Do you enjoy camping but don't want to rough it? Glamping is a great option. The Dyrt lets you enjoy a unique, rustic Citra experience while glamping. Glamping offers quick access to one or more of Citra's most popular destinations.
Silver Springs State Park’s campground offers Cabins, RV and Tent Sites, and Group Primitive Camp Sites. Located beneath shady oaks and beautiful pine trees, Silver Springs’ vacation cabins accommodate up to six people. Each cabin has a full dining area, two bedrooms, one bath, stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, gas fireplace (October 1 to April 30), central cooling and heating and a large screened porch. Fifty-nine spacious sites in two campground loops easily accommodate even large camping units, with a maximum recreational vehicle length of 50 feet. Tent campers are welcome as well. Each site offers water and electric hook-up, as well as a fire ring, barbecue grill and picnic table. The primitive group camping area, set amid shady oaks, is for organized groups only, with preference given to youth groups. The area includes picnic tables and fire rings at each site. Non-potable water is available and there are no shower facilities. For more information and to make a group reservation for primitive camping, please call the Ranger Station at (352) 236-7148. This number is for primitive group camping reservations only.
$24 - $110 / night
PPCG
$18 / night
DOG1
$18 / night
If you desire a quiet, tranquil location for RVing with a small town atmosphere, lovely oak-lined streets to walk or bike, Sportsman's Cove is the place for you! You will enjoy the warm, friendly attitudes of the owner and staff as well as the year-round, seasonal and short-term guests.
$39 - $50 / night
On the shores of beautiful Lake Waldena in Silver Springs, Florida, nestled in the Ocala National Forest, is a restful, quiet camping resort. The best-hidden treasure in central Florida.
Silver Springs RV Park, near Silver Springs, Florida, is a welcoming spot for campers looking to enjoy the great outdoors year-round. With a friendly atmosphere and a variety of site options, it's a solid choice for both short visits and longer stays.
The park boasts spacious sites with amenities like electric hookups and drinking water, making it convenient for RV travelers. Visitors have praised the clean and well-maintained bathhouses, which feature multiple showers and stalls, and self-serve laundry, ensuring everyone can freshen up after a day of adventure. One happy camper noted, "The bathhouses are very nice and spacious," highlighting the park's commitment to cleanliness.
Just across from Silver Springs State Park, the campground offers easy access to the fun glass-bottomed boat rides, beautiful hiking trails, and stunning natural scenery. Families and friends have enjyo9ed the picturesque surroundings, with one reviewer mentioning the "beautiful woods and gorgeous water." Whether you're hiking, swimming, or just relaxing by the fire, there's plenty to keep you entertained.
While the park caters primarily to those 55 and older, it's also family-friendly, welcoming visitors of all ages. With our bocce ball and shuffleboard courts, cornhole ramps, fun activities, and a nice heated pool area, there's something for everyone. If you're looking for a friendly place to set up camp, Silver Springs RV Park is definitely worth considering.
Grateful Hammock is on 8 acres of land in the beautiful Ocala National Forest. This is an intentional, progressive community of music lovers. Grateful Hammock offers primitive tent sites as well as RV/Trailer camping. There are 6 total sites, with up to 6 guests per site.
The nearby Silver River offers opportunity to see lots of wildlife including wild monkeys, alligators and a myriad of birds. The Ocklawaha River is also a great place to go for fishing. Horseback riding is available at Captain Jacks.
$40 - $75 / night
Enjoy a beautiful RV resort on Florida's scenic West Coast. Indulge in the nearby Gulf beaches, shopping, restaurants, golf courses and fishing. Crystal Isles RV Resort lets you create the perfect blend of peace, pleasure and play for the Florida RV vacation you have been dreaming of. Hit a golf ball, stroll on the wide beaches, rent a boat, catch a fish in local streams and lakes, or visit nearby King's Bay to swim with a manatee - it's all waiting for you! We offer a wonderful experience for the whole family at Encore's Crystal Isles RV Resort in Florida. Perfect blend of peace and pleasure at a Nature Coast RV resort Whether you're planning a retreat for the whole family, a group of friends or a getaway for two, there's no shortage of unique activities to explore at Crystal Isles RV Resort. Plan activities upon arrival or visit this page before your departure to plan ahead. Looking for more? Our friendly staff can fill you in on all of the great ways to make your stay a memorable experience.
