Hopkins Prairie Campground
4.11140 reviewsReal-Time Availability
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Quick Facts
46 ftPrice
$16/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
21 campsites
Season
Open seasonally (spe...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Real-Time Availability
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Quick Facts
46 ftPrice
$16/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
21 campsites
Season
Open seasonally (spe...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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Hopkins Prairie Campground
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Weather at Hopkins Prairie Campground
About Hopkins Prairie Campground
From the U.S. Forest Service
Reference information about Hopkins Prairie Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
Overview
<p><img align="center" alt="View overlooking a prairie." margin="20px 20px 20px 20px" src="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/FSEPRD915166.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 300px; padding-bottom: 15px;" /></p><p>An island of shade amid a broad, winding grassland, the Hopkins Prairie Campground is a seasonal destination for campers looking to get off the beaten path. An unsung gem, Hopkins Prairie is a rambling incursion of interconnected wet and dry prairie landscape surrounded by sand pine and oak scrub.</p><p><b>Boating</b></p><ul><li>Depending on water levels in the prairie, you may be able to launch your canoe or jon boat to drift across the deeper spots in this vast ecosystem.</li></ul><p><strong>Camping</strong></p><ul><li>Hopkins Prairie is a designated camping area with minimal facilities, open seasonally.</li><li>Expect full recreation sites during weekends. Have backup plans. Sites may close when capacity is reached. Please be aware that low tree branches over the road may limit the height of vehicles entering the campground. </li></ul><p><strong>Fishing</strong></p><ul><li>The vast expanse of Hopkins Prairie has ponds and shallows. Depending on water levels, it may be possible to fish from the bank or launch a canoe or jon boat to access the deeper areas.</li></ul><p paraeid="{8a5664ed-c3b7-4df9-a8b6-027e03793b06}{5}" paraid="75835948"><b>Hiking</b></p><ul><li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-listid="2" role="listitem"><p paraeid="{8a5664ed-c3b7-4df9-a8b6-027e03793b06}{64}" paraid="49553516">With a year-round trailhead providing access to the Florida Trail, Hopkins Prairie is a popular destination for day hikers to wander off in either direction along the trail, or complete a section down to the Pat's Island Trailhead or Juniper Springs.</p></li></ul><p paraeid="{8a5664ed-c3b7-4df9-a8b6-027e03793b06}{5}" paraid="75835948"><strong>Nature Watching</strong></p><ul><li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-listid="2" role="listitem"><p paraeid="{8a5664ed-c3b7-4df9-a8b6-027e03793b06}{64}" paraid="49553516">Hopkins Prairie is an excellent destination for birding, since the interface between open prairie and scrub forest is usually busy with songbirds, while wading birds pick through the ponds. Even when the campground is closed, you can meander from the Hopkins Prairie Trailhead along the Florida Trail to enjoy birding. It's also a perfect spot where you can peer out from the shade of an oak scrub forest beneath gnarled limbs to an expanse of grasslands shimmering in the sun.</p></li></ul><p paraeid="{8a5664ed-c3b7-4df9-a8b6-027e03793b06}{5}" paraid="75835948">This site is operated by <a href="http://www.naventure.com/outdoor-adventure-florida">Naventure</a>.</p>
About the campground
The elevation is 50 ft. The campground has two spurs and is located adjacent to Hopkins Prairie which is actually a very shallow lake. Hopkins Prairie is referred to as a "prairie" or wetland. In other words, unless the "lake" area is full of water, tall grass is the visible vegetation with potholes of water. The dominate vegetation in the campground is Live and Laurel oaks with Palmetto palms providing excellent privacy between sites. The majority of sites have a nice scenic view of Hopkins Prairie. The Florida National Scenic Trail runs by the campground. There is no trailhead, but access to it is possible from the campground. Opposite the campground's entrance and near site 21, is a bat house that helps control the area's bug population. Ocala National Forest 362 This is bear country; practise safe food storage technique. It is also alligator country; practice caution around water especially with small dogs.
Seasons & access
Open October 1 through June 1
Facilities
The water spigot is a crank-style hand pump.
Water activities
The surface acreage of Hopkins Prairie is unknown. Contact the Lake George Ranger District Office for current water level. Power boats are limited to 10HP. Silver Glen Springs is a swim area not far from the campground. Go back out to State Rt. 19 and travel south about 2 miles. Ocala National Forest 363
RV information
The parking aprons are dirt and clay. A waste station is available for a fee at the Salt Springs campground (NF) in Salt Springs, FL.
Directions
In Salt Springs, FL, at the intersection of County Rt. 314 and State Rt. 19, take Rt. 19 south 7.7 miles to Hopkins Prairie sign. Turn right after sign onto NE 77 St. (sand and dirt) and go 2.4 miles to campground sign. Turn right at sign and go 0.7 miles to campground.
- National Forest
- Ocala National Forest
- Ranger District
- Lake George
- Elevation
- 50
- Rate
- $10 day
- Maximum Stay
- 14
- Open Season
- October – June
