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Juniper Springs Recreation Area

26695 E. Hwy. 40, Avon Park, Florida 34488 USA

No Longer Maintained

This location is no longer maintained in Roadtrippers. Please confirm location details before visiting.

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“popular rec area in Ocala National Forest”

One of the most popular recreation areas and campgrounds in the Ocala National Forest. The location offers deeply shaded sites within walking distance of some of Florida's most beautiful natural springs. The surrounding recreation area has plenty of activities to entertain visitors, including swimming, picnicking, canoeing, snorkeling, hiking, birding and wildlife viewing. 

The campground was named one of Reserve America's Top 100 Family Campgrounds in the United States.

The natural springs are at the heart of this recreation area. Hundreds of bubbling springs emerge from crevices in the earth beneath a dense canopy of palms and oaks - an oasis within the heart of the desert-like Big Scrub ecosystem for which the national forest is known. 

Abundant wildlife inhabitant the area, including alligators, turtles, deer, black bear, turkey, raccoons and numerous species of birds, as well as uncommon species like the albino gray squirrel, river otters and American eels.

Recreation:
Visitors love swimming in a warm natural pool found in the day use area. Canoeing is also extremely popular year-round. The 7-mile journey down Juniper Run offers a unique perspective on the Juniper Prairie Wilderness. Private canoes can be used, or canoes can be rented from the concessionaire. 

Back on land, campers can spend a day in the woods on a segment of the statewide Florida Trail, or walk a shorter nature trail within the facility. Interpretive programs are available during summer months.

Facilities:

The aread 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. 

A convenience store with camping supplies, beach supplies, food, drinks and ice cream is nearby. Restaurants, shopping and gas are just 10 miles from campground.

Activities and Amenities
- Accessible Flush Toilets
- Accessible Sites
- Amphitheater
- Bath House
- Birding
- Canoe Rentals
- Canoeing
- Drinking Water
- Dump Station
- Educational Programs
- Entrance Station
- Firewood
- General Store
- Grills
- Hiking
- Historic Sites
- Ice Machine
- Paved Parking
- Paved Roads
- Pay Phone
- Picnic Shelters
- Showers
- Swimming
- Trails
- Trash Collection
- Vending Machines
- Wildlife Viewing

Read More >

Reviewed by
Q.Susie

  • 2 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
August 04, 2013
Rated

Juniper Springs is beautiful. Springs of this sort are scattered throughout the state of Florida. Citrus County alone has more than a dozen including three sisters which you must park a boat outside of it's opening and then swim up into. Don't have a boat? You can take a local tour, rent a boat, kayak or other such transportation or check out the beauty from underwater at Homosassa Springs Wildlife park which has built an underwater observation area. You can also visit Hunter Springs swimming area around the corner or take a trip to nearby Dunnellon where you can experience Rainbow Spings either from the State Recerational area which allows swimming or via the county beach on the river where you can also tube down the rivers length...or even more awesome is Ginny Springs further north where a series of springs are located and a campground rests on the length of that portion of the river which is primarily for diving, swimming and tubing. I am a proud Floridian and these are just a few of the reasons why.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
lindsey

  • 3 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
June 20, 2013
Rated

There are alligators in the surrounding area but not in the natural day-use pool. Though, many people visit each year and there have not been any major problems.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
batesint

  • 1 Review
  • 0 Helpful
June 20, 2013
Rated

Gators?

1 person found this review helpful

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Juniper Springs Recreation Area

26695 E. Hwy. 40
Avon Park, Florida
34488 USA
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