Looking for the best Ocklawaha pet-friendly camping? Camping is an adventurous and unique way to escape the city—and you can bring along your furry friend. Each pet-friendly campsite offers quick access to one or more of Ocklawaha'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
Juniper Springs Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in the Ocala National Forest. The location offers deeply shaded sites within walking distance of some of Florida's most beautiful natural springs. The surrounding recreation area has plenty of activities to entertain visitors, including swimming, picnicking, canoeing, snorkeling, hiking, birding and wildlife viewing. This campground was named one of Reserve America's Top 100 Family Campgrounds in the United States.
Visitors love swimming in a warm natural pool found in the day use area. Canoeing is also extremely popular year-round. The 7-mile journey down Juniper Run offers a unique perspective on the Juniper Prairie Wilderness. Private canoes can be used, but no inflatables are allowed. Back on land, campers can spend a day in the woods on a segment of the statewide Florida Trail, or walk a shorter nature trail within the facility. Interpretive programs are available during summer months.
The natural springs are at the heart of this recreation area. Hundreds of bubbling springs emerge from crevices in the earth beneath a dense canopy of palms and oaks - an oasis within the heart of the desert-like Big Scrub ecosystem for which the national forest is known. Abundant wildlife inhabitant the area, including alligators, turtles, deer, black bear, turkey, raccoons and numerous species of birds, as well as uncommon species like the albino gray squirrel, river otters and American eels.
Lake George and its many activities are just a short drive away. The Ocala National Forest is also notable for its extensive off-road trail system catering to both ATV enthusiasts and Jeeps, as well as being a traditional destination for deer hunters from around Central Florida. These opportunities are available nearby.
For facility specific information, please call (352) 625-3147.
Cancelling a Reservation: Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. Depending on when you cancel in relation to your arrival day, it may be considered a late cancellation. https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies Refunds are not given for inclement weather for camping, gear rentals, or day-use fees.
$60 / night
Salt Springs Recreation Area is one the recreational jewels of the Ocala National Forest, with a spectacular natural mineral spring that gives the area its name. Plenty of outdoor activities keep campers and day-use visitors busy, including swimming in the springs, fishing, snorkeling, hiking and boating. Salt Springs is located between the St. Johns and Ocklawaha Rivers, 35 miles east of Ocala, Florida. The national forest spans four counties and 383,000 acres. It is the southernmost and oldest national forest east of the Mississippi River, and protects the world's largest, contiguous sand pine scrub forest.
The natural springs, nearby Lake George and many surrounding rivers and streams provide ample opportunity for water recreation. Anglers can try a good fishing spot on Salt Springs Run, downstream of the swimming area, boat ramp and marina. Boat rentals are nearby. For those who wish to explore on land, the facility has basketball courts and a horseshoe pit. Hikers have easy access to the Bear Swamp Trail and a segment of the 1,400-mile Florida National Scenic Trail.
The semi-tropical region gives the campground a mixture of pines and palms, with lush greenery and warm temperatures. Within the recreation area, a natural spring rises from cracks deep within the earth. The presence of potassium, magnesium and sodium salts give the waters a slight salinity - hence the name Salt Springs.
Salt Springs is very close to Lake George, a great fishing destination.
$34 - $65 / night
Alexander Springs Recreation Area is located in the Ocala National Forest near the beautiful, turquoise waters of Alexander Springs. With forested scenery and abundant water, the recreation area offers camping, swimming, canoeing, scuba diving (for certified divers), hiking, birding and wildlife viewing.The Ocala National Forest, located in north central Florida, spans four counties and 383,000 acres. It is the southernmost and oldest national forest east of the Mississippi River, and protects the world's largest contiguous sand pine scrub forest. If you are planning to visit the weekend of Memorial Day through Labor Day on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, you will be required to obtain a Vehicle Access Reservation.
Visitors can swim, snorkel and dive year-round in the crystalline waters of the spring. The spring is the only place in the Ocala National Forest where scuba diving is permitted, and a broad and naturally gently sloped spring pool becomes a natural water park where visitors can picnic, swim and play. If you are planning to visit the weekend of Memorial Day through Labor Day on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, you will be required to obtain a Vehicle Access Reservation. Fishing and canoeing are p opular outside the swimming area. Anglers can bring a rod and reel and head down to one of the platforms along the Timucuan Trail to drop a line in Alexander Run. Visitors can rent canoes or bring their own and paddle down Alexander Run into the Alexander Springs Wilderness.Day hikers will appreciate a short interpretive trail on a boardwalk over the spring and through the palm trees. They can also access two segments of the 1,400-mile Florida National Scenic Trail, which runs through the entire national forest.
