Boondocking at Fore Lake in the Ocala National Forest

Fore Lake Recreation Area and Campground in the Ocala National Forest in Florida was fairly full when we arrived. The sites we would fit in were all occupied. Motor homes up to 35 feet were the largest they could accommodate. We were told to park in the overflow area, and they would let us know when a site in which we would fit became available. 

We pulled in to the overflow parking area, but did not unhook.

The campground host came knocking on our door as soon as a site opened up. It was only a short distance to walk over to look at it. From our rig in the overflow parking area, we walked to the next street, and turned left. The site was almost to the end of that street across from the restroom/shower building. New bathrooms with warm showers were built in 2004. After getting moved and settled in, we went to explore further.

Ocala National Forest Recreation Area at Fore Lake

Campsites at Fore Lake Recreation Area & Campground had their own parking spot, along with a grill, table, lantern post, and fire ring. All were surrounded with lush vegetation and graced with stately oaks and tall pines. Sites did not have electric. Water spigots were strategically placed throughout the campground, so it was convenient to refill water jugs. There was one dump station where people could refresh their holding tanks as needed.

Lush vegetation and turnouts for campsites

Palm tree in Ocala National Forest

Restroom and Changing Area for beach occupants

The foreground of the next photo as well as immediately across the street shows parking places for beach goers, boaters, and people picnicing. The building to the right has a restroom and changing area that can be entered from the sandy beach side. Through the tall trees, at ground level, you can see the lake. To see greater detail, click on the photo to enlarge it and hit escape to return to the blog.

Parking Area with facilities for people picnicking, boating, or swimming.

Swimming Beach

Facilities included a beautiful beach for swimming and picnic tables for picnics. Canoeing and kayaking seemed to be popular sports with many of the people who were camped here. Kayaks were plentiful throughout the campsites.

Swimming Beach

Alligators are present here. Bears have also been seen in this park. The trash receptacles are all bear proof. Pamphlets received at check in provided information campers must follow for their own safety.

Alligators are present.

Other Scenes on our Walk with Angel

Angel loved walking. We took at least three walks a day around the campground...morning, noon, and evening before the bugs came out.

Walking with Angel

On one of our walks, and this is in February, I spotted a robin and was able to use the zoom on my camera to get this photo. Remember you can click on any photo to enlarge it. You can view the robin at the far side of the white sandy area. Then hit escape to return to my blog.

Robin at far edge of white sandy area

A picnic pavillion was located just to the left of the swimming beach for groups to hold picnics in the National Forest.

Picnic Pavillion

Appearing in the shade of the picnic pavillion roof, I spied this work of art ... a spider's web.

A spider's web in the shade of the roof of the picnic pavillion 

Camping in National Forests .... 

While traveling full time, we have stayed in only a handful of National Forests across the USA. Besides our own experiences, we have gained information from blogs written by others, as well as online research.  Research is essential. People, we have found, are always willing to share information, but depending on their knowledge and experience may still lack pertinent information to paint a clear picture of what to expect.

Speaking from our own experiences boondocking in the National Forests, here are some things we have learned.

.....Free or Not Free? 

Some National Forests have no organized campsites. Those we simply entered by finding the turnoff for the forest road. Following the forest roads then led to finding places where people could pull off to clearings where they could boondock. Our experience has been that these boondocking sites are free.

We had to pay for camping in a National Forest with organized campsites for boondocking (with no hookups). It was a recreation site with other amenities and a camp host on site. The fees were half price with our senior pass.

.....Stay Limit ?

The stay limit was fourteen days, but was handled differently, depending on where we were.

In some instances, rangers came around, sometimes at night, and recorded our license plate number. They enforced the fourteen-day stay, including making sure people did not return for fourteen days.  If found in violation, we heard that tickets were issued with hefty fines.

In another instance, we boondocked in a National Forest where signs were posted saying the limit was fourteen days. Rangers would wave at us and we at them every time they passed on the forest road. There was evidence of rangers having to clean up trash left at campsites by people who came for long weekends. We were told by other campers who talked with the rangers that as long as the forest did not get busy, they would not bother us as long as we took care of our site.

In another instance, our stay was limited to fourteen days out of thirty.

It is best to do your research to get or verify answers to your questions, so you know what to expect when you arrive. Ignorance of the rules is no excuse.

Next Post

In my next post, my sister and I get to spend some time together, while we are both in Florida. Also, come back to read about our next boondocking spot. Please put your email in the box at the top right of this blog, if you would like to be notified when it posts. You will need to go to your email and click on a link to confirm that you want to be notified.

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