Hopkins Prairie Campground
An island of shade amid a broad, winding grassland, the Hopkins Prairie Campground is a seasonal destination for campers looking to get off the beaten path. An unsung gem, Hopkins Prairie is a rambling incursion of interconnected wet and dry prairie landscape surrounded by sand pine and oak scrub.
Boating
- Depending on water levels in the prairie, you may be able to launch your canoe or jon boat to drift across the deeper spots in this vast ecosystem.
Camping
- Hopkins Prairie is a designated camping area with minimal facilities, open seasonally.
- Expect full recreation sites during weekends. Have backup plans. Sites may close when capacity is reached. Please be aware that low tree branches over the road may limit the height of vehicles entering the campground.
Fishing
- The vast expanse of Hopkins Prairie has ponds and shallows. Depending on water levels, it may be possible to fish from the bank or launch a canoe or jon boat to access the deeper areas.
Hiking
- With a year-round trailhead providing access to the Florida Trail, Hopkins Prairie is a popular destination for day hikers to wander off in either direction along the trail, or complete a section down to the Pat's Island Trailhead or Juniper Springs.
Nature Watching
- Hopkins Prairie is an excellent destination for birding, since the interface between open prairie and scrub forest is usually busy with songbirds, while wading birds pick through the ponds. Even when the campground is closed, you can meander from the Hopkins Prairie Trailhead along the Florida Trail to enjoy birding. It's also a perfect spot where you can peer out from the shade of an oak scrub forest beneath gnarled limbs to an expanse of grasslands shimmering in the sun.
This site is operated by Naventure.
General Information
Amenities
- Parking
- Tent and RV campsites: 21 sites
- Vault toilets
Licenses and Passes
Boating
Boating in the National Forests in Florida is regulated by the state of Florida. Please visit our boating web page before you grab your personal floatation device and head out onto the water.
Fishing
- Florida requires a state license for all fishing activities. Visit our fishing web page before you grab your gear.
Open year-round; Busy season is October through March. Visitor information: Check-in time is 3 p.m./Check-out by 11 a.m.
- Campground parking is for campers only. There is a trailhead parking area along the access road to the campground.
- All Ocala National Forest campgrounds allow pets, but they must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and are not permitted in designated swimming and picnicking areas.
- A maximum stay limit of 14 consecutive days is allowed in a 30-day period.
There is an annual day-use pass available per person and is good for one year from the date of purchase. It provides entrance to recreation areas managed by Naventure, which includes: Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, Silver Glen Springs, and Salt Springs. The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Senior Pass, Lifetime Senior Pass and Access Pass holders receive a 50% discount on the fee for a single campsite occupied by the passholder at the following campgrounds managed by Adventure Ocala:
- Alexander Springs Campground
- Clearwater Lake Campground
- Hopkins Prairie Campground
- Juniper Springs Campground
- Salt Springs Campground
Passholders do not receive a discount on the fee for multi-family sites, cabins or group-use areas or any other campsites occuped by those accompanying the passholder. The 50% discount does not include utility, water or hookup fees. Discounts on camping are not available to America the Beautiful or Volunteer Pass holders.
Day Use:
Single Site: $15 per night
Campsites are available for reservation at Recreation.gov.
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 29.27586667
Longitude: -81.69371667
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Vault toilet(s)Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Recreation Opportunities
Recreation Groups
The Florida National Scenic Trail, better known as the Florida Trail, is a federally designated, non-motorized recreation trail that meanders approximately 1,500 miles acro