Alexander Springs is among 27 first-magnitude springs in Florida, and is by far one of the easiest for visitors to enjoy. The water is a constant 72 degrees and extraordinarily clear with a sandy bottom. The area is subtropical, surrounded by a floodplain forest of maples, sweet gum and cabbage palms. Alligators, turtles, deer, raccoons, black bear and numerous birds make their home in the national forest.
Visitors can explore the surrounding Alexander Springs Wilderness Area. A paddle down the spring run is the best option to explore the mosaic of hardwood swamp, hardwood forest and scrub habitats and spot the animals that live there. The Ocala National Forest is notable for its extensive off-road trail system catering to both ATV enthusiasts and Jeeps, as well as being a traditional destination for deer hunters from around Central Florida. These opportunities are available within a short drive of Alexander Springs.
For facility specific information, please call (352) 669-3522.
Cancelling a Reservation: Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. Depending on when you cancel in relation to your arrival day, it may be considered a late cancellation. https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies Refunds are not given for inclement weather for camping, gear rentals, or day-use fees.
$60 / night
Wekiwa Springs Camping offers slopes of gently rolling hills supporting longleaf pine among other specialty plants is the Sandhill habitat where the 60 spacious campsites are located. Each wooded site has water and electrical hook-up, a fire ring with grill and a picnic table. Some sites also have sewer hook-ups and a dump station is located at the campground. Accessible camp sites can be requested at the time of reservation. Two accessible restrooms with showers are located in the camping area. Firewood is available at the ranger station. Well behaved pets are allowed in the campground in accordance with our Pet Policy.
$24 / night
LG01
$18 / night
Rainbow Springs State Park’s campground is located along the Rainbow River. Rainbow River camping takes place at a separate facility a few miles from the main headspring and day use area. Rainbow Springs camping sites have water and electric (20, 30, and 50 amp), and are equipped with sewer hook-ups. Maximum RV length = 103 ft. ADA accessible restrooms are available. A dump station is located between the upper and lower campgrounds. Pets are welcome in the campground but are not permitted in swimming areas or buildings. Amenities include a recreation hall, showers and restrooms, laundry and playground. Access the river from the campground to fish, swim or paddle. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent from the campground office.
$30 / night
Fort wilderness camping features 4 types of campsites accommodate everything from tents to 45-foot and longer RVs, with a maximum of 10 Guests per site. Each campsite is equipped with privacy-enhancing landscaping, water, cable television and electrical hook-ups, a picnic table and a charcoal grill. Most campsites also include a sewer hook-up, and some even permit pets.
$56 - $201 / night
Santos Trailhead and Campground
$22 / night
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area offers a quiet getaway along the southeastern edge of the Ocala National Forest, just outside the community of Paisley, Florida. With a shaded campground, day use picnic area, beach and a nature trail that winds through the pine woods and scrub around Clearwater Lake, this facility has plenty of activities to keep campers occupied. The Ocala National Forest, in north central Florida, spans four counties and 383,000 acres. It is the southernmost and oldest national forest east of the Mississippi River, and protects the world's largest, contiguous sand pine scrub forest.
The abundant water in the area offers many opportunities for recreation. In addition to swimming in the lake, a 7-mile canoe trail meanders not far from Clearwater Lake. Canoe rentals are available at the campground. Campers can fish for largemouth bass, brim or catfish. Hikers have access to the Clearwater Lake Loop Trail, a 1.3-mile nature trail; a segment of the 1,400-mile Florida National Scenic Trail; and mountain bikers can ride the Paisley Woods Bicycle Trail, a 22-mile forested path. This is bear country; practice safe food storage techniques. It is also alligator country; practice caution around water.
The semi-tropical region gives the campground a mixture of pines and palms, with lush greenery and warm temperatures. With ample habitat, alligators, turtles, deer, raccoons, black bear and numerous birds make their home here.
The Ocala National Forest is notable for its extensive off-road trail system catering to both ATV enthusiasts and Jeeps, as well as being a traditional destination for deer hunters from around Central Florida. These opportunities are available within a short drive of Clearwater Lake.
For facility specific information, please call (352) 669-0078.
Cancelling a Reservation: Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. Depending on when you cancel in relation to your arrival day, it may be considered a late cancellation. https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies Refunds are not given for inclement weather for camping, gear rentals, or day-use fees.
$36 / night
Traveler
Fantastic hosts, camp grounds are impeccable, bath houses cleaned and surrounded by nature, what a wonderful place to be.
Scout
Horrible for tent camping. Didn't own an RV. I'm just traveling through, and I went off of what information was listed. This place is pathetic. Not as advertised. Trash is not taken out regularly. One table on the ground, and it's not a picnic camping table. Tent campers have no showers or restroom. Freeway is very close and noisy. Campground is not really for campers. I'd stay away. This place is appearing fraudulent. Owner does not run this property accordingly. Seems like just a place to store RVs. Not for camping in tents or RVs. Stay away. There's much better camping across the state, regulated and maintained.
