Ocala NF

Can anyone recommend any good campgrounds in Ocala NF? We'll be down after Christmas. Tent camping and ok with somewhat primitive sites, no need for full hookups or electric.

Planning on doing some mountain biking and exploring the back roads so any other recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

 

I assume you would be going to Santos for MTB trails? IIRC Santos trailhead offers tent camping. Looked into going to Santos a few times a while back, but we just stick with Alafia for MTB/camping since its a lot closer to us.

 

Santos for sure, and the Paisley Trail looks like something we might like. We heard the campground at Santos Trailhead is loud (there's a train or something?) and not very scenic. Also no sites available those days. Looking for something a little further from civilization.

 

I know there are a couple parks with some natural clear springs in that area, but they'd probably have quite a bit of people camping. Only really been to Ocala for work, but further from civilization and Ocala go together pretty well so I'm sure someone here will have a solid recommendation.

 

You can free camp anywhere in the forest. There are several camp grounds though that can be reserved. However, this time of year the snowbirds and their RV's have them booked up through about May.

 

You could try: Pretty remote/primitive.

Nice handle - what's the 1529?

 

Thanks. Hopkins Prairie is one I marked in my GPS as a starting point. We'll check it out, if we like it we'll stay. Otherwise we'll move on.

The 1529 is just a number I can remember. It means nothing except to me.