Base City: Tampa
Itinerary:
- Tampa, FL
- Juniper Springs Recreation Area, 26701 Florida 40, Silver Springs, FL 34488
- Alexander Spring, Alexander Spring, 49525 County Road 445, Altoona, FL 32702
- Tampa, FL
Car: Toyota Camry
Est Total Miles : 255 miles
Est Total Travel Time: 4 hours 35 mins
Juniper Springs Campground is one of the most popular 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.
This 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.
Native Floridians know the best swimming pools in the state are not in someone’s backyard but are courtesy of Mother Nature. With a near constant year-round temperature of about 72 degrees, the tepid waters of Alexander Springs is the perfect watering hole on those sweltering Florida summers days. “A lot of families come to the springs to cool off during the summer,” said Linda Dick, co-manager of the recreation area. While the crystal-clear waters attract splish-splashing youngsters, Alexander Springs features a variety of activities that can make the perfect vacationing getaway for the entire family. The recreation area offers a 67-unit campground that can accommodate tents and recreational vehicles up to 35 feet. The campground does not offer electrical, water or sewer hookups, but hot showers and a dump station is provided.
