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Salt Springs Recreation Area
FSU.S. Forest Service — Ft. McCoy · Florida · National Forests in Florida
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | National Forests in Florida |
| Location | Ft. McCoy · Florida · National Forests in Florida · 29.35694, -81.73194 · Map |
| Sites | 146 public sites counted from the federal listing — 94 rv electric; 52 tent only nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 106 of 146 sites (up to 50 amp where reported) Water hookups at 106 of 146 sites Sewer hookups at 106 of 146 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 106 of 146 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 40 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 106 sites · 30 ft: 106 sites · 35 ft: 106 sites · 40 ft: 106 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 2:00 PM · Out 11:00 AM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 160 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 5 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 352-685-2048 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-03-11.
From the official listing
Overview Salt Springs Recreation Area is one the recreational jewels of the Ocala National Forest, with a spectacular natural mineral spring that gives the area its name. Plenty of outdoor activities keep campers and day-use visitors busy, including swimming in the springs, fishing, snorkeling, hiking and boating. Salt Springs is located between the St. Johns and Ocklawaha Rivers, 35 miles east of Ocala, Florida.
The national forest spans four counties and 383,000 acres. It is the southernmost and oldest national forest east of the Mississippi River, and protects the world's largest, contiguous sand pine scrub forest. Recreation The natural springs, nearby Lake George and many surrounding rivers and streams provide ample opportunity for water recreation. Anglers can try a good fishing spot on Salt Springs Run, downstream of the swimming area, boat ramp and marina. Boat rentals are nearby.
For those who wish to explore on land, the facility has basketball courts and a horseshoe pit. Hikers have easy access to the Bear Swamp Trail and a segment of the 1,400-mile Florida National Scenic Trail. Facilities Salt Springs is the largest campground in the Ocala National Forest and the only one with full hookups for RVs. The facility offers spacious campsites for RVs and trailers, as well as a designated tent-only area, which is a short walk from the parking area. Sites are nicely shaded and well away from the busy day-use area.
The recreation area and campground are located in the community of Salt Springs, which has a gas station, grocery store, several restaurants, bait and tackle shops, a post office, laundromat and visitor center. Natural Features The semi-tropical region gives the campground a mixture of pines and palms, with lush greenery and warm temperatures. Within the recreation area, a natural spring rises from cracks deep within the earth. The presence of potassium, magnesium and sodium salts give the waters a slight salinity - hence the name Salt Springs. Nearby Attractions Salt Springs is very close to Lake George, a great fishing destination.
Directions, from the listing
Salt Springs is located 35 miles east of Ocala (I-75), 60 miles west of Daytona Beach (I-95) and 95 miles north of Orlando, Florida.
From I-75 to Ocala: Drive east on State Route 40 for about 12 miles, then turn north on County Road 314 and proceed for 18 miles. Turn north on State Highway 19 and drive for about 0.5 mile to the recreation area entrance on the right.
From I-95 east of Ormond Beach: Take SR 40 west about 40 miles to Highway 19. Turn north on Highway 19 and go about 16 miles to Salt Springs. Continue 0.5 miles to the recreation entrance on the right.
Nearest federal campgrounds
6 mi straight-line · FloridaFSU.S. Forest ServiceHopkins Prairie Campground
7 mi straight-line · FloridaFSU.S. Forest ServiceLake Eaton Campground
11 mi straight-line · FloridaFSU.S. Forest ServiceJuniper Springs Rec Area
12 mi straight-line · SILVER SPRINGS FloridaFSU.S. Forest ServiceLake Shore Group Camp
12 mi straight-line · SILVER SPRINGS Florida
Trip Card — Salt Springs Recreation Area
Ft. McCoy · Florida · National Forests in Florida
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Ft. McCoy · Florida · National Forests in Florida |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 106 · full hookups at 106 |
| Max RV | Up to 40 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 146 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233920 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.