Santos Trailhead & Campground operates as a 22-site loop with water and electric hookups, positioned along the Cross Florida Greenway near Ocala. The single-loop layout places sites both along the wooded perimeter and in the more open central field area. Reservations are available online, and the facility allows pets throughout the campground.

Sites vary significantly in shade coverage depending on location. The outer perimeter sites back up to trees and provide substantial shade for most of the day, while interior sites in the field receive full sun exposure. Site #3 gets particular mention from campers for its privacy, tucked into the wood line with space to camp adjacent to the wooded area rather than on the large RV pad. The lime rock surface creates relatively level camping spots across the facility.

Mountain biking drives much of the campground's appeal, with over 30 miles of purpose-built trails accessible directly from the sites. The trail system includes man-made features like ramps, jumps, and technical turns that draw riders from considerable distances. "All the trails and paths are located within the park," notes [Rich S.](https://thedyrt.com/camping/florida/santos-campground/reviews/38401). The paved Cross Florida Greenway also runs through the property, offering a smooth surface for walking, cycling, or hiking that extends for miles in both directions.

Road noise from the nearby highway carries into the campground, and train whistles sound throughout the night as locomotives pass through the area. The facility includes large, modern restrooms with hot water showers, though space around the single sink can feel cramped during busy periods. Gates lock at 7:30 PM, requiring late arrivals to coordinate entry codes with camp hosts.

For those wanting additional amenities, [Whimcycle Trail Resort At Santos](https://thedyrt.com/camping/whimcycle-trail-resort-santos) sits just over a mile south with more resort-style features.

Santos Trailhead & Campground

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Belleview. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Florida camping adventure.

Belleview

The Best Camping Near Belleview, Florida

This campground is located near Ocala, FL. on the cross florida greenway. It is a small loop of only 22 sites with water and electric. Has clean restrooms with showers. The main reasons for going here is either hiking or mountain biking. The trails are close and have been recently updated to be even better since we last visited 5 years ago. Over 30 miles of trails to explore.
Some sites are shaded but ours was full sun as well as those around us. Very peaceful surroundings.

Mountain biker paradise

Small near horse and bike trails, strict rules. 

Small near horse and bike trails

Although in a populated area of Ocala, this campground is positioned in the trees and makes you feel like you are miles from civilization. The sites are spacious and most are shaded. We stayed in site #3, which was tucked into the wood line and somewhat private. Easy access to all the mountain bike trails, the paved Greenway trail, and the Florida Trail. All the trails and paths are located within the park. Restrooms were fairly clean, and the showers had hot water. We would come back here in a heartbeat. 

Perfect Little Spot for a Getaway

Ended up at this campground since we couldn’t find anything else open at the time.  Sure glad we went.   The campground is one loop in a field.  With camping along the edge in the woods and also in the field with some trees.  Lots of open tent camping also.  The bathrooms are huge and modern and super nice.   
The attraction here is the biking.  It’s an international destination for mountain biking!  While there are no mountains in Florida, there are many man made ramps and jumps and turns.  It’s remarkable to see.  There is also a wonderful cross Florida trail that is paved, is super smooth and it meanders through old plantations, woods, and horse farms.   It’s gorgeous.   It was a great place to visit.  

Biking paradise

Nice campground.   Not very shady at all.  If you love to use awesome bike trails, this is the place!   Extremely noisy with trains running through all night, of course,  blowing their whistles!   

Trails!

Lots of hiking, biking and riding trails. 

Nice

Great little spot for sleeping over in our van after the Ocala drive-in. Owners gave us the code to lock the gates since they close them at 7:30pm. Great biking in the morning. Rented from Santos Bike Shop, which you can get to from campsite by trail. 

Perfectly Lovely

We are avid mountain bikers, so Santos is a perfect place to stay. The campsites are a minute away from the trail, and a hiking trail access is right on site. The sites on the outer perimeter are shaded well and the lime rock ground makes from relatively level sites. We stay multiple times a year (just came home from spending Labor Day). Highly recommend!

Our home away from home! 

Amazing mountain biking right out gate of the campground. The bathrooms are clean and sterilized every day. Two big private showers but only one small sink and small mirror for drying my hair after the shower. Ole nut of space and privacy between campsites. We stayed in #6. Checking in was wierd because of you show up late the gate is locked and I have no idea how a person is supposed to get in if they come in late

Greta place to stay for biking and hiking.

It’s a cool camping grown I sort there for a day mostly Rvs nearby

Camping in santos

Great access to trails 

Very small but well maintained campground.  Many hiking trails and known for biking!   Clean restrooms and we had the HC site where we had plenty of room. 

Nice 

Stayed here on my last night of an out and back section hike on the Cross Florida Greenway. I was able to secure a reservation here as I passed through and I scoped out my preferred site for my return trip. The online reservation process was simple as always and it was good to know that my scheduled mileage would be doable. Arrived at 2:30PM, checked in, and pitched my tent. The camp host told me I didn't have to use the humongous RV pad but could camp adjacent to the wooded area at the rear of the site (#3). When I asked about food sources in the vicinity, I was told about the nearby diner that caters to cyclists. Unfortunately, it had closed a half hour before but I picked up a few snacks at the adjacent bike shop. Cooked dinner and took advantage of the shower facilities and had a thoroughly pleasant stay! 


Pleasant last night on trail!

Santos is a small but great campground.  Sites are roomy.  Gravel sites with 50 amp and water.  Many trees.  Clean restroom and showers.  Unbelievable trails for walking and biking!   

Exciting


Few campsites,  quite place to camp. Clean Showers and
 restaurant. Great, hiking and biking trails nearby.

Lots of trails

This campground is the perfect size. Our site had shade about 95% of the day!  We had the perfect size of an area behind our RV. Loved hearing all of the birds chirping. You can hear traffic since it’s right off of the highway. There are plenty of trees around. The bathroom was very clean. It’s nice and dark at night!!  We did the hike to see the historical part of the Island. That was neat to read about. We also took the biking trail to say we went above i75 on the bridge. That was a round trip of 15.5 miles, if anyone is interested. It’s a really nice campground, especially if like doing trails and biking.

Very nice

Very nice small campground. Best asset is the access to hiking and biking. Miles of trails.

Photos of Santos Trailhead & Campground

Real photos from real campers