The Ocala National Forest is comprised of 383,220 acres and is located in north-central Florida north of Orlando. There are eleven developed campgrounds, eight of which met the selection criteria. Established in 1908, Ocala National Forest receives more visitors than either of the other national forests located in Florida. The topography allows for a wide variety of environments and consists of highlands, coastal lowlands, swamps, springs, lakes and ponds.
Vegetation ranges from lush subtropical to prairie.
Towering palms, large live oaks, and sand pine dominate the forest's scrub oak ecosystem. In the areas with more moisture, hardwoods thrive beside longleaf and slash pines. The variety of topography and vegetation found in the Ocala National Forest enhances the pleasure of the many hikes found in the Forest. Alexander Springs Recreation Area features a self-guided interpretative hike through subtropical vegetation and highlights local plants used by early Native Americans. Possibly the greatest variety of topography and vegetation can be observed along the Florida National Scenic Trail.