Ocala National Forest

About Ocala National Forest

Ocala is a unique and fascinating forest, which offers a pleasant climate for relaxation all year round. The mild winters are ideal for family tents, while the palm-fringed streams and warm, sunny summers are a cool way to spend an August day.

The average rainfall is about 55 inches per year, but the summer season is much warmer and wetter. With temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius, short thunderstorms in the afternoon with temperatures in the mid-90s rise into the 90s.

Water plays an important role in a variety of recreational activities in the forest, and there are a number of winding streams and lakes as well as many picturesque lakes and ponds. Many of these picturesque lakes are formed when limestone dissolves, causing the surface layer to sink and fill with water.

Many visitors are attracted to a cool dip, and snorkelers often find the changing vegetation in the waters of these lakes and ponds a great source of fresh water and fresh air.

The Ocala National Forest is one of the most heavily used national forests in the state of Florida, with more than 2.5 million acres of woodland and over 1,000 miles of hiking trails.

Large families and small groups can find cabins at the Dorrsee freshwater springs, but all recreational activities require a pass or permit. Sweetwater Spring is located at the mouth of a freshwater spring that flows into a juniper stream and can accommodate up to 12 people. A hut in Dorrsee can accommodate 10 people and is located at the southern end of the Dorrsee.

Each cabin is located in a very remote forest and has its own secure entrance, but all facilities are managed by a concessionaire commissioned by the Forest Service. Each guest has the exclusive use of the cabin for one week, and as availability is limited, an annual event for the following year is raffled off. The cabins have their own secure entrance and access to the Dorrsee freshwater springs.

Due to the natural beauty and the high biodiversity of the region, long-term planning is required for the two pearls of the forest.

In Ocala, you can camp in any season, and visitors can stay in the park for up to six months depending on the season. Most tents are based on the "first come, first serve" principle and reservations are accepted, but in some cases visitors can stay for up to two months or up to a week depending on the season.

The campsite is divided into scattered campsites, depending on the type of facilities and fees offered, and group cabins are only available on reservation. The designed RV parks offer amenities such as picnic tables, fireplace, water, showers, toilets and other amenities. Group campsites and cottages can be reserved free of charge by calling 877 - 444 - 6777.

Camping is the facility that adventurers prefer and is allowed in the forest area, but primitive campsites offer very few or none of these amenities. The fees for built-up areas range from $4 to $20 for primitive and scattered camping, which is free.

For more information, please visit the Passes and Permits page on the National Park Service website for information on camping permits. The park office offers discounted tickets for $5 per day or $10 per week for the whole year.

The vegetation of Ocala lives up to its name, as you will see, and the place has been converted into a campsite. Of the twenty campsites developed, only Salt Springs offers a full service. The word "OCALA" is considered a Timukian (Indian) term that has no meaning outside of its use in the name of the park.

Some campsites, however, have landfills and showers, and others offer less amenities such as a picnic area, picnic table, water fountain or even shower room.

Some campsites in Ocala allow pets, but pets must not be kept on a leash longer than five meters and must be taken to a designated bathing or picnic area. As in many seaside resorts, alcohol is prohibited in OCala and pets are not allowed on any campsite.

Accessible campsites, toilets, showers and footpaths are available at various campsites in the Ocal National Forest. There is an annual pass for several campsites and it is part of a paid demo program. Annual tickets are sold at the Ocala Visitor Center and Ranger Station, and if the storage space is less convenient, the proceeds from ticket sales go toward improvements.

To see if your chosen facility meets your needs, call your district for more information or contact the Ocal National Forest Ranger Station at (888) 543-5555.

Leaving no trace of forest use can be a challenge, but efforts to preserve an area's natural state will help protect it from overuse. Keep the vegetation intact, maintain water systems and remember to remove garbage and waste. By erasing evidence of our presence, we will minimise the impact on individual forests. Replace sticks and tree trunks that are brought into open areas for tents and campfires.

