S W.
Scout
ScoutCamp Blanding RV Park
Been coming here for years. Absolutely love it 😀
Quiet beautiful laid back, let's keep it that way!
Best Campgrounds near Fort Mccoy, FL
Fort Mccoy, Florida serves as a gateway to several established campgrounds within the Ocala National Forest, offering a mix of tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Salt Springs Recreation Area provides full hookups for RVs alongside tent camping areas and cabin accommodations, while Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost & Resort features waterfront sites with direct access to Rodman Reservoir. The surrounding forest lands include primitive camping options at Hopkins Prairie Campground and Lake Eaton Campground, creating a spectrum of camping experiences from developed facilities to more secluded natural settings.
Road conditions throughout the region vary seasonally, with some forest service roads requiring careful navigation during wet periods. Most developed campgrounds remain open year-round, though Florida's summer heat and humidity from June through September can make camping challenging without proper preparation. "This campground is in Ocala National Forest, which is always beautiful. The campsites are large, we fit 3 4+ person tents," noted one visitor about Alexander Springs Recreation Area. Water access points are abundant but may become crowded during holiday weekends, particularly at popular springs. Cell service can be spotty in more remote camping areas, especially those deeper within the national forest boundaries.
Campers consistently highlight the natural springs as standout features near Fort Mccoy's camping areas. The crystal-clear 72-degree waters at Salt Springs, Silver Springs, and Juniper Springs provide year-round swimming and snorkeling opportunities adjacent to several campgrounds. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with many reviews mentioning sightings of birds, deer, and occasionally alligators near waterways. Several visitors noted the spaciousness of sites at Silver Springs State Park Campground, with one describing "huge sites" shaded by "live oak trees with Spanish moss" that represent "the Real Florida." Mixed-use campgrounds like Lake Oklawaha RV Park offer amenities including full hookups, while more primitive camping areas in the national forest provide a more secluded experience with basic facilities and greater immersion in nature.
Best Camping Sites Near Fort Mccoy, Florida (324)
1. Salt Springs Recreation Area
60 ReviewsSalt Springs, FL14 milesWebsite+1 (352) 685-2048$38 - $70 / night
"There are no laundry facilities but if you exit park and drive left there is a laundromat, local food, dollar store, bait tackle."
"Located in the center of the state, you’ll have near equal access to both the Atlantic Ocean to the east as well as the Gulf shores to the west."
2. Silver Springs State Park Campground
41 ReviewsOcala, FL12 milesWebsite+1 (352) 236-7148$24 - $110 / night
"We rode our bikes around the campground and were amazed as almost all the sites were huge! Live oak trees with Spanish moss...this campground is truly the "Real Florida"."
"Silver Springs Silver Springs SP Beautiful Florida campground with 60 sites, many pullthrus. The sites are huge with lots of space and privacy. Lush surroundings."
3. Rodman Campground
28 ReviewsWelaka, FL15 milesWebsite+1 (386) 326-2846$12 - $22 / night
"Sites 1-39 are not near the Florida Trail but it was not a bad walk to the other side of the campground to get to the trail. Would stay again."
"This peaceful campground provides a serene setting surrounded by towering pines and lush Florida foliage."
4. Juniper Springs Rec Area - Tropical Camp Area
46 ReviewsAstor, FL20 milesWebsite+1 (352) 625-3147$38 - $70 / night
"The spring pool is gorgeous and quite, very pretty trails to watch spring boils and turtles. Very sunny during the day and very cool at nigth."
"The Florida Trail runs right through this spot and has a natural spring connection as well. We camped out near the facilities and am happy to report everything was maintained and clean."
5. Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost & Resort
7 ReviewsFort Mccoy, FL4 milesWebsite+1 (352) 236-4606$35 / night
"Pulling into Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost near Fort McCoy feels like arriving somewhere that doesn’t rush you, where the tall trees and wide river channels invite the kind of slow, unhurried breathing that"
"Located at the southern tip of Rodman Reservoir, which is one of the major water tributaries that you can float around the NE perimeter of the Ocala National Forest, you’ll discover that this backwater"
6. Gores Landing
5 ReviewsFort Mccoy, FL6 milesWebsite+1 (352) 671-8560$17 / night
"Great year around. See previous review"
7. Lake Eaton Campground
7 ReviewsFort Mccoy, FL10 miles$10 - $15 / night
"Great camp with close location and easy access to Ocala trails"
"Place is nice, lake walk, gates, toilets etc is available. Firewood is in forest :)"
8. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Campground
33 ReviewsMicanopy, FL23 milesWebsite+1 (352) 466-3397$18 / night
"Very close to the University of Florida. Nice campground recently renovated."
"There is a picnic table & a fir pit the fire pit was a little to close to the camper to have a fire. It is a very quiet and woodsy campground."
9. Lake Delancy West Campground
9 ReviewsSalt Springs, FL12 miles$10 / night
"There’s a real sense of forest solitude when you turn off the pavement and roll into Lake Delancy West Campground, a wooded public campground tucked beside the lake’s quiet west shore and surrounded by"
"Other reviews had suggested that this campsite was largely used by ATV and other off highway vehicle enthusiasts using the adjoining trail system and it was loud and unpleasant."
10. Lake Oklawaha RV Park
8 ReviewsInterlachen, FL11 milesWebsite+1 (352) 546-5500$58400 - $120000 / night
"Neat trails and plan to return for summer and warmer weather and will bring atvs. Pet friendly. Seen a black bear roaming at night. John the firewood guy brought wood around for $10 in evening."
"Pluses: everything was really clean,
- there is a pool available,
- spacious dining hall,
- you have freedom to pick your own spot
- stunning lake view
- nice nature trail"
Recent Camping Photos near Fort Mccoy, FL
294 Photos of 324 Fort Mccoy Campgrounds
Maria Mercedes M.
The Griffin Ranch
Maria Mercedes M.
Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost & Resort
Jeanene A.
Gores Landing
citra R.
Citra Royal Palm RV Park
Denny S.
Lake Eaton Campground
Cara S.
Lake Oklawaha RV Park
Natalie B.
Lake Delancy West Campground
Cynthia K.
Lake Waldena Resort
Daniel S.
Silver Springs State Park Campground
Courtney C.
Ocala National Forest Lake Delancy East
Stuart K.
Salt Springs Recreation Area
Ashley W.
Sun Retreats Ocala Orange Lake and Golf Resort
Recent Reviews near Fort Mccoy, FL
1195 Reviews of 324 Fort Mccoy Campgrounds
Stuart K.
LegendRivers Edge RV Park
St. Johns River Basecamp Done Right
Just outside the tiny river village of Georgetown, where Road 309 bends toward Drayton Island, you will find Rivers Edge RV Park sitting exactly where its name promises, right on the banks of the St. Johns River. With roughly 50 or so sites arranged in a simple, easy to navigate loop, this campground feels intimate without being cramped and it books quickly for good reason. The setting is classic 'Old Florida' with long bearded Spanish moss draped over ancient oaks, wide river views and that slow moving, fish-filled water stretching out toward Lake George.
Sites here cater primarily to the RV and 5th wheel crowd, offering full hookups with 30- and 50-amp electric, water & sewer, along with a mix of back-in and pull-through options, many with concrete pads and patios. There is also a designated tent area, thoughtfully placed closer to the river, which gives tent campers a front row seat to sunrise over the water. Restrooms and showers are notably clean, laundry facilities feature newer machines and there is also a propane station on-site. Add in a small dog park, trash stations, a riverside pavilion, lawn games, horseshoes and even pickleball courts and it becomes clear that this is a well-managed, well-maintained operation. Complimentary WiFi reaches most of the park, though streaming can be a bit slow at peak times.
