Salt Springs Recreation Area
Salt Springs, Florida
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, and Swim
Salt Springs is the largest of the Ocala National Forest's developed springs and the only one that tastes faintly of the sea. Several vents on the bottom of the pool push out around 52 million gallons a day of water carrying enough magnesium and potassium salts to give it a mild brackish edge, and the mineral content is why blue crabs live in a freshwater spring 40 miles from the coast. The swimming area is a big, shallow, concrete-edged basin with sandy and rocky footing and a series of boils in the middle where the water wells up from the limestone about 36 feet down. Water temperature holds in the low 70s year round, which feels cold in August and warm in January.
The recreation area is run by a Forest Service concessionaire, and there is a per-person day-use fee of about $12 to $15 collected at the gate. It covers the swim area, the bathhouse with showers and changing rooms, a grassy picnic lawn with tables and grills, and the Salt Springs Trail, a two-mile loop through sand pine scrub and hardwoods that ends at an observation deck over the marsh where Salt Springs Run leaves the pool. No pets are allowed in the day-use area.
Snorkeling is the main event. Visibility over the boils is excellent on most days, and the mix of freshwater fish, mullet, and crabs picking along the rocks keeps kids in the water for hours. There are no lifeguards. The run flows about four miles east to Lake George, and the marina across the road rents canoes and kayaks and has a boat launch; paddling the run is a flat, easy trip with a good chance of manatees in the cooler months and gators on the banks in any month.
The campground is one of the biggest in the national forest system, with 160 sites split between 106 full-hookup RV sites and 54 tent sites, all reservable through recreation.gov. Sites are under live oaks and pines a short walk from the spring. The little community of Salt Springs on SR 19 has a grocery, restaurants and a post office, and the springs sit at the north end of the forest about an hour from Ocala, Palatka or Daytona Beach.
The name goes back to William Bartram, who visited in 1774 and wrote about the salt taste and the crystal boils; the Bartram Trail markers in the forest follow his route. Silver Glen Springs and Juniper Springs, the other two swimming springs in the forest, are 10 and 20 miles south on SR 19 if you want to make a weekend of it.
More Information
National Forests in Florida | Salt Springs Recreation Area | Forest Service
The Salt Springs Recreation Area is one the recreational jewels of the Ocala National Forest, with a spectacular natural mineral spring giving the area its name. Plenty of outdoor activities keep campers and day-use visitors busy, including swimming in the springs, fishing, snorkeling, hiking and boating. In the early 1900s, many people came to the spring, believing it had medicinal healing powers. Today's visitors will find Salt Springs gushes forth 52 million gallon of water daily at a constant 74° Fahrenheit.------------------------------------------------------------------------------BoatingAn unimproved boat launch is located at the end of the campground closest to Salt Springs Run. It is directly across the run from the Salt Springs Marina. Follow the signs.CampingThe campground is the largest in the Ocala National Forest and the only one with full hookups for RVs. The facility offers spacious campsites for RVs and trailers, as well as a designated tent-only area, which is a short walk from the parking area. Sites are nicely shaded and well away from the busy day-use area. Reservations for the campground may be made by phone at 1-877-444-6777 or online at Recreation.gov.FishingSalt Springs Run is a relaxing place to fish, with small coves along the cypress-lined shoreline.HikingThe Salt Springs Trail is a pleasant loop of less than two miles through an intricate web of habitats surrounding the Big Scrub of the Ocala National Forest. While the trail includes some sharp climbs and a long boardwalk, it's a good walk for families with a big payoff at the end - an observation deck for birdwatching.Nature WatchingThe Salt Springs Trail is an excellent place to familiarize yourself with the common native trees and shrubs of the Big Scrub, including sand live oak, Chapman oak, myrtle oak, southern magnolia and saw palmetto. Interpretive information at the kiosk and along the trail aids in your understanding of the flora of this unique landscapeSwimmingSwimmers enjoy the clear waters of Salt Springs Run nearest its source at Salt Springs. A cluster of boats just past the floats marks the recreation area, with families frolicking in the shallows.This site is operated by Naventure.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/florida/recreation/salt-springs-recreation-areaSalt Springs Recreation Area | Ocala / Marion County Florida
Salt Springs Recreation Area is one the recreational jewels of the Ocala National Forest, with a spectacular natural mineral spring that gives the area its
https://www.ocalamarion.com/directory/salt-springs-recreation-area/Salt Springs Recreation Area, National Forests in Florida - Recreation.gov
Explore Salt Springs Recreation Area in National Forests in Florida, Florida with Recreation.gov. Salt Springs Recreation Area is one the recreational jewels of the Ocala National Forest, with a spectacular natural mineral spring that gives the area its name
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233920Salt Springs | Ocala National Forest – Florida Springs Passport
Salt Springs is one of the many gems of the Ocala National Forest. And yes, it does get its name from its slightly salty water due to the limestone the water passes through having high concentrations of magnesium, potassium, and sodium. This spring is unique not only because of its salinity, but the many shafts of bubb
https://floridaspringspassport.com/blogs/news/salt-springsBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
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- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Salt Springs, Florida
- Head west on NE 136th Ln/
NE 136th Loop (105 ft)
The swimming area at Salt Springs courtesy of National Forests in Florida↗ (Public Domain Mark↗)
Salt Springs courtesy of National Forests in Florida↗ (Public Domain Mark↗)
Salt Springs courtesy of National Forests in Florida↗ (Public Domain Mark↗)
Salt Springs Recreation Area courtesy of anoldent↗ (CC BY-SA 2.0↗)
Salt Springs Recreation Area courtesy of anoldent↗ (CC BY-SA 2.0↗)
Entrance to the Salt Springs Recreation Area courtesy of DanTD↗ (CC BY-SA 4.0↗)
The Salt Springs Trail through the scrub courtesy of Bryan Lindenberger↗ (CC BY-SA 3.0↗)
Other Swimming Holes, Hiking Trails, Canoeing Areas, and Kayaking Areas Nearby
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