Traveler
Very close to the University of Florida. Nice campground recently renovated.
Scout
A perfect place to enjoy fishing, wildlife and the Florida Birding Trail. Clean Restrooms, friendly stuff.
Guide
Nice sites and some even have full hookups which is unusual for a Florida State Park.
RangerHas beautiful sandy trails and near the silver springs park that allows kayaking and boat access on 40. You can rent a cabin or park rv. Not the most beautiful Florida park.
ScoutLots of Floridas natural beauty but it felt like the camp sites were a bit close together. Very few full hookups most with electricity and water only. Probably won't stay here again
Legend
Jake from the Dyrt here! Cristal Camping has great access to the river for enjoying the warm Florida coast water. Check it out and share a review on the Dyrt!
Ranger
We love this campground. The sites have nice shade ( important in Florida) the bathrooms are clean and well designed. We love hiking down to the Santa Fe river.
Traveler
This place is so wonderful, I'm never leaving!! Honestly, I am the host so I may be a bit bias. 😃 We have lots of fun out here, especially in the Fall, Winter and Spring. If you are true champions like us and can handle the Florida bugs and heat then the summer is fabulous here too.
RangerWe really enjoyed this park. We camped at a tent only site which was private as there weren’t many tent campers while we were there during the week. Stayed at site 31 which is probably the furthest walk from parking but the most private. We saw wild bison, wild turkeys, deer, snakes, and several different species of birds. Disappointed we didn’t see any wild horses but will most definitely be back. Beautiful part of Florida.
GuideJust a beautiful state park, with that old Florida feel. The sites are big and have plenty of space between them. The the park staff we interacted with were very friendly and informative. The glass bottom boat tour is an absolute must, we had such a wonderful time and the boat captain had lots of interesting information. We have a 4 year old and a 10 year old and they both really enjoyed the boat tour also.
RangerThe campsite was nice and private. The bathrooms were clean. The park had nice hiking trails, but I enjoyed the kayaking most of all. There is a swimming section. The river goes underground but you can’t kayak in this area. The river has a small rapids area, for Florida. Got to see a snake sunbathing next to two turtles with kayaking. Fun park!
GuideMy husband and I camped at Silver Springs Campground in our 33' RV and we loved the spacious sites this park offers! 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". Each site is shady, clean and the the bathroom facilities are close by and have a washer & dryer along with a sink..
The park also has several pretty cool looking cabins/cottages that were nestled in the forest. There is a museum and even a library!
You can hike or drive over to the adjacent Silver Springs (we rode our bikes) and take a boat tour of the mag. 1 crystal clear spring! We got lucky and scored with Oscar Collins, who has been a tour boat captain at Silver Springs for 49 years...he takes the tour to the next level with his knowledge, wit, and what can we say...the man is a Rock Star!
The park offers a launch where you can either rent a kayak or use your own to navigate the beautiful and serene Silver River and you just might see a gator or two...we did! The grounds at Silver Springs are beautiful with all types of flora & fauna. Grab a quick lunch at the restaurant or have an ice cream.
This park is one of our favorites in Florida and is great for all ages...especially for families with children. A fun place for adventure and exploring!
GuideWe've stayed @ O'Leno 3 times over the past year and love it! The campsites are spacious, well shaded, and with in easy walking distance to the Bathhouse/Restrooms. The facilities are kept clean and neat. There are plenty of trails and a swimming hole on the Santa Fe River.
We also like that O'leno is 15 -20 minutes from some of Florida's beautiful Natural Springs.
LegendO’Leno State Park Review| Site 50 Oleno State Park is the camping I always remembered. You know, like quintessential state or national park imagery where you would expect to see“Smoky The Bear” around the next bend. It was one of Florida’s original state parks being built by the Civilian Conservation Corps after WWI as part of the make work project by FDR. This is probably why it has that National Park Vibe… you feel immediately at ease and that you are outside in nature. The campground surely has that feel as well as the facilities down by the river.