While my review from a few years ago provides a ton of detail, I thought I would follow up that review with a topline of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS along with a smattering of new photos.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Direct access to the St. Johns River with private boat launch and guest-only slips; (2) Clean, well-kept facilities including modern laundry and shower buildings;(3) Distinct tent area positioned closest to the river; (4) Simple loop layout that makes navigation easy even for larger rigs; (5) Fishing is abundant here with local finds including: largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, shellcracker bream and striped bass; and (6) Affordable pricing compared to many waterfront parks in Florida, but for the area, this is either on par or slightly more $ for what you would typically find, however, IMHO completely worth it!
LOWLIGHTS: (1) Limited availability due to the park’s small size and popularity; (2) WiFi can slow down during busy periods; (3) Fewer restaurant and retail options immediately nearby, because, well, you're completely out in 'the sticks' here in Georgetown, which is admittedly, part of the allure (as well as the downside); (4) Sites, while organized, are not heavily screened for privacy; and (5) This CG is best suited for river lovers and boaters rather than those seeking resort style amenities.
Happy Camping!
- Stuart K.Legend
Blue Spring State Park - Cabins
Old Florida Comfort Without the Tent Stakes
The cabins at Blue Spring State Park offer a rare way to experience one of Florida’s most iconic spring-fed rivers without camping by RV or tents. Tucked well away from the busy springhead and day-use crowds and surrounded instead by hardwood hammock and palmetto flats. Arriving is straightforward via Orange City, just a stone's throw from I-4, and once you’re checked in, the cabins feel intentionally removed from the main campground loops, trading generator hums and tent zippers for solid walls, screened porches along with a noticeable sense of calm once the park gates close for the evening.
Each cabin is simple but thoughtfully laid out with climate control, real beds, a small kitchen setup, picnic tables and screened outdoor space that invites slow mornings with a freshly brewed cup of Colombian coffee and unhurried evenings over a nice iced glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. While these are not luxury accommodations by any stretch of the imagination, they are very clean, well maintained and ideal for families or couples who want immersion in nature without having to 'rough' it. Restrooms and showers are integrated into the cabin setup rather than shared campground facilities and nearby trails make it easy to step directly into the woods for a walk without ever starting the car.
Beyond the cabins themselves, Blue Spring’s broader amenities shine. Hiking trails wind through shaded forest and along the St. Johns River while the spring run offers some of the clearest freshwater paddling in the state. A small concession area and nearby Orange City like Fire on the Bayou, The Salted Goat and Orange Social provide tempting and hyper-local dining options, but most guests will find themselves lingering longer at the cabins, listening to owls at dusk or catching early morning river mist before the park stirs back to life.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) If you’re visiting during manatee season, the cabins are a ‘golden ticket’ for early and late viewing when crowds thin and the river feels most deserted and almost reverent; (2) For kayaking, launch at the Blue Spring Run canoe and kayak launch and paddle upstream early in the morning for glassy water, manatee sightings in season and wading birds like blue and grey heron, kingfishers, bald eagles and ospreys along the river banks; (3) The cabins closest to the interior trail network tend to feel the most secluded and quiet compared to those nearer service roads; (4) Plan simple meals rather than elaborate cooking, as kitchens are functional but hoestly, quite modest (read: just bare bones); and (5) If you want a true Old Florida day trip, head a short drive north to DeLeon Springs after breakfast for swimming and pancakes at the local restaurant there.
Happy Camping!
- MMichael H.Scout
Bull Creek Campground
Quiet, rural, and plenty of water
Last minute getaway. 20 minutes from palm coast. We enjoyed being by the lake. You could bring your boat to this one for sure.
- CCory J.Scout
Lake Delancy West Campground
Nice spot in the trees
Awesome open spots for dispersed camping. Not too busy and camp host is a really nice dude.
