Big Scrub Campground
Perennially popular with off-road vehicle enthusiasts, Big Scrub Campground sits in the Ocala National Forest in central Florida. A trailhead within the facility offers riders campsite-to-trail access.
More like this: electric hookups in Florida · full hookups in Florida · reservable in Florida · big rigs in Florida
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 36 |
| Tent-only | 10 |
| Host/management | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
46 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | 6 / 2 |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | 6 / 2 |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | 6 / 2 |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | 6 / 2 |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | 6 / 2 |
| 006 | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | 6 / 2 |
| 007 | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | 6 / 2 |
| 008 | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | 6 / 2 |
| 009 | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | 6 / 2 |
| 010 | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | 6 / 2 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water, sewer |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Fees | Sites A and B = Full Hook up = $12 + $10 = $22 per night |
Big Scrub can accommodate tents, campers and RVs. The campground is equipped with showers, restrooms and drinking water.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Temporarily closed |
| Forest | National Forests in Florida |
| Booking | Reservations may be made online at Big Scrub Campground, National Forests in Florida - Recreation.gov IMPORTANT RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENT NOTICE: As of Oct. |
| Fees | $20 per campsite per night. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From I-75 east, travel on State Route 40 to Forest Road 588. Turn south on 588 and go approximately 8 miles. The campground is on the west side of the road.
| Nearest town | Umatilla, Florida |
| Coordinates | 29.0503° N, 81.7625° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 11.3 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Pkay it Again ↗ | 15.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 16.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Big Scrub Campground | Ocala National Forest
Worth a stop
The warm, turquoise waters of Alexander Springs are a short drive away. Visitors can swim, canoe and dive in a natural spring-fed lake and creek.
- 7.8 miLake Dorr Day Use ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miBig Scrub Link0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 1.3 miSouth Loop ↗7.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 1.9 miScrub Jay Shortcut0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 3.5 miLam Horse Trail ↗14.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
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
Billies Bay Wilderness begins about 9.5 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 9.5 miBillies Bay Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 3,064 acres
- 9.5 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
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Carr Family CabinBuilding · Umatilla · 4.8 mi
- James Riley Josselyn HouseBuilding · East Lake Weir · 9 mi
- Lake Weir Yacht ClubBuilding · Eastlake Weir · 9.3 mi
Natural features
The Ocala 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. Miles of trails offer plenty of open space and blue skies for off-road vehicles.
Recreation
Big Scrub Campground offers direct access to the 47-mile Ocala Adventure Trail. All off-road vehicle riders will enjoy exploring the Tread Lightly Four Wheel Drive Way. A permit is required for use of the trail system.
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 Big Scrub Campground?
Sites at Big Scrub Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations may be made online at Big Scrub Campground, National Forests in Florida - Recreation.gov IMPORTANT RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENT NOTICE: As of Oct. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Big Scrub Campground?
Sites A and B = Full Hook up = $12 + $10 = $22 per night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Big Scrub Campground?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Big Scrub Campground open right now?
Temporarily closed as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Big Scrub Campground have?
49 sites, including 36 standard sites without power and 10 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Big Scrub Campground?
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 Big Scrub Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric, water, and sewer hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Big Scrub Campground?
The campground is equipped with showers, restrooms and drinking water.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Big Scrub Campground?
Big Scrub Campground offers direct access to the 47-mile Ocala Adventure Trail. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Big Scrub Campground?
Umatilla, Florida. The warm, turquoise waters of Alexander Springs are a short drive away.
Source: Getting there
What if Big Scrub Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Doe Lake Group Site (3.6 mi), Big Bass Campground (4.7 mi), and Buck Lake Group Campground (7.5 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby