43 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Lake Dorr Campground in Ocala National Forest provides dedicated pet-friendly sites with bear boxes at each campsite, making it convenient for campers traveling with dogs. Clearwater Lake Campground allows pets throughout its spacious sites that accommodate both tent and RV camping, with easy access to surrounding trails. Most campgrounds near Umatilla enforce standard leash policies for dogs, typically requiring pets to remain on leashes no longer than 6 feet when outside vehicles or camping units. The campgrounds are known for their private sites separated by natural vegetation, creating peaceful settings where pets can enjoy outdoor time without disturbing neighbors. Campers with pets can access potable water throughout these facilities, though bathrooms at some locations like Lake Dorr occasionally experience service interruptions.
The forest trails surrounding these campgrounds offer excellent dog walking opportunities through the pine forests of central Florida. Pet owners frequently mention the peaceful atmosphere at Lake Dorr with minimal boat and road noise in the evenings, making it suitable for pets that are sensitive to loud environments. Dogs can accompany owners to nearby natural springs like Alexander Springs and Juniper Springs, though swimming restrictions apply for pets. All sites provide fire pits and grills where campers can prepare meals while keeping pets nearby. Wildlife considerations are important when camping with dogs in this area, as alligators inhabit many Florida lakes, necessitating careful supervision of pets near water bodies. Most campgrounds in the Ocala National Forest area maintain clean, well-kept grounds with hosts who enforce quiet hours, creating environments where well-behaved pets are welcome additions to camping experiences.
"This was one of the busier places I have camped in Florida. The facilities were clean and provided showers."
"We found this campground while looking for a stealth spot near some springs and it was getting late and we had our car and our dog so just came here."
Available this weekend
from $38 - $70 / night
"Clearwater Lake Recreation is one of the few National Forest Service managed campgrounds located at the southern end of Ocala National Forest. Campsites are well-shaded, private and spaced apart."
"Clearwater Lake Recreation Area was recommended to us as a backup option to nearby and popular Alexander Springs for our small group of scouts."
Available this weekend
from $38 / night
"Caverns are beautiful under the water but it is constantly crowded around. Pets need to be put on a leash. Horses are permitted. Many opportunities for hiking, biking, swimming, and kayaking."
"Close to home and took a drive through one day. Haven't been camping yet this year due to illness but getting ready to get on the road."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 / night
"This pet friendly campground has many magical options. The Florida Trail runs right through this spot and has a natural spring connection as well."
"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."
Available this weekend
from $38 - $70 / night
"It’s on the right side of the road near the boat ramp. If you aren’t paying attention you may miss it. We did, but a helpful park employee pointed us back in the right direction."
"Just a note of caution: Keep animals away from the water's edge."
"This campground was awesome for a weekend away with the family and dogs. It was still very hot and buggy in Florida so be warned If this is an issue for you."
"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"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $95 / night
"We stayed 2 weeks with our Thousand Trails affiliate plan. We were surrounded by empty sites which was probably due to the pandemic."
"Next to a highway so it can be noisy."
"Two nice trails and playground. Pet friendly. Boat ramp. Great for kayaking and fishing."
"We enjoyed the hiking trail, but VERY muddy. Bring a watercraft to explore more. Been there- done that- probably don’t need to go back. The site: our campsite was small but sufficient for our use."
Available this weekend
from $18 / night
"Lake Dorr is a super nice camp site located less than an hour away from some of Florida’s natural springs."
"Plus my dog has major thunder anxiety. Lol .. It ended up being a simple light rain and a cold front . I wish I hand stayed . I’m heading back soon !! I didn’t get to explore the lake ."
Available this weekend
from $20 / night
"There is a dog park, cafe, food trucks on Sat. Great place for families. There was a strong sulfur smell around our site. Not sure where that was coming from"
"There are beautiful walking trails, beautiful and refreshing cool springs, kayak rentals for $20. There are also some small caves there for anyone who free dives or snorkels."
from $40 - $73 / night
ScoutTim and Leisha were the best! Great campsite close to Disney is what we wanted.. clean and well organized. They make you feel at home and they even invited us to dinner at the pool and provided all the food. I will definitely be going back when I’m in town. They loved our kiddos too!
