Juniper Springs Campground Tour, Ocala National Forest, Florida
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.ค. 2024
- Winter Camping-in Florida! We love Florida State Parks, but as full time RVers, we cant always get in them. So, we found a great alternative- visiting National forest campgrounds, like Juniper Springs in the Ocala National Forest in Central Florida.
In this video, we not only show you every RV site (except for footage of 8 lost somehow?) & a look at the tent camping section, we also show you all that this park has to offer- Juniper Run paddling, trails, and of course swimming in the 72 degree crystal clear springs.
We also show you some of the cool, historic builds by the Civilian Conservation Core (CCC) from the 1930s.
See the chapters below to skip straight to the section you want, but you may miss some cool stuff- haha.
Chapters
0:00 Intro
3:18 The Springs
4:33 Juniper Canoe
5:38 Trails
6:14 MAPS
7:34 Sites 1-34
11:54 Sites 35-60
13:49 Sites 61-79
15:18 Amenities
To Make a Reservation www.recreation.gov/camping/ca...
Park Info: March 2024
Showers/Bath House/Swimming/Dump Station
Campers check in 2:00 pm & must check out by 11am. We do not accomodate early check-ins or late check-outs. If you arrive early, you will be required to pay the per person admission fee to access the site. If you remain after checkout, you will be assessed a late fee for occupying the site or will be required to pay the per person fee to access the swimming & picnic area.
Campground gate is closed & locked from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m (March - Oct) and 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. (Oct - March)-if arriving after hours, campers with reservations only, must call ahead at 352-625-3147 prior to 6 p.m. (March - Oct) or 4 p.m. (Oct - March). Campers who check-in after the gatehouse is closed must visit the Gatehouse the next morning to complete their check-in to their site. Failure to do so will lead to a 'no show' charge to your reservation & potential forfeiture of site.
Camp sites must be occupied first night of reservation
Each can hold a MAXIMUM of 2 tents & 5 campers
Maximum 2 vehicles per site (campers included); extra vehicles must park in overflow/overnight parking area - charged $9 per vehicle, per night
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. NO Generators during quiet hours.
No off-road vehicles allowed within the campground
Bears/raccoons frequent the area; all food must be kept in approved containers. Failure to comply with this regulation can result in immediate ejection from campground without refund.
Dogs/pets are allowed in campground only & must be leashed/supervised at all times. No dogs/pets allowed in day-use area, bathrooms, boardwalk & canoe run.
NO Alcoholic beverages in the day-use area.
Children weighing less than 40 lbs are not allowed in rental canoes. No disposable items allowed on the canoe run (i.e.,food wrappers/styrofoam coolers/cans/bottles/etc.) Only re-usable containers allowed.
As per Forestry Department regulations, fines will result from the following infractions:Leaving unattended coolers/food. These items must be in bear boxes or fully shut vehiclesLeaving burning/smoldering fires when exiting campsite.Improperly parked vehicles
Private canoe/kayak launches are at a fee & limited to 30 total vessels per day. Vessels must be launch BEFORE 1:00 p.m. daily. YOU MUST PAY THE $10 LAUNCH FEE in addition to your camping fees. We ask that guests be courteous of one another & limit floats in the swimming area to under 60 inches across
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#rvliving #ocalanationalforest #junipersprings #floridacamping #floridasprings #therealflorida
We love your reviews of the campgrounds especially the way you show the site numbers. Thank you!
Joyce, I’m glad. It takes a lot of work, but feel it is worth it.
Alice
@@DownsizingMakesCents Thank you very much!
This is the best video I've found on Juniper Springs! Thank you!!
Thank you. Glad we could help. This is typical of our campground tours
I could do no hookups to spend some time here, Thanks as always for the great review Alice & Larry🤗
Lisa, it’s definitely worth dry camping here.
Maybe one day,
Alice
Love your channel! We just found it last night but have watched several of your Florida campsite reviews today. We are just beginning our tent camping adventures and find your videos the most informative and so enjoyable. Thank you both so much for all you both do. Also, your music playlists are incredible! Take care ❤
Emma, thank you. We are glad you found us. We try to include info that we would want to know before we camp.
And the music we get from Epidemic Sound. We go through a lot of music before we find what we think fits - thanks for noticing,
Alice
Thanks you for this guided tour ! We make reservation!
Pat from Quebec,Canada
Lots of other springs close by, too.
Enjoy
Everything we need to know is shown. Excellent job.
Thank you. That’s a great compliment. 🤗
Alice
Love the reviews alice and larry. Like how you show all the great amenities! Even though it is dry camping hoping to see that in 2023 when retired!! Love all you videos!
Susan, thank you. It’s a great area to visit.
Good luck,
Alice
That looks like an amazing place. Another to add to our list 😃 thanks so much for sharing. Lynn and Danny
Hey guys, there are 3 campgrounds very near each other. Or camp at one, but visit all 3 springs. It’s an amazing area.
Alice
We are hopefully going to this place in a few months. We have already been to the other 3 Springs in Ocala National Forest. We love this area! Lol your husband is as crazy as mine jumping in that cold water. It takes me ten minutes to get in. Great video!
You will love it. It’s such a great campground in a great area. Have fun.
Yes- Larry does still have some of his Canadian blood to handle the cold water 🤣
Alice
You guys do such a great job on these. You always make us want to head East. Tha canoe trip would be awesome to do. Thank you so much for sharing this. ❤️👍👏 Donovan & Jodi
It’s a great area. Especially in winter. We love canoeing. The best way to see the real Florida.
Thanks for coming by,
Alice
Juniper Springs Campground looks like an amazing RV park! We really enjoyed your review of this park! Thanks for sharing! ~ Shion and Matthew
Thanks guys. It’s a great place for a day visit or to camp. A must see in Central Florida.
Alice
I grew up running around that area. Another really nice place in the area is Alexander Springs. When I saw your video of the entrance, I was reminded of the big fire that went through the area in the early-mid 80's. That area used to be all sand pines before the fire. Great job with the video. I look forward to returning someday.
Richard, yes. Alexander Springs is another great one.
The fires were before we moved to Central Florida. But we did have bad ones in 1997.
Glad we could bring back some memories.
Alice
Enjoyed your tour! Thanks
Dean, we are glad. A lot of people don’t think about camping here at one of the three Ocala National Forest campgrounds. They are awesome.
We did a video about the full hookup campground- Salt Springs- also.
Alice
I want to paddle that 7-mile run with the kayak! I love the format you used for your campground tour. One of these days we'll squeeze in some of those gorgeous Florida springs. Until then we'll enjoy them through your videos - thanks Alice & Larry!
Marc, Larry would love to take you paddling.
And we would love to be your guide to the springs, after you show us your favorite boondocking spots 😅.
Try to stay warm while you enjoy your snow adventures,
Alice
@@DownsizingMakesCents that sounds like a fair trade to us.
Very nice comprehensive video... helped greatly to plan for a trip there. Thank you.
Penny, glad we could help. It’s such a beautiful area. Check out our videos on Salt Springs, too - it’s in the same area 🤗
Alice
@@DownsizingMakesCents We just returned no shuttle anymore no plans to renew this service. Call first re doing the run since it is closed now due to rain and high water. The Springs are amazing.
We'll check out the other springs in the area. Thanks.
No dry camping for us but this place is beautiful. We will be going to Salt Springs soon and can't wait. Thanks for that great video but the way.
We loved our time at Salt Springs- close enough to do a day trip to Juniper.
Alice
Hello, my friends. Beautiful VIdeo, well done.
Thanks. Larry works hard.
Alice
So cool! We live on our boat but if we ever decide to move back to land this looks right up our ally!
Larry wants to live on a boat.
If you do make it to land, there is still plenty of water to explore 😂
Alice
Hello friends! It was so fun being in the background of your video! Hope to see you again one day!
It was such a beautiful day. Glad you could spot yourself 😅
Maybe we will see on the road,
Alice
Ok now this is a killer place. I love the springs in FL. All of them. I need to do me some canoeing. Have never done it. Done a ton of boating and jet skiing. I like those sand boils. That was cool. We would be close on those sites to. Makes you wonder if going smaller is better. Very nice looking campsites to. Dang y'all own social media. Great video y'all. We are hoping to be back in FL for next winter and to do the show.
William, we need to take you canoeing 🛶- close to gators 🐊 😂. But really, canoeing is the best way to see the real Florida. The sand books were an added bonus. So peaceful.
I think we both need to downsize 🤣.
Thanks as always for watching and commenting,
Alice
Great review going have to get by there.
It’s such a great area. Hope you make it that way.
Alice
Nice video guys! Makes us want to head to Florida.
Nancy, Florida in winter is amazing.
Alice
This place is awesome. I would definately spend some time here.....post COVID. Nice job on the editing.
Thanks. It’s a great area with so many different springs.
Alice
Taking my kids dry camping here for our first visit to Juniper this weekend. So excited!
Unfortunately the canoe shack is temporarily closed which is a bummer. Will most certainly come back to traverse the run once they've reopened.
Thank you for this very thorough and informative video! 👏
Matthew, it’s a beautiful area and there are small hiking trails. Maybe rent a canoe from somewhere else? If not, you will still have fun in the springs. Enjoy.
Glad we could help,
Alice
Oh my God, this is amazing beautiful 😍
Maria, there are three campgrounds in this area- all with springs ❤️
Alice
This is another one on our list when we get our trailer.
Stephen, it’s a great spot.
Alice
that's cool thank be safe have fun
Vincent, amazing that there are 3 parks and campgrounds with springs so close together.
Alice
It’s beautiful there.
Stephanie, there are 3 great campgrounds all very close all with amazing springs.
Alice
Loved, Loved, Loved this! Your production skills are off the hook now! We definitely want to stay here and plan to check into it for the future. Thank you so much for sharing!! Oh, and did I pick up on a clue there may be a downsizing in your future? LOL! Hugs, Dave and Lorrie
Dave and Lorrie, I’d love to downsize, but not for a couple years. That money spent on solar! 😳.
Thank you so much for your praise. Larry is trying to do better on ever video.
You guys would love this area.
🤗 back to you.
Alice
It’s on my list. Thanks so much. Waiting for my Grand Design!
Cindy, I hope your Grand Design is 35’ or less 😂
Alice
@@DownsizingMakesCents - oh, no! I just checked- it’s the reflection 315 RLTS tans and it’s 37’ 11”. Guess I’m out
That’s ok. Check out our Sal Springs video. It’s same area, full hookups and takes bigger rigs.
We love juniper.
All three of the Ocala National Forests parks and campgrounds are amazing
Alice
Hi Larry and Alice! Thank you for showing the juniper campgrounds. It looks really nice there like picture you out on Utube. The looked like a pretty green. I have never heard of glamping. What is that exactly? I’ve heard of dry camping boondockjng but that’s it. The canoeing looked fun. Very nice park. I love when you sow the park like you do it give you an idea what it looks like. Thank you again and have a great day and week and stay safe.
Sherri, glamping is basically camping but with all the luxuries of home - full hookups. It combines glamorous and camping. No tents 😂.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s a great park with so much to do.
Alice
@@DownsizingMakesCents Oh ok! That’s what I thought but wasn’t sure what glamping meant. I thought there was more to do. Oh loved that water wheels. I always loved those. My mom bought me one of these little ones but it broke. You out water in it and it recycled around the wheel. I forgot where she bought it at but it broke one day. I have not found one like it since. Thank you for letting me know what glamping was.
A water wheel sounds like a cool toy. Did you look on eBay?
I’m glad to answer any questions,
Alice
@@DownsizingMakesCents Oh ya I forgot about there thank you so much Alice. I am signed up with eBay but forgot to look there. Thank you so much.
@@DownsizingMakesCents it is a cool toy. And nice to watch the water go around like it was real. But smaller.
Beautiful place
If you are in the area, all three of the parks and campgrounds are so beautiful and all have Springs.
Alice
@@DownsizingMakesCents thank you
Hi guys ! Beautiful place ! To bad it doesn’t have any hook ups like salt springs! Anyway Alice I love your shirt! May I ask where you got it ? Thank you ! And thanks for the fantastic videos y’all put out ! God bless and stay safe!
Sherry, you could stay at Salt Springs and then go here for the day? But with our solar, lithium and inverter, we can stay at places with no power.
The shirt I bought at a Kohl’s. Sorry I don’t have a link.
Thank you for watching and leaving your thoughts. We really appreciate it,
Alice
Beautiful park but our rig is too big. Great dive Larry!
Robert, you would need to go to Salt Springs then- full hookups and bigger rigs allowed.
The dive was actually not allowed 🤫 😂
Alice
I prefer the walking trails. What a beautiful place. Unfortunately, we are WAY too big to fit in there.
You should check out Salt Springs- bigger rig friendly. We have video for that and it’s close to Juniper.
Alice
We really enjoyed your video. What a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing.
I have a question. Hopefully it’s not too much of a bother. At 13.29
there was music playing that I really enjoyed. Could you tell me who the singer/band is? I found the other two songs that played before this one on TH-cam, but this one I could not find. I’d really appreciate your help. Your music choices touch something deep inside me. You do a fantastic job on music and editing in general. Great video. Thank you.
Sonja, thank you so much. There are 3 campgrounds within an hour. All great.
For the music, I suggest you get the Shazam app. Then you can use it anytime you want to know a song and it keeps it in a list for you.
It’s a great app.
We get out music from epidemic sound- link in description. I’m glad you liked it. We spend hours sorting through songs
Alice
Love how you show all the sites! Thank you! Can you tell if any of the sites are on the water or a water view?
Scott, thank you. Unfortunately, none are on the water. But it isn’t a far walk.
Alice
Check out another great National Forest Campground in the area - but this one has full hookups and sites for bigger rigs th-cam.com/video/ufqy6H_HQgI/w-d-xo.html
Great video guys!! Any sites with power at Juniper Springs ??
From what we remember, only the host had power. But check out Salt Springs- full hookups and very close,
Alice
I wish the Forrest service would allow larger units in. Many people who full time have class A coaches and 5ers 45 foot and less. But still 9 feet over a 36 max length.
Chip, Salt Springs has full hookups and we saw big rigs there. We have a campground tour for that campground too
Alice
Agree with Chip. The campsite tour shows many site that the 35' limit is appropriate, but there are more than just a few that by "sight" alone appear to be deep enough to support rigs far longer. The problem is that the government chooses to use a one-size-fits-all approach.
@@davelauraphillips8814 Good point. We saw that in Ontario Provincial Parks
Alice
Renting an rv to go solo here in October. I only wish they had electrical hook ups. Don’t want to have to run the generator just to use outlets. Hopefully it will be chilly so i won’t need the AC. Propane would run the fridge and stove, i shouldn’t need the microwave. 12v auxiliary only runs the lights but not the ac or outlets 😒
Is there anywhere to dump grey and black tanks there? Even if not hooked up, is there a spot?
Arlene,
Sounds like you are all set.
The campground map shows dump station. It’s in the beginning of the video.
Alice
Just curious , where do you guys get your music from , and how do you use real songs without copyright infringement. Thanks !
In our description of our video, there is a link to Epidemic Sound- we pay for it,
Alice
What are the Florida spring sites you mentioned that are usually booked up?
Brett, we were talking about Florida state parks that book up fast, especially in the winter. People will book 11 months in advance. But the Salt Springs can be harder to get because it has full hookups as opposed to Juniper.
Let me know if that’s what you meant,
Alice
@@DownsizingMakesCents Thanks for the reply. That explains it!
@@Dragon2010Mm2 I’m glad. Feel free to contact us anytime,
Alice
I went there and it was full. Dispersed camped up the road and the rangers threw me out.
Tasha, sorry to hear that. I didn’t know they have any dispersed camping in this area, except for some tent camping. But there are two other campgrounds in the area. Maybe you can get one of those next time,
Alice
@@DownsizingMakesCents I stayed at Juniper prairie and another Juniper place when it calmed down. If you get avenza maps you can get an official map of the forest for all the camping spots. It was hunting season so they didn't allow dispersed. I'm not sure how many places could accommodate you. My rig is easy thankfully
Thanks for the info.
Do they allow dogs to walk the trails here? Planning a day trip here from Salt Springs.
From what I remember, yes. It’s part of the Ocala National Forest. Just no dogs near the springs,
Alice
You can find mermaids there? Count me in.
😂 the “mermaids” were at Wekiva State Park. They were there for a photo shoot.
But Juniper Springs has so much to offer, including two other springs close enough to visit- Alexander Springs and Salt Springs
Alice
I can never get into the parks . They are booked 11 months in advance
darn!
Lori, the national forests aren’t as bad as state parks. Plus, since this one is dry camping, it’s not as popular.
Alice
Thank you for your review, appreciate the video. From the video i notice that sites 71-73 has not separation between them. Is that correct as I am looking for 2-3 sites for a family group that has no separation..
Thanks for the watching. Most campgrounds have recommended group camping sections. But I do believe those sites were very open.
I suggest calling the ranger station at Juniper and asking just to make sure.
Have fun,
Alice
The only reason I did not get an Rv is because these places pack you in close to neighbors. It’s like living in am hoa community with nags and complainers.
That is very true for many private campgrounds. But state, city, county, national are different.
They are usually more natural, with greenery for privacy. And people can only stay for two weeks.
@@DownsizingMakesCents but you still have very close by neighbors. What about a .5 acre lot with electric water dump station included with a game recreational area and the feel of a state park? Would you pay more for that? I’m thinking of getting into the campground business.
@@matt189 I would definitely. Unfortunately, there are many RVers that want easy pull through sites, with full hookups and lots of amenities.
You build it , we will come. We love the look of a state park with privacy. Water and power with a dump station would be nice
@@DownsizingMakesCents I’ll keep you posted. Thanks for the feedback