Susan A.ScoutMill Dam Lake Resort
Mill Dam campground PARKING LOT
75 women campers rented the parking lot at Mill Dam used for large group camping. I believe it was $100 a night. Currently a 'burn ban' on fires but they are otherwise allowed. Most of us have dogs and cats, but must check you and you pets for ticks, they are prevalent. There is a lake with a beauriful beach. There are restrooms and changing rooms with floor drains, so if you bring your own shower you can use that. There are no power hookups or dump stations that I saw, but there are dumpsters. There is a resident black bear so MUST observe bear safety. Great place, very nice camp host, kept bathrooms clean and stocked.
Glen W.ScoutSalt Springs Recreation Area
Salt Springs is Beautiful!
The campground is clean with large sites, huge trees, shade or no shade, very clean bath houses, and extremely friendly and helpful staff. The springs themselves are perfect for a refreshing swim or snorkeling. A bit far from a real grocery store but there is a convenient mart and hardware store close by.
- MMorgan R.
TravelerRiver Road Campground — Lake George State Forest
Quiet Primitive Campsite
Well kept primitive camping site. No road noise, and nice bear cabinets, picnic tables, grill and fire ring.
Jonathan G.TravelerLake Delancy West Campground
Much nicer than expected
Other reviews had suggested that this campsite was largely used by ATV and other off highway vehicle enthusiasts using the adjoining trail system and it was loud and unpleasant. On our visit, there were only three campers total in the area, which was nicely maintained and clean, with a very friendly and accommodating campground host. The campground is directly adjacent to the Florida trail, which provided great opportunities for hiking.
Guide to Fort Mccoy
Fort Mccoy, Florida serves as an entry point to the Ocala National Forest, where camping elevations range from 100-200 feet above sea level throughout the region. The subtropical climate creates distinct camping seasons with winter temperatures typically reaching 70°F during daytime and dropping to the 40s at night. Water availability varies significantly between developed campgrounds and primitive sites, with seasonal fluctuations affecting access to certain camping areas.
What to do
Water-based activities: 72-degree springs year-round. At Juniper Springs Rec Area, the clear waters make for excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities. "The trails around the park were my favorite part, there are crystal springs & the spring fed river meandering all through the park," notes one visitor. The spring temperature remains constant at 72 degrees regardless of season.
Hiking: Access the Florida Trail system. The Florida National Scenic Trail runs through several campgrounds near Fort Mccoy. At Hopkins Prairie Campground, "the Florida trail runs thru campground," making it convenient for hikers to access longer segments. One camper mentions, "Lovely campground, though fairly basic. Bathrooms fire pits and picnic tables. Beautiful view of the prairie, not many people."
Fishing: Multiple lake and river access points. Local water bodies offer varied fishing experiences. Anglers at Rodman Campground report catching "crappie, sunfish, small- and largemouth bass, catfish and bream." The reservoir access points get crowded during peak seasons, so weekday fishing provides more space and fewer interruptions.
What campers like
Large, private campsites with natural surroundings. At Silver Springs State Park Campground, campers consistently praise the spaciousness: "Wonderful large private sites. Showers, laundry, store, restaurants and glass bottom boats and canoe, kayak rentals." Another visitor notes: "Large sites with ample separation from your neighbors. I am a native Floridian and this is the real deal."
Wildlife viewing opportunities. Many campsites offer excellent wildlife watching, particularly at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park Campground where one camper reports: "We were able to see wild horses, bisons, snakes and gators. Great for fishing and kayaking." Another mentions: "We saw wild horses in the prairie. Visitor's Center very helpful with information."
Clean facilities despite remote locations. Even at more primitive sites, campers note the upkeep of basic facilities. At Lake Eaton Campground, a visitor mentioned: "Nice little campground with very few amenities, a vault toilet that the host kept nice and clean and a water pump for non-potable water." This attention to maintenance appears consistent across most established sites.
What you should know
Access roads vary significantly in quality. Some campgrounds require careful navigation, especially during wet periods. For Lake Eaton Campground, a camper advises: "You have to use unpaved road to get there, so keep 4x4 in mind." The forest service roads can become challenging after rainfall.
