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Established Camping

Hopkins Prairie Campground — National Forests In Florida

Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

Beginning Monday, September 8, 2025, all Hopkins Prairie campsites will require advanced reservations.

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Hopkins Prairie Campground, near the National Forests in Florida, is a fantastic spot for those who crave a bit of wilderness. This place is perfect for tent camping, with beautiful views of the unique wet prairie and plenty of shady spots to set up camp.

The campground is known for its first-come, first-served sites, which means you can snag a good spot if you arrive early. Visitors have mentioned that the lack of cell service and amenities like electric hookups adds to the charm, allowing for a true escape into nature. As one camper put it, “Minimal amenities and I have no service (which is part of the fun).”

If you're into hiking, you're in luck! The Florida Scenic Trail is nearby, offering great walking trails and opportunities to spot local wildlife. Just be aware that weekends can get a bit lively, so earplugs might be a good idea if you're looking for peace and quiet.

With its sandy roads and rustic feel, Hopkins Prairie Campground is a great place to unwind, enjoy a campfire, and maybe even catch a glimpse of some bears. Whether you're here for a weekend or a longer stay, this campground has a lot to offer for those looking to connect with nature.

Fee Info

All camping reservations must be made via Rec.gov either online or over the phone.

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Location

Hopkins Prairie Campground — National Forests In Florida is located in Florida

Detail location of campground

Directions

The turnoff for Hopkins Prairie is 9.2 miles north along SR 19 from the intersection with SR 40. Turn left and follow the signs, turning left, right, and left along unmarked, unimproved roads to reach the camping area.

Coordinates

29.2696 N
81.6867 W

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Connectivity

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Connectivity

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    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

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Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites

Features

For Campers

  • Reservable
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups

Contact

Reservations


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Reviews

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15 Reviews

Reviewed Mar. 9, 2025

Very Nice

So thankful for our host he is great as a host ,trys his best but he gets no help from frosest Rangers so good job Ed.hope to see you nest year

  • Review photo of Hopkins Prairie Campground — National Forests In Florida by Linda W., March 9, 2025
  • Review photo of Hopkins Prairie Campground — National Forests In Florida by Linda W., March 9, 2025
  • Review photo of Hopkins Prairie Campground — National Forests In Florida by Linda W., March 9, 2025
Reviewed Mar. 19, 2024

Off the beaten path

This is a beautiful campground with proximity to the Florida Scenic Trail. Ideal for tent camping, as the forest service roads were a little rough for our RV. Campground is along a beautiful and unique wet prairie. No cell service, no electric or water hookups. Worth a stay in a tent! Recommend using entrance off route 19 via forest service road 86.

Site6
Month of VisitMarch
Reviewed Apr. 29, 2022

Hell yes!

Favorite campground I’ve experienced in Florida so far. Beautiful views, canopy trees and first come first serve. Kinda hard to find if you aren’t paying attention as there are no markers on the dirt road. Everyone is usually super chill here, playing music, fires into the night and card games. Minimal amenities and I have no service (which is part of the fun). Everytime I have been there have been bear sightings so be careful!

Month of VisitDecember
  • Review photo of Hopkins Prairie Campground — National Forests In Florida by Kacie W., April 29, 2022
  • Review photo of Hopkins Prairie Campground — National Forests In Florida by Kacie W., April 29, 2022
  • Review photo of Hopkins Prairie Campground — National Forests In Florida by Kacie W., April 29, 2022
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Mar. 8, 2022

Great spot

Just spend four nights here. Beautiful place great hikes, awesome wildlife and excellent fishing. Unfortunately it's a party spot on weekends so bring earplugs.

Site19
Month of VisitFebruary
Reviewed Dec. 28, 2021

Shady, quiet, beautiful prairie views

First come first serve, I usually arrive on a Wednesday or Thursday morning (non-holiday weekend) and a majority of sites are available. Pretty much all of the sites are shady and most have good privacy between them, especially the sites that face out onto the prairie. I usually see more adult campers than families, so it is a pretty quiet area in my experience. Good walking trails & dog friendly!

Month of VisitFebruary
Reviewed Dec. 19, 2021

A nice place, curmudgeonly host

Near Florida Jeep Badge of Honor trail. A quaint place with sandy roads on a Lake. Made new friends round the campfire. No ghost stories, just some conspiracy theories. Didn’t see any gators. Bears, panthers, and raccoons left us alone. The campground host was a grumpy guy just doing his job, but not as happy as he should be for getting to live here in paradise without paying the $11 fee. I could not fly my drone. I’m not sure why, it may just need an update. Great place to stay on my way to Texas.

