Why Ocala National Forest is Popular?
Ocala National Forest is a unique and fascinating Florida’s national forest where visitors would experience year round friendly climates with different outdoor activities. Ocala National Forest offers more wild winter and perfect summer making it heaven for camping and canoe lovers. Additionally, its geographical and friendly climates help backpackers to spot unique sanctuary for Florida’s diverse wildlife and vast areas of longleaf forest.
Ocala National Forest located in the North of Orlando, considered as the largest contiguous sand pine scrub forest in the world. Approximately it spans around 3,83,000 acres of land, offers camping (family camping), hiking, swimming, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, wildlife watching and fishing to enthusiastic backpackers. Let’s discuss more about Ocala National Forest through its 7 Best Things to Do.
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7 Best Things to Do in Ocala National Forest
1. Camping
Camping under Ocala National Forest is most memorable and popular among many travel activities. Located in subtropical forest where pine, oak and sable palms are covered. There are some campgrounds and dispersed tent camping which are exclusively for family travelers. Each camping includes showers, restrooms, picnic tables, charcoal grills, drinking waters and sanitation facilities. Offers a total of 13 forest campgrounds and each one is close to clear water bodies, lakes, rivers and spring runs help us to swim and other water related activities. Choose Juniper Springs Campground, most popular and located where backpackers explore shaded sites within walking distance of natural springs.
2. Swimming in Springs
Ocala National Forest has a number of natural springs which always insist us to swim in its crystal clear water. Spring in Ocala witnesses 72 degree temperatures year round making it quite a refreshing and relaxing landmark. Some of the popular springs like Silver Springs State Park, Ross Prairie Spring, Juniper Springs and Silver Glen Spring. Visitors might experience these Springs through swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and even sometimes scuba diving’s. Make sure that every Springs allows us to swim except Silver Springs.
3. Experience Hiking Trails
Ocala National Forest offers a total of 66 miles of scenic hiking trails passing through numerous trailheads, access points of Salt Springs Recreation area and Juniper Springs Recreation area. Backpackers could take easy hiking trails such as Timucuan Trail and Medium hiking trails like The Yearling Trail. Above that, Florida Trail, is a 90 miles of scenic hiking trail exhibited in most remote areas of Ocala and offers opportunities for hiking and mountain biking amidst the breathtaking landscapes.
4. Go for Wildlife Watching
Watching wildlife in Ocala will intensify your national forest tour due to its wide array of bird species, fish species and unique wildlife. Home to Florida’s largest population of Black Bears, roughly 4,000 bears currently living shows more than state Bear’s population. Additionally, the forest shows Wolves, Whales, Bats, Giant Salamanders, Mountain Goats and Bird species like Bald Eagle, Red cockaded Woodpeckers, and Florida Scrub Jay. Ocala National Forest Alliance is help us to educate what are the flora and faunas exist, additionally it help protect animals including natural and cultural resources of forest.
5. Try Kayaking and Canoeing
Since the region is filled with beautiful springs, lakes and rivers obviously visitors expected to take activities like Kayaking and Canoeing. Experience kayaking and canoeing amidst the picturesque surroundings and cool waters could add more push to visitors’ trip. These activities help us to paddle through forest waterways to observe wildlife and nature tranquillity. Visitors also choose Rainbow River, Salt River, Juniper Run, Salt Spring and Silver Glen Springs are popular options to do both these activities. Make sure that every Kayaking and Canoeing has prescribed entrance fees and check before you visit.
6. Try Fishing
Since the destination is home to 600 lakes, rivers and springs it is also a great place to try fishing. Forest offers places like Lake George, Ocklawaha River, Rodman Reservoir, Lake Kerr and Lake Jumper exclusively to catch fishes. Visitors catch different and unique fish species like schooling bass, bluegill, reader sunfish, black crappie, catfish and largemouth bass. Fishing is only possible between February to April, when forests witness cooler months and pleasant conditions for fishes which are migrating from different rivers from Florida. If you visit Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission visitors understand more about freshwater and saltwater fishing’s, fishing resources, licences and permits about fishing in Florida.
7. Enjoy Nature with Horse Ride
Riding a Horse amidst the Ocala National Forest Beauty could be another greatest and most epic thing to enjoy forest beauty. Ocala itself is located close to Florida’s horse industry and ranches, which help visitors to choose and select horses for rides. Horse rides help us to watch the state’s unique wildlife like the Great Horned owl, Sherman’s fox squirrel, red tail hawk and barred wall. One Hundred Mile Trail is a popular trail where riders choose 3 major loops such as Flatwoods Riding Loop, Prairie Riding Loop and Baptist Riding Loop.
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