There are still a few remaining buildings from the original town of Keno. This park reminds me of Hillsboro State Park with its suspension bridge over the Sante Fe River before it disappears into the ground only to appear another 3 miles downstream. The hiking in this park is OUTSTANDING. In addition, the campsites are really nice.
We camped in Dogwood Campground which is near the entrance of the park. Most of the reviews seem to indicate that people prefer Magnolia Campground which is about 1.5 miles down the road near the river and most of the activities but after riding through that campground we were happy we were in Dogwood with it’s narrow dirt road and very rustic primitive appearance even though the sites have power and water.
We would certainly return to this park when we can stay longer and visit some of the nearby Springs like Gilchrist Blue or Ginnie. We were in site#50. The bathhouse was clean as they are in all Florida State Parks and kind of cool that it is in the middle of the campground with small trails leading to it from a number, if not most of the campsites.
NOTE: Some of the photos were from a trip earlier in the year as we didn’t take many pics this trip. It may appear“greener” than it actually is in North Florida in February. By the end of March it will look like this again.
LegendSilver Springs Silver Springs SP Beautiful Florida campground with 60 sites, many pullthrus. The sites are huge with lots of space and privacy. Lush surroundings. Water, electricity, fire pit, grill and picnic table on level gravel sites. The bathhouse is modern, clean, good sized. They have family showers too. Nice laundry facility. There is an environmental museum and a Pioneer Village and the grounds. Campgrounds are next to the Silver Springs where you have to take the glass bottom boat tour.$10 pp for seniors. You can also kayak the Springs but watch out for gators!The grounds on the Springs and campground have great trails.
Guide
We stopped in here on our way to Stone Mountain, coming from south Florida. It is conveniently located right off of I-75N with some restaurants nearby. Pull through full hook up site with cable. After checking in you follow someone on a golf cart to your spot. Bathroom facilities are adequate, need a facelift. Wife had some cockroach visitors while showering… I didn’t see any in the Mens shower. Could’ve been a water bug? They have a animal rescue on site that you can go an feed them, pretty cool. Cellular spotty (T-Mobile)…
GuideOlder Florida park with roots in the CCC and Forestry Service. Large park with hiking, bike and equestrian trails. Along the Santa Fe River there is a swimming hole, suspension bridge, old buildings and a small museum. Magnolia loop would be the best loop for RVs, but spots can be had. Facilities are clean, albeit old. Camping loops and pads are hard sand. Sites vary in size and level. Separation between sits is not bad but suffered in hurricane damage. Some sites appear a bit tight with overhanging trees.
RangerThis park is more than just a glass bottom boat tour. Within the park radius—> You have the “Silver Springs Attraction”, the state campground with all it’s hiking/biking trails, Silver River kayaking/paddling , a small museum and lots of history at this park. Then within an aprox 6mile radius (easy biking) you can enjoy Majorie Cross Greenway,Florida Trail, Swamp Lake trails and the state park equestrian trails. Wow! RV and tent sites -some with full hook up and really nice cabins. This was some the best kayaking up and down river....both ways were a joy to paddle. (Watch our kayaking the silver river video on our YouTube channel...resident manatees are often seen on river!!)
We were here in a 34 foot Class A with only 2 bikes and 2 kayaks Happy Camping www.travylcouple.com
RangerSilver Springs State Park Lovely state park in central Florida. Quiet, well spaced forested sites. We stayed in #27 in Feb 2021 but all the sites are nice. Bathrooms and showers all clean and there are some coin-operated laundry machines. Several good hikes from the campground although they don’t show up on the AllTrails app. The trail heads are near the Museum and they branch off into various trails. No trail maps at trail heads though - the only one we saw was deep into one of the trails. The River Trail and Swamp Trail are very nice. The campground is about a mile from Silver Springs SP day use area, and there are more hikes there. There are also kayak abs canoe rentals there. We rented a kayak for two hours and it was great. We will come back!
RangerSpacey sites, though tent campers run the risk of RV generators in your ear as per most Florida state park sites.
