Although the springs are the big draw at Alexander Springs Recreation Area in the Ocala National Forest, there are a variety of options for outdoor recreation here that can keep you busy for days.
First, it’s a popular destination for families thanks to the broad and shallow spring basin, which has a sandy bottom and is crystal clear.
More than 56 thousand gallons per second bubble up from the headspring, which has a rocky entrance that slopes to about 25 feet in depth.
The broad, shallow spring basin at Alexander SpringsResources
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Overview
Location: Astor
Trailhead: 29.079006, -81.577921
Address: 49525 CR 445, Altoona
Fees: $12 per person per day. Hikers report a $7 day pass issued on weekdays.
Restroom: At the concession area. Changing rooms provided.
Land manager: National Forests in Florida
Phone: 352-625-3147
Alexander Springs Recreation Area is operated as a concession by Adventure Ocala. Open daily 8-8. Leashed dogs and bicycles are permitted in the campground, but not in the day use area.
We strongly suggest you don’t leave anything lying around on a picnic table or chair in the day use area as raccoons have been known to make off with towels, clothing, and food.
Fishing is permitted downstream from the swimming area. A valid FWC freshwater fishing license is required.
The campground and day use concession is managed by Adventure Ocala. They’re new to running the place, so it remains to be seen if they plan to close the camp store and food concession during the winter months.
This is by far the busiest of the recreation areas in the Ocala National Forest, and will close its gates when maximum parking capacity is reached. A reservation system for parking is planned.
We’ve found it best to visit early on a weekday if you want to swim or snorkel. Or make your visit part of a camping trip.
Directions
From SR 40 westbound in Astor from the Astor bridge, turn left on CR 445-A to meet CR 445. Turn left. Continue 5.8 miles, crossing a highway bridge over Alexander Creek just before the entrance comes up on the right. We’ve seen Florida black bears twice along this section of highway. From SR 19 in Altoona, drive north 5.2 miles and turn right on CR 445. Follow it 5.1 miles north to the recreation area entrance on the left.
When the recreation area has reached capacity, additional visitors will be turned away unless they hold camping reservations for that evening.
About the Spring
From the day use parking area at Alexander Springs Recreation Area, all visitors make their way along an accessible walkway to the concession area.
It’s here you’ll find the restrooms and changing rooms, camp store and gift shop, and a small concession serving food.
Changing and concession areaIt’s also where you check in to go scuba diving, or to rent a kayak or canoe for a paddling trip.
Beyond it, an accessible walkway leads through the picnic grove down to the open area along the spring basin.
Visitors relaxing on the sandAs the springs – the main spring and many little bubblers – generate their own micro-climate year-round, the natural vegetation along its edge feels a bit tropical.
A retaining wall separates the grassy slope with the picnic area and sandy sunning area from the spring. Use the steps provided to enter the water.
The staircase leads into the shallowsThe main spring basin is very broad and clear. A large shallow area with a sand bottom tapers into the depths.
The headspring is towards the northeast corner of the basin, obvious from its turquoise color.
Divers and snorkelers at the springSnorkelers will find an array of fish here. Scuba divers are welcome, but must register at the concession and pay an additional fee.
Despite the natural coolness of the water, a year-round 72 degrees, alligators are frequently spotted in the basin. Keep alert when in the water.
The spring basin as seen from near the stairsDon’t go past the floats marking the edges of the swimming area, and avoid getting into any vegetation on the edges.
That is where alligators and other wildlife are most likely to be.
Hiking
Starting at the edge of the spring in the day use area, the Timucuan Trail is one of the best short loops in the Ocala National Forest for stepping you through the broad variety of habitats found here.
At a minimum, follow its boardwalk section through the woods behind the spring, where tiny streams make their way out to the broad run.
Bubbling springs along a stream flowing into the spring basinProviding two observation decks along the way, this trail offers your best views of the spring run by foot.
Because of its location in the day use area, dogs are not permitted along it.