Weekend crowds vs. weekday solitude. Timing makes a substantial difference in the camping experience. At Rodman Campground, a visitor observed: "Maybe it was that the light was falling at just the right time as I moseyed into Rodman Campground a good hour or so before dusk became official here just due south of Palatka." Weekends see much higher usage rates.
Reservation systems vary between sites. Some campgrounds require advance booking while others operate on first-come, first-served basis. At Hopkins Prairie, "First come first serve, I usually arrive on a Wednesday or Thursday morning (non-holiday weekend) and a majority of sites are available." Established campgrounds with hookups typically require reservations weeks in advance.
Tips for camping with families
Springs access for family swimming: The natural springs provide safe swimming areas with consistent water temperatures. At Salt Springs Recreation Area, one family reported: "We went camping here with two small kids, one of the sites closest to the springs, just a short walk. The campsite was much bigger than I expected. There were other people near by, but very quiet night."
Campground safety considerations: Choose sites with appropriate facilities for your family's needs. A visitor at Juniper Springs noted: "Great place for new or experienced campers, definitely and great way to introduce someone new to camping!" The developed campgrounds offer better amenities for families with young children.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer ranger-led programs. At Paynes Prairie, a camper shared: "We did the Ranger led hike which was really nice, my 5 year old struggled to keep up with the Ranger and there are decent elevation changes." These programs provide learning experiences about local ecology and wildlife.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability varies significantly: For RVers requiring full hookups, options are limited but available. At Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost & Resort, RVers find: "In all, there's some 11 slots available with FHUs offering 30/50 amp electric, water and sewage connections along with a picnic table and fire ring at each site." Always confirm hookup availability when booking.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven sites that require preparation. At Salt Springs, a camper noted: "Sites have paved pads but most are not level. Wifi very spotty. Springs are nice." Bring leveling blocks and plan for potential site adjustments.
Seasonal considerations for larger rigs: Winter months (November through April) see higher occupancy and competition for larger sites. At Silver Springs State Park, RVers appreciate that "sites are big and have plenty of space between them." During summer, humidity and heat become challenging factors for RV camping, with air conditioning use increasing power demands.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do cabin rentals cost at Fort McCoy?
How much do cabin rentals cost at Fort McCoy?
Cabin rental prices near Fort McCoy vary by season and amenities. Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost & Resort offers cabins on their 7+ acre wooded property along the Rodman Reservoir. For more rustic options, Salt Springs Recreation Area in nearby Ocala National Forest provides cabin accommodations. Prices typically range from $50-100/night for basic cabins to $100-175/night for more deluxe options with amenities like kitchenettes and air conditioning. It's advisable to book well in advance, especially during peak seasons (spring and fall), as availability can be limited.
Can I bring my RV to Fort McCoy and what hookups are available?
Can I bring my RV to Fort McCoy and what hookups are available?
RVs are welcome in the Fort McCoy area with several accommodating campgrounds. Holiday Travel Park is suitable for fifth wheels and proper RVs, offering a large community of outdoor enthusiasts. For full hookups, Salt Springs Recreation Area provides complete services including 50 amp electric, water, and sewer connections across many of its 150+ sites. Most RV parks in the region offer spacious sites that can accommodate larger rigs, with varying levels of hookups from primitive to full-service. Electric service typically ranges from 30-50 amp depending on the campground.
What facilities are available at Fort McCoy campground?
What facilities are available at Fort McCoy campground?
Campgrounds in the Fort McCoy area offer a range of facilities. Lake Oklawaha RV Park provides water hookups, toilets, and is designed to accommodate large RVs. Nearby, Gores Landing features basic toilet facilities and is accessible by both vehicle and boat. Most campgrounds in this region offer clean bathroom facilities, potable water, and spacious campsites with shade. Some campgrounds provide additional amenities like showers, dump stations, and access to recreational activities including hiking trails, fishing, and swimming areas.
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