Ocala National Forest

When is hunting season?

Yes,as long as they stay with you.I had my pup with me had no issues.

Yes you can

You can camp anywhere in the Ocala Forest along the Florida Trail for free. I parked my Passat on the side of 66...for free!!!

Oh yeah, it's great!

There are hiking opportunities ranging from ADA wooden boardwalks, historically marked trails, to trails that you will need to pack camping gear to complete. Remember your sunscreen, insect (especially tick) repellent, and water. Remember, don't leave anything but footprints!

Only on the OHV trails, and only if you've registered it as an OHV, and have the green and yellow FL sticker...

Its free to enter....reading other people's posting about this place it is 17 minutes away from where I live. Me & my roommate drive past it everyday on our way to work. Overview of it is 600 mile Forest featuring natural pools, canoe runs, hiking trails, & 19 century homestead remains. Bring a map, a cellphone with you not sure about phone coverage go during daylight hours, wear comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, water bottle. Punch in your location & get the directions to go from your place to Ocala National Forest. Its 9.6 miles from my place to Ocala National Forest. My roomie said we live in Ocala National Forest but by looking at the map we live near it. Have Fun exploring 😊!

Yes there are trails all over you can find free campgrounds on freecampsites.net for areas in and around the forest

Yes you can swim in Crystal Lake. And yes you can swim with the Manatees. However, it is based on the Ranger's discretion on that particular day. But you are absolutely, positively not allowed to touch them. It is against Federal regulations.

While multiple locations have space for RVs, Salt Springs is the only one that has hook ups. Call either ranger stations for more details about possibility of reservations.

Everywhere. Plenty of camping

Juniper Springs is very nice

If you go into the state park yes

Yes

Send it!!

Not in the Ocala Nat. Forest, but possibly at Ride Now on North Pine Ave aka US 441/301 in Ocala.

Yes, it's always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and to have a plan for potential problems or encounters that most likely won't happen but I've been coming out here for over 30 years and it has never been safer. FYI, much of the forest has cell signal. At least Verizon that I know of. But yes it's safe, get out there and explore. Enjoy

I saw bears, owls, deer and lots of birds, but I have two dogs, they scare everything away. Can never get good animal shots...lol

They are closing a lot of the campgrounds due to the frequent visits of the highly destructive "rainbow family"

If you're not in a campsite and just in the woods, it's however long you packed food and water for. Just remember to pack out your trash too!

Salt springs Recreation has camping, swimming, kayaking, with boat/kayak rentals available at the S.S. marina next door. As for off road trails this area is filled with them. There is also a campground at Lake Delancy, no swimming or lake access, but trails everywhere and 6 miles to Salt Springs .

Dogs being off the leash is against the rules. However, you probably won't see anyone that will complain. I live in the Forrest and I take my dog off the leash half the time. There are many nice trails and the Florida Trail Association can be helpful. We are just now starting yellow fly season, which lasts a couple of months. They can turn a pleasant hike into a nightmare for man or beast.

Saltsprings is full. Call back around noon maybe someone left early?

Check with the ranger station for info

Yes they're allowed their supposed to be on a leash

There are campgrounds all over. Price ranges free to about $28 per night. Some places like Alexander Springs you sometimes need a reservation. My friend Jerry the Woodman knows all about different campgrounds. He also sells the best firewood around. Located Hwy 19 N south of county road 445.

The Fort Mccoy/ Salt Springs area has tons of just open forest but depending on what you drive you may not be able to get deep enough so your cars not on a main road.

No. But always wise to call ahead to learn times, rules, requirements and sites, availability and all that Our forrest, and state have to offer.

There are several trails, out there. Not 100% sure which ones you can ride that on. If you've never been, you should definitely go.

Great trails all over the forest. Have fun!

Im a Florida boy, crawled all over the Ocala Forest and Florida. Haven't heard of that one. Most of our caves are underwater. Perhaps it is closed, dry caves are very dangerous here, or maybe it has a different known name.

Salt springs wanted $8 PER PERSON today. Drove away.

You can bring it but can't ride it in the park and it will still count as an extra vehicle. There are place to ride near by but you have to transport it in and out of the park.

Check with Bass Champions in Salt Springs. They have individual cabins behind their wonderful restaurant.

Go out in the woods to the lakes and swim and play!! Camp for free have fun

Well it comes and does...lol

Go to the Florida Trail website and there is an interactive map available there. There are some trail angels who do offer some rides and shuttles. They can be contacted by going to Florida Trail Hikers group on Facebook. There is also a Guthooks app for smartphones that will give detailed hiking information and a map. There is a fee to purchase the app.

They are on an island you have to take a boat to them

I see many many turkeys wandering about we or so in a group. I live on the outskirts of the forest near Ocklawaha dam.

There's a forest service office on state road 40 on the left about 3 or 4 miles past the intersection of 314a and 40

https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/ocala/recreation/ohv/?recid=32295&actid=93

Juniper Springs has a beautiful six mile run through the Juniper Prairie wilderness

Probably as soon as you find an area where you want to stay. A lot of retirees are down in FL during that time of year.

Some but not sure of the exact, sorry

Sunup to sundown

There are maps online showing the OHV trails. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ocala/recreation/ohv/recarea/?recid=35803&actid=93

Alexander springs is considered one of the more family friendly areas. Wide open and gently sloping towards the spring in the far back corner. Most adults stand about waist deep, get there early on weekends as it's not a very big parking lot and regularly fills to capacity

As long as your stroller doesn't have the thin little tires...you will run into some sugar sand, which of course needs little bigger tires

It is about 385,000 acres

Yes, a nice, free outdoor range