Best Campgrounds near High Springs, FL

Recent Reviews near High Springs, FL

814 Reviews of 188 High Springs Campgrounds

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Nov. 8, 2025

  Osceola National Forest Ocean Pond Campground

  Rustic Charm Meets Sandy Beach at Ocean Pond

  In general, I try to stay away from terms like ‘rustic,’ which honestly, usually just means ‘old’ (read: and in dire need of repair or refurbishment), but this place actually lives up to the word 'rustic' – so, take it from me, nothing needs fixin’ here. Everything is functionally sound. Maybe what you’ll discover is somewhat dated, but embrace it. Around here, it’s all good. All of the time. Ocean Pond Campground sits on the north shore of Ocean Pond, which is a striking 2-mile-wide lake within Osceola National Forest. The name is a bit of a misnomer as it’s more lake than pond, and trust me, the water that you will experience here isn't Ocean … but all of this confusion is actually part of the appeal. As you drive in, you’ll pass a fairly well-paved serpentine-like forest roadway lined by pine flatwoods and cypress wetlands. The lot layout is heavily forested and incredibly quiet, with a mix of shade and sun, and a natural, mellow campground vibe rather than resort polish.

  Ocean Pond offers a total of 67 campsites in three tiers: 19 with electric+ water hookups, 27 with water only and 20 primitive sites. That’s right, if you read between the lines, there’s no sewage hook-ups, but that’s OK, as there’s a proper sewage dump area as you exit the premises (free to registered campers; small fee for non-registered). The hookup sites are on paved spurs and rated up to about 50 feet capacity. Every site comes equipped with a picnic table, fire ring / grate, lantern post and access to restrooms, which honestly, are very well taken care of and, again, quite functional. Nothing to write home about, but it will get the job done. The campground includes flush toilets, hot showers in the electric & water sections, and more basic restroom access for primitive sites (in fact, these particular facilities were the only low point). For lake access, there’s a boat ramp, sandy beach swim area reserved for campers, fishing pier and a public boat launch. Camping is year-round, but there’s a 14-day stay limit within any 30-day span. Check-in is 2 p.m., checkout at 11 a.m.

  The real star here is Ocean Pond itself. It’s a playground for anglers, boaters, swimmers and paddlers. Expect to fish for largemouth bass, speckled perch, crappie and catfish. The Florida National Scenic Trail passes through here and you can take a 3-mile out-and-back hike from the campground along forest roads and a boardwalk for swamp views. Wildlife is abundant: expect herons, egrets, turtles, occasional alligators, birds in the wetlands and forest edge, where all around you, you’ll encounter the quiet hum of frogs and chorus of insects at dusk. Nearby, you’ll find Olustee Battlefield State Park just 4 miles away, an historic site with ties to the Civil War, plus various springs, state parks and rural roads to explore.

  Insider Tips? Yup, let’s do that: (1) Arrive early to snag one of the few electric + water sites as they’re HOT and in high demand and, well, because this place is ‘first-come, first-served’ let’s just say that ‘the early bird gets the worm’ here; (2) If you want more shade, pick a site tucked under the pines away from the beach; (3) Launch your kayak or boat in the early morning when the lake is calm and the mist lingers over the water; (4) Use bug spray especially near dusk and in the swampier sections; (5) Hike sections of the Florida Trail nearby with the swamp boardwalk segments being especially scenic; (6) While Ocean Pond CG is definitely pet-friendly, you’ll need to keep your domesticated furry friend on a leash at all times and not bring it swimming with you – and please do everyone a favor and don’t leave your pet tied up to a tree as this basically amounts to a ‘gator snack’; (7) Effectively there’s 3 loops here at Ocean Pond CG that I’ll refer to as Lakefront (Sites#1-19), Mosquito Hell (Sites#20-45) and Primitive Back-Country (Sites#46-67) and they are all priced ($30,$20 and $12 respectively) and preferred in that order, so IMHO the best spots are: #10, 12, 13, 16-19; and (8) Please say ‘hello’ to Katie who is absolutely one of the most amazing SP campground managers who helms the front gate with a big smile and an incredibly warm welcome.

  Happy Camping!

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• 

  Tisch B.

  Scout

  Nov. 6, 2025

  Osceola National Forest Ocean Pond Campground

  Great camphosts Friendly and helpful

  Im a road biker and there is almost no traffic on the roads outside of the campground. You can go for miles and miles.
  Campground quiet. Beautiful sunrise and sunsets and the full moon was amazing

• 

  Curtis D.

  Guide

  Nov. 5, 2025

  Osceola National Forest Ocean Pond Campground

  My go-to campground.

  Ocean Pond really took a turn for the better. The campground host, Kate, is truly a wonderful person. The campground itself has been updated to 5 stars. The people doing the work have done an outstanding job. Thank you all. When I first got here, there were deep potholes in the primitive camping area(gravel road). The worker came in with a milling attachment attached to a skid loader and fixed every hole. Thank you for that, sir. I could go on and on, but come stay here and find out.

• 

  Jennifer M.

