Outdoors
Juniper Springs puts Ocala National Forest on the map
Juniper Springs gives the Ocala National Forest a spring, campground, CCC history, and a careful paddling check.
Juniper Springs helps people picture the Ocala National Forest as more than a green shape on the map.
The recreation area sits along State Road 40 between Ocala and Ormond Beach. The Forest Service connects it with Civilian Conservation Corps work from the 1930s, spring recreation, camping, and Juniper Run, a narrow canoe route through forest. The site also has a campground with tent and RV sites.
This is the kind of place where the current details matter. A spring, run, campground, and day-use area can each have different fees, capacity limits, rules, or temporary closures. Paddling a narrow run also needs more planning than simply showing up with a boat.
Check the Forest Service page before the trip. Confirm fees, hours, camping, rentals or shuttle details, paddling rules, water conditions, closures, and fire or weather alerts. Juniper Springs is beautiful, but it works best when the forest-day logistics are handled first.
Where to see it
Juniper Springs Recreation Area in Ocala National Forest. Check the U.S. Forest Service for fees, camping, day-use status, paddling rules, closures, and alerts before visiting.
Official sources
Last checked against these sources: June 30, 2026.