Alexander Springs Campground: Ocala National Forest's Snorkeler's Paradise

This trip came at the tail end of a long quarantine, after months of campground closures across Florida. When Ocala National Forest reopened its gates, we didn't hesitate — we loaded up the car and headed to Alexander Springs Campground with a group of friends, some of whom hadn't been able to get outdoors in months. If you camped anywhere during that stretch of 2020–2021, you'll remember the drill: reservations booked further in advance than usual, reduced site availability, and a noticeably quieter forest than you'd expect on a normal weekend. It made the whole trip feel like it had been saved just for us.

The drive out was easy and mostly highway, cutting through a small town before the road narrows into the tree canopy of Ocala National Forest. If we had one regret, it's that we didn't slow down to explore more of the forest on the way in — next time, we're building in the time.

Setting up camp

We rolled in and got straight to work setting up alongside our friends, who'd already claimed a spot. Tent and table went up quickly, leaving plenty of daylight to explore. The campsites here are simple but well-maintained — each with a picnic table, fire pit, and grill. Because Ocala National Forest is bear country, you'll also find food-storage lockers with bear-proof latches at every site. Use them. It's not a suggestion.

The campground has 67 sites for tents and RVs up to 35 feet, with no hookups — this is proper rustic camping, not a resort. Amenities beyond the sites themselves are limited to a dump station, hot showers, and a small camp store selling essentials and firewood. Bring what you need — there's no resort economy out here.

Evenings by the fire

As the sun went down, everyone gathered around the fire pit to grill dinner, while the kids found endless entertainment in a fallen tree trunk near the site — turns out you don't need a $50 toy when there's a good log to climb on. A few friends who'd biked in headed out before the gate closed for the night. Worth noting if you're day-tripping rather than camping onsite: check the posted gate hours, since Alexander Springs, like most Ocala National Forest recreation sites, locks up after dark.

The springs: why everyone really comes here

The next morning, after the obligatory camp coffee ritual, we walked the nature trail down to the springs to cool off — and this is where Alexander Springs earns its reputation. The trail itself is scenic and genuinely wild, winding through forest before opening onto the spring.

The water is famously clear — locals and reviewers alike describe it as swimming in a natural aquarium. The spring boil at the head is a maze of limestone rocks and boulders, and Alexander Springs holds a rare distinction: it's the only spot in Ocala National Forest where scuba diving is permitted, alongside excellent snorkeling. Expect freshwater fish, turtles, and eelgrass swaying below the surface, plus underwater caves near the spring head that make it obvious why divers love this place.

Fair warning for Florida natives: even on a hot day, that spring water is cold. It holds around a constant 72°F year-round — a shock to the system in the best way after baking in the sun.

Tips from experience and fellow campers

• Bring your own mask, fins, and snorkel. The gift shop's stock is limited and marked up well beyond what you'd pay online.
• Water shoes are worth packing. The spring bottom has rocky patches that aren't fun barefoot.
• Stay inside the roped swim area. The edges have vegetation where wildlife — including alligators — tend to hang out.
• Go early, especially on weekends. The swim area gets crowded fast once the day-use crowd arrives; campers get the best window right at sunrise.
• Canoeing and kayaking the spring run is fantastic — glass-clear water the entire way, and one of the best birdwatching floats in the state.

The verdict

Alexander Springs isn't trying to be a resort, and that's exactly the point. It's rustic, quiet, and genuinely wild in a way that a lot of Florida's more developed campgrounds aren't. Reviewers consistently single out the water clarity and the snorkeling and diving as the highlight, and after seeing it ourselves, we completely agree. If you want a true unplug-in-nature trip with a serious payoff at the end of the trail, this is one of the best spots in Central Florida to do it.

Book ahead — sites fill up fast, especially on weekends during the summer swim season.

What we packed

A classic tent-camping trip with recreational activities layered in — heavy on water gear, light on luxury: sleeping tent, air mattress and pump, a cooler and camp stove, snorkel gear, boating gear for the canoe, swim wear, bug repellent and sunscreen, and a first-aid kit. Because this is bear country, don't rely only on the site's provided locker — keep any loose food sealed and stowed the moment you're not actively eating. Start a checklist for camping near water in Camper's Checklist and it'll pre-fill the gear that matters for a spring-fed swimming trip, not just a generic campsite list.