Scout
I called and was told they don’t allow any tent camping. Just an FYI. Was advised only the state parks in the area allow tent camping.
Guide
Very convenient campground to go for a hike along the florida trail and cool off in the gorgeous blue spring waters. It does get crowded so plan accordingly.
Legend
We stayed one night on a grass spot with harvest host. While we did not “pay,” we were still treated as royalty. The entire team was amazing. The grass spit was up front by all of the amenities. The other lots are beautiful and further back. The pool is gorgeous. They have bikes that you check out with the bracelets, and the restaurant was top notch with live music.
Traveler
Very small and quiet place , great for beginners.
Host was great, bathrooms cleaned and hot showers.
15/20 minutes away plenty of amenities and shopping if necessary.
Scout
It’s a clean park with easy access to boat rentals (kayaks, canoes) and a boat launch if you have your own. Publix and Walmart are ~10 minutes away if you need anything. I came in September after a heavy rain and it was pretty buggy. Bring mosquito repellent. There are a number of long term campers with poorly kept RVs, but everyone is friendly.
Scout
Quiet and friendly place. Better for campers.
Traveler
We stayed here for 3 weeks. Park staff made sure we had a shaded site in the front of the park. The park is very clean and well cared for. Staff is very attentive. Location is convenient to Gainesville or Ocala, and the park is next to a beautiful horse farm with curious, friendly horses. Great pool and fitness center. Very pet friendly!! We’ve already booked our next stay
Scout
If I could give neg I would! The place is nothing but a bunch of trees, red ants, chickens and roosters! It’s surrounded by slaughter houses and one they found human bones. The husband was outside at night shooting the rats!!!! The owner was nasty to other guests while I was there! She acted crazy chasing and screaming a guest who was driving in the grass because there was no lighting. It’s like a junk yard. If you wanted a nice peaceful place to stay, this is not it! The roosters at 3 am and the pigs getting slaughtered and squealing! The place felt demonic! Very dark place. I didn’t feel safe at all and couldn’t wait til daylight to get out of there! Didn’t even stay the next night! Much better camping places in the area!
Legend
We stayed one night as our AC was down and we had a Saturday trip planned past this park. We stayed with our membership and booked two nights, so we could check out late on Saturday. Spots were pretty abundant, and we found one by the pool. This is a “pick your spot” when you get there kind of place. Lots of long term guests, but not surprised. Great staff and pool was nice for the kids.
Legend
Can’t beat the convenience & amenities of the Disney parks are on your itinerary. Super cost effective and direct access to magic kingdom and easy access to all the others. Sites were big, clear and clean. Amenities were wonderful. I’d stay here even if we didn’t do a Disney park. There are so many sites and yes there are people around but there’s serious vegetation between all the sites that you have plenty of privacy. Constant ground crews, sanitation work and transportation options. Pools, restaurants, shops and fun activities going on all the time. We loved it.
Traveler
clean, naturally and quiet
no wlan and good mobil connection
restrooms and laundry are o.k.
rangers are super and nice
playground and a small beach to put your feet into water.
Traveler
Friendly staff and well maintained Park and facilities with great fishing and an amazing view of Lake George.
Ranger
This is a beautiful large RV and golf resort. The grounds were clean and well maintained. There is a full 18 course golf course and putting green. There are also onsite golf cart rentals and a golf pro shop. The staff were very helpful and friendly. Bath houses were clean. Nice laundry facilities available. Campground is directly in Orange Lake with a dock available. Fishing permitted off dock and from shore. All roads were paved. There are both RVs and vacation rentals. Many things to do and lots of options for other recreation nearby. We came for spring break and would definitely visit again.
ScoutMy wife and I decided last year to full time RV. We were already living in Ocala and we wanted to remain in the area. We discovered Silver Springs RV and are so glad we did. Everyone here, especially the staff, was so welcoming and friendly. SSRV is definitely going to be home for a long time.
Scout
Horrible management, the president is a joke I will never stay again. The majority of the people that live in the park are nice but there are also a lot of nasty people, just horribly mean and very nosy. Terrible place!! Wish I could put 0 stars
Ranger
This campground is really dark, quiet and pretty. The bathhouse was always clean. You can smell the well water in the bathhouse. Brings me back to my childhood memories. We rode our bikes to the observation tower, but we were not lucky enough to see any bison or wild horses. Still nice to see the open prairie. We had a big rainstorm and the back of our site did become a lake, but it was gone overnight. The bugs lit us up all hours, so make sure you different bug sprays.
