Nestled between well-known theme parks and white, sandy beaches, the jewels of the Ocala National Forest attract visitors from around the world. A …
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4.5/5 · 167 reviews
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Oct 3, 2024
Never, Ever Volunteer for these people. I'm out over $200 they still owe me for expenses that was in my contract. The put me in personal damage and then refused to help. Crackheads all over. Especial… Full review by James M
Jun 30, 2024
We walked a few trails it was nice the one had a control burn before so a lot of the trees were burnt but still a nice pretty walk they was a sinkhole and if u walk there's a old cemetery from the 18… Full review by tjka
May 19, 2023
We got off I-95 to HWY 40 & drove all the way to Ocala. Took Hwy 314 to HWY 19 back to 40. This is nice. There's some road work on 40 that backed things up, but they didn't work on the weekend. Th… Full review by Cynthia K
Where is best to stay nearby in a hotel? We've got 2 days to explore OAF next January and we're hoping to base ourselves nearby in a cheap hotel. Would Deland be best?
A:
The forest is a massive area with one main through the East/West Road running through the center, State Route 40, plus other roads running in various directions along the …
The forest is a massive area with one main through the East/West Road running through the center, State Route 40, plus other roads running in various directions along the edges within the forest. Deland, which has a very nice downtown, is sort of on the eastern edge of the forest. Astor is more into forested land on that side. Ocala (great horse country) is on the western edge. And Umatilla, Eustice, Leesburg, The Villages run close to the southern edge. I haven't explored north of the forest. But remember that this is a national forest, not a national park. That means it is a hodgepodge of government and private lands. there are cabins, RV parks, and motels sprinkled throughout. For a better idea of this, Google (or TripAdvisor) Ocala forest cabins (or resorts or motels) and look at the associated maps to see what is best suited to your tastes. And think about what activities you seek: hiking, biking, paddling, relaxing, sight seeing - and let that guide your decision about where to set up your base.
Hello, If we only have a short afternoon to visit the Ocala Nat Forest, what trail or trails would give us the best idea of what the Fl ecosystem is like? We are moderate hikers, but must limit our hike to no more than 4 or 5 miles. We are fine with taking off on a hike and then turning around and re-covering our first 1/2 of the hike, but loops, of course, are nicer. We will have a small rental car and understand some areas are difficult to get to.
A:
Hi Bob, sorry! I accidentally hit that "no" for helpful answer when I was trying to hit reply. But no, we have not left yet, so we still welcome trail advice.
We are coming across the U.S., limited time but driving thru Ocala Nat Forest. Is a long afternoon enough time to get a good idea of the area and get a hike in?
A:
Hey! I think you’ll get a great feel for that area in one long afternoon. There’s a cool spot where the manatee like to feed....google that and you’ll find it. But really, once you …
Hey! I think you’ll get a great feel for that area in one long afternoon. There’s a cool spot where the manatee like to feed....google that and you’ll find it. But really, once you hike one spot you’ve basically hiked the whole place! I’m sure i missed a few local gems whenever i was there but it seemed to be redundant each place I drove to. Have an AMAZING strip!!
Not really. The roads that go through the forest are US 19, SR 40, and a lot of county roads. There are more hiking trails and drives. You would be on these roads in the forest area.
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Frequently asked questions
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Can I fly a UAS on National Forest System Lands for Fun or Recreation?
A:
The public can fly UAS on National Forest System lands for fun or recreation if they adhere to the requirements specified in the FAA rules for recreational flyers. Recreational flyers...
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