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.

## Overview

 There are only 21 sites at Hopkins Prairie. All are well-shaded in an oak hammock on a peninsula surrounded by the prairie, where cool breezes blow in when there is a little water in the prairie. 
## Recreation

 Depending on water levels in the prairie, you may be able to launch your canoe or jon boat to drift across the deeper spots in this vast ecosystem. Boat ramp available - $3 per vessel launch fee Hopkins Prairie is a designated camping area with minimal facilities, open seasonally. The vast expanse of Hopkins Prairie has ponds and shallows. Depending on water levels, it may be possible to fish from the bank or launch a canoe or jon boat to access the deeper areas. With a year-round trailhead providing access to the Florida Trail, Hopkins Prairie is a popular destination for day hikers to wander off in either direction along the trail, or complete a section down to the Pat's Island Trailhead or Juniper Springs. Hopkins Prairie is an excellent destination for birding, since the interface between open prairie and scrub forest is usually busy with songbirds, while wading birds pick through the ponds. Even when the campground is closed, you can meander from the Hopkins Prairie Trailhead along the Florida Trail to enjoy birding. It's also a perfect spot where you can peer out from the shade of an oak scrub forest beneath gnarled limbs to an expanse of grasslands shimmering in the sun. 
## Natural Features

 An island of shade amid a broad, winding grassland, the Hopkins Prairie Campground is a seasonal destination for campers looking to get a bit off the beaten path. It sits right along the Florida Trail and offers opportunities for fishing and birding along miles of prairie shoreline.

Hopkins Prairie Campground — National Forests In Florida

Looking for the best campgrounds near Salt Springs, FL? Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Salt Springs campgrounds just for you. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Florida camping adventure.

Salt Springs

The Best Camping Near Salt Springs, Florida

This is an amazing campground with tons of Spanish moss, just beautiful. Toilets available, no water. Dogs are allowed.

Great campground but closes in wet season

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.**

Get away from it all

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.

Private & Quiet

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

Beautiful scenerie!

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 

Nice and quiet

Super secluded spot in the middle of nature. Great hammock trees, awesome OHV trails. Easy to get lost &amp; lose service!!

Primitive camping in the middle of the forest..

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. 

Nice place

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.

Right turn marker 111

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.  

A nice place, curmudgeonly host

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 &amp; dog friendly!

Shady, quiet, beautiful prairie views

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. 



Great spot

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! 

Hell yes! 

Be ready for gun shots at night 

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. 

Photos of Hopkins Prairie Campground — National Forests In Florida

Real photos from real campers