## Overview

 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.
## 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. Fishing and canoeing are popular 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.
## Facilities

 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.
## 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. 
## Nearby Attractions

 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. 
## contact\_info

 For facility specific information, please call (352) 669-3522.
## Charges &amp; Cancellations

 Cancelling a Reservation: Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. Depending on when you cancel in relation to your arrival day, it may be considered a late cancellation. [https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies][1]\_\_ Refunds are not given for inclement weather for camping, gear rentals, or day-use fees. 

[1]: https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies

Alexander Springs Recreation Area

We found this campground while looking for a stealth spot near some springs and it was getting late and we had our car and our dog so just came here. The facilities are very nice and the campsites are great for car camping. Each has it’s own picnic table and fire ring. It was very crowded so if you’re here when it’s busy it can be pretty loud and not very serene but still nice. Great springs to swim (not dog friendly) and great nature around! If you go out and across the street you can hook up to the Florida Trail and do some hiking - we hiked about 10 miles and while flat and not hard it was still nice and some great changes in scenery (there are also stealth campsites along this trail if you are backpacking or want to be more remote- had we known this before we probably would have) Be careful of ticks and alligators if you have your dog!!

Old Florida - Car Camping - Florida Trail

This is a typical Florida spring.  I gave it the stars I did because it used to be a tad better before they put up the wall, but I do understand that the wall helps keep the beach dirt out of the spring hole.  This is a very shallow spring water area.  Has a really deep deep hole where main boil is.  Scuba divers use it for beginners practices.  It does have a nice spring run for kayaking and canoeing too.  Lots of picnic areas and shelters.  I like the boardwalk and hike areas adjacent to the swim area.  Very nice park.  Been to the campground once and it was nice.  

Spring Fun

I called there two nights in March. The campsites were all spacious and well kept. All other faculties were clean and well maintained. The Springs were incredible with a large ripped off area for swimmers. The river was amazingly clear with miles of ready paddling. Very enjoyable. I'll be back. 

Crystal Clear Springs

Outstanding Springs. Great staff. Wildlife from black bears two bald eagles. Get primitive and camp in the National Forest and really test your skills. Hiking trails or just relax. Mosquitoes and ticks during the summer bring bug spray.!!.

Another gem along the ocala national forest.

Great campground, the sites are nicely shaded and spacious. Nice facilities as well.

Beautiful area

nice and quiet. good buffers between sites. no water or electricity hookups bathrooms are ok.

nice primitive camping 

This campground is in Ocala National Forest, which is always beautiful. The campsites are large, we fit 3 4+ person tents. This was one of the busier places I have camped in Florida. The facilities were clean and provided showers. 

Great Forest/Spring getaway 

Had one of the best experiences at this campground. Sites are primitive but they do have bath houses with showers and toilets. Sites are separated so you will have some privacy. Bear box provided on site and fire ring with grate is provided as well.

As a Full time Volunteer and NAP holder, it seems a bit much for non electric sites in a National setting. Yet the beauty of the spring is magnificent. 

Expensive Florida camping

The spring head is located right in the swimming area, it’s bigger than any swim area at a spring that I have ever been too. 

The sites were pretty big as well, no water or electric, but every couple sites there was a drinking water fill up station. The sites are “semiprivate” with our neighbors being able to see right though to us but it is what it is.
Bathrooms were ok.
We will definitely be back!

spacious swimming area

New to Florida.  Have not experienced “real Florida” nature. 1st trip took us to Alexander springs. Great spot and the camp host was outstanding and friendly. Bathhouse was clean an adequate.  No neighbors, so provided the seclusion the wife and I were looking for.  Campsite was clean and level. Shade provided protection from the sun. We were surprised with an albino squirrel sighting as an added bonus. 

First Time Camping Florida

One of our favorite places to visit.  The springs are amazing. Camping facilities are nice.  Would be 5 stars if they had some sites with electric hookups. Outside of that a great place for tent camping. 

Beautiful place  

I have been camping here since I was a kid. I still enjoy camping at this place. There is plenty of nature to during the day and night. The swimming area is amazing.

Great for families

Booked a one night stay at the campground in our rooftop tent. It was about .5 miles to the spring but close to restrooms and facilities. Mosquitos were pretty bad in March. We came home with a few in the bed. But what’s expected in Florida haha. 

Beautiful Campground Area

The 22 mile bike trail was a fun ride that took about three hours. Our campsite was very large and private with shrubs on both sides 
plenty of springs to visit in the area along with Alexander springs itself was nice￼

Alex springs delightful 

Loved camping here. Nothing like waking up and going for a dip. 

We were able to walk from our site to the springs. Facilities were very clean. 

Camping near a spring 

All sites must be reserved online. Not all sites are level or long enough to accommodate bigger rigs. If you have a problem with your site the front office will tell you that there is nothing that they can do about it. You will have to forfeit your money and reserve a different site online. There is tons of shade and everything is paved. The springs are beautiful and kayaking is peaceful. There is a great off-road 20 mile bike loop trail directly across the road from the entrance.

No control

Nature trail and beautiful spring for swimming 

Beautiful springs

The spring is walking distance from campground - we saw turtles, otters, and many fish while swimming in the spring. For the price, no electric or water hookups and the facilities were not well maintained. Sites are close together and campground can get noisy. Front desk staff are amazing, so friendly and knowledgeable. The springs are worth a visit, but campground is too expensive for what you get.