Salt Springs Recreation Area
Salt Springs Recreation Area is one the recreational jewels of the Ocala National Forest, with a spectacular natural mineral spring that gives the area its name. Plenty of outdoor activities keep campers and day-use visitors busy, including swimming in the springs, fishing, snorkeling, hiking and boating. Salt Springs is located between the St. Johns and Ocklawaha Rivers, 35 miles east of Ocala, Florida. The national forest spans four counties and 383,000 acres. It is the southernmost and oldest national forest east of the Mississippi River, and protects the world's largest, contiguous sand pine scrub forest.
More like this: electric hookups in Florida · full hookups in Florida · reservable in Florida · big rigs in Florida · pets allowed in Florida
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| RV with electric | 94 |
| Tent-only | 52 |
| Host/management | 14 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
146 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | HKUP | RV electric | Back-in | 40 | Paved | None | 50 amp | Yes / Yes | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| 002 | HKUP | RV electric | Back-in | 40 | Paved | None | 50 amp | Yes / Yes | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| 003 | HKUP | RV electric | Back-in | 40 | Paved | None | 50 amp | Yes / Yes | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| 004 | HKUP | RV electric | Back-in | 40 | Paved | None | 50 amp | Yes / Yes | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| 005 | HKUP | RV electric | Back-in | 40 | Paved | None | 50 amp | Yes / Yes | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| 006 | HKUP | RV electric | Back-in | 40 | Paved | None | 50 amp | Yes / Yes | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| 007 | HKUP | RV electric | Back-in | 40 | Paved | None | 50 amp | Yes / Yes | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| 008 | HKUP | RV electric | Back-in | 40 | Paved | None | 50 amp | Yes / Yes | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| 010 | HKUP | RV electric | Back-in | 40 | Paved | None | 50 amp | Yes / Yes | 5 / 2 | Yes | |
| 011 | HKUP | RV electric | Back-in | 40 | Paved | None | 50 amp | Yes / Yes | 5 / 2 | 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 | Electric, water, sewer |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 012, 019, 055, 067 and 1 more are listed accessible |
Salt Springs is the largest campground in the Ocala National Forest and the only one with full hookups for RVs. The facility offers spacious campsites for RVs and trailers, as well as a designated tent-only area, which is a short walk from the parking area. Sites are nicely shaded and well away from the busy day-use area. The recreation area and campground are located in the community of Salt Springs, which has a gas station, grocery store, several restaurants, bait and tackle shops, a post office, laundromat and visitor center.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Salt Springs is located 35 miles east of Ocala (I-75), 60 miles west of Daytona Beach (I-95) and 95 miles north of Orlando, Florida. From I-75 to Ocala: Drive east on State Route 40 for about 12 miles, then turn north on County Road 314 and proceed for 18 miles.
| Nearest town | Ft. Mccoy, Florida |
| Coordinates | 29.3569° N, 81.7319° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.2 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Conkey's Hound and Hunting Store ↗ | 28.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | General RV Center ↗ | 34.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
⛺Salt Springs Recreation Area Campground Review | Ocala National Forest
Worth a stop
Salt Springs is very close to Lake George, a great fishing destination.
- 0.5 miSalt Springs Marina Launch ↗Boat launch
- 10.7 miLake Eaton Day Use ↗Day use
- 12.7 miFore Lake Day Use ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miBear Swamp Trail1.4 mi trail · hiking
- 0.3 miSalt Springs Connector ↗5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 0.7 miSalt Springs Spur Trail2.9 mi trail · hiking
- 1.2 miSalt Springs Wildlife Viewing1.5 mi trail · hiking
- 4.8 miLongleaf Spur1.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
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
Little Lake George Wilderness begins about 5.9 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 5.9 miLittle Lake George Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 2,827 acres
- 7.5 miJuniper Prairie Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 14,293 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
On the National Register nearby
- Morgan–Townsend HouseBuilding · Salt Springs · 0.5 mi
- Hubbard HouseBuilding · Crescent City · 14.6 mi
Natural features
The semi-tropical region gives the campground a mixture of pines and palms, with lush greenery and warm temperatures. Within the recreation area, a natural spring rises from cracks deep within the earth. The presence of potassium, magnesium and sodium salts give the waters a slight salinity - hence the name Salt Springs.
Recreation
The natural springs, nearby Lake George and many surrounding rivers and streams provide ample opportunity for water recreation. Anglers can try a good fishing spot on Salt Springs Run, downstream of the swimming area, boat ramp and marina. Boat rentals are nearby. For those who wish to explore on land, the facility has basketball courts and a horseshoe pit. Hikers have easy access to the Bear Swamp Trail and a segment of the 1,400-mile Florida National Scenic Trail.
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 Salt Springs Recreation Area?
Sites at Salt Springs Recreation Area are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Salt Springs Recreation Area?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Salt Springs Recreation Area have?
160 sites, including 94 RV sites with electric and 52 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Salt Springs Recreation Area?
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Salt Springs Recreation Area have hookups?
Yes, electric, water, and sewer hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Salt Springs Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Salt Springs Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Salt Springs Recreation Area?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Salt Springs Recreation Area?
Sites 012, 019, 055, and 067 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 5 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Salt Springs Recreation Area?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Salt Springs Recreation Area?
The natural springs, nearby Lake George and many surrounding rivers and streams provide ample opportunity for water recreation. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Salt Springs Recreation Area?
Ft. Mccoy, Florida. Salt Springs is very close to Lake George, a great fishing destination.
Source: Getting there
What if Salt Springs Recreation Area is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Lake Delancy West Campground (5.9 mi), Lake Delancy East Campground (6.1 mi, first-come), and Hopkins Prairie Campground (6.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby