U.S. Forest Service · National Forests in Florida · Silver Springs, FL

Doe Lake Group Site

Doe Lake is a group campsite with a variety of activities. Centered around a historic lodge with a large group kitchen, it's an ideal place for major outdoor gatherings of up to 250 people. The site is a favorite among equestrian groups, but can also accommodate weddings and other social events.

More like this: reservable in Florida · group sites in Florida

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
DOE LAKE GROUP SITEDOE LAKE GROUP SITEDOE LAKE GROUP SITEDOE LAKE GROUP SITE
Photos via Recreation.gov

Site mix

group standard area electric1
This site is booked as a single unit on Recreation.gov. The booking page shows which dates are open and how far ahead they release. How the booking window works

Site guide

1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteFits, ftShadeWater / sewerPeople / vehiclesFires
0011500FullYes / –250 / –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 3:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents

This site is centered around a classic 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps dining hall that has been historically restored. Tent camping is most common at this facility. RVs and horse trailers are allowed, but limited to specific areas that do not offer hookups. Restrooms with flush toilets and showers are provided, as are hitching posts for horses.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Doe Lake Group Site50°60°70°80°90°January: 2.81 inches of precipitationFebruary: 2.49 inches of precipitationMarch: 3.49 inches of precipitationApril: 2.64 inches of precipitationMay: 3.37 inches of precipitationJune: 7.51 inches of precipitationJuly: 6.50 inches of precipitationAugust: 7.46 inches of precipitationSeptember: 6.32 inches of precipitationOctober: 2.94 inches of precipitationNovember: 2.24 inches of precipitationDecember: 2.26 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 56.5°F averageFebruary: 59.6°F averageMarch: 64.1°F averageApril: 69.6°F averageMay: 75.5°F averageJune: 79.6°F averageJuly: 81.1°F averageAugust: 81.1°F averageSeptember: 78.9°F averageOctober: 72.5°F averageNovember: 64.2°F averageDecember: 59.1°F average0 in2 in4 in6 in8 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Lisbon, 12 miles from the campground at 68 feet, station USC00085076 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 50 inches a year.

Getting there

Doe Lake Recreation Area is between Moss Bluff and Umatilla, Florida. From I-75, west of Ocala, Florida, take the exit for State Route 40 east. Continue 11 miles to Forest Corners, then turn right on County Road 314-A. After about 9 miles, pass through a blinking light at Moss Bluff. Take the next major right at an old country store.

Nearest townSilver Springs, Florida
Coordinates29.0425° N, 81.8208° W · Directions ↗

Supplies & services

RV sales & serviceRV sales & service ↗14.1 mi
Dump stationDump station ↗14.8 mi
Outdoor gearPkay it Again ↗15.4 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Tiny Camper Gathering 2022 Doe Lake Ocala National Forest. Hosted by The Tiny Camper Compa

Worth a stop

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. These opportunities are available in designated areas throughout the forest.

  • 0.2 mi
    Lam Horse Trail ↗
    14.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 4 mi
    Big Scrub Link
    0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
  • 4.2 mi
    South Loop ↗
    7.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more

Trailheads within three miles

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

On Wilderness Atlas →

Juniper Prairie Wilderness begins about 11.7 miles away, and it is the closest of these.

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.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

Located in north central Florida, 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. The camping area sits beneath a shady grove of oaks and pines overlooking Doe Lake, and the dining hall sits atop a grassy hill with a view of the water.

Recreation

Equestrian camping, canoeing, boating and fishing are some of the popular activities around Doe Lake, and can be enjoyed exclusively by visitors with a group reservation. Campers can launch a canoe or low-powered boat and drop a line in the middle of Doe Lake for an afternoon of fishing.

Guidebooks for Florida

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Best Tent Camping: Florida
    Johnny Molloy, 2016
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Camping Florida
    Rick Sapp, 2010
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Florida Lighthouse Trail
    Thomas W. Taylor and Chris Belcher, 2020
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Doe Lake Group Site?

Sites at Doe Lake Group Site are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Doe Lake Group Site?

Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Doe Lake Group Site have?

1 site, including 1 group standard area electric.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I bring an RV to Doe Lake Group Site?

Doe Lake Group Site is listed for tents only.

Source: Recreation.gov

Does Doe Lake Group Site have hookups?

Yes, water hookups at some sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there showers or a dump station at Doe Lake Group Site?

Restrooms with flush toilets and showers are provided, as are hitching posts for horses.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is there cell service at Doe Lake Group Site?

FCC coverage maps show 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 Doe Lake Group Site?

Equestrian camping, canoeing, boating and fishing are some of the popular activities around Doe Lake, and can be enjoyed exclusively by visitors with a group reservation. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Doe Lake Group Site?

Silver Springs, Florida. 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.

Source: Getting there

What if Doe Lake Group Site is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Big Scrub Campground (3.6 mi), Big Bass Campground (4.5 mi), and Mill Dam Group Camp (9.6 mi).

Source: Campgrounds nearby