Juniper Springs Recreation Area
Silver Springs, FL
A stone-walled spring pool and mill house built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Ocala National Forest, with a narrow 7-mile canoe run through subtropical forest. Day-use fee; lots fill on summer weekends.
Juniper Springs Recreation Area is a recreation area in the Ocala National Forest, east of Ocala, Florida. The spring is the headwater of Juniper Creek, which flows to Lake George on the St. Johns River. It fills an oval pool of about 135 by 80 feet (roughly 41 by 24 metres) with a rim of stone and concrete; according to Wikipedia the water stays at about 72 °F (22 °C) all year.
Beside the pool stands a mill house from the Civilian Conservation Corps era, whose waterwheel once generated electricity for the campground. The Juniper Run paddling route leads from the pool to an exit on State Road 19 near Lake George; Wikipedia gives three to five hours, and an article cited there describes about 7 miles (roughly 11 km). Alligators, turtles, deer and otters live along the water. The area also has a campground and hiking trails. Please check swimming access, fees and paddling conditions with the U.S. Forest Service before you go.
- Nearest town
- Silver Springs, FL
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 29.1834, -81.7121
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually November–April. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September–October. Hot in June–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Hopkins Prairie CampgroundCampsite6 mi from Juniper Springs Recreation Area · 21 pitches
- Alexander SpringsCampsite11 mi from Juniper Springs Recreation AreaTentsCaravansDrinking water
- Grassy pondCampsite15 mi from Juniper Springs Recreation AreaFree
- Davenport LandingCampsite20 mi from Juniper Springs Recreation Area · 5 pitchesFree
- River Forest Group SiteCampsite23 mi from Juniper Springs Recreation Area
- Santos CampgroundMotorhome stopover24 mi from Juniper Springs Recreation AreaTentsMotorhomesElectricity
All campsites in Florida · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Juniper Springs Recreation Area?
Juniper Springs Recreation Area is in Silver Springs, FL, at GPS 29.1834, -81.7121. It is about 6 mi from Silver Glen Springs.
Can you camp near Juniper Springs Recreation Area?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Juniper Springs Run Put In, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 46 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Juniper Springs Recreation Area?
Juniper Springs Recreation Area is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Central Florida springs: Wekiwa to the Ichetucknee.
What is there to see near Juniper Springs Recreation Area?
Places worth a stop nearby: Silver Springs State Park (21 mi), De Leon Springs State Park (21 mi), Mount Dora (27 mi) and Blue Spring State Park (28 mi).
When is the best time to visit Juniper Springs Recreation Area?
The most pleasant months are usually November–April. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September–October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)