Ocala National Forest

We were back on the trail today; this time in Ocala National Forest for another section so the Florida Trail.

Ocala National Forest is the second largest national forest in Florida.  This 600+ square mile forest was established in the early 1900s making it the oldest national forest east of the Mississippi.  There are a variety of habitats from lakes and ponds (they say about 600 in all), swamps and wet prairies to longleaf pine and the largest concentration of sand pine in the world.

This is a very popular place around here with a wide range of activities to interest almost everyone.  There is hiking, of course, plus canoeing, fishing, swimming, camping, bicycling, and, in designated areas, hunting and ATVing.

Many areas of the forest are free, but there are also many areas which charge a day use fee.  I’m all for the fees and gladly pay at state parks.  We always purchase a yearly pass for the National Parks.  We were surprised that this National Park pass was not valid at Ocala.  It has been accepted at all the other National Forests we have visited as well as many Wildlife Refuges.  Still, we were not opposed to paying the day use fee here when we thought it was $5 per car.  We were shocked to find that it was $5 per person.  Consequently, I have to write a rant.

Juniper Springs Pool

The area we went to today, Juniper Springs, is a popular place.  They have a very nice restroom facility, gift shop/snack bar, picnic area, campground, a nature trail, canoe rental, and a beautifully landscaped area around the spring which is a comfortable 72 degrees for swimming.   However, we didn’t use any of that.  What we needed was a place to park the truck while we were hiking outside the Juniper Springs area.  They had conveniently put up “NO PARKING” signs along both sides of the half mile road approaching the fee booth.  We paid the ten bucks, parked the truck, and walked back past the fee booth and down the road lined with “no parking” signs, to our trailhead.  Then we spent the day in the Juniper Prairie Wilderness area.

Our hike was very nice.  We hiked north along the trail for just over 4 miles.  The first couple miles was mostly open.  Signs indicated that there had been much destruction during the 2004 hurricane season plus there was evidence of a burn.  I guess the starkness left by these destructive forces led someone to amend the sign to read Juniper Prairie Wasteland.  Saw palmetto is coming back along with other small shrubs, but that is about all at this time.  Past the burn area, we got into wet prairie with open ponds, cypress, pine, and palm trees, and long grass.  We found a small clearing for our lunch break then turned around for the 4 mile return hike.

After our hike, we walked around Juniper Springs.  The water was crystal clear with aquatic plants swaying under the surface.  Enjoying this beautiful setting may have been worth the $10 fee.

Tonight my feet are tired so it will be an evening in my recliner.  Tomorrow, who knows.