LegendThis Old Florida location has a Western bent to the place with the covered wagon motif and ranch-styled main office with what looks to be a horse tie up on the porch, so whatever the theme might be, this RV enclave is a good stretch away from the I75 highway that you moseyed onto in to find this 55+ retirement one lane (OK, there’s a simple loop) cowboy retirement OK corral. You’ll access Countryside RV Park via Country Rd 489 just off of Route 470 and if you blink (you know, because of all that dust blowing off the prairie), you’d miss the turn-off, so keep your eyes peeled, pardner, and about 20 yards into the property, you’ll swing by the office on what looks to be freshly laid, small single vehicle lanes and check in with the sheriff (er, the RV manager), who will direct you to your humble piece of very flat land, which no doubt will be draped in shade provided by the scattered ancient and live oaks that are sweating Spanish moss creating a very (trust me) un-wild, wild west vibe.
There’s some basic amenities here in addition to the standard pull-through parking pads and FHUs offering 20 / 30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage, including: sanitary dump, impeccably clean his / her restrooms and shower facilities, picnic tables, WiFi, cable TV, coin-operated laundry, horseshoes, side X side shuffle boards that are in pristine condition, recreation room with billiards, dog park, fire pit, retention pond, on-site storage, exercise equipment and gym. There’s even a proper mail room in case you plan on staying long enough that you need to receive mail here or have it forwarded (beats waiting for the Pony Express to arrive). Due to this being a semi- or full-retirement zone, Countryside offers additional diversions and activities like bingo, Karaoke, bowling, arts & crafts as well as Bible study, in addition to learning how to lasso your very own steer (OK, I made up this last one).
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If your ID or social security card doesn’t clearly state that you are 55+ you won’t have any luck at this hideout; (2) If you do manage to stay here, IMHO the best spots are those either on the western - but of course - side of this depot (#6 – 22) or eastern (#46–#59) perimeters; (3) Should you need to load up on anything while here, there’s not much nearby apart from a Dollar General and Kal’s Food Grocery, but if you don’t mind driving slightly further afield, there’s a Publix NE of here and a Winn-Dixie and Walmart due south of here towards Bushnell; and (4) In the event that you’d like to grab some local grub, there’s Big Apple Café and a Subway nearby in the small town here, or up on Lake Panasoffkee there’s Big Bass Grill Lakefront Restaurant & Marina, which I highly recommend.
Happy Camping!
ScoutWe are in a travel spot. Lots of highway noise. Pretty area mostly owners only
TravelerIts a great campground for longterm and short term alike, my wife and myself live out of pull behind full time and have been here since August. This campground is conviently located roughly 45 minutes from downtown Orlando and 30 minutes from Cocoa Beach. They have several buildings available for use to campers with kitchens inside some of the buildings, they have a beautiful pool open year round, a pool table nicely located right beside part of the Orlando wetland walking trails. Plus really who doesn't want to reconnect with their inner child and stay in a small little town like Christmas where the post office is decorated year round, there's a nativity scene up year round and parts of the park itself keeps some lights up year round.
TravelerRoads are rough, Bathrooms are clean, host seemed like a good guy. Here during off season but the beach looked like fun
GuideSites have full hookups which is awesome for a state park. Also picnic tables, grills and a fire pit. The sites are big and relatively private. To visit the spring you can hike or drive. Being you camping receipt to get in free. Glass bottom boat tour is $15 for adults but there is a nice walking path and you can see manatees in the spring from the shore. The restaurant was nice, good pizza!
ScoutIt has a little of everything you would enjoy about this type of outside camp ground. Has hiking and biking trails. Of course the beautiful water that stays 72 degrees all year long.
ScoutExercise caution with this reservation. The website says pet friendly but only after you reserve the site do they make you aware of pet size limit and breed restrictions. And your reservation is not refundable.
GuideSpent two nights here again. Sept. 27th and 28th. During the day time there were a lot of Love Bugs. My camping kitty loved chasing them. At night or at sun down I was bombarded with bugs. Even if I tried to attract them to a higher light and I was in the dark, didn't help. So this time of the year, sunset = go inside.
Also, the description above is wrong.
This dispersed camping area within Ocala National Forest DOES NOT provide water hookups, restrooms, and picnic tables along with standard amenities like trash service and campfire permissions.
The campground DOES NOT maintain water availability throughout the site and DOES NOT HAVE ANY clean restroom facilities.
Other than that, I will be back.
Alexander Springs Recreation Area offers tent and RV sites with direct access to one of central Florida's clearest springs. Located in the Ocala National Forest, Umatilla-area campgrounds sit at elevations under 100 feet with cypress and pine forests creating natural barriers between campsites. The region experiences humid subtropical climate with summer highs frequently reaching 90°F, while winter temperatures can drop to the 40s, making spring and fall the optimal camping seasons.
