Juniper Springs Rec Area

Welcome to Juniper Springs!
Historic Mill House
Picnic area
Rentable Pavilion
Natural Florida

Featured amenities

Showers

About Juniper Springs Rec Area

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.

Number of accommodations: 76

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Showers
RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Showers
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

76 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 001, Loop: TROP
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 002, Loop: TROP
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 003, Loop: TROP
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 004, Loop: TROP
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🚐 005, Loop: TROP
No Hookups
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🚐 006, Loop: TROP
No Hookups
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🚐 007, Loop: TROP
No Hookups
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🚐 009, Loop: TROP
No Hookups
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🚐 010, Loop: TROP
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🚐 011, Loop: TROP
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🚐 012, Loop: TROP
No Hookups
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🚐 013, Loop: TROP
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🚐 014, Loop: TROP
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🚐 015, Loop: TROP
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🚐 016, Loop: TROP
No Hookups
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🚐 018, Loop: TROP
No Hookups
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🚐 019, Loop: TROP
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🚐 020, Loop: TROP
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🚐 021, Loop: TROP
No Hookups
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🚐 022, Loop: TROP
No Hookups
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🚐 023, Loop: TROP
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🚐 024, Loop: TROP
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🚐 025, Loop: TROP
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🚐 026, Loop: TROP
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🚐 027, Loop: TROP
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🚐 028, Loop: TROP
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🚐 029, Loop: TROP
No Hookups
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🚐 030, Loop: TROP
No Hookups
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🚐 031, Loop: TROP
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🚐 032, Loop: TROP
No Hookups
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🚐 033, Loop: TROP
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🚐 034, Loop: TROP
No Hookups
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🚐 036, Loop: SAND
No Hookups
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🚐 037, Loop: SAND
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🚐 038, Loop: SAND
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🚐 039, Loop: SAND
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🚐 040, Loop: SAND
No Hookups
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🚐 041, Loop: SAND
No Hookups
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🚐 042, Loop: SAND
No Hookups
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🚐 043, Loop: SAND
No Hookups
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🚐 044, Loop: SAND
No Hookups
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🚐 045, Loop: SAND
No Hookups
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🚐 046, Loop: SAND
No Hookups
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🚐 047, Loop: SAND
No Hookups
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🚐 048, Loop: SAND
No Hookups
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🚐 049, Loop: SAND
No Hookups
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🚐 050, Loop: SAND
No Hookups
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🚐 051, Loop: SAND
No Hookups
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🚐 052, Loop: SAND
No Hookups
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🚐 053, Loop: SAND
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🚐 054, Loop: SAND
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🚐 055, Loop: SAND
No Hookups
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🚐 056, Loop: SAND
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🚐 057, Loop: SAND
No Hookups
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🚐 058, Loop: SAND
No Hookups
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🚐 059, Loop: SAND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 060, Loop: SAND
No Hookups
Price not available
061, Loop: FERN
5 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
062, Loop: FERN
5 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
063, Loop: FERN
5 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
064, Loop: FERN
5 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
065, Loop: FERN
5 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
066, Loop: FERN
5 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
067, Loop: FERN
5 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
068, Loop: FERN
5 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
069, Loop: FERN
5 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
070, Loop: FERN
5 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
071, Loop: FERN
5 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
072, Loop: FERN
5 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
073, Loop: FERN
5 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
074, Loop: FERN
5 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
075, Loop: FERN
5 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
076, Loop: FERN
5 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
077, Loop: FERN
5 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
078, Loop: FERN
5 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
079, Loop: FERN
5 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available

Reviews (566)

What Guests Are Saying

Juniper Springs Rec Area offers a clean, family-friendly environment with accommodating staff, making it a favorite camping spot for many visitors. The beautiful springs and well-maintained campsites enhance the overall experience, although some facilities show signs of disrepair, and issues with ticks and noise can arise. While kayaking can be challenging due to obstacles, the scenic beauty and wildlife provide a relaxing retreat for nature lovers.

Review Summary

4.1
566 reviews
5
51.1%
289
4
23.5%
133
3
14.5%
82
2
7.2%
41
1
3.7%
21

Jennings H

Verified

January 21, 2025 Stayed at: 014, Loop: TROP

4

Very friendly and helpful staff. Beautiful campground. Perfect!

Savannah A

Verified

January 13, 2025 Stayed at: 077, Loop: FERN

5

The campsite was very nice and clean. The only downside is that it was New Years and the group next to us were noisy. The site is great for families.

josh b

Verified

January 13, 2025 Stayed at: 018, Loop: TROP

4

Great spot overall. Very friendly staff. Unfortunately the board walk trail is still closed.

Erica H

Verified

January 10, 2025 Stayed at: 078, Loop: FERN

4

We stayed for 4 nights during the 2024 holiday season in the Tent Only area of the campground. While we were directly across from 2 other spots, we were lucky enough that our fellow campers had good taste in music and were relatively quiet. We had a short walk through the woods and over a bridge to the bathrooms. Bathrooms were kept tidy although by end of day Sunday there was no toilet paper left in the women's bathroom. Good thing we had brought our own. Bear box was a must and extremely helpful to store all of our goods in. Picnic tables are the plastic coated metal which are great since they don't get soaked in the rain like a wood table. Though bring a cushion cuz they get a bit hard if you sit for a long period of time (think while playing games).