Legend
One thing’s for certain, this camping outpost located just outside the itty bitty village of Georgetown couldn’t be any closer to the mighty St. Johns River, which if you don’t know, is one of the largest and most prolific fishing rivers in all of Florida. Should you find yourself in north-central Florida and / or near Lake George and looking for a spot to call ‘home for the night’ (or many as it might be) then you’ll definitely want to plan a stay here at Rivers Edge RV Park, which is a little know campground jewel in the rough, but be sure to reach out well in advance, as with only 50 or so slots, this place books up quick.
Apart from the very close proximity to St. Johns River – so close that Rivers Edge RV Park actually offers up boat launch and slips exclusively for its guests, so if you have a boat, whether with motor or not (like those of us towing canoes and kayaks), be sure to call ahead and enquire about available boat slips – this is one very pristine, well-kept and easily organized campground. There’s a decent amount of top-grade amenities including spartan-clean restrooms, shower & laundry facilities with brand new washers & dryers, propane refueling station, a pup playground, trash stations and waterfront nature walk path.
What I appreciated most was that Rivers Edge RV Park offers up a distinct tent area, which places mi tent-pitchin’ bredren in our own canvassed-erected environ that is actually the closest camping option to the St. Johns River here. As for the RV or 5th Wheel crowd, the standard hook-ups are offered here including 30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage back-in and pull-through sites with concrete patios. Complimentary WiFi is offered everywhere and actually isn’t too bad (although our ability to stream was slow). Most sites offer up picnic tables and fire-rings and there are community offerings like a riverside pavilion (also with another set of restrooms and showers), lawn games, horseshoes, pickleball court and enough space for a good game of jarts or frisbee.
As for the campground itself, you’ll access Rivers Edge RV Park simply by following Road 309 and just as this small country road bends making way for Drayton Island, you’ll want to turn in heading westerly, wherein you’ll be greeted by the main office where you’ll check in at the office immediately on the right. The layout for the campground is a simple loop, about the size of a junior football field with sites #1-28 on the right and the other sites through #54 on the interior of the loop. Should you not have a tent or an RV, no worries, the very good folks at Rivers Edge even have a handful of cabins that they’ll rent you. Overall, I found the pricing to be VERY affordable here – no matter what type of camping you might be interested in.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Rivers Edge RV Park offers up firewood for sale for a decent price, which I always like to flag, because if you don’t need to find additional space to haul firewood with you, it frees up space for other things, right?; (2) If you’ve got kids and need a much bigger space to let them run around, nearby this campground is a very nice kid’s playground as well as a soccer field; (3) For anyone wanting a bit of an off-the-grid adventure, just south of Rivers Edge is the Drayton Island Ferry (just take your second right after the US post office), where you can cross the channel over to Drayton Island for some decent off-the-trail biking & biking as well as zip-lining, which you can access on the far western side of the island at Grands Island Resort, which is a very cool camping outpost in its own right; and (4) Should you grow weary of trying to conjure up that next meal from the depths of your roto-molded Cordova cooler or mini-onboard fridge, you’ll only find meager options near you that include Mel’s River Pub Italian Grille & Liquor Store that offers up a very diverse menu featuring pasta, sandwiches and pizzas, The Oaks Golf Club Café serving up glorified bar fare such as burgers, po-boys, wings, fried baskets, tacos & quesadillas and southern comfort food or Renegades on the River, which is actually another campground, but offers up a super-cool restaurant featuring pizzas, wings, peel & eat shrimp and fried foodstuffs like pickles and gator bites as well as a Tiki Hut pouring some mighty strong Daquiris and Mai Tais.
Happy Camping!
Legend
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, the Sunshine State’s ‘Unofficial Farmer’s Market’ and a pretty decent stretch from the endless miles of pristine white sand beaches on the Atlantic Coast or the overwhelming non-stop entertainment options of a city built on 'Mouse Magic.’ Whatever it was, there’s something that struck us as incredibly special about this particular campground outpost. I think what we left with was a surreal understanding that no matter what you come packing with, you’re gonna have just one helluva amazing camping experience here at Rodman Campground.
