Recreation Areas
Directions:
From I-75 to Ocala: drive east on State Highway 40 for about 12 miles, then turn north on County Road 314 for another 18 miles. Turn north on State Highway 19 for about ½ mile to the recreation entrance of the left.
From I-95 east of Ormond Beach: take State Road 40 West 54 miles, you will pass Lake George Ranger Station, to County Road 314A. Turn north on State Highway 19 for about ½ mile to the recreation entrance of the left.
Salt Springs
Note: Salt Springs has reopened! Update - December 4.
Salt Springs Recreation Area is one the recreational jewels of the Ocala National Forest. The recreation area is located in the lush, semi-tropical setting of central Florida. Within the recreation area is a natural spring rising from vertical fissures (cracks) from deep within the earth. The presence of potassium, magnesium and sodium salts give the waters in the spring a slight salinity. Hence the name Salt Springs.
In the early 1900 many people came to the spring, believing it had medicinal healing powers. Today's visitors will find Salt Springs gushes forth 52 million gallon of water daily at a constant 74° Fahrenheit. Visitors can enjoy bird watching, hiking, boating, camping, fishing, picnicking, swimming, diving and snorkeling in Salt Springs Recreation Area.
Fees:
SWIMMING AREA IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR RECONSTRUCTION
Campground Information
- Hosts reside at this campground.
- Camping is on a first come, first serve basis.
- The gates open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. daily. Registered campers will be given after hours exit and entry procedures during registration.
- Ten percent of the sites with full hook-ups have a 14 day stay limit. The remaining sites have a 180 day stay limit.
- Camping reservations are available on-line through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
- A full service grocery store and other supplies and services, including restaurants, are within one mile of the recreation area.
- No group camping facilities are available.
The campground accommodates motor homes, trailers, and tents. There are 106 sites with full hookups and 54 sites with no hookups. Site amenities include picnic table, fire ring, grill and latern post for the full hook up sites. Primitive sites do not include a stand up grill.
Recreation Site Amenities
There are accessible restrooms, hot showers, drinking water, boat ramp, visitor information center, and a concession store.
Spend a Day at Salt Springs
Day use activities include picnicking, swimming, fishing, bird watching and hiking. Fishing and boating opportunities are available at the Salt Springs Marina. Scuba-diving is not permitted in the springs.
The 1.3-mile Bear Swamp Trail is an interpretive loop that starts near the campground and showcases a stand of ancient cypresses deep in the forest.
A blue-blazed four mile trail connects Salt Springs Recreation Area with the orange-blazed Florida National Scenic Trail which runs 70 miles north-south through the eastern Ocala National Forest. A trailhead with access to the blue trail is located on the road to the marina. In addition, the two-mile Salt Springs Observation Trail is nearby with access and parking 1.5 miles south of the recreation area on State Road 19.
Fishing and boating in Salt Springs are extremely popular. Salt Springs Run flows into Lake George, the second largest lake in Florida, which is actually a wide section of the St. Johns River. A marina with a boat ramp is located on Salt Springs Run which is accessed just south of the recreation entrance off State Road 19. Fishing opportunties are excellent for freshwater and some saltwater species. Boats and canoes may be rented at Salt Springs Marina. Fishing tackle and bait are also sold at the marina. Visitors may launch their personal boats at the marina for a fee.