearby Attractions

Lake George and its many activities are just a short drive away. The Ocala National Forest is also notable for its extensive off-road trail system catering to both ATV enthusiasts and Jeeps, as well as being a traditional destination for deer hunters from around Central Florida. These opportunities are available nearby.

Charges & Cancellations

Cancelling a Reservation: Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. Depending on when you cancel in relation to your arrival day, it may be considered a late cancellation.

https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies  

Refunds are not given for inclement weather for camping, gear rentals, or day-use fees.

Directions

From I-75, take Highway 40 east through Ocala and Silver Springs for approximately 36 miles to the Juniper Springs Recreation Area. <br /><br /> From I-95, take the Ocala/Silver Springs Exit (Highway 40) west for approximately 37 miles to the Juniper Springs Recreation Area. <br /><br /> From the intersection of Highway 40 and Highway 19, the campground is 4.5 miles west on Highway 40. The entrance is on the north side of Highway 40.