Yes, several small towns are actually within the park's borders. The Cross Creek area made famous by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings novel, The Yearling , is only a few miles over the county's northern border in neighboring Alachua County. For those who aren't involved in hiking, diving or canoeing, golf courses and tennis courts are available. For those who are, you'll be happy here. The 66-mile long Ocala Trail is blazed in orange paint and said to be easy to follow, although physically demanding.
Blue blazes lead to side trails, water or camping sites.
Ocala is a good place to be a good sport and participate in individual sporting activities. Hot Times in the City Ocala prides itself on its All-American City image, its environmentally friendly approach to civic responsibilities and its major effort to spruce up its downtown area. Time and money has gone into renovations and historical preservation in an attempt to slow, stop or even reverse the business and cultural exodus to the suburbs. The city is definitely on the road back, but the county's uncontested fine arts mecca is outside of town. It's the Appleton Museum of Arts, a relatively new venue housed in an impeccable contemporary classic structure of marble and glass set among 34 wooded acres.