We had two campsites one was fairly large and the other was quite small. One had a better fire ring than the other. Both campsites had a good amount of shade that is necessary in Florida in June. We were close to the showers/bathrooms that were well maintained this weekend. The showers almost always had HOT water almost too hot for some of our campers and no temperature control.
Very different canoe runs than the ones I have been on in the past. The Canoe run was work from the start. First you check in then you load your canoe on to a cart. Wheel your canoe down a long path to the take out point and drop it off. Now walk back to the check in and collect your oars, life jackets and whistle and walk back to your canoe. Cooler check to make sure that you don't have anything disposable. Now lift your canoe and place into the water and off you go. The scenery is amazing we saw lots of spiders, a snake and a couple of alligator. The Canoe ride has a lot of difficult turns many low hanging trees that you have to duck under. Many more branches that you have to duck under or crash through. There are very few good places where you can take a break. It took us 5 1/2 hours to get through. We did have to slow down to wait for others in our group. Only 1 of 4 Canoes in our group tipped. But we saw many others who did. I read that there was a halfway point with a dock where you could get out and this was not true. We did see the remains of it however it was gone. Once we finally arrived at the end we had to carry our canoe out of the water and place it on to the cart.

Campground is nice and clean , pretty typical but in a good way. Foresty sites, easy access to trails. The spring, snack bar area is fun and scenic. The house w/ the water wheel is neat and all your friends will wonder where you took these pictures! The canoe run is very challenging, lots and lots of navigating and working together. I love to canoe, done this one twice. Plan on tipping over, I like an above review that said it is an obstacle course! However, it is so beautifule w/ unique scenery. Just go on the run prepared w/ waterproof items and things like keys and wallets in a secure place! Also, this run is easier on a kayak. It is a true 4 hour run, bring food..I promise u will make it back alive!

The main reason why I picked this park was because it was in the middle f the Ocala National Forest and I knew i wouldnt be able to see any city lights or hear any cars wizzing by. I'm from Miami so those 2 simple pleasures are hard to find where i'm from. The bathrooms are in excellnt condition and there was hot showers, toilets and sinks. the camp grounds have a good amount of folliage and spaced about 20' from each other. So you're far enough not to be able to hear each others conversations, but still close enough to see there are people in the park. The canoe run was the highlight of the trip, it takes about 4 or 5 hours and it is more of an twisty turvey obstacle course than a serene canoe ride. about 1/2 of the people that go on it go overboard, the the creek is only a few feet deep so it shouldn't be a concern.

I would definately like to go again and may check out alexander springs.

It is beautiful, relaxing. Kids on bikes, playing board games, sleeping by the springs. The canoe run was 4 hours with a lot of ducking, using branches to pull canoe around very sharp corners with lots of low trees. The kids really enjoyed running the back of the canoe into tree branches. Water was low and we "bottomed" out a couple of time since there was 3 of us in a canoe. Start canoeing as early as possible...at 7. Canoes go quickly! This time I plan on staying at Juniper Springs, but taking the run at Alexander Springs which appears wide open. Raccoons are a menace, but the kids love them. It really is amazing how smart they are. Bring tie wraps for your cooler because they can open anything. Ticks were bad on one trip, but we spray bugspray on vegation sorrounding camp and we were fine. I realize that this sounds less than ideal, but it really was fine - quite the adventure for the family and we are going back for our 3rd trip. We love to talk about our camping trips becuase they are just unbelievable and isn't that why you go!?!! The showers are WONDERFUL. we saw deer on a trail one early morning and we just stared at each other for about 5 minutes with only 20 feet between us. Trying to explain to your kids that they will NEVER see such a sight again is impossible because the wildlife is amazing out there! Staff is very, very friendly. I felt very, very safe! Reserved using www.recreation.gov. Enjoy your trip!