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Juniper Springs is located in the Ocala National Forest.
To get there in Florida: Take I-75 to Exit 352
Go East for approx. 30 miles. The turn is on the left
(but the sign is on the right).

Juniper Springs was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the early 1930's. The millhouse actually provided housing and power to the resident caretakers until 1967. It is now an exhibit area. The spring pumps out a whopping 13 million gallons of fresh water per day. The water is a constant 72 degrees which, depending upon the temperature of the day, can seem a lttle cool or a lot cool.

Chris & I have stayed here many times since 2001. Almost once a year actually. We have stayed at other campground/springs such as Alexander Springs and Salt Springs, but Juniper seems to be the best. The combination of subtropical vegatation, beautiful spring water, a wicked canoe trip and comfy campsites make it our first choice. We highly recommend Reserve America for site info and reservations.
Here is their link for Juniper Springs

It has 89 sites - 19 of which are tent only. The rest are RV or tent sites. They have open or wooded sites but be aware that the open sites offer no shade and in my opinion, have little value most Florida months. There is no electric and water is pumped to access points though this year we found a "boil water" alert to prevent possible contanimation. We always bring our own water anyway.

 

There are bathroom/shower facilities in each section of the park. The showers have hot water and operate on a push button that gives you about a minute of water at a time. People do use up the hot water on occasion. A simple reschedule to an off hour usually yeilds a hot shower. They keep the bathrooms clean and besides hot/cold water, the only amenity they offer is toilet paper. Bring anything else you may need.

They also have a dishwashing room which is really handy. It also has hot water.

 

All of the sites differ in size, shape and in the amount of vegatation. Each site offers a 10 ft picnic table, metal firering and a freestanding metal hook about 7 ft tall. This is a great place to store garbage, well above the reach of racoons, the local street thugs that roam the campground with impunity. Because idiots keep feeding them, (we saw it again this year), they continue to be the only major pest. The hook works well as long you use small bags. Any mid size garbage bag will hang too low and you will awake in the morning to the aftermath of a racoon buffet. They can even open unsecured coolers to access the contents.

 

There three sections to stay in: Tropical Loop, Fern Hammock Loop and Sandpine Loop. We have stayed many times in Fern Hammock with great results but have since found that Tropical Loop offers some key features. First, it is the closest section to the spring and, second, it offers some of the roomier sites for tenting.

 

A short 5 minute walk from our campsite brings you to the largest of the Juniper Springs. There you will find the millhouse, the spring where you can swim, the concession store and a vast picnic area.

 

We made reservations to stay 4 nights this trip. Our last camping experience was over Thanksgiving in 2007. That experience took place at Salt Springs, not too far away from Juniper. And while the spring was very nice, the campground was very open and sandy. Probably not a place we will visit again.

 

We made the reservations for both Nov. 2007 and this trip last August. The campgrounds sell out during the winter months and while they keep some sites for walk-ups - we have not taken that chance. The Juniper site cost about $18 per night and there was a $9 reservation fee.

 

We arrived on Thursday afternoon, (check in is at 1:00 pm).

 

We had everything setup by sunset and dined by firelight on orzo and vegatable medley in a spicy spaghetti sauce.

 

We had reserved, and were staying, in the exact same site as we had in our last visit. Christine and I have tried to find a better site in the campground but to no avail. Its site #31, if you're interested.

 

As you can see from the pictures, it is a spacy site with an awesome natural canopy. You can see the panorama of the same site from our visit in April 2007.

 

Friday morning started with a delightful breakfast sandwich featuring: eggs, taylor ham, cheese, grilled onions and red peppers on a hamburger bun. Not to mention a side of fresh fruit including: rasberries, blueberries, bananas, melons, and pineapple. Good stuff.

It was beautiful day. For the first twenty-four hours, and then periodically throughout the weekend, our new best friend was a black cat - whom we affectionately referred to as Sam Two. This because Christine and I both had childhood pets named Sam.

