Hopkins Prairie Campground
There are only 21 sites at Hopkins Prairie. All are well-shaded in an oak hammock on a peninsula surrounded by the prairie, where cool breezes blow in when there is a little water in the prairie.
More like this: reservable in Florida · pets allowed in Florida
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 20 |
| Host/management | 2 |
Site guide
20 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 | Partial | No / No | 5 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 03 | Partial | No / No | 5 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 04 | Partial | No / No | 5 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 05 | Back-in | 40 | Partial | No / No | 5 / 1 | Yes |
| 06 | Back-in | 36 | Partial | No / No | 5 / 1 | Yes |
| 07 | Partial | No / No | 5 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 08 | Back-in | 44 | Partial | No / No | 5 / 1 | Yes |
| 09 | Back-in | 50 | Partial | No / No | 5 / 1 | Yes |
| 10 | Back-in | 45 | Partial | No / No | 5 / 1 | Yes |
| 11 | 29 | Partial | No / No | 5 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
- Vault Toilets
- 21 Sites
- Water Available via Hand Pump
- Boat ramp
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | October to June |
| Forest | National Forests in Florida |
| Booking | First come, first served. Ocala National Forest Springs Hopper Pass: This day-use pass is $80 + tax per person. |
| Rules | Campground parking is for campers only. There is a trailhead parking area along the access road to the campground. All Ocala National Forest campgrounds allow pets, but they must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and are not permitted in designated swimming and picnicking areas. A maximum stay limit of 14 consecutive days is allowed in a 30-day period. |
Weather by month
Getting there
The turnoff for Hopkins Prairie is 9.2 miles north along SR 19 from the intersection with SR 40. Turn left and follow the signs, turning left, right, and left along unmarked, unimproved roads to reach the camping area.
| Coordinates | 29.2696° N, 81.6867° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 6.8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Austin Outdoor ↗ | 30.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Southern RV Inc ↗ | 30.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Hopkins Prairie Campground Review
Worth a stop
- 6.1 miSalt Springs Marina Launch ↗Boat launch
- 10.8 miLake Eaton Day Use ↗Day use
- 14.1 miFore Lake Day Use ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 1.4 miThe Yearling Trail3.7 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 3 miSilver Glen Springs Boils Tr0.2 mi trail · hiking
- 3.1 miLake George1.2 mi trail · hiking
- 4.2 miSalt Springs Spur Trail2.9 mi trail · hiking
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Juniper Prairie Wilderness begins about 1.1 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 1.1 miJuniper Prairie Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 14,293 acres
- 11.8 miLittle Lake George Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 2,827 acres
- 12.4 miBillies Bay Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 3,064 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Morgan–Townsend HouseBuilding · Salt Springs · 6.2 mi
Natural features
An island of shade amid a broad, winding grassland, the Hopkins Prairie Campground is a seasonal destination for campers looking to get a bit off the beaten path. It sits right along the Florida Trail and offers opportunities for fishing and birding along miles of prairie shoreline.
Recreation
- Depending on water levels in the prairie, you may be able to launch your canoe or jon boat to drift across the deeper spots in this vast ecosystem. Boat ramp available - $3 per vessel launch fee
- Hopkins Prairie is a designated camping area with minimal facilities, open seasonally.
- The vast expanse of Hopkins Prairie has ponds and shallows. Depending on water levels, it may be possible to fish from the bank or launch a canoe or jon boat to access the deeper areas.
- With a year-round trailhead providing access to the Florida Trail, Hopkins Prairie is a popular destination for day hikers to wander off in either direction along the trail, or complete a section down to the Pat's Island Trailhead or Juniper Springs.
- Hopkins Prairie is an excellent destination for birding, since the interface between open prairie and scrub forest is usually busy with songbirds, while wading birds pick through the ponds. Even when the campground is closed, you can meander from the Hopkins Prairie Trailhead along the Florida Trail to enjoy birding. It's also a perfect spot where you can peer out from the shade of an oak scrub fo
Guidebooks for Florida
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Hopkins Prairie Campground?
Sites at Hopkins Prairie Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. First come, first served. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Hopkins Prairie Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Hopkins Prairie Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season October to June.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Hopkins Prairie Campground have?
22 sites, including 20 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Hopkins Prairie Campground?
Hopkins Prairie Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Hopkins Prairie Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Hopkins Prairie Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Hopkins Prairie Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Campground parking is for campers only.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Hopkins Prairie Campground?
Depending on water levels in the prairie, you may be able to launch your canoe or jon boat to drift across the deeper spots in this vast ecosystem. Boat ramp available - $3 per vessel launch fee The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Hopkins Prairie Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Juniper Springs Recreation Area (6.2 mi), Salt Springs Recreation Area (6.6 mi), and Mill Dam Group Camp (10.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby