About Juniper Springs Rec Area
Number of accommodations: 76
Campground Amenities
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Showers
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Dump Station
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Open year round
This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.
Sites & Availability
76 Sites Available
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Site Details
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76 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (555)
What Guests Are Saying
Juniper Springs Rec Area offers a beautiful and peaceful camping experience with friendly, helpful staff and well-maintained facilities. Many visitors enjoyed the scenic beauty, clean bathrooms, and the enjoyable kayaking experience on Juniper Run. However, some guests noted issues with noise from neighboring campers, a prevalence of ticks, and the need for maintenance on trails and facilities.
What Guests Are Saying
Juniper Springs Rec Area offers a beautiful and peaceful camping experience with friendly, helpful staff and well-maintained facilities. Many visitors enjoyed the scenic beauty, clean bathrooms, and the enjoyable kayaking experience on Juniper Run. However, some guests noted issues with noise from neighboring campers, a prevalence of ticks, and the need for maintenance on trails and facilities.
Review Summary
Donna K
VerifiedJuly 10, 2024 • Stayed at: 037, Loop: SAND
Water was quite refreshing, staff was awesome
Benjamin C
VerifiedJune 22, 2024 • Stayed at: 041, Loop: SAND
Was a wonderful place to christmas camp
Michael B
VerifiedJune 6, 2024 • Stayed at: 077, Loop: FERN
I checked in on Tuesday after the three-day Memorial Day weekend and every camp site had already been made ready. Awesome job Folks!!!!!!
Fermina R
VerifiedJune 3, 2024 • Stayed at: 066, Loop: FERN
The place is really beautiful and peaceful. The only problem are the bathroom specially the showers, they are really dirty. Needs improvement in that area
Autumn M
June 2, 2024
Getting in was a nightmare especially with a reservation. Pavilion rental a little expensive with no designated grill. But everyone was nice and cordial. We had a good time.
Tess B
VerifiedMay 28, 2024 • Stayed at: 075, Loop: FERN
The campsite was nice but some rude campers kept their truck running until late into the night. It would be nice if that was monitored. The bathrooms started very clean but they weren't cleaned over the weekend. We also noticed the water in the showers kept running and we tried turning them off and called the after-hours number to report it. Not sure what happened and if it was fixed. It was nice having a dish-cleaning station. The springs were beautiful. So sad that people leave so much trash. It is disappointing that all of the boardwalks are closed. It seems like they have been for a long time- when will they be fixed?! Also, it would be great if there was a place where dogs could run and be off-leash and/or swim!
Tim E
VerifiedMay 4, 2024 • Stayed at: 073, Loop: FERN
It's truly a beautiful campground but it's unfortunate they aren't doing anything about the trails and wood paths that have deteriorated and have become unusable.
Clare C
VerifiedMay 3, 2024 • Stayed at: 042, Loop: SAND
Sites were nicely spaced apart with plenty of room on each site. Bathrooms and showers were clean. The staff were so friendly and helpful. Will go again really enjoyed the springs
LISA M
VerifiedApril 30, 2024 • Stayed at: 078, Loop: FERN
I wish I had a better review. My stay during the week was pleasant, the bathrooms were tidy. The staff is friendly. The park, however, is in dire need of maintenance. None of the boardwalks were accessible, all of them were closed due to disrepair and rot. All of the structures that were built by the CCC, except for the mill, were surrounded by chain link with Keep Out signs posted. It's sad and disappointing to see this beautiful park and its history be left to rot.
Alex T
VerifiedApril 22, 2024 • Stayed at: 038, Loop: SAND
The campsites are partially/fully shaded with foliage creating privacy from other campers. Each site has a paved driveway and well defined level tent pad. Sites are large enough for 2 vehicles and a small group of people. Fire rings, a table, and a bear box large enough for 3+ large coolers are on each site. Water is shared between 3-4 sites and there is no electric. Highway noise was audible, but not loud enough to be disruptive. The bathhouse is clean and adequate. There were a lot of ticks, so bug repellent is recommended.
The spring is beautiful with a year-round 72 degree temperature offering year round swimming and snorkeling, but does not have a shallow area where you can touch the bottom. There are open areas with picnic tables and hiking paths. The pavilion was closed when we were there. A connector trail connects to the Florida Trail for extended hiking.
You can rent kayaks (and soon canoes we were told) and experience one of the best canoe trails in the state of Florida, however it is very technical and is NOT recommended for first time paddlers. The 7.3 mile trail features lot of twists, turns, obstacles and logs just under the surface that can tip you over and even a short rapid section. Even experienced paddlers will get pushed into the brush by the current. It is mostly shaded with lots of foliage and plenty of wildlife to see including alligators. Allow about 4 hours to complete it. Juniper Springs is a popular destination (but not over crowded) so if you are camping, reserve your site early. The park has a relaxing natural atmosphere with fantastic springs, great camp sites, a premier canoe trail and friendly staff!
Location Juniper Springs Rec Area
Address:
26701 East Hwy 40
Silver Springs, FL, 34488
United States
From I-75, take Highway 40 east through Ocala and Silver Springs for approximately 36 miles to the Juniper Springs Recreation Area.
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 29.1822 / -81.7125
Elevation: 13 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
Campers can check in at 2:00 pm and must check out by 11am. We do not accomodate early check-ins or late check-outs. If you arrive early, you will be required to pay the per person admission fee to access the site. If you remain after checkout, you will be assessed a late fee for occupying the site or will be required to pay the per person fee to access the swimming and picnic area. |
| General |
Campground gate is closed and locked from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m (March - Oct) and 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. (Oct - March). 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. |
| General |
Camp sites must be occupied first night of reservation |
| General |
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 |
| General |
NO REFUNDS DUE TO WEATHER |
| General |
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Generators are not allowed to run during quiet hours. |
| General |
No off-road vehicles allowed within the campground |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
Click here for more information about Ocala National Forest |
| General |
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. |
| General |
As per Forestry Department regulations, fines will result from the following infractions:
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