Within Park
- Archery
- Bird Watching
- Camping, Backcountry
- Camping, Primitive
- Fire Rings
- Hiking
- Hiking Trail
- Horseback Riding
- Kiosk
- Nature Study
- Parking
- Photography
- Picnic Tables
- Picnicing
- Trails, Hiking/Walking, Easy
- Walking
The Florida Forest Service offers camping discounts for individuals age 65 and older, active-duty military or honorably discharged veterans, and for individuals 100% disabled at applicable camping facilities on Florida's State Forests. If you qualify for any of these discounts, please call the Reserve America Call Center at (877) 879-3859 and provide the appropriate document number (e.g., driver's license number; military ID number) to have the documentation added and your profile updated. Once this is complete, your discount will automatically apply upon checkout. The Florida Forest Service reserves the right to verify documentation provided to Reserve America.
Important Notice:
The Florida Forest Service will close all campgrounds and recreation areas on State Forests if the county where the State Forest is located is placed under a Tropical Storm or Hurricane WARNING by the National Weather Service. Reservations will be automatically refunded for closures related to tropical weather.
The Florida Forest Service will close all campgrounds and recreation areas on State Forests if the county where the State Forest is located is placed under a Tropical Storm or Hurricane WARNING by the National Weather Service. Reservations will be automatically refunded for closures related to tropical weather.
Krul Campground Info: Day Passes are not valid for entry at Krul Campground. Reservations are required for entry and are available 2 days in advance here. Annual passholders also require a reservation, but will be admitted for free.
Florida State Forests
PARKING INFORMATION: You will park your vehicle in the limerock parking area by the State Forest / Wildlife Management Area sign and backpack in to the campsite. Campers for this primitive campsite should not be parking in the Greenways & Trails parking lot.
Important Notice: The Florida Forest Service will close all campgrounds and recreation areas on State Forests if the county where the State Forest is located is placed under a Tropical Storm or Hurricane WARNING by the National Weather Service. Reservations will be automatically refunded for closures related to tropical weather.
Ross Prairie Primitive Backpacking Campsite, FL
12 Ratings
The Ross Prairie Primitive Campsite is located in the Ross Prairie State Forest (Marion County), about 15 minutes southwest of Ocala, FL. This is a hike in only campsite with no electric and no water. Recreational activities featured here are: hiking, horseback riding, hunting,...
Book a Campsite at Ross Prairie Primitive Backpacking Campsite, FL
Find your spot/-82.2869444,29.0293056,8,0/280x280?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiYXNwaXJhLW1hcHMiLCJhIjoiY2tlYmxiaWt3MDMwcTJ5cDN5bGwzZTUwNCJ9.IK2OEvl3EWmVLXYD9Rnedw "Find other facilities on map")
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Overview
Description
The Ross Prairie Primitive Campsite is located in the Ross Prairie State Forest (Marion County), about 15 minutes southwest of Ocala, FL. This is a hike in only campsite with no electric and no water. Recreational activities featured here are: hiking, horseback riding, hunting, picnicking, bird watching, wildlife viewing and photography.
Geography:
Ross Prairie State Forest is over 3,000 acres of woodlands and wetlands. This wetland is a freshwater basin marsh characterized by open areas of wetland grasses surrounded by live oak hammocks. This prairie will contain water in the wet season and become completely dry in the dry season. For further information about Ross Prairie State Forest, please Click Here.
Recreation:
Ross Prairie State Forest has a campsite and recreational trails that offer a variety of activities such as hiking, horseback riding, camping, hunting, picnicking, birding, wildlife viewing and photography. Get outdoors and explore the recreational opportunities at Ross Prairie State Forest; for further information pleaseClick Here.
Facilities:
There are no facilities on this forest.
Nearby Attractions:
Silver Springs State Park
Appleton Museum of Art
Ocala National Forest
Marion County Museum of History and Archaeology
Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks
Cross Florida Greenway (Santos-Belleview Trail)
Booking Window
Thu Nov 05 2026 - Tue Oct 05 2027
Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 11 Month(s) in advance.
Season Dates
Season Schedule
Park Season
Start
End
Peak
Thu Oct 01 2026
Wed Mar 31 2027
Non Peak
Thu Apr 01 2027
Thu Sep 30 2027
Peak
Fri Oct 01 2027
Fri Mar 31 2028
Services and Amenities
Fees and Cancellation Policies
Special Policy Applicable to this Facility
Cancellations: - Cancellations can be made on the website and through the call center.
- 1 or more days prior to arrival: $9 non-refundable cancellation fee.
- Day of or after arrival, must be cancelled through the call center.
- $9.00 plus the 1st night's use fee.
- After the arrival date, $9 non-refundable cancellation fee, fees for the nights following the call will be refunded. No same night refunds.
Refunds:
- Credit Card refunds are automatically credited back to the original credit card and will take up to 3 - 5 business days to appear on the customer's statement.
- The State Forest campgrounds cannot process refunds for reservations processed online or through the call center.
- The State Forest can process refunds for cash or check payments made through walk-in office reservations and walk-up campsites. State Forest do not process any credit card refunds.
Facility Rates*
Park Season
Site Type
Nightly/Daily Rates
Peak Season
Oct 01 2026 -
Mar 31 2027
Oct 01 2026 -
Mar 31 2027
Tent Only
$9.01
Non Peak Season
Apr 01 2027 -
Sep 30 2027
Apr 01 2027 -
Sep 30 2027
Tent Only
$9.01
Peak Season
Oct 01 2027 -
Mar 31 2028
Oct 01 2027 -
Mar 31 2028
Tent Only
$9.01
*Displayed rates do not reflect attribute fees (electrical hookups /water hookups), taxes or incremental charges.
**Weekly rates may not be available for all sites
Getting There
GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
29.02931, -82.28694
29°1'46"N, 82°17'13"W
From Ocala (I-75)- Head west on SR 200 for 10.5 miles. Ross Prairie State Forest is located on the south side of SR 200. Parking for this campsite directly off of SR 200 at the RossPrairie State Forest Trail Head .
From Crystal River (US 19/98)-Head east on FL 44, then left onto County Rd 486/West Norvell Bryant Highway. Next, turn left on FL 200 for 5.8 miles. Ross Prairie State Forest is located on the south side of SR 200. Parking for this campsite directly off of SR 200 at the RossPrairie State Forest Trail Head.
29.02931, -82.28694
29°1'46"N, 82°17'13"W
From Ocala (I-75)- Head west on SR 200 for 10.5 miles. Ross Prairie State Forest is located on the south side of SR 200. Parking for this campsite directly off of SR 200 at the RossPrairie State Forest Trail Head .
From Crystal River (US 19/98)-Head east on FL 44, then left onto County Rd 486/West Norvell Bryant Highway. Next, turn left on FL 200 for 5.8 miles. Ross Prairie State Forest is located on the south side of SR 200. Parking for this campsite directly off of SR 200 at the RossPrairie State Forest Trail Head.
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