Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
important natural treasures. An incredible ecological web, the park is a tangle of springs,
biomes (sand-pine scrub, palmetto wilderness, subtropical forest) and endangered flora
and fauna.
With 18 developed campgrounds and 24 primitive ones, 219 miles of trails and 600
lakes (30 for boating), there are endless opportunities for swimming, hiking, cycling,
horseback riding, canoeing, bird- and wildlife-watching - or just meditating on how great
it is that the government got here before the theme parks did.
Two highways cross the region: Hwy 19 runs north-south and Hwy 40 runs east-west.
Activities
Hiking Trails
HIKING
Also referred to as the Ocala Trail, roughly 61 miles of the Florida National Scenic Trail
spears the center of the forest north-south. Marked with orange blazes, pickup points in-
clude Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs and Clearwater Lake recreation areas. Outside
hunting season, hikers can camp anywhere 200ft from the trail, but if you prefer to com-
mune with others you'll find spur trails to developed campgrounds every 10 to 12 miles.
The 8.5-mile St Francis Trail (blue blazes) winds through riverine and bayhead swamp
to the abandoned 1880s pioneer town of St Francis on the St Johns River. No buildings re-
main, but you'll see the old logging railroad bed and levee built for rice growing.
Paisley Woods Bicycle Trail
CYCLING
Passing through prairies and live-oak domes, the popular 22-mile Paisley Woods Bicycle
Trail is yellow blazed. Its end points are Alexander Springs to the north and Clearwater
Lake to the south, but it's shaped like a figure eight so you can do either half as a loop. Be
sure to bring both a bike that can handle off-road conditions and plenty of water (none is
available along the trail).
Juniper Springs Recreation Area
OUTDOORS
sion/campsites $6/23;
8am-8pm)