The biggest issue we had were the aggressive racoons. When checking in, the ranger told us that bears had been active in the area. She said it with a winky type smile so I am pretty sure she was really referring to the trash pandas. They would come right up to us, steal anything that was left out, whether it was food or not, and overall made hanging out after dark difficult. Over the weekend, the campground was full and there were lots of dogs around. The 'coons were nowhere to be found those two nights but on the other, much calmer nights, we had to battle them pretty hard.

The swimming area was gorgeous and provided a cool snorkeling experience. We kayaked down Juniper Run which was an exciting river to paddle full of twists and turns. We even saw a gator and an otter in addition to the numerous birds and turtles. It is much easier in a single kayak. It is a river that requires maneuverability skills so if you are a first time kayaker I would recommend heading over to Silver Springs instead. Important to note: no paddleboards or inflatables of any kind are allowed on the river.

Overall, we really enjoyed our stay there. We already have plans to go back next year!

James P

Verified

January 9, 2025 Stayed at: 003, Loop: TROP

5

The forest was beautiful. My family had an amazing trip. I only wish we could have stayed longer.

Aaron S

Verified

January 8, 2025 Stayed at: 062, Loop: FERN

4

Beautiful spring to swim in. Especially like the hammock racks at the spring to hang your own hammock. Campground loop for tent only is nice. Kayaking run was spectacular

Laura H

Verified

January 8, 2025 Stayed at: 055, Loop: SAND

5

This campground should be in the record books for best designed. The springs are gorgeous. My complaints are due to lack of maintenance. The Forest service is letting entropy have its way with the boardwalks. A beautiful new gorgeous chain link fence surrounded the pavilion next to the springs themselves. This is a huge eyesore. Just tear it down if you aren’t going to fix it. Do the paddle. But take your own canoe paddles. Way too tight and overgrown for kayak paddles.

Petra H

Verified

January 8, 2025 Stayed at: 050, Loop: SAND

5

it was simply wonderful! the paddle down the juniper run was an incredible experience! the campsite very nice like all state park campgrounds. i can highly recommend it!

Anna N

Verified

January 8, 2025 Stayed at: 022, Loop: TROP

5

One of our favorite campgrounds, always happy to go back there.

Kendra H

Verified

January 6, 2025 Stayed at: 007, Loop: TROP

4

We stayed here for 3 nights. My only issue was that our particular site (007) was directly in front of the bathrooms with no privacy. We walked the other loops and no other campsite had the amount of exposure we had. So don't choose that site if you like peace, quiet, and privacy. The bathrooms were clean though and everything about the camping experience was great. The kayak run was gorgeous and the rapids were super fun. If you're not comfortable on a kayak they suggest you go to Alexander Springs for an easier run and I totally agree, the maneuvering was tricky and you're on the run for 7 miles so if you're struggling at all, it's for a long long time. The swimming area was very nice and not super busy as we were there right after Christmas so it was chilly. Totally worth the time and money though, we loved it.

Location Juniper Springs Rec Area

Address:
26701 East Hwy 40
Silver Springs, FL, 34488
United States

Highway access

Juniper Springs Recreation Area is accessible via Highway 40, which connects to I-75 and I-95. It is located approximately 4.5 miles west of the intersection of Highway 40 and Highway 19.

Latitude & Longitude: 29.1822 / -81.7125

Elevation: 13 feet

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

Check in time

2PM

Check out time

11AM

General

  • Campground gate is closed and locked from to . Campers who check-in after the gatehouse is closed must visit the Gatehouse the next morning to complete their check-in to their site. Failure to do so will lead to a 'no show' charge to your reservation and potential forfeiture of site.
  • Camp sites must be occupied first night of reservation
  • Each campsite can hold a MAXIMUM of 2 tents and 5 campers. Maximum 2 vehicles per site (campers included); extra vehicles must park in overflow/overnight parking area and will be charged $9 per vehicle, per night
  • NO REFUNDS DUE TO WEATHER
  • Generators are not allowed to run during quiet hours.
  • No off-road vehicles allowed within the campground
  • Bears and raccoons frequent the area; all food must be kept in approved containers. Failure to comply with this regulation can result in immediate ejection from campground without refund. 
  • Dogs/pets are allowed in campground only and must be leashed and supervised at all times. No dogs/pets allowed in day-use area, bathrooms, boardwalk and canoe run.
  • Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the day-use area.We ask that guests be courteous of one another and limit floats in the swimming area to under 60 inches across. Please be aware the boardwalk remains closed due to age and hurricane damage.
  • Children weighing less than 40 lbs are not allowed in rental canoes. No disposable items allowed on the canoe run (i.e., food wrappers, styrofoam coolers, cans, bottles, etc.) Only re-usable containers are allowed.
  • Private canoe and kayak launches are at a fee and limited to 30 total vessels per day. Vessels must be launch BEFORE 1:00 p.m. daily. JUNIPER RUN IS NOT FOR BEGGINERS. IT IS A WILDERNESS AREA AND MECHANICAL TOOLS ARE NOT PERMITTED, SO THE RUN REMAINS WILD. 
  • Click here for more information about Ocala National Forest
  • Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
  • As per Forestry Department regulations, fines will result from the following infractions:    - Leaving unattended coolers and food. These items must be in bear boxes or fully shut vehicles    - Leaving burning or smoldering fires when exiting campsite.    - Improperly parked vehicles

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: July 11, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service