Lake in the Forest

08/19/2025

We have the first 2 weekends in May 2026 open for groups!
We have a new Snowbird RV opening for 2025/2026 for 5 month commitment(Nov 1st-april 1st or December 1-May 1st).
Pls email us at [email protected]

07/27/2025

Looking forward to a wonderful fall and winter with our Snowbirds! We have 1 snowbird RV opening (needs a 5 month commitment) and looking for a single or couple to join our wonderful community. Please email Deb at [email protected].
Our database is also open for bookings from Sept 5th - Jan 1st for short term bookings of RV sites and cabins at www.lakeintheforest com!
All group reservations should contact Deb at [email protected] !

03/04/2025

Booking groups and family reunion for May, June and September. We still have a few weekends open.
Email Deb At
Lakeintheforestresort .com
With questions and if you would like group availability and pricing.

06/25/2024

Here is a list of Swimming or/and Kayaking Springs close to Lake in the Forest Resort. 352-454-9353

Springs near Lake In the Forest offer various activities.
State Parks (SP) charge $2 per person or $8 per car, while National Parks (NP) charge $6-10 per person; it's advisable to check rental availability in advance.
1) Silver Springs SP, located 20 minutes west on Highway 40, offers excellent kayaking and glass-bottom boat tours. No swimming is allowed. You can opt for a short 1.5-mile trip or a 5.5-mile round trip to Rays Wayside, with a pick-up required at the other end.
2) Juniper Springs Recreation Area/NF, 20 minