Alexander Springs

Ocala's quiet side. Campsites on the water. She set the table.


Alexander Springs is in the Ocala National Forest with a campsite loop that puts tents and RVs steps from one of the prettiest spring pools in North Florida — a wide, second-magnitude spring with crystal clear water and a run that winds through subtropical forest for nearly two miles before emptying into the St. Johns River. If you're going to sleep outside in Florida, this is how you do it.

The spring pool is perfect for snorkeling — chest-deep to deep depending on where you are, loaded with bass, bowfin, and bluegill that have absolutely no interest in your personal space. The spring run is a quiet, shaded paddle through a forest that feels genuinely old. Great blue herons stand in the shallows like they're posing. They're not posing. They just look like that.

Alexander Springs is the spring for people who want more than a day trip — who want to wake up to 72-degree water and spend two days doing absolutely nothing important. She's got the infrastructure for it. She invites that.

AT A GLANCE

Location

Altoona, FL (Lake County, Ocala National Forest)

Water Temp

72°F year-round

Best For

Swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, overnight camping on the water

Entry Fee

$5/vehicle day use; camping $20-$25/night

Hours

8am–8pm (day use)

Vibe Rating

9/10 Camp Here, Leave Different


The spring you actually stay at. Not drive through — stay at. Alexander Springs is designed for the overnight, the slow morning, the two-hour paddle you take without a destination. Plan to linger.

WHAT TO BRING

  • Full camping kit if you're staying — book campsites in advance through recreation.gov

  • Kayak or canoe — the spring run is the highlight and it's not short

  • Snorkel gear — the pool is loaded with fish

  • Bug spray — you're in the Ocala, evenings can be mosquito-heavy

  • Hammock — the tree situation here is exceptional

BEST TIME TO VISIT

October through April for camping — summer is hot and buggy in the Ocala, though the spring keeps things tolerable. Spring weekends are gorgeous. Any weekday is quiet.

INSIDER TIPS

  • Book camping 2-3 weeks in advance for weekend stays via recreation.gov — the waterside sites go first.

  • Kayak the full spring run to the St. Johns River if you have time — it's a genuine expedition.

  • Salt Springs is 30 minutes away and worth adding to the itinerary if you're spending multiple days in the Ocala.

  • The Ocala National Forest has bears, wild hogs, and deer — keep food secured and enjoy the wildlife from a distance.

CONSERVATION NOTE

LEAVE HER BETTER THAN YOU FOUND HER  //  Alexander Springs feeds directly into the St. Johns River — one of Florida's most important river systems. The spring run ecosystem is delicate; do not wade in the run vegetation, stay in the main channel when paddling, and keep all food and trash properly stored to protect the wildlife that uses this corridor.


Ready to add her to the list? Download the Florida Springs Bucket List — free, no excuses.