Alexander Springs Recreation Area
Alexander Springs Recreation Area is located in the Ocala National Forest near the beautiful, turquoise waters of Alexander Springs. With forested scenery and abundant water, the recreation area offers camping, swimming, canoeing, scuba diving (for certified divers), hiking, birding and wildlife viewing. The Ocala National Forest, located in north central Florida, 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: reservable in Florida · big rigs in Florida · pets allowed in Florida · group sites in Florida
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 64 |
| group picnic area | 2 |
| Host/management | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 44 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
66 sites in 5 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Pets | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | DAY USE | Group Picnic Area | Full | 25 / 1 | No | |||||
| B | DAY USE | Group Picnic Area | Full | 25 / 1 | No | |||||
| 002 | LOPA | Standard | Back-in | 34 | Paved | Full | 5 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 005 | LOPA | Standard | Back-in | 38 | Paved | Full | 5 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 006 | LOPA | Standard | Back-in | 37 | Paved | Full | 5 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 007 | LOPA | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 5 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 008 | LOPA | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 5 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 009 | LOPA | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Full | 5 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 010 | LOPA | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Full | 5 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 011 | LOPA | Standard | Back-in | 39 | Paved | Full | 5 / 2 | Yes | 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 8:00 AM, checkout 6:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 44 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 004 - Handicap Accessible, 025- Handicap Accessible, 049 - Handicap Accessible, 066 - Handicap Accessible are listed accessible |
The camping area contains four loops of campsites within an easy walk of the swimming and picnicking area. The sites are shaded with level parking pads for RVs and plenty of space for tents. No hookups are available. Restrooms have flush toilets and showers. Camping necessities and firewood are available at a small general store.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | National Forests in Florida |
| Fees | For more information on fees and how to reserve your site, please visit the concessionaire at www.naventure.com |
| Rules | All freshwater fishing regulations of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission apply. 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 picnic areas. There is a maximum stay limit of 14 consecutive days in a 30-day period. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Alexander Springs Recreation Area is located along County Road 445 in the northeast corner of Lake County between Astor and Altoona, Florida. From I-75, take Highway 40 east through Ocala and Silver Springs approximately 40 miles to Highway 19. Go south on Highway 19 approximately 5 miles to Country Road 445.
| Nearest town | Altoona, Florida |
| Coordinates | 29.0789° N, 81.5800° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Southern RV Inc ↗ | 19.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Pkay it Again ↗ | 21.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Expert Campground Review Alexander Springs is a MUST VISIT
Worth a stop
Visitors can explore the surrounding Alexander Springs Wilderness Area. A paddle down the spring run is the best option to explore the mosaic of hardwood swamp, hardwood forest and scrub habitats and spot the animals that live there. The Ocala National Forest is notable for its extensive off-road trail system catering to both ATV enthusiasts and Jeeps, as well as being a traditional destination for deer hunters from around Central Florida. These opportunities are available within a short drive of Alexander Springs.
- 5.8 miLake Dorr Day Use ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miAlexander Springs Spur0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miTimucuan Loop ↗1.1 mi trail · hiking
- 0.5 miPaisley Woods Mtn Bike ↗22 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.9 miWandering Wiregrass ↗16.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 3 miWandering Wiregrass Entrance0.09 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 4.2 miFnst - Buck Lake Spur ↗1.6 mi trail · hiking, horse · national_scenic_or_historic
Trailheads within three miles
- 3 miWandering Wiregrass OHV Trail and Trailhead ↗National Forests in Florida
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
This campground sits inside Billies Bay Wilderness.
- inBillies Bay Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 3,064 acres
- 4.2 miAlexander Springs Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 7,327 acres
- 6 miLake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge ↗National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 21,168 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
- Carr Family CabinBuilding · Umatilla · 9.6 mi
- South Methodist Episcopal Church at UmatillaBuilding · Umatilla · 11.8 mi
- Barberville Central High SchoolBuilding · Barberville · 11.9 mi
Natural features
Alexander Springs is among 27 first-magnitude springs in Florida, and is by far one of the easiest for visitors to enjoy. The water is a constant 72 degrees and extraordinarily clear with a sandy bottom. The area is subtropical, surrounded by a floodplain forest of maples, sweet gum and cabbage palms. Alligators, turtles, deer, raccoons, black bear and numerous birds make their home in the national forest.
Recreation
Visitors can swim, snorkel and dive year-round in the crystalline waters of the spring. The spring is the only place in the Ocala National Forest where scuba diving is permitted, and a broad and naturally gently sloped spring pool becomes a natural water park where visitors can picnic, swim and play. If you are planning to visit the weekend of Memorial Day through Labor Day on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, you will be required to obtain a Vehicle Access Reservation. Fishing and canoeing are p opular outside the swimming area. Anglers can bring a rod and reel and head down to one of the platforms along the Timucuan Trail to drop a line in Alexander Run. Visitors can rent canoes or bring their own and paddle down Alexander Run into the Alexander Springs Wilderness. Day hikers will appreciate a short interpretive trail on a boardwalk over the spring and through the palm trees. They can also access two segments of the 1,400-mile Florida National Scenic Trail, which runs through the entire national forest.
Guidebooks for Florida
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Alexander Springs Recreation Area?
Sites at Alexander Springs Recreation Area are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Alexander Springs Recreation Area?
For more information on fees and how to reserve your site, please visit the concessionaire at www.naventure.com
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Alexander Springs Recreation Area?
Check-in 8:00 AM, checkout 6:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Alexander Springs Recreation Area open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Alexander Springs Recreation Area have?
69 sites, including 64 standard sites without power and 2 group picnic area.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Alexander Springs Recreation Area?
The longest site here provides 44 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
Are there showers or a dump station at Alexander Springs Recreation Area?
Restrooms have flush toilets and showers.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Alexander Springs Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Alexander Springs Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Alexander Springs Recreation Area?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. All freshwater fishing regulations of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Alexander Springs Recreation Area?
Sites 004 - Handicap Accessible, 025- Handicap Accessible, 049 - Handicap Accessible, and 066 - Handicap Accessible are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. 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 Alexander Springs Recreation Area?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Alexander Springs Recreation Area?
Visitors can swim, snorkel and dive year-round in the crystalline waters of the spring. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation