About Juniper Springs Rec Area
Number of accommodations: 76
Campground Amenities
-
Showers -
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
Phoebe F
VerifiedJanuary 9, 2026 • Stayed at: 055, Loop: SAND
Been coming here for years to go camping on New Year's Eve. It's a really peaceful campground and the swiming hole is really accessible.
Jeffrey P
VerifiedJanuary 7, 2026 • Stayed at: 056, Loop: SAND
Great staff, perfect campsite layout and amazing spring
Laura H
VerifiedJanuary 6, 2026 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: TROP
This is a fantastic park. But for us, the generator noise this visit was too much. Most people turned them off for quiet hours, but that’s not til 10 p.m. one group rolled in late and set up their loud generator and both my husband and I went to talk to them..independently. We didn’t know the other went over. This particular group was nice, but they would not listen to me at all. Finally turned the thing off after my husband talked to them. They were in a completely separate section of the campground from us..an extra loud generator. This would be less of an issue if we had bilingual signage. They truly did not realize it was a problem.
stacie m
VerifiedJanuary 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: TROP
Perfect outdoors getaway with lot's of canopied trees, roomy camp sites, includes a picnic table, fire pit, grill, and bearproof storage. Just bring firewood, charcoal, tent etc.Nice Clean Bathrooms have showers. Amenities include swimming, kayaking, or walking trails including the Florida Scenic Trail is close by.
Steven H
VerifiedJanuary 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 067, Loop: FERN
Camping was nice, but there is so much decay as far as closed boardwalks and a pavilion area that is roped off a not accessible. I visited here 10 years ago and everything seemed more kept up
Wi H
VerifiedJanuary 2, 2026 • Stayed at: 063, Loop: FERN
Overall a good experience. The spring was beautiful and campsites were kept cleaned.
Beware, critters are out so do not leave any food/items unattended. The campsites can be a little close to each other but overall, a beautiful place. I’m only giving it 3 stars because noise/quiet hours are not enforced here. Our neighbors were out partying until 3 AM and nothing was done. Next time I would maybe just visit for the day.
Dunn J
VerifiedDecember 29, 2025 • Stayed at: 059, Loop: SAND
Beautiful park, very clean.
Ken L
VerifiedDecember 28, 2025 • Stayed at: 074, Loop: FERN
Would have been nice to know upfront that the entire boardwalk is closed for repair; and also some sort of timeline for when those repairs will be complete.
April P
VerifiedDecember 25, 2025 • Stayed at: 057, Loop: SAND
Sites themselves are great and private for the tent campers on the outside edge of Sandpine loop. However the tiny bathroom on this loop is not well maintained and has no hot water. The next loop, Fern Hammok, has large and great bathrooms with hot showers, however the sites are wide open and clearly intended for large groups to share. The tropical loop has great bathrooms, but the sites are for RVs and have zero privacy. If you are tent campers, try to stay near site 60 on Sandpine loop, and you can just walk to the good bathrooms at the next loop. Each site has large bear/raccoon boxes, big enough for 2 coolers or more. Be sure to put every food and toiletry item in there whenever not in camp or when sleeping. The wildlife is very intense and curious, and they will go after things like toothpaste. Do not leave items in car, unless you want bear scratches on your paint job. The kayaking trail is top notch, but not for anyone inexperienced. Weekends seem to draw a loud lively crowd, so maybe pack earplugs. All boardwalks are closed and dilapidated. No fix coming any time soon due to funding and now ancient artifacts being discovered so nothing can be disturbed. Contact your local representative to help keep legislation moving on this. Beautiful springs and we can't wait to come back. Kayak route takes 4 hours at a quick pace or longer if you just float casually. Rapids are cute and unexpected. Only 2 very small sections of baby rapids. Could be more intense after heavy rains.
Gerald C
VerifiedDecember 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: TROP
It was ok
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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