Hiking the FT thru Ocala state forest

[ERNMAN]

I am coming to Fla. the end of the month and would like to hike the FT that runs thru Ocala state park. I ve been researching this and it seems to be about 70 miles.It said an average hiker should take 6-9 days to complete it. I was wondering if anyone would be interested in doing this with me or joining up for a day or two along they way. I also read that there are nice places to stop and camp every 8-10 miles.... any input about where to stop or what to expect would be greatly appreciated.Thanks

[mmais68569]

I have done most of what you are talking about & it is very easy. Once you get your legs under you, you will be doing 14 miles days & still have daylight left. As far as camping there are 4 National campgrounds along the trail. Clearwater Lake, Alexander Springs, Juniper Springs, & Hopkins Prairie, all charge a fee to camp. I know Alexander & Juniper are in the $22 per night range. With that said you can camp for free anyplace along the FT in the forest just pick a spot & set up camp to many spots to try to name.
As far as water there are many lakes along the trail but you WILL NEED TO USE A PUMP TYPE FILTER. There is also a muddy musty algae taste to the water that I do not like. Get water from wells Farles Lake Campground or from public systems at the above mentioned campgrounds. I will caution you the water from the well at Hopkins Prairie Campground is WORSE then the lake water.When I hiked through I asked the campground manager for some water.
When you get in the north forest there is a west corridor that goes west, you can take it & enjoy the Florida Greenway section of the FT.
Any questions ask & I will try to help.

Mike (Mr. Mean)

[JaxHiker]

The area between Alexander and Juniper is nice. I find Juniper to Hopkins kind of boring (though Hidden Pond is a nice site to stop). Farles is a nice little lake. If you don't get water at Farles there is Buck Lake a couple of miles south of it.

[Spirit Walker]

We hiked that last year. 66 miles in 5 days (short first and last days.) It was very nice, except for the prescribed burn we walked through. Lots of good camping, some nice swimming, easy walking.

[moytoy]

As already pointed out this trip is easy. I do 10 miles in 4 hours with a day pack along any of the trail in the ONF. 5 days is max unless you stop to blue blaze or maybe take the paddle trip at Juniper. You can rent a boat and paddle a fairly challenging (by Florida standards) trip down the Juniper Springs run. If you decide to take the west trail to the Florida Greenway for a side trip there is one section that is closed because of a water bog but you can road walk around it. The FTA is planning to build a board walk over the bog but I don't think that's been done yet. You should enjoy the hike this is the right time of year for hiking in Florida.

[ERNMAN]

This is great.. Thank you.I would appreciate some input on a starting and ending spot...The map I have show Alexander Springs being north about 6 miles from where it enters into the park. Is there specific points to start and end right at the parks boundaries.... Also does anyone know where I can get specific maps for the park that marks out campgrounds,water supplies and what each campground has to offer??? It seems I can hike from one campground to the next and do this in 4-5 days... Thanks for your patience...

[ERNMAN]

Also is there any permits/or fees for hiking in Fla. state parks.

[WingedMonkey]

Also is there any permits/or fees for hiking in Fla. state parks.

Yes: Trails in Florida State Parks

Ocala National Forest, however is a National Forest and charges for "use areas" and has many areas that are free including hiking trails. Ocala National Forest

[mmais68569]

The section of the Greenway that is closed will have a boardwalk built by the end of March. F troop is coming in the first of March with 60 college students to build it.

Mike ( Mr. Mean)

[Spirit Walker]

We had the FT map for that section. It was all we needed. We were dropped off at the southern end of the forest and walked north to the dam where our car was parked.

[moytoy]

The section of the Greenway that is closed will have a boardwalk built by the end of March. F troop is coming in the first of March with 60 college students to build it.

Mike ( Mr. Mean)

Good to know. Thanks

[ERNMAN]

Thanks all !!!! I will be on the trail the beginning of march.... If anyones interested in hiking for a day or so , let me know.... Im a slow hiker and like to take everything in. I also take alot of pics...anyones welcome.

[off-pher]

I might be able to part of the trail with you. From juniper to the spillway or dam.
PM me with the date you will be here.

[runnergirl]

Last spring break, my friends and I hiked from Buckman Lock (I think this is what it was called) to a highway 70 miles south where our ride picked us up (with 2 large pizzas). We completed the 70 mile hike plus a 3 mile out-and-back side trail (6 miles total) in 5 days. It was a beautiful hike with many accessible places to camp along the trail. They let us keep our vehicle at the lock for no charge and we picked it up at the end of the week. The scenery was nice at it seemed to change every couple miles. My favorite sections were Hopkins praire and Juniper springs. We ran into 3 hikers our whole time out. The water was very murky and algea-filled; we simply used bleach and no one got sick. Good luck!

[Tim51]

I hiked between Alexander Springs and Salt Spring a few weeks ago. It was pretty enjoyable, except for some ticks here and there. Like 'MMais' says; dont plan on getting water at Hopkins Prairie, its no good. Also to repeat Jaxhiker....the pump at Buck lake is excellent water....The Rainbow people should be cleared out by now too, they were all over the place at Farles Prairie ....they seemed quite harmless but kind of messy.

[JaxHiker]

The pump at Buck Lake.

[ERNMAN]

rainbow people ???? ok, it has my curiousity...I ll bite. WHo are the rainbow people?????

[Gray Blazer]

rainbow people ???? ok, it has my curiousity...I ll bite. WHo are the rainbow people?????

Oh boy. Here we go.

You can google them or search WB or just hang here and find out. They are basically wannabee hippies that attend the Rainbow Gatherings.

[chiefiepoo]

When you hear drumming all night, when you hear chanting from miles away. That's the rainbow people. Generally harmless folks. Unassimilated hippies. One word of caution that I always observe when hiking in Ocala NF. Never, ever camp overnight in an unstaffed remote site that can be accessed by road or is within sight of a road. Go up the trail aways, out of sight from random visitors. Some primitive sites that are road accessible attract unsavory locals for partying and occasional mayhem.

[ERNMAN]

Thanks Chief , I usually use that as a rule of thumb anyways...
After researching this ,I find that the ocala forest has had their fair share of troubles in the past.I will be doing this section the first week of March and it is posted that these gatherings go from Feb. to March 3...
Im all for everyone having a good timebut my concerns are the meth labs and the rifff raff that goes along with this... Has anyone recently encountered any problems or has been threathened by any way...Also does anyone see a problem with me doing this section solo...Im abig strong person,but just don t need the headaches...im doing this to relax ,not bring back the bar fighting era of our youths...lol