Sam Two disappeared when it became painfully clear that we did not hand out food to stray animals.

 

We kept all food in the back of the truck. In other campsites it is madatory that you do so to discourage bears. And even though there are bear-proof trash cans within the campground, I have never seen or heard a bear at Juniper and have never felt any threat.

But just the same, I'll keep the food locked up. Bears or racoons - it doesn't matter.

 

I had to take a picture of my lunch.

It was bologna, turkey, avacado, cheese
and sprouts on oatmeal bread. Yummy.

 

Campsite #31 is located right along the trail leading to the spring. In fact, people often back track when they come upon the site or tread lightly on the trail as they pass. We must come off as really scary.

 

Friday and Saturday were spent swimming in the spring, going for walks, reading, playing some poker, sitting by the fire or creating Christine's Masterpeice Camp Sandwich:

Ingredients: hot dog bun with crunchy peanut butter on one side; a few pieces of Hershey's chocolate bar on the otherside
in the middle: banana; raspberries with blueberries inserted inside them - smooshed into the banana.

Wrap in foil. Place on coals for 10 minutes.

 

 

 

 

Back at the spring... Christine jumped in after not having been in for a number of years. We jumped in everyday!
Sometimes, twice.

 

The water stays 72 degrees all-year. But it feels a little cooler.

 

 

 

 

It was still very refreshing.

 

 

 

 

 

We encountered rain only one time during our stay. It happened about 4:00 am on Saturday morning. It started to rain, growing stronger until thunder and lightning came as the finale. By dawn it was over and we found only two minor leaks in the tent.

 

 

 

 

So with no rain in the immediate future - we were free to wander the park, including the Juniper Nature Walk, where you can follow the river for 3/4 of a mile through the woods.

 

 

 

 

 

This incredibly small ladybug landed on me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christine looked so happy and glowing near sunset.

 

 

 

 

 

 

They sell bundles of wood for $5.50 at the park.
We generally used a bundle a night.

 

A nice way to spend an evening.

 

 

 

 

 

Its about a 5 minute walk to the spring and the concession where you can rent canoes for the Juniper Canoe Run.

 

 

 

 

• The Juniper Springs Canoe Run is 7 miles long.

 

• It generally takes about 4 hours.

 

• There is one stop at the mid-way point that offers a small pier and a trail into the woods.

 

• No disposable containers are allowed but you can bring a cooler

 

It is one hell of a canoe trip. As it winds through the Juniper Wilderness, it bends through numerous obstacles created from downed trees or shallow water.

 

There are alligators along the river. We have seen evidence in the from of tracks but nethier of us have seen a gator while on the river.

 

 

Christine sat in the back of the canoe the entire trip and showed masterful skills in navigating down the river.

Christopher took pictures.

 

We came upon one tipped-over canoe - we were happy to rescue a lost canoe paddle for them. And encountered one other couple who had tipped near the end.

 

 

 

 

A sign along the way to remind you where you are.

The ride was very quiet and for the most part very smooth. The day warmed up quickly but you go through areas of sunshine and dense shade until the river opens up in the second half in wide sweeping turns.

 

 

 

 

Turtles sunbathing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing views from the front of the boat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And from the side...

 

 

 

After the canoe run, we had lunch and took a quick dip in the spring.

 

Then it was time to pack. We had reserved the site for Sunday night but decided to get home late to a real bed rather than to check-out by 10:00 am the next morning.

 

And the dismantled pieces of our camp went back in the truck.

 

 

 

 

We were on the road leading out of the park when I took this picture.

 

 

 

Just as you get off the interstate on your way to Juniper Springs, you will spot the Whataburger restaurant on the left side of the road.

Neither of us had ever been to a Whataburger. And though neither of us really eat fast food on a regular basis - we decided to give it a try.

It was a fabulous experience. The restaurant was immaculatly clean. The food was fresh and hot. One of the staff came over with a tray of condiments.

Probably some of the best fast food we've ever had!