This place is perfect for both the RV tribe as well as mi tent-pitching community. And I don’t often get to say that. As for the campground itself, while there’s 64 sites to choose from in all, there’s basically 3 distinct areas that you should be aware of. The first area is what I would call the VIP RV Lots, given its proximity to the Rodman Reservoir, while I’m not an RV enthusiast, but this spot feels like you’ve hit ‘the jackpot’ as it’s a single lane with 6 or so sites on either side and provides you with direct and easy access to a very well-maintained restroom and shower facility. The second area is exclusively carved out for my tribe – those that are packing their experience with them and like to unroll their version of protection from the elements while staring straight up at the blessed star-crossed sky while completely surrounded by the thick of nature and tall needle-like trees. And while Rodman Campground calls this the ‘primitive campground,’ I’ll affectionately refer to it as ‘Pitch-A-Tent Heaven.’ Admittedly, I’ve never set up camp so close to RVs that still made me feel like one with nature. The third and final campground option here at Rodman is what I will characterize as ‘RV Pavement Parking Lot Hell,’ where if you have an RV (and can’t get into the VIP RV spot, then, well, you’ll be parking yourself here, but hopefully the freshly poured flat concrete will turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
Regardless of the camping neighborhood that you end up arriving at, Rodman Campground will impress upon you what an amazing place it is, first and foremost, by offering up what is, no doubt, some of the best FL SP staff you will ever encounter – they are friendly, helpful and incredibly proud of this patch of land that they call home. Secondly, the Rodman Reservoir offers nothing short of AMAZING kayak and canoe adventures. The amenities are pretty top notch: back-in and pull-through RV sites with full-hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage), scattered picnic tables, fire rings and BBQ grills, paved bicycle paths (and miles of additional pavement via Rodman Dam Road, boating within the 9K acre Rodman Preserve, designated dump stations, five reservable pavilions and an excellent boat ramp, freshwater fishing (license required), 5.1 miles of trail hiking (actually part of the Florida National Scenic Trail that runs adjacent to Rodman Campground, picnicking at waterfront pavilions (need to be reserved). If you’re a wild nature enthusiast, you’re in luck, because here at Rodman Campground, you’ll easily be able to spot: bald eagle, foxes, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, hawks and owls, osprey and the American alligator.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If I was an RV’er (and let’s be clear, I’m not) and I was looking to book a spot here at Rodman Campground, I would absolutely be looking at the VIP RV Lots wherein I would chose any of the spots that are backed up against the wilderness (that would be on the west), which offer a greater degree of connectivity with nature (and thus additional privacy) where, in particular, I would book one of these amazing sites: #2, #5, #9, #10 and #12. While the other sites in this spot aren’t bad, they just don’t offer the amount of privacy that these other 5 sites do; (2) For mi tent-pitching bredren, while almost all of these camp sites offer you a pristine au naturale experience (apart from the few sites that are front-facing (#14-17; #38) you’ll want to prioritize any other site (#18-37) as best you can; (3) If you come bringing your boat, please be aware that there’s submerged logs and other underwater obstructions to be aware of, so motor with caution!; (4) When you get tired of staring down the bottom of your Cordova roto-molded cooler or the emptiness of your on-board fridge, and want to try out some of the local fare, then look no further than Hog Wild Country Café back in Interlachen (no, we’re not in Switzerland, but if you head back NW, you’ll find this spot on County Road 310) where all the traditional BBQ plates are being served (smoked brisket, smoked turkey, smoked pork, OK, smoked EVERYTHING) along with killer southern sides like mac-n-cheese, potato salad, slaw and, my favorite, Vidalia onion rings!; and (5) If you come hauling watercraft, you’ll have no shortage of great launches here at Rodman Campground, but if you are looking to dip your canoe or kayak in some different places, I would highly recommend Marjorie Harris Carr (just follow the Kenwood Boat Ram Road till it reaches a parking circle, from which you’ll easily see the boat launch) or over across the reservoir as well as just heading a bit further west to Rodman Recreation Area where you can drop in there or over at the Rodman Dam Kayak Launch, which has tons of tributaries to navigate.
Happy Camping!
Legend
If you find yourself up in the northeastern corner pocket of the Sunshine State, and for some reason end-up here in Palatka (a.k.a. The Farmer’s Market of the entire State of Florida) and looking for a spot to park your mobile living room on solid ground, then Crystal Cove Marina & RV Resort might just be the spot for you. Careful though, as there are only about 8 spots here to choose from (although this RV riverside stand is promising 40 more tree-lined RV slots in the near future), but all sites come with full hook-ups including 30 / 50 electrical, water and sewage. There are no picnic tables, BBQ grills or any other amenities to speak of, but you will have direct access to St. Johns River with an amazing boat launch. That’s about it.
Other than the pavement that you will drive on upon entering this spot or the flat and level sandy locations that you will park upon, there’s not a whole lot to this particular place, although there is an incredibly nice restaurant / bar scenario called ‘The Lighthouse’ (formerly named ‘Captain’s Cove Bar’) which is a decent bar with all of the usuals on tap and on shelf. There’s food trucks and live music on the weekends, but bear in mind that your RV will be parked in the same spot as said food trucks along with all of the local parking traffic that overruns the parking lot you will find yourself in.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) While there’s not much to offer in these parts, you are right near Palatka, which is kind of an overgrown town, that has a number of standard drive-by restaurants that you’ll expect (Chili’s … add every standard fast-food restaurant chain here), but there are a few hidden gems, of which, I highly recommend Corky’s Bell Seafood @ Gator Landing, which I would encourage you to try the fried whole catfish or the mahi-mahi served grilled or blackened; (2) Despite the bar offering here at Crystal Cove, which might keep you rooted because it’s just so dang easy and close, I would highly recommend a trip to Welatka Lodge Resort, which for a 25 minute ride south along the St. John's River will certainly impress; and (3) If you’re looking for a great slice of nature to discover and hike / fish / kayak / etc. then head on over to Etoniah State Forest, which is less than a 20 minute drive from Crystal Cove and there’s 4-5 amazing hiking trails to explore as well as Georges Lake with which to cast a line.
Happy Camping!
Legend
There’s not a lot to this small RV enclave just due northwest of Mount Dora, but if you’re 55+, looking for a whole lot of peace & quiet and enjoy a rather downplayed and intimate little spot that you can roll your RV upon and anchor for as long as you want, then listen up, Lake Point RV Park might just be your version of paradise. We stumbled across this ‘RV Park’ (but mind you, there’s no rollercoaster, a slide or even swingset to keep the kids entertained, so I’m not quite sure why they’ve labelled themselves a ‘park’) looking for a place to pitch our tent for the night, but this location had ‘no room at the Inn’ (ironically, as it was around Christmas time when we visited) or even a dry patch of land for us to hole up for the night.
While there’s only a few dozen RV slots, all come with the typical hook-ups: water, electric (30 / 50 amp) and sewage. There’s a well-paved roadway into the place, albeit a short one, well, because this place doesn’t take longer than 45 seconds to drive around in its entirety. If you like the sense of getting snuggly with your neighbors, then Lake Point should receive your high scores. Of course, while the population here was certainly aged, they were quite welcoming and seem to have constructed a tight-knit little community here complete with morning yoga, power-walking and group gardening (for those that are inclined) along with some ferocious bocce ball rolling on the side.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) I wasn’t terribly impressed with this place, but let’s just say my particular demographic is not what this RV parking lot attracts; (2) While the surrounding area has a ton to offer from a nature-standpoint, you would need to leave Lake Point RV Park to go find it as where this place sits feels more like suburban sprawl than it does surrounded by nature; (3) If you get tired of cooking up franks & beans on your grill (and you better have brought your own if you come here!), then in 20 minutes you will find a foodie’s paradise back in Mount Dora, where I would highly recommend The Frog & Monkey Restaurant & Pub (an underground cellar featuring live music), 1921 (an historic Floridian home featuring ‘farm to fork’ creative fare) and Pisces Rising (higher vista outlook features Caribbean-inspired meals like Calamari Fries and Caribbean Crab Cakes); and (4) In the event that you are reading this review and have made it this far and are just looking for some gold at the end of the rainbow, then here it is: drive less than 30 minutes from here where you will find a true campground paradise that will have you casting lines in some of the most pristine fresh water lakes, hoisting hammocks from live ancient Oaks dripping with Spanish Moss all with a lakefront vista that cannot be beat – Trimble Park Campground (read my review on TheDyrt for more specific details about this hidden campground gem).
Happy Camping!
Legend
Typically up here in northern Florida, whether you are on the coast or further inland, when you hear or see the name ‘fish camp,’ depending upon where you are from (or honestly, where you're at), the name typically conjures up one or two images - a mossy covered waterside restaurant serving up some freshly caught fish, typically fried, and with a whole lot fo southern fixin’s like grits, black-eyed peas, fried okra and the like. Or, it’s a reference to an actual campground that just so happens to be located right alongside a nice stretch of water, which could be a massive river like St. Johns in these parts, or a smaller, meandering outlet that either connects to a larger body of water, say a lake, or even the ocean. So let’s set the record straight, when visiting this particular fish camp, we are definitely talking about the latter, rather than the former.
Heading towards Gainesville recently, I came across Kate’s Fish Camp, very conveniently located in the the middle of nowhere, but altogether, sitting on a very nice bit of a water trail called Prairie Creek, which I was told, would eventually, through perseverance and timing your luck between low and high tide, have you arrive at the ocean, but I have to admit, I don’t know how that is even possible, as we were only able to make our way to Orange Lake, but hey, it was my first try. Maybe you will have more luck, or perhaps I got it wrong and at some point, you just need to strap your kayak or canoe on top of your vehicle and drive it closer to a ‘frackish’ inlet that will allow you to ultimately reach some salt water.