Site#7
Month of VisitDecember
  • Review photo of Hopkins Prairie Campground — National Forests In Florida by Andrew M., December 19, 2021
  • Review photo of Hopkins Prairie Campground — National Forests In Florida by Andrew M., December 19, 2021
  • Review photo of Hopkins Prairie Campground — National Forests In Florida by Andrew M., December 19, 2021
Reviewed Dec. 31, 2020

Right turn marker 111

Difficult to find because there isn't a sign before the turn but nice camping. Fire pits, picnic table, and grill in each site, lovely view of the wetlands, gorgeous mossy oaks and plenty of space though close together enough to feel safe around the other campers. A good and affordable place for low maintenance camping in tent or if you need to sleep in your car.

Reviewed Nov. 30, 2020

Nice place

Quiet campground in the woods. Sites are first come first served. Pit toilets and sturdy anti critter trash cans. Great view of lake and Hopkins Prairie from most of the sights. Has a large bat house. Florida trail runs thru campground. Pay at the pipe system.

Reviewed Jan. 25, 2020

Nice and quiet

Spent a night herewith the wife. Breezes kept the bugs away and had a fantastic view of the sunset over the prairie. Close access to trails

  • Review photo of Hopkins Prairie Campground — National Forests In Florida by Ryan A., January 25, 2020
  • Review photo of Hopkins Prairie Campground — National Forests In Florida by Ryan A., January 25, 2020
  • Review photo of Hopkins Prairie Campground — National Forests In Florida by Ryan A., January 25, 2020
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Oct. 10, 2018

Beautiful scenerie!

Lovely campground, though fairly basic. Bathrooms fire pits and picnic tables. Beautiful view of the prairie, not many people.

Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Aug. 3, 2018

Private & Quiet

We stayed in the spring, and the weather was great. So many things to do in the Ocala National Forest. This campground wasn't crowded. All sites have a drive up pad, picnic table, and firepit. Toilets, but not showers. Cheap sites, and first come first serve.

Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Hopkins Prairie Campground — National Forests In Florida by Kippy N., August 3, 2018
  • Review photo of Hopkins Prairie Campground — National Forests In Florida by Kippy N., August 3, 2018
  • Review photo of Hopkins Prairie Campground — National Forests In Florida by Kippy N., August 3, 2018
Reviewed May. 6, 2018

Get away from it all

So we came here on christmas since are plans fell though. So far this is one of the best sunsets in a campsite so far, You have a 360 veiws of all the prairie. The Florida trail is goes right trough the front. Watch out for the sandhill cranes they like to venture in your site. Also please please be BEAR AWARE.

Month of VisitDecember

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hopkins Prairie Campground look like and are there photos available?

Hopkins Prairie Campground features stunning 360-degree views of the prairie wetlands set among gorgeous moss-draped oak trees that provide ample shade. The sites offer beautiful sunset vistas over the prairie waters. Most campsites have good privacy between them, especially those facing the prairie. The sandy roads wind through the natural setting, creating a quintessential Florida woodland camping experience. Photos of the campground can likely be found on the official Ocala National Forest website or Florida National Forests visitor resources.

What amenities and facilities are available at Hopkins Prairie Campground?

Hopkins Prairie Campground offers basic facilities for a rustic camping experience. Each site includes a picnic table, fire pit, and grill. The campground has pit toilets/vault bathrooms but no showers or running water. There are sturdy trash receptacles designed to keep wildlife out. Sites are first-come, first-served with a self-pay system. The campground is dog-friendly and features beautiful shade from oak trees draped in Spanish moss. While perfect for tent camping, the site has no electric or water hookups for RVs, and the access roads can be challenging for larger vehicles.

Are there good fishing opportunities at Hopkins Prairie Campground?

Yes, Hopkins Prairie offers excellent fishing opportunities. The campground is situated right on the prairie waters, providing convenient access for anglers. The fishing is reported to be excellent, with campers regularly enjoying successful outings. The prairie's wetland ecosystem supports a variety of fish species. For the best experience, bring your fishing gear and consider early morning or evening fishing sessions when staying at the campground.

Where is Hopkins Prairie Campground located within Ocala National Forest?

Hopkins Prairie Campground is nestled in the heart of Ocala National Forest. It's somewhat secluded and can be challenging to find, as there's minimal signage on the dirt access roads leading to the campground. The Florida Trail runs directly through the campground, making it an excellent base for hikers. It's situated along a beautiful wet prairie environment that's unique to this region of Florida. The location offers good access to OHV trails and other recreational activities within the national forest, including the Florida Jeep Badge of Honor trail nearby.