Took me two days to see monkeys. I'd recommend staying 3 days if this is your primary reason for visiting the park. The Swamp and River trails (both trailheads are near the campground) are your best bet for seeing them on foot, but I only saw them by boat.
If you have your own boat or paddleboard, you can launch from the ramp half a mile off the River trail ($2 launch fee) and paddle upriver, then float down in the hopes of seeing monkeys. You can also launch from Ray Wayside Park and paddle all the way up (6 miles, get wrecked).
In addition to a troop of rhesus macaques I saw gators, cormorants, anhinga, hella fish, great blue heron, red bellied cooters, and one otter!
LegendThis campground is nice the sites are nice sized and level. The campground is not located at the head springs where the glass bottom boats are and kayak rentals. This makes it even better. The campground is quiet. It's a 15 minute drive to the head springs.
We had our own Kayaks so we put in at the head springs and paddled down to the campground. It's a 2 to 2 1/2 hour trip or more because of all the beautiful landscape and the wildlife. At the campground exit to get out of the river you have to have wheels to transport the kayaks back to the parking lot. It's about a 1 mile hike pulling the kayak.
You can also do a longer trip an paddle further to Rays Wayside. It's less busy paddling that part of the river. You will need to leave a vehicle parked at Rays Wayside to get back to the headsprings. There is a company for $10 per person that will pick you up there and brings you back. Silver Springs charges $55 per person.
I was in site 53 and there are trails you can hike from behind many of the campsites. There is a cracker house village and a great museum with artifacts and giant skeletons of big creatures. Lots of fossils and arrowheads. The Museum is only open on weekends.
The bath houses are very clean and if cold out nice hot heaters. There is a washer and dryer at the bath houses too.
They sell firewood and ice at the campground. You use a QR code scanner to purchase it. The wood is nice and burns like wood should.
I went to Silver springs as a kid and always thought of it as a tourist trap. I never had a desire to camp there yet I will say I have changed my mind and have already booked for next year.
Florida residents have a one month booking advantage which started this past January. If your a Florida senior resident you get 1/2 off the price. The campsite hang tag gets you into the headspring for free.
The park is nice I will visit again.
LegendI had relatively low expectations of Silver Springs mostly from childhood memories of hot, humid, crowded and touristy. Well, it was a real retro experience and I'm happy to say that not much has changed and that's a good thing!
The camp ground was exceptional with lots and lots of room. The river, as pristine as ever. The tour boats were the very same vessels of my childhood memories and provided a great backdrop to the overall setting.
I think we were in spot 51 which was a pull through and probably the very largest campsite we have ever had and it dwarfed our little travel trailer but we loved it.
It pretty much rained most of the weekend but we still enjoyed our long paddle with all kinds of wildlife INCLUDING THE MONKEYS!!!
The only reason I give this park a 4 and not a 5 star is you have to drive to the kayak launch which is in the same parking lot as the access for the day guests (and there are many).
I applaud Florida State Parks for managing such a great facility in spite of all the pressure over the years. WE WILL RETURN.
GuideWe stayed here in the winter and the weather was very pleasant. The sites are all RV friendly with hookups but there are some sites that are designated as tent sites with a softer spot to stake in. Each site also comes with a standard fire ring and picnic table. The sites are large and spacious with shady trees surrounding each site. It is very quiet and peaceful. Note that pets are allowed in the campground area but not in any other areas.
The bathrooms and showers are close by and are very well kept and clean. It was never crowded. There are also laundry machines and vending machines there as well.
Near the campsites there are cabins for rent and a small museum. There is also a playground for children. Our favorite feature was that we were able to visit Silver Springs park free of charge if you brought your parking permit from the campsite. There are quite a few hiking trails near and one of them takes you directly to the park. Once in the park, you are able to rent kayaks or take the boat tour. The spring water is so clear you can see all of the fish swimming below!
Silver Springs is definitely a great place to visit for a relaxing Florida getaway.
