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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
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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
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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.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | Expect full recreation sites during weekends. Have back-up plans. Sites may close when capacity is reached. Please be aware that low tree branches over road may limit clearance height of vehicles entering the campground. Open Year-round; Busy season is October through March. Ocala National Forest Springs Hopper Pass: This day-use pass is $80 + tax per person. |
|---|---|
| Operational Hours: | Open year-round; Busy season is October through March. Visitor information: Check-in time is 3 p.m./Check-out by 11 a.m. |
| Reservations: | First come, first served. Ocala National Forest Springs Hopper Pass: This day-use pass is $80 + tax per person. |
| Open Season: | October - June |
| Restrictions: |
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| Closest Towns: | Salt Springs, north on SR 19, has groceries, restaurants, a gas station and an outfitter. |
| Passes: | Ocala National Forest Springs Hopper Pass: This day-use pass is $80 + tax 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, Clearwater Lake and Wildcat Lake. This pass is available for purchase from Naventure at Alexander Springs, Juniper Springs and Silver Glen 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:
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| Operated By: | Naventure |
General Information
General Notes:Amenities
- Parking
- Tent and RV campsites: 21 sites
- Vault toilets
Licenses and Passes
Boating
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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
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Florida requires a state license for all fishing activities. Visit our fishing web page before you grab your gear.