Juniper Springs Rec Area
Campground · Florida · 77 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Ocala National Game Refuge (National Game Refuge) · Open Access
- 77
- Bookable sites
- 45 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 24
- People per site
- 43 ft
- Elevation
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.
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.Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (352) 625-3147.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.
The facts
- 77 bookable sites
- 79 sites in total, including non-bookable
- 1 site for day use only
- Vehicles up to 45 ft
- Up to 24 people per site
- Loops: Day Use, FERN, SAND, TROP
Site types
- 57 Standard Nonelectric
- 19 Tent Only Nonelectric
- 2 Management
- 1 Group Picnic Area
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Shade
- Pets allowed
- Water hookups — not available
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups.
79 campsites at Juniper Springs Rec Area
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Access | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pavilion | Day Use | Group Picnic Area | — | Paved | Hike In | — | 24 | |
| 061 | FERN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 062 | FERN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 063 | FERN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 064 | FERN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 065 | FERN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 066 | FERN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 067 | FERN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 068 | FERN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 069 | FERN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 070 | FERN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 071 | FERN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 072 | FERN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 073 | FERN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 074 | FERN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 075 | FERN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 076 | FERN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 077 | FERN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 078 | FERN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 079 | FERN | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 5 | 🐾 |
| 035 | SAND | Management | Back In | Paved | — | 25 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 036 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 037 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 038 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 039 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 25 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 040 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 25 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 041 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 25 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 042 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 25 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 043 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 044 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 045 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 046 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 25 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 047 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 25 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 048 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 25 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 049 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 25 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 050 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 25 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 051 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 052 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 053 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 054 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 25 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 055 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 056 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 057 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 058 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 25 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 059 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 060 | SAND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 001 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Paved | — | 45 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 002 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 35 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 003 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Paved | — | 40 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 004 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 005 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Paved | — | 25 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 006 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 35 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 007 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Paved | — | 35 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 009 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Paved | — | 35 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 010 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 35 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 011 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Paved | — | 35 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 012 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 013 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Paved | — | 25 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 014 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 015 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 016 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Paved | — | 25 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 017 | TROP | Management | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 018 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 019 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 25 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 020 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Paved | — | 25 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 021 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 25 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 022 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Paved | — | 35 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 023 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 024 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 025 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Paved | — | 35 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 026 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 35 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 027 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 028 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 029 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Paved | — | 35 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 030 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 031 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 032 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 033 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Paved | — | 30 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
| 034 | TROP | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 25 ft | 5 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From I-95, take the Ocala/Silver Springs Exit (Highway 40) west for approximately 37 miles to the Juniper Springs Recreation Area.
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.
29.18222, -81.71250 · 29°10'56.0"N 81°42'45.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 3.2 | 2.7 | 3.5 | 2.9 | 3.7 | 7.6 | 6.7 | 7.9 | 6.3 | 3.6 | 2.3 | 2.7 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 18 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Juniper Springs Rec Area
- Can you reserve a site at Juniper Springs Rec Area?
- Yes, Juniper Springs Rec Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Juniper Springs Rec Area have?
- 79 sites in total, of which 77 can be booked.
- What is the maximum RV length at Juniper Springs Rec Area?
- 45 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Juniper Springs Rec Area?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Juniper Springs Rec Area.
- Does Juniper Springs Rec Area have hookups?
- No hookups are recorded here.
- Are campfires allowed at Juniper Springs Rec Area?
- Campfires are allowed at Juniper Springs Rec Area. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near Juniper Springs Rec Area
- Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area Vehicle Reservations 6.2 mi · Timed entry · we watch it
- Hopkins Prairie Campground 6.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Buck Lake Group Campground 6.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Mill Dam Group Camp 7.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Big Scrub Campground 9.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Lake Eaton Campground 10.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Alexander Springs Recreation Area 10.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Doe Lake Group Site 11.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Salt Springs Recreation Area 12.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Lake Dorr Campground 12.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Lake Eaton Day Use 10.5 mi · Activity pass
- Lake Dorr Day Use 12.5 mi · Activity pass
Contact
- Phone 352-625-3147
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-08-11.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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