As far as Kate’s Fish Camp go, the wonderful duo of Mike & Monica run this roadside camping rest stop and upon entry, you will marvel at just how intimate and compact the place is complete with substantial shade that blocks all of the harsh Floridian sunshine from otherwise roasting you in its humid inferno. The main office looks like something out of Duck Dynasty and is an old-schooled wooden single-story structure with restrooms and shower facilities (both pretty basic, but clean, albeit poorly lit) towards the front, and the entrance to the actual office on the rear-side, closer to the creek access point. On the subject of water access, let’s just say that while the meandering creek is definitely of interest and should be explored, the real find here is the nearby access to Newnans Lake, which just sits north of Kate’s Fish Camp and, unfortunately, requires a quick drive to Palm Point Park (around the corner from here) in order to access this body of water, but it’s totally worth it, especially if you have an engine-powered fishing boat and are looking to get out on the water to do some decent fishing.
Back at the campground, here’s what you need to know. For starters, there’s about a dozen or so sites that are offered with each being pull-through ready. While this campground feels more geared towards the RV driving or 5th Wheel toting crowd, as a tent pitcher myself, this place is pretty OK from a tent camping standpoint. You’ll definitely appreciate all the shade that is offered here, as well as close proximity to the basic amenities (showers/ bathrooms) and river access. The picnic tables are pretty standard and there are scattered BBQs and fire rings. There’s also some pretty great WiFi here for those that need it. One of the huge upsides apart from direct river and bike path access is a number of really great hiking trails that you can explore both flora and fauna alike.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) One of the huge upsides to Kate’s Fish Camp is the direct access you’ll have to the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Bike Trail, which if you wanted to, could lead you all the way into Gainesville to enjoy the UF campus and surrounding area without having to put up with traffic; (2) While Kate’s Fish Camp boasts about providing you with DIRECT access to Newnan’s Lake, it was our experience that you could not access the lake directly and that eventually, you would have to return to camp, pack your kayak on your vehicle and drive a quarter mile to the actual boat launch in order to access the lake - I don’t know why they tell folks that they provide direct access; (3) For RVers you will want to take note that Kate’s doesn’t provide sewer hook-ups, just water and electric (20 / 30 / 50 amp) for all of their pull-through sites; (4) You should take note that this campground is literally located right next to a fairly busy 4-lane highway, so if P&Q is important to you, consider another location, otherwise, bring some earplugs!; (5) It’s Florida, it’s the summer, and unless you weren’t already aware of it, you’re landlocked here in the middle of the state, so what does that mean? Mosquitos and bugs, so yeah, come prepared (and don't complain about mosquitos - they are endemic to FL)!; (6) When you get tired of sifting through your on-board mini-fridge or toto-molded Cordova cooler to conjure up what your next meal is going to be, then check out nearby dining options such as Antonio’s Made In Italy, Georgie’s Lakeside or Eagles Nest - and of course, there’s all the generic restaurant-fare that you’ll find in nearby Gainesville, but I’ve tried to suggest some slightly off-the-beaten path joints. If you want an Instagram-worthy dining experience that also lives up to the hype when you bite into their succulent pies, then head on over to Satchel’s Pizza for their deep dish pizza and local brews.
Happy Camping!
Legend
Only a stone’s throw away to one of the most beautiful and isolated natural springs in the entire Sunshine State, which is Blue Springs SP, Luna Sands is a uniquely hidden campground, built exclusively for the RV driving or 5th Wheel-toting crowd. If you are a tent-pitching camper, then unfortunately there is ‘no room at this Inn’ so to speak, but the good news for you is that if you are reading this review, my HUGE advice would be simply to book a camping spot over at Blue Springs SP itself. That said, if you are looking for an off-the-beaten path RV campground, then you might as well have found heaven.
This place has a quaint, clean community pool that greets you upon entry at the front office (which also serves as a campground market of sorts and sells a number of sundries at affordable prices). Across the way from the front office, you’ll discover the very spartan laundry facilities, adjacent to what looks like a killer outdoor Tiki hut bar with enough exposed floorboards for a proper bit of barn dancing and live music entertaining, although there was neither of these when we were passing through. There’s also a club house here and bath house facilities that were also incredibly clean and very well organized. This is also one of those RV campgrounds that comes with those silly themed weekends from November to April, so if that’s another draw for you, so be it. Additional amenities include: swing set, cornhole, basketball court, WiFi and kids playground with swing set.