  Traveler

  Nov. 2, 2025

  West Tower Hunt Camp

  Spacious dispersed scrub / shady forest area

  We weren't sure what to expect considering the ride in past some shacks and few and far-between homes but the forest itself is incredibly spacious and shady with the campsites pretty far apart from each other (at least 4 sites that we saw) and each able to accommodate 5+ tents plus cars or trucks. Our site had three full-size picnic tables plus a fire grate on the ground if you chose to grill. It seemed like each site had an animal-proof trash bin, which was really handy. There were two porta-potties at the entrance to the camp area. This site was easily found on Google maps.

  It was a half-moon so scattered moonlight but otherwise, no light pollution. There were a pack of dogs barking throughout the night, but not too loud or close to keep us awake. We saw them being picked up in the morning (at least 5 or 6) and loaded into a truck.

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• R

  Randal B.

  Traveler

  Oct. 20, 2025

  Woods Ferry River Camp — Suwannee River Wilderness Trail

  Access from River ONLY

  Would have been great to know this is NOT accessible via a vehicle.

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  Sep. 28, 2025

  Arrowhead Campsites & Mobile Home Park

  Budget-Friendly Stay Just Off I-75 in the Horse Capital of the World

  Sitting quietly just off I-75, Arrowhead Campsites & Mobile Home Park in Ocala, Florida is located on one of the busiest thoroughfares that runs through Ocala. This place is a no frills, straightforward, budget-friendly campground where grass pads, shady trees and neighborly vibes create a cozy Old-Florida atmosphere. First impressions? This isn’t a resort, but while there is a community pool (that wasn’t working when we stopped by and TBH was incredibly cringe-worthy), it’s a practical, easygoing basecamp that gives you everything you need while keeping you close to Ocala’s natural gems ... as long as you manage your expectations before arriving here.

  Facilities are simple but sufficient (unless they aren't working at all). There are around 100 sites with full hookups (30 / 50 amp electric, water, sewer), most on grass with decent leveling. Guests have access to free Wi-Fi, cable TV, mediocre bathrooms and subpar showers, a laundry facility, picnic tables and a recreation room. Long-term residents mix with short-stay campers, so expect a lived-in, welcoming feel. The campground also features a dining hall and small community events, adding a sense of 'cringy neighborhood' to your stay.

  Ocala itself is the star attraction nearby. Known as the ‘Horse Capital of the World,’ you’re just minutes away from equestrian centers, rolling farms and the glass-clear waters of Silver Springs State Park. The Ocala National Forest offers endless hiking, kayaking and wildlife watching, while downtown Ocala brings restaurants, art galleries and Southern charm.

  Insider Tips? Here’s a smathering: (1) IMHO the best sites are the ones with grass pads near the front loops for the easiest pull-in and better spacing, especially if you’re arriving late, which is convenient as well for those that want to make an early, discreet and trouble-free exit in the morning; (2) Should you need to stock up on anything, there’s a Walmart Supercenter, Publix, Home Depot and Lowe’s all within a 10-minute drive; (3) A nearby hidden ‘easter egg’ you’ll want to explore are the lesser-visited trails at Silver Springs State Park where you’ll find quiet boardwalks and an historic pioneer village that many tourists (and even local residents) miss; (4) If you’ve come with your kayak, a great place to launch is at Silver Springs State Park where you can paddle down the Silver River. Expect to see turtles, manatees and wild rhesus (not Reese's, but sounds the same) monkeys that somehow call the riverbank home; (5) Because there are long-term residents here at Arrowhead, it’s best to request a short-term site closer to the entrance for less foot traffic and quieter evenings; and (6) When you get tired of conjuring up that next meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler, then check on some local joints like Big Lee’s Serious About BBQ for its nationally acclaimed BBQ brisket, ribs, and sides or Ivy on the Square with its upscale comfort food in a historic downtown building and there’s also Latinos y Mas serving up fusion Latin classics with Mediterranean touches.

  Happy Camping!

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• 

  Krystal T.

  Guide

  Sep. 24, 2025

  Ocean Pond Campground

  Great for a weekend getaway

  We stopped here as the last long leg of a 2500 mile journey. We checked in online so didn’t speak to the host as we got in after dark. We stayed in spot 39. The site is a bit of a squeeze for a bigger rig and full size suv. We were close to the bathrooms and beach access/gazebo. We were in the side closest to primitive camping so people were sparse but it had everything we needed. The washer and dryer came in clutch and we were the only ones utilizing the beach area which was super small. But worked great for a family of 3 such as ourselves. We didn’t use the shower house but they seemed clean and well maintained when checking them out. Our spot had water and electric with a fire pit and picnic table. Lovely grounds, would probably come back.

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• 

  Jerri K.

  Scout

  Aug. 17, 2025

  Black Creek Ravine

  Very nice

  Was a very nice and quiet place to camp

• 

  liz S.

  Traveler

  Aug. 7, 2025

  Suwannee River Bend RV Park

  Suwannee retreat

  Great RV Park with full hookups , on the suwannee with kayak and canoe rentals. Super nice shower room witha shampoo, conditioner and body wash dispenser available for free in each stall. A salt scrub exfoliator for your hands. Private docks some with deep water access. Different rates for each lot and extremely reasonable.