Spring swimming and snorkeling: Alexander Springs Recreation Area features crystal-clear 72-degree waters year-round where visitors can see underwater plants and fish. "The spring head is located right in the swimming area, it's bigger than any swim area at a spring that I have ever been too," notes Gabby C. This spring maintains visibility to depths of 25 feet, making it ideal for novice snorkelers.
Kayaking the waterways: Paddle the 7-mile one-way Juniper Springs Run through pristine forest. "I have my own so I just used the shuttle service which was like $16," explains Lisa O. from Juniper Springs Rec Area. The current is steady, making it a downstream-only journey with shuttles returning you to the launch point.
Florida Trail hiking: Access segments of the 1,500-mile Florida National Scenic Trail directly from campgrounds. "If you go out and across the street you can hook up to the Florida Trail and do some hiking - we hiked about 10 miles and while flat and not hard it was still nice and some great changes in scenery," recommends Tina L.
Private, secluded sites: Lake Dorr Campground offers excellent site separation. "Every campsite has its own little private nook. So it's up to you if your a social butterfly or want to just be anti social," explains camper darsea. Most sites feature natural vegetation barriers providing privacy while camping.
Lakeside camping access: Trimble Park Campground provides waterfront sites with excellent fishing access. "This campground is beautiful and well-maintained. Older, clean bathrooms with showers. About 3 miles to Mt. Dora," notes Claire M. The lakefront sites offer direct views of Lake Beauclair and Lake Carlton.
Clean facilities: Despite their rustic nature, many campgrounds maintain quality facilities. "Very nice campground, the oak canopy makes great shade in the heat. Clean campground with good showers," writes Nicole D. about Alexander Springs. Most campgrounds feature regularly maintained restrooms, though some experience seasonal service interruptions.
Bear awareness requirements: Bear boxes are provided at many campsites throughout the region. "There is a bear box, fire pit, grill, and pinic table at every site," notes Amber H. at Lake Dorr. Campers must store food securely, especially overnight, as the forest maintains a healthy black bear population.
Spring water temperatures: All natural springs maintain consistent 72-degree temperatures year-round. "The Springs stay 72 degrees year-round so no matter what time of year the temperature is perfect," explains noah R. at Clearwater Lake Campground. This cool water can feel refreshing in summer but chilly in winter months.
Weekend congestion: Popular springs reach capacity early, particularly during summer months. "The spring is wonderful even on busy weekends is very manageable," writes ENRIQUE T. about Alexander Springs. For less crowded experiences, visit midweek or during non-summer seasons when temperatures are milder.
Wildlife education opportunities: The forest offers natural wildlife viewing for kids. "We saw a family with a few kids walking out as we started. They told us about a boardwalk," shares Sarah K. at Lake Griffin State Park. Children can spot turtles, fish, and occasionally even wildlife like the "albino squirrel sighting" Joshua W. experienced.
Easy access swimming areas: Springs provide natural swimming pools with graduated depths. "I have been camping here since I was a kid. I still enjoy camping at this place. There is plenty of nature to during the day and night. The swimming area is amazing," states Rusty R. about Alexander Springs. Most springs feature shallow areas for younger children.
Playground availability: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "Seemingly brand new playground for the kiddos," notes Stuart K. about Trimble Park. These facilities provide entertainment options when children need breaks from swimming or hiking activities.
Site selection considerations: Choose sites carefully based on size requirements. "The sites are pretty big as well, no water or electric, but every couple sites there was a drinking water fill up station," advises Gabby C. about Alexander Springs. Many campgrounds offer primitive camping without hookups, requiring RV campers to come prepared with full tanks.
Dump station locations: Plan waste management accordingly as not all campgrounds have onsite dump facilities. "50 amp power, water hookups and sewage dump is right inside the campground for easy access," reports Courtney Moriah about Trimble Park. Other campgrounds may require driving to centralized dump stations in the Ocala National Forest.
Shade coverage impacts: Dense tree canopy affects solar panel efficiency at many sites. "The tree coverage wasn't too extensive but it rained one day and was cloudy so that was part of the reason batteries didn't charge very well," warns Lisa O. about Juniper Springs. Position RVs strategically to maximize available sunlight when using solar power.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Umatilla, FL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Umatilla, FL is Alexander Springs Recreation Area with a 4.4-star rating from 35 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Umatilla, FL?
TheDyrt.com has all 327 dog-friendly camping locations near Umatilla, FL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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