Juniper Springs Recreation Area Trail is a 1.4 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Silver Springs, Florida that offers the chance to see wildlife and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Trail covers the swimming area and the early stages of the spring run and is mostly a boardwalk through the jungle that follows the water behind the mill house. The water is a clear blue at the end of the trail where the water is a little deeper. It's a short trail but there are a lot of interesting places to stop along the way.
Florida Office of Visitor Inquiry, Division of Tourism, 126 W. Van Buren Street , Tallahassee, FL, 32399-2000, Phone: 904-487-1462 Ocala National Forest Information Center, Pittman, Fl. (see Lee)
Directions from Astor Park, FL: Travel west along State Highway 40 approximately 8 - 10 miles.
December 29, 2020
December 21, 2020December 6, 2020the springs at both ends of the trail are pretty, but the main boardwalk trail is blocked off for repairs. you end up having to just walk through the campgrounds.
November 21, 2020really small park... never more than a few feet from a campsite, road, or something else.
November 13, 2020NOT dog friendly. Drove for an hour to see & never made it past the gate. Dogs allowed in campground only. Very disappointed!!
September 11, 2020Went at 815am, boardwalk was super slippery, also MANY spider webs on path. Be careful. Beautiful ponds, you can see the springs in the water bubbling up. It was worth the danger getting there lol. We did not take the same path back, we cut through the camp sites and roadway.
August 22, 2020August 3, 2020Only gave 3 starts because so many trails closed due to COVID but if you can make your way around you are rewarded with a beautiful sand boil spring. The main swimming area wasn’t too crowded on a Monday but the Flies are incessant.
July 18, 2020Trail covers the swimming area and the early stages of the spring run and is mostly a boardwalk through the jungle that follows the water behind the mill house. The water is a clear blue at the end of the trail where the water is a little deeper but the only swimming allowed is at the very beginning. (I was lucky enough to get a video of an alligator snapping turtle swimming under water at the end.) It's a short trail but there are a lot of interesting places to stop along the way.
June 29, 2020The trail itself is not the biggest attraction of Juniper Springs, but it’s a decent trail with a boardwalk. It can get buggy sometimes, but that’s a lot of Florida really. The actual spring is incredible though and makes visiting worthwhile! Cool fresh water that’s very refreshing and the size of the spring is conducive for swimming a good distance, at least when it’s not too crowded. Because of the cooler temperature and the depth I suspect, most southerners and kids seemed to stay near the edges when I was there, but great for a northerner and hydrophile like me. I loved it!
June 5, 2020Easy trail to do with kids. Its all along a boardwalk with overlooks of Juniper Creek. At the end of the trail is the most beautiful area.
June 2, 2020February 7, 2020The is a good out and back to discover Hidden Pond (over populated at night). Better hike is from Hopkins Prairie to Rodman Dam.
December 27, 2019Awesome little trail to cap off an amazing hike. Hiked 30 miles from the 88 store down to Juniper springs! Decided to cap off the adventure with this little hike! Really easy and informative
December 27, 2019Beautiful boardwalk along the river. the wood is very slippery with mold when wet. We took the shortcut home thru the campground.
November 25, 2019Very nice boardwalk trail through lush palms and pines to a beautiful turquoise spring with bubbling boils of aquifer spring water. Your Interagency pass will give you a 50% discount on the $5.50 per person entry fee.
July 19, 2019January 27, 2019Recommend camping here and then doing trail. May be a little expensive if just coming for the hike. We saw a river otter which was cool.
December 12, 2018FYI dogs can’t be at the park. We had to turn around with the pup :(
November 27, 2018The boardwalk is nice but find the entrance per person fee very high. Would think twice before paying to do the hike
March 4, 2018Since we were going only to hike, the very short walk to the spring amidst swimmers was not worth the $10 park entry.
October 16, 2017Absolutely stunning place to visit. Has a swimming hole and lots of camping. Recommend visiting here at least once
April 26, 2017lots to do. lots of trails everywere. unfortunately couldn't do the spring it was after a hurricane so a lot of down trees in the path
March 21, 2016Short trail but a nice few along the creek with the bubbling springs along the way. The boardwalk makes for an easy walk
January 18, 2016Nice camping sites. The spring water is so clear it was an amazing place.
January 2, 2016This is s short trail , mostly you walk on the boardwalk but very beautiful. Few spits where you see the water bubbling from the ground. Very impressive. Nice and easy walk.
January 31, 2013Beautiful, but mostly on board walks. Although that might well have been fortuitous as I did encounter my first ever alligator.
April 10, 2012Beautiful natural spring. I enjoy very much swimming the entire day in the spring pool. There is also like a 7 miles canoe trail down river that i was not able to do but looks very fun. Good park for a weekend in the woods and some relaxing and refreshing natural spring water activities.
August 28, 2010
First to ReviewGreat place to camp or visit. Thick forest, crystal clear cold springs and a place to swim in them.