As for the campground itself, it is comprised of about 120 back-in and pull-through sites with capacity for 6 additional overflow slots in case the place either gets flooded or overrun somehow. Each slot is accompanied by the standard issued picnic table, which are in fairly decent condition, along with a standard fire ring and are situated on slightly sloping land, so be sure to check out the space beforehand for being level. Typical hook-ups are offered with 20 / 30 / 50 amp electricity, water and sewage. Once on the grounds, as you meander around the place, there’s a number of intimate, little micro-neighborhoods that dot the grounds of this campground. Each space has decent room to both maneuver as well as set up your outdoor living cabana. Cozy and neighborly is how I would describe the place, which might just be perfect, given the prices.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) IMHO the best areas to secure a spot include those on the SW corner of the campground as they are far enough away from the main road and the other noise-inducing amenities on the campground. These slots include: #124– 131 as well as #A– K and #39; (2) If you hadn’t come here to access Blue Springs State Park, you should really rethink that and make sure you get over to this water wonderland, which is one of the very few 72 degree year-round crystal clear springs that offers up herds of manatees to swim alongside, particularly from November– February; (3) Should you be looking for some local fare after looking into the depths of your onboard mini fridge and coming up empty, then you are in luck as nearby there’s a sweet little Argentinian joint called Rincon del Sabor and another dive called Taste of Soul – neither of which you’ll wanna write home about, but will definitely give you a break from ‘frank& beans’ for the night. And if neither of those places do the trick for you, there is also a few other restaurants you might wanna check out like Gram’s Kitchen for low country breakfast cooked up all day, Mi Tierra Authentic Mexican as well as Fire on the Bayou for some nice, spicy Cajun; and (4) If you need to stock up on any supplies, nearby Luna Sands is a grade A Publix as well as a Walmart nearby, so you should have no problems being stocked up while staying here.
Happy Camping!
Legend
Here at Sand Pine Campground inside of Blue Springs State Park, you’ll find that while this is a fairly large campground, the substantial amount of vegetation, along with the flow of how the campground is organized, the individual campsites give off a vibe of privacy, intimacy and solitude. Upon entry to this SP, you’ll meet likely some of the friendliest park rangers of any FL state park (although, honestly, the very GREAT rangers @ Rodman Campground ultimately win the battle!), who will provide you with all of the great information you need to have a great experience here.
As for the pet-friendly campground specifically, each of the 51 sites has its own picnic table, water and electric as well as fire ring, while the ground itself is laden with powdery grey sand (so leave your boots or flip flops at the door of your tent or RV). The individual slots are somewhat tight and narrow to navigate, but most RVs should be OK to back into these sites. What you will appreciate the most about Sand Pine is that just about every site offers a substantial amount of privacy with solid, thick Floridian jungle putting decent distance between you and your neighbors. The only downside is that it is a solid hike from this campground to the spring itself, which will require you to drive there or take a decent bike ride.
The amenities are pretty amazing with the two bathroom and laundry room facilities appearing to be nearly brand new and there are designated dump stations scattered throughout making disposal of trash and recyclables EZ. The restroom facilities had vending machines as well. As for the sand pine scrub nature you are surrounded by, but the real gem here of course is the fresh crystal spring that is teaming with manatees, which are best to view and swim alongside between the winter months of November and February. For my float-seeking friends, there’s a solid kayak / canoe launch and if you don’t want to get some oaring in, you can partake in a guided river boat cruise.
If you’re looking to get away from it all and enjoy some privacy, then this is a great little campground for you to consider. And if you miss anything from the non-natural world, have no fears, a short drive into town to grab a pizza or load up on groceries is easy enough to manage. What I love most about camping here at Blue Springs SP is that during heavier tourist season, a reservation will guarantee you access to the spring, which sometimes gets full and therefore requires the rangers to stop traffic flow into the park, so if you've got a place guaranteed for the night, then, well, you need not worry about the morning rush when most will just worry about getting in the park.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you find yourself out-of-luck in finding an available campground site to reserve, try your luck at booking one of the 6 often overlooked cabins, which BTW, come with their own set of parking spaces; (2) When you grow weary of digging through your onboard mini-fridge or roto-molded Cordova cooler, then check out some of the local fare where nearby in town, there’s a sweet little Argentinian joint called Rincon del Sabor, classic pie palace called Blue Springs Pizza and another ethereal dive called Taste of Soul – neither of which you’ll wanna write home about, but will definitely give you a break from ‘frank & beans’ for the night. And if neither of those places do the trick for you, there is also a few other restaurants you might wanna check out like Gram’s Kitchen for low country breakfast cooked up all day, Mi Tierra Authentic Mexican as well as Fire on the Bayou for some nice, spicy Cajun; (3) Should you need to stock up on any supplies, nearby Blue Springs SP has a 'grade A' Publix as well as a Walmart nearby, so you should have no problems being stocked up while staying here; and (4) When the kiddos get restless and the pristine nature that you find yourself surrounded by isn’t enough of a distraction, then head due east to Family Fun Town, which is a family-friendly amusement center with batting cages, mini-golf, arcade games and go cart racing. Yahoo!
Happy Camping!
RangerStayed here for 4 nights and really enjoyed it. Large paver sites with plenty of space. Beautiful horse farm setting. Pool and amenities were awesome. Can’t wait to come back!
Scout
Had no problems, calm and cool surroundings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Ocklawaha, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ocklawaha, FL is Silver Springs State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 38 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Ocklawaha, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 272 dog-friendly camping locations near Ocklawaha, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