Timucuan Trail While less than a mile long, the Timucuan Trail at Alexander Springs Recreation Area is the best place to sample the Big Scrub habitats of the Ocala National Forest while enjoying lush habitats along a spring run.For a longer hike, you can tackle a piece of our statewide Florida National Scenic Trail.
If you walk out the front entrance to CR 445, look across the road to the Alexander Springs sign and you’ll see a blue blaze and a yellow diamond. This half-mile connector trail leads to the Florida Trail.
Start of the connector trailLeashed dogs are welcome along this hike. When you get to the trail junction, a right turn will put you on the Alexander Springs to Farles Prairie segment.
It crosses CR 445 south of the springs, and SR 19 several miles later.
A left turn takes you southbound towards Clearwater Lake. This is a much longer segment but has some bridges along it you can use for turnaround points for a scenic round-trip hike.
Backpackers can leave a car behind the gates at Alexander Springs for a nightly fee.
Florida Trail, Alexander Springs to Farles Prairie 8.6 miles. Dive deep into the world's largest sand pine scrub forest on this hike through the Big Scrub.
Florida Trail, Clearwater Lake to Alexander Springs 10.5 miles. Hike the original miles blazed by Florida Trail Association trailblazers in 1966 along one of the most beautiful sections of the Florida Trail in the Ocala National Forest.Biking
Biking is permitted in the campground but not anywhere else inside the Alexander Springs Recreation Area.
Off-road cyclists can cross CR 445 and follow the same blue-blazed trail as hikers follow to the Florida Trail to reach the Paisley Woods Bicycle Trail, which starts where the blue blazed trail ends.
This 21.1 mile trail is blazed with yellow diamonds. It follows singletrack through a roller-coaster of sandhills topped with longleaf pines. An intermediate crossover breaks the trail into two loops.
The Alexander Springs loop is 11.1 miles, and the Clearwater Lake Loop is 10 miles.
Paddling
Paddling Alexander Run is one of the main reasons many people visit Alexander Springs. As the spring run meanders through an untrammeled wilderness, it is a delight to canoe or kayak.
The creek is wider than some of the other nearby spring-fed waterways, like Rock Springs Run and Juniper Run.
Paddlers starting down Alexander RunLargely surrounded by floodplain forest, it has islands in a number of places that divide its flow. There are vast marshy patches where alligators and wading birds may be seen.
We’ve had the pleasure of making the journey by setting up a shuttle with friends using a take-out point at 52 Landing, five miles downstream.
Friends approaching 52 LandingIf you rent a canoe or kayak at the concession, no shuttle is available, so you must paddle out and back. The bridge at SR 445 is suggested as a turnaround point if you do, for a little more than a 2 mile trip.
Rentals are only available seasonally, shutting down during the winter months. Call ahead if you plan to rent their equipment. Cost runs from $20-45, depending on time rented, plus deposit.
Kayakers returning to the put-in at the recreation areaCamping
The campground extends away from the front entrance and swimming area in a series of four loops with 67 sites.
No hookups are provided, so tent campers should be aware that RV campers will run generators at night for air conditioning.
Sites are cleared but not graveled or pavedSites cost $34. Each includes a picnic table and water spigot.
These are some of the more nicely shaded sites in the Ocala National Forest, being tucked into the woods. Each loop has a bathhouse with showers.
Backpackers coming off the Florida Trail should try to reserve a site in Loop A, since it is closest to the front entrance and to the swimming area.
Bears frequent this campground. Raccoons are known to steal food and belongings. Food should never be left unattended and anything with a scent should be stored in your vehicle.
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Explore More!
Alexander Springs is one of four first magnitude springs in the Ocala National Forest. Learn more about what you can see and do in the Ocala National Forest.
Ocala National Forest Established in 1908 as the first National Forest east of the Mississippi, the Ocala National Forest is a mecca for hikers and campers, and the birthplace of the Florida Trail.Slideshow
See our photos of Alexander Springs
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