Juniper Springs

Located in Ocala, FL, Juniper Springs is at the heart of the Ocala National Forest, with waterways connecting to Lake George and the St. Johns River.

Truly a subtropical setting, Juniper Springs is comprised of networks of burbling springs beneath stately palms and oaks, all set among a dry, scrub-like environment. The spring-fed water in the area remains at an unvarying 72 degrees year-round, and it is common to see otters playing, wading birds meandering and alligators wandering in the shallows.

Juniper Springs has a campground on site, as well as activities like swimming, snorkeling, hiking, picnicking, and wildlife observation.

The park also provides canoe rentals averaging at about $33 a day, plus a deposit per person. Since the water trail at Juniper Springs is not cleaned out regularly, it can be difficult to maneuver a canoe at the location. Kayaks are best here because they easily are guided through the natural obstacles of the area.

Things to Know About Juniper Springs:

  • A kayak trip from the "put in" spot to the end of the run is about 7 miles, which
    takes about 4 hours depending on how often your group stops to rest/play.
  • The park is usually open from 8 am to 8 pm, depending on the time of
    year and sunrise and sunset hours.
  • The park has an entrance fee of $5 per person for the entire day.
  • Food and drink is allowed, but no glass or trash permitted.
  • There is a $6 launch fee per kayak.
  • If you are a novice paddler, this may not be the best "first trip" to test your skills on.

How to Get There:

26701 East Highway 40 - MAP
Silver Springs, FL
34488

From I-75 take highway 49 east through Ocala and Silver Springs for about 36 miles to the Juniper Recreation Area.

From I-95 take the Ocala/Silver Springs exit (highway 40) west for about 37 miles to the Juniper Springs Recreation Area.

Contact number for Juniper Springs: 352-625-3147

Click here for a map of the Juniper Springs Run