ScoutThis was our first camping trip to O’leno State Park. We’ve camped at several Florida state parks and this one ranks up toward the top. We camped in site 49 in the Dogwood loop. We were a bit concerned about getting our 32’ Imagine into the site just based on previous reviews and the camp loop road being very narrow. However, we had no issues getting in. Might have taken a bit more adjusting to get it right where we wanted it, but it wasn’t difficult by any means. The Dogwood loop is very wooded and feels very secluded. Site 49 was very spacious and shaded. The only negative aspect of camping in the dogwood loop is that you are about 1.5 miles from the river / park area, which is where almost all of the trails originate and where all of the things to see and do are. The park is very clean and well kept. We saw deer every evening on our drive down to the river along the main road, but no deer in the campground or any wildlife for that matter aside from birds. It did seem a bit odd that there were no raccoons. We left our trash out the first two nights by mistake, but it was ever messed with. Would definitely recommend this park if you like quiet and secluded camping where you can relax and unwind.
Legend
If your idea of a magnificent campsite includes the opportunity of waking up to an endless blue horizon eclipsed by the sinking sun at dusk, then look no further than this very quaint, out-of-the-way boutique lakeside gem. Located on the outskirts of the Ocala National Forest, Pine Island RV & Marina offers up 9… that’s right, count‘em up, just 9… lakefront RV slots. IMHO, the best spots are #1 and #2 or #7… but hey, EVERY SINGLE SLOT faces an unobstructed view of blue bliss, so you’d be lucky to get any one of these waterfront vistas. Let’s just say, book your slot early as the pickins’ are slim here.
Jennifer, the on-site manager, who has served this wonderful little outpost for the past 3 years was nothing short of sweet, helpful and very informational. She informed me when we visited that the entire place is in ‘upgrade mode,’ but I was quick to inform her that the views needed no improvement. Look for an expanded general store, where today you’ll simply find a billiards table, stand-up bar in one corner, while the rest of the store is lined with camping gear, basic groceries, toiletries, sundries, snacks, cold beverages, games, books, fishing gear, etc.
Amenities: Waterfront RV Sites, RV Rentals (they have 3-4 to choose from), Marina, Boat Slips, Boat Ramp, Camp Store, Bait Shop, Wine & Beer Bar, Kayak Rentals, Recently Remodeled Bathrooms & Shower Facilities, On-Site Laundry, Ethanol-Free Fuel, Firewood and Camping Supplies, Billiards, Corn Hole, Outdoor Area w/ Picnic Tables, Grill, Fire Pit. Individual Sites include Fire Rings, Picnic Tables and 30 / 50 electric Amp.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) With only 9 waterfront slots to choose from, you want to book as early as possible; (2) While there is a proper boat launch, you will note that while Lake George is the second largest lake in all of Florida, it is also one of the most shallow, meaning that if you’d like to launch right in front of any one of the camping spots, you can, but you definitely want to be wearing some aqua socks or something as the rocks here are both slippery and sharp; (3) When you get tired of trying to figure out what the next meal is and don’t want to turn to your cooler or on-board mini-fridge for the solution, then you are going to be hard-pressed as there really isn’t too much in the way of ‘foodie paradise’ out in these parts – the nearest restaurants include: El Amigo Mexican Restaurant, Mystic Bistro, La Esperanza Mexican and Palmeras, but all of these are just mediocre (at best) – the only place we did find that was definitely worth it, albeit a 30 minute drive from Pine Island RV & Marina, is Drifters Riverfront Bar & Grill, which has typical glorified bar food (think burgers, wings, sandwiches, fried everything, etc.), but their seafood offering was actually pretty dang nice; and (4) If you are on the lookout for decent trail hiking, then head back from whence you came to discover Lake George Conservation Area, where there’s some decent, albeit non-descript trail hiking to be had.
Happy Camping!
LegendRanger Review: Matador Backpack Beast 28L at O’Lena State Park, Florida.
Campground Review:
Ever seen Jurassic Park? O’Lena is a lot like that :)
I travel with my three amigos ( Pomeranian, Dachshund and Australian Cattledog) and was on high alert as soon as we entered the park. My dogs don’t understand that this is the type of park where the wildlife will chase and eat them instead of the other way around ………So that being said keep a close eye on your kids and pets!
