Juniper Springs Recreation, Silver Springs FL
Juniper Springs Nature Trail
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LOCATION:
26701 East Hwy 40 Silver Springs FL 34488 PHONE: 352-625-0546 RATES: $31 (will honor America the Beautiful Pass). CHECK IN/OUT: Check in at 1 pm/Check out at 11 am ACCESS: 8 am - 8 pm. Campers have gated access code MAPS: At Entry Gate SITES: 79 PULL THRUS: Yes WATERFRONT: No PICNIC SHELTERS: No SITE SURFACE: Dirt HOOK-UPS: None WIFI: No CABLE: No SEWER: No BATH: Yes LAUNDRY: No DUMP STATION: Yes SHADE TREES: Yes POOL: No BOAT RAMP: No FEATURES: Springs, access to Florida Trail, Canoeing and Swimming RANKING: 7.5 PET FRIENDLY: Yes TRAIL INFO NAME: Juniper Springs Nature Trail LENGTH: .08 mi round trip TYPE: In and Out USAGE: moderate SURFACE: dirt / boardwalk ACCESS: 8 am - 8pm FEES: Free if camping or $8 - $11 per person PET FRIENDLY: Yes NEARBY ATTRACTIONS Restaurants and shopping within 10 miles |
Juniper Springs is one of the oldest and best-known recreation areas on the East Coast located in the Ocala National Forest between Ocala and Ormond Beach along SR 40 . This recreation area was constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The spring houses hundreds of tiny bubbling springs and massive springs gushing out of crevices in the earth.
The park is divided into a day use area and campground. Campsites are arranged into three loops near the creek and springs. All sites are shaded and equipped with a picnic table, grill, campfire ring, lantern post and space for tents. There are no sites with full hookups. Other amenities include hot showers, flush toilets and dump station. Restaurants, shopping and gas are just 10 miles from campground. Juniper Spring and Fern Hammock Spring located within the recreation area have a combined daily flow of 13 million gallons per day and maintain a constant 72 degrees year round. Juniper Springs, the focal point within the Juniper Springs Recreation Area Complex is a 100 foot wide freshwater spring surrounded by a stone wall. Juniper Springs Run, a primary recreational attraction originates at the spring and is a popular start for canoeists who paddle northeast 7 miles through the Juniper Prairie Wilderness Area to the take out at Juniper Wayside on State Road 19. From this take out point Juniper Run continues on to Lake George. Fern Hammock Spring does not allow swimming or boating and is in a natural state. This trip is for intermediate level and not for beginners. No one under 40 lbs allowed. It takes between 4 and 5 hours depending on experience and stops along the way. No pets are allowed. It is $10 per watercraft. A segment of the 72-mile Florida Trail passes through the park. Backpackers often use Juniper Springs as a stopping-off point while working their way along the trail. The Juniper Run Nature Trail is a short walk between the swimming area and Fern Hammock Springs. The trail is part footpath and mostly boardwalk between the two scenic spots inside the park. DIRECTIONS: From I-75, take Highway 40 east through Ocala and Silver Springs for approximately 36 miles to the Juniper Springs Recreation Area. From I-95, take the Ocala/Silver Springs Exit (Highway 40) west for approximately 37 miles to the Juniper Springs Recreation Area. From the intersection of Highway 40 and Highway 19, the campground is 4.5 miles west on Highway 40. The entrance is on the north side of Highway 40. Google Map   |
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