Ocala Wildlife Management Area

Managed in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service.

Ocala Wildlife Management Area is part of the Ocala National Forest, the oldest national forest east of the Mississippi River. The forest contains the largest concentration of sand pine in the world as well as some of the best remaining stands of longleaf pine in central Florida. Its nearly 400,000 acres are located in Lake, Marion, and Putnam counties, and contain several hundred lakes, as well as Salt Springs, Silver Glen Springs, Alexander Springs, and Juniper Springs.

Hunting

For hunting seasons and area regulations, view FWC's regulations summary brochure for Ocala WMA.

Fishing

Fishing is permitted year-round. A Florida fishing license is required and can be purchased at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

Camping

Camping is available and includes group sites, RV and tent sites, as well as primitive camping options.

Recreation

Visitors can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities, including wildlife viewing, hiking, swimming, boating, water skiing, kayaking, and paddling.

The area also features visitor centers, scenic nature trails, and over 50 miles of the Florida National Scenic Trail, offering excellent opportunities for hiking and exploration. Cyclists can take on the challenging 22-mile Paisley Woods Bicycle Trail, which winds through live oak hammocks, grassy prairies, and pinelands.

Equestrians will appreciate the Ocala One Hundred Mile Horse Trail, divided into three distinct sections winding through sand pine scrub, longleaf pine forests, and open prairies.

For those seeking solitude and a more primitive experience, several designated wilderness areas are available. Among them, Juniper Prairie Wilderness is the only area with established foot trails, while the other three areas remain largely inaccessible, preserving their untouched character.

Wildlife

There are many black bears in the area, as well as wild turkey, bald eagles, Florida scrub-jay, white-tailed deer, gopher tortoise, alligators and eastern indigo snake. Look for red-cockaded woodpeckers in the longleaf habitats. Migratory songbirds are seasonally abundant along the wooded trail to Salt Springs. On the drive to Alexander Springs, you may see scrub-jays perched on the electric wires.

The Ocala National Forest is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail and features two sites Salt Springs and Alexander Springs.

Add your bird observations to the following eBird Hotspots:

Ocala National Forest

Ocala National Forest - Riverside Island

Ocala National Forest - Forest Road 88

Ocala National Forest - Davenport Landing Campground

Ocala National Forest - Lake Delancy Recreation Area

Ocala National Forest - Forest Road 66

Ocala National Forest - Lake Kerr

Ocala National Forest - Salt Springs

Ocala National Forest - Hopkin's Prairie

Ocala National Forest - Hughes Island