The foliage is lots of fern and primitive looking fauna which makes for a very intriguing visit. Another movie that came to mind while hiking on the river loop trail was “Anaconda”, no I didn’t see any snakes( or alligators for that matter) but the trail and bridges were reminiscent of that movie , no machete required. Instructional signage along the way and interesting sights along the Santa Fe River. The bridges were pretty cool and the original recreated settlement is pretty awesome. All CCC construction. There is a picnic area, a pavilion, a lodge, a museum, several other structures and a swimming area (WHAT!!) which was closed when we visited due to high water levels. Funny sign ( LOTS of sarcasm cause you know somebody did it) says to not swim with the alligators……I was glad for that warning cause I had my water wings ready to go.
There are several trails available for hiking and biking and a primitive campsite on Sweetwater Trail. Santa Fe River goes underground in this area and you can check it out along the trails, going in and coming out again.
There is equestrian camping and trails available but I did not visit that area. Bug spray and be aware of your surroundings while enjoying the trails.
The Dogwood campground sites are well spaced out with sand, electric, sand, water, picnic table and sand. Some of the sites are more suitable for group camping. The Dogwood trailhead is in the campground. It is a well maintained easily accessible area. Other then being on constant watch for wild creatures waiting in ambush to grab my dogs I like this park. It felt very tropical primitive and has several activities to enjoy.
Product Review:
Matador Beast28 Packable Technical Backpack https://matadorup.com/ has been a very useful and versatile addition to my outdoor gear. It hangs in its stuff sack in the back of my vehicle out of the way until needed (PRO). When I have need of a small sturdy backpack for day hikes or light overnighters it’s right there ready for use.
When I first received my Matador Backpack I pulled the Beast28 out of its stuff sack and explored all its pockets and possible attachment sites. I then Re-folded it and actually got it back in the stuff sack (PRO), a definite plus since I often have a hard time re-stuffing gear into its original bag.
I have extra bladders from my hydration systems so I loaded the Beast with a bladder, no problem. There are right and left “ports” from inside to outside the pack and elastic straps on the shoulder straps to run the hose through. This option of course goes on both Pro and Con. PRO-the ability to load bladder and run hydration hose , CON-it’s not going to fit in the stuff sack anymore. So hydration bladder has to be packed and carried separately (not that big of a deal).
I’ve read where other people were not to impressed with the pocket size but when I loaded it up I was able to fit everything I wanted to pack for an overnight. Mind you I’m not a “professional” backpacker, however I stay pretty comfortable when I do venture into the woods.
I used the Beast as a day bag while at O’Lena , I packed it with snacks and a few other essentials. I am long in torso and noticed that the hip belt is more of a middle waist belt for me. The Beast worked well and was comfortable for a short hike around the river area.
I wore the Beast again while hiking on Ft Campbell, Ky. Longer distance, little bit more gear. I had to redistribute my load because my cook pot was sitting in the bottom of the bag and riding in the small of my back, not comfortable. I adjusted the shoulder and waist straps a few times on this hike for comfort. Something that would be a nice upgrade would be pockets on the waist straps for snacks, etc so that you don’t have to completely remove the bag to reach your snacks.
Most recently I wore the Beast at Mammoth Cave National Park for an overnighter. Everything I needed fit in the Beast(PRO). Two things (CONs) I noticed, one the Beast has no “frame/skeleton” per say so when you are attempting to pull single items out other items tumble out also because the bag basically collapses on itself…if that makes sense :) two, once again due to the lack of a “frame” when you work up a sweat while hiking your back gets wet because the bag is sitting right on your shirt/skin, no breathable material in between.
Overall I like the Matador Beast 28 , it is convenient, versatile and well made.
Guide
This park was a very quiet and clean golf rv resort with older snowbirds. Sites are very close together and pricey. If your in your 70 to 80s and love golf and golf carts this parks for you. Alot of full time permanent older folks living onsite. Large dog park near the entrance not near the camp sites. Does have a restaurant onsite and outdoor seating. Bring the bug spray. Have to drive 20 to 30 minutes North or South to get to a grocery store. Not a site we would return to.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Citra, FL is Silver Springs State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 38 reviews.
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