Alexander Springs Recreation Area
National Forests in Florida — riverside, fishing, hiking
Location: ALTOONA, FL, FL
Price: From $38 per night
Price range: $38–$70 per night
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (737 reviews)
Season: Year-round
Alexander Springs Recreation Area is located in the Ocala National Forest near the beautiful, turquoise waters of Alexander Springs. With forested scenery and abundant water, the recreation area offers camping, swimming, canoeing, scuba diving (for certified divers), hiking, birding and wildlife viewing. The Ocala National Forest, located in north central Florida, spans four counties and 383,000 acres.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Showers, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/alexander-springs-recreation-area to be notified when sites open up.
Alexander Springs Recreation Area offers camping directly adjacent to turquoise spring waters in the Ocala National Forest with access to swimming, canoeing, and scuba diving. The 66-site campground is affordable at $38/night and provides essential amenities including flush toilets, showers, and firewood for sale.
Wildlife alert: Eastern Black Bears present in the area. American Alligators and Eastern Musk Turtles inhabit the springs—exercise caution near water. Herons and Limpkins common in wetland areas.
Insider tips for Alexander Springs Recreation Area: Book well in advance—this is a federal campground with only 66 sites and no hookups at most sites, meaning it fills quickly Bring a self-contained RV or plan to tent camp, as the data confirms no hookups at most sites despite the amenity list Purchase firewood on-site rather than bringing it, as the campground sells firewood
Skip Alexander Springs Recreation Area if: You need RV hookups—most sites have no electrical, water, or sewer connections. You prefer spontaneous camping—federal campgrounds require early booking and have seasonal operations.
Best time to visit Alexander Springs Recreation Area: Year-round — Campground operates year-round according to verified data, though booking early is essential as it is a federal campground with high demand.
Nearby campgrounds: Buck Lake Group Campground (Umatilla, FL), Lake Dorr Campground (Altoona, FL), Lake Dorr Cabin (Altoona, FL), Clearwater Lake Rec Area (PAISLEY, FL).
Cell Phone Coverage at Alexander Springs Recreation Area
Cell signal at Alexander Springs Recreation Area (ALTOONA, FL): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage · Verizon 5G: 100%
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Alexander Springs Recreation Area is located in the Ocala National Forest near the beautiful, turquoise waters of Alexander Springs. With forested scenery and abundant water, the recreation area offers camping, swimming, canoeing, scuba diving (for certified divers), hiking, birding and wildlife viewing. The Ocala National Forest, located in north central Florida, spans four counties and 383,000 acres.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook well in advance
this is a federal campground with only 66 sites and no hookups at most sites, meaning it fills quickly
Bring a self-contained RV or plan to tent camp, as the data confirms no hookups at most sites despite the amenity list
Purchase firewood on-site rather than bringing it, as the campground sells firewood
Campground operates year-round according to verified data, though booking early is essential as it is a federal campground with high demand
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Alexander Springs Recreation Area is located along County Road 445 in the northeast corner of Lake County between Astor and Altoona, Florida. From I-75, take Highway 40 east through Ocala and Silver Springs approximately 40 miles to Highway 19. Go south on Highway 19 approximately 5 miles to Country Road 445. Go east on 445 for 5 miles to the campground. From I-95, take the Ocala/Silver Springs Exit (Highway 40) west for approximately 35 miles to Highway 19. Go south on Highway 19 approximately
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — National Forests in Florida fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at National Forests in Florida before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Alexander Springs Recreation Area cost per night?+
What season is Alexander Springs Recreation Area open?+
Does Alexander Springs Recreation Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Alexander Springs Recreation Area?+
How do I make reservations at Alexander Springs Recreation Area?+
What is the cell service like at Alexander Springs Recreation Area?+
What season is Alexander Springs Recreation Area open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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