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Hopkins Prairie Campground

Salt Springs, Florida · USDA Forest Service

RVTent
Hopkins Prairie Campground — official Recreation.gov photo

Photo: Recreation.gov

About

There are only 21 sites at Hopkins Prairie. All are well-shaded in an oak hammock on a peninsula surrounded by the prairie, where cool breezes blow in when there is a little water in the prairie. An island of shade amid a broad, winding grassland, the Hopkins Prairie Campground is a seasonal destination for campers looking to get a bit off the beaten path. It sits right along the Florida Trail and offers opportunities for fishing and birding along miles of prairie shoreline. Depending on water levels in the prairie, you may be able to launch your canoe or jon boat to drift across the deeper spots in this vast ecosystem. Boat ramp available - $3 per vessel launch fee Hopkins Prairie is a designated camping area with minimal facilities, open seasonally. The vast expanse of Hopkins Prairie has ponds and shallows. Depending on water levels, it may be possible to fish from the bank or launch a canoe or jon boat to access the deeper areas. With a year-round trailhead providing access to the Florida Trail, Hopkins Prairie is a popular destination for day hikers to wander off in either direction along the trail, or complete a section down to the Pat's Island Trailhead or Juniper Springs. Hopkins Prairie is an excellent destination for birding, since the interface between open prairie and scrub forest is usually busy with songbirds, while wading birds pick through the ponds. Even when the campground is closed, you can meander from the Hopkins Prairie Trailhead along the Florida Trail to enjoy birding. It's also a perfect spot where you can peer out from the shade of an oak scrub forest beneath gnarled limbs to an expanse of grasslands shimmering in the sun. Vault Toilets 21 Sites Water Available via Hand Pump Boat ramp

Directions

The turnoff for Hopkins Prairie is 9.2 miles north along SR 19 from the intersection with SR 40. Turn left and follow the signs, turning left, right, and left along unmarked, unimproved roads to reach the camping area.

Location

Map tiles © OpenStreetMap.

Details

State
Florida
City / area
Salt Springs
Agency
USDA Forest Service
Parent area
National Forests in Florida
Campsites
20
Reservable
Yes
Typical price
$16 / night
Rating
4.41 / 5 (71 reviews on Recreation.gov)
Equipment
Tent, RV, Trailer, Caravan/Camper Van, Fifth Wheel, Pop up, Hammock

Reserve on Recreation.gov

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