Individual tents and motor vehicles can be used as primitive campsites, but they are located in certain forest areas that offer little or no facilities.
These campsites are also hunting camps and can be open all year round, bu
t those that are not hunting camps are closed and will be closed during the specified hunting season. These campsites can also be hunting camps if you are hunting, and are open all year round.

Sandy's narrow forest paths can make navigation difficult or impossible, so visitors should tread the roads with caution. Although primitive campsites with motor vehicles are allowed, not all are accessible, and visitors to these sites should be treated with care and care as a road.

You can also enjoy activities in the National Forest of Ocala, offering a wide variety of activities. Activities range from canoeing, boating and skiing to the use of watercraft such as kayaking, rafting and fishing.

Water sports visitors should first of all respect safety and the rules and regulations of the National Forest of Ocala.

All vessels are regulated and you should observe safety requirements, registration and other regulations. Canoeing adventures in the Ocala National Forest are numerous, including canoeing, kayaking, fishing, rafting and water skiing, as well as kayaking and kayaking. A variety of streams await you and each river has its own characteristics that distinguish it from the others. Some are white water as found in a mountain, and others are red water such as the Great Cypress River, the Red River and the Black River.

Alexander Spring Creek starts with wide, slow-flowing water, and the other, Juniper Creek, starts barely wider than a canoe and ends with a width of more than 100 feet.

Due to the clogged trunks of the streams, you are only allowed to move at about 1.5 miles per hour. You can drive 2 to 5 miles per hour, provided you stop regularly to enjoy the scenery.

There are no roads parallel to the streams and they have been preserved in their natural state. Duck under low hanging branches, canoe over partially submerged tree trunks or canoe over a tree trunk to partially flood it.

Be considerate of those who follow you and leave the flowers, cypresses and shrubs to others to enjoy. Leave the streams to provide a challenge and a sense of achievement while allowing visitors the peaceful beauty of an unspoiled environment. Take garbage out of the water and away from the natural looking electricity and bring it back to your home.

Canoe rental is available and you can bring your own canoe and paddle, but canoe rental can also be offered at the Ocala National Forest Visitor Center or at one of the many visitor centers in the park.

If you wish, you can make a repair agreement with the concessionaire, but reservations are possible at the respective locations. Canoes must be rented by 11: 00 am and rented according to the "first come, first served" principle with a minimum duration of two (2) hours per day. Canoes are rented on weekends from 10 am to 4 pm and must be rented before 11 am.

Hikers can enjoy a variety of hiking trails, such as hiking, cycling and cross-country skiing. The forest is crossed from north to south by a series of hiking trails with a total length of about 1,500 feet.

These trails wind through the Ocala National Forest, making them an excellent choice for backpackers. Those who prefer not to go so hard will find developed campsites, and these developed areas offer different facilities. Tents are allowed as long as they are at least 200 meters from the trail, but not more than 1,000 meters.

Camping is prohibited during the deer hunting season from 1 October to 30 November 2016 and from 1 April to 31 October 2017. The only exception to this regulation is camping in the juniper prairie, which is closed to hunting. Backpackers need a permit and log in to the ranger station before travelling with a backpack, although it is strongly recommended to present the hiking plans to family and friends.

For hikers who are less strenuous, there are many short circuits. The Paisley Woods bike path is an excellent route through the vibrant oak domes of the Ocala National Forest. There is the St. Francis Trail, which offers a variety of trails, such as the short circuit from the main entrance of the park to the hiking trail and the long-distance trail to St. Francis Lake.

Although the path is not asphalted, bicycles must be suitable for rough terrain and it is embedded in the shape of an eight. When you are halfway through, make a short loop through the forest and back to the main entrance of the park at St. Francis Lake.

At the northern end of the trail is Alexander Springs, and there is a path south to Alexander Creek and a loop back to St. Francis Lake at the southern end.

Water, showers and toilets are available at both locations, but please note that use of these facilities is free of charge. Water is not available in both directions, so you should bring plenty of water or park at the hiking trail.