Protecting the heart of the Big Scrub, the 14,283-acre Juniper Prairie Wilderness is perhaps the best known of the four wilderness areas in the Ocala National Forest thanks to its frontage and prominent signage on SR 40 - the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway - and SR 19.
As a wilderness area, it remains roadless, untouchable by motorized vehicles or equipment. This special designation provides certain challenges in a flammable habitat such as the sand pine scrub for which our forest is famous, since firefighting options are limited. As a result, portions of the wilderness may seem denuded after a forest fire. But the scrub regenerates quickly, pushing up saw palmetto and young sand pines to provide shade and habitat for wildlife. The wilderness contains a mosaic of habitats bound together by the flow of open prairies, many with ponds, across the landscape. By hiking, backpacking, or paddling through the wilderness, you can enjoy the flora and fauna of pine flatwoods, hardwood swamps, shallow lakes, grassy prairies, sand pine scrub, oak scrub, sinkholes, and sawgrass marsh.
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Juniper Wilderness otter
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Otter on the rim of a prairie pond
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Juniper Prairie Wilderness
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Sandra Friend
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Juniper Wilderness camping
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Camping near Hidden Pond
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Juniper Prairie Wilderness
Credit:
Sandra Friend
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Juniper Wilderness otter pond
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Otter swimming in prairie pond
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Juniper Prairie Wilderness
Credit:
Sandra Friend
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Juniper Wilderness scenic
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Juniper Prairie Wilderness is a mosaic of ponds, prairie, and hammocks
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Juniper Prairie Wilderness
Credit:
Sandra Friend
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Juniper Wilderness Hidden Pond
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Hidden Pond, a popular backpacking destination
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Juniper Prairie Wilderness
Credit:
Sandra Friend
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At a Glance
Current Conditions:
Forest fires swept across the wilderness area, clearing out tall sand pines and leaving a minimum of shade.
Additional access points include the Yearling Trail trailhead on SR 19 and the Pat's Island Trailhead on FR 46, as well as other roadside parking.
Permit Info:
No backpacking permits are required.
Restrictions:
Motorized vehicles are not permitted.
Visitors must pack in their drinking water and pack out any waste.
Camp at least 200 feet from trails/roads and 100 feet from water sources.
Follow Leave No Trace principles: pack it in, pack it out; do not disturb wildlife; leave what you find; camp and travel on durable surfaces; minimize use and impact of campfires; and be sure to let someone know where you’re going.
Checking in at a district office is a good idea, to inform someone of your travel plans and get the latest info on weather conditions. The staff can also inform you about any campfire ban in effect during times of high fire danger.
From Astor: From the bridge over the St. Johns River in Astor, take FL40 west for 12 miles. Juniper Springs Recreation Area will be on your right.
From Silver Springs: At the intersection of Silver Springs Boulevard (FL40) and 58th Ave (FL35), drive east for on FL40 for 22 miles. Juniper Springs Recreation Area will be on your left.
Backpacking is one of the more popular ways to see the Juniper Prairie Wilderness, with the prime overnight destination being Hidden Pond. This backcountry camping area has no amenities, but is situated on a ridge between a spring-fed pond and a broad wet prairie, providing natural air-conditioning when a breeze sweeps across either watery landscape. When it's not general gun hunting season, you're welcome to pitch your tent anywhere under the stars.
A portion of the Florida Trail traverses the entire Juniper Prairie Wilderness between Juniper Springs and the Pat's Island Trailhead, with side trails to the historic Pat's Island settlement along the Yearling Trail (signposted) and to Juniper Run (unmarked). Spotting otters, sandhill cranes, and even Florida black bears is something backpackers can enjoy along their journey.
General Info:
Photos & MultimediaPhotos & Multimedia
Status:
Open
Fees:
No fee unless you park overnight at Juniper Springs
Hours of Operation:
24 hours
Day Hiking
Fans of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ book "The Yearling" know that Pat's Island, at the northeastern corner of the wilderness, was settled by the Long family around 1840. The historic settlement is where portions of the 1949 movie starring Gregory Peck was filmed, and is accessible from the Yearling Trail across from Silver Glen Springs on SR 19.
Day hikers are also welcome to experience the wilderness area along the Florida Trail, our National Scenic Trail in Florida.
Canoeing is a great way to see the variety of ecosystems and abundance of wildlife in the Juniper Prairie Wilderness. On a paddling trip down the seven-mile canoe run, you might glimpse alligators, wading birds, deer, snakes, raccoons, fox, and even wild boars.
The canoe rental at Juniper Springs Recreation Area provides paddlers with the opportunity to explore the wilderness by water with a haul back to your starting point.
You are also welcome to bring your own canoe or kayak and put in at Juniper Springs for a $6 launch fee. If you are self-shuttling, limited parking is available at the Juniper Wayside along SR 19 for take-out.
General Info:
Photos & MultimediaPhotos & Multimedia
Status:
Open
Fees:
A day use fee applies if you access Juniper Run from Juniper Springs
Hours of Operation:
Dawn to dusk
Rental info:
Rentals at Juniper Springs cost $35/day plus $20 deposit per canoe. It includes launch and haul-back fees, which are otherwise $6 each. Reservations are not required but are highly recommended due to the popularity of this canoe run. Call 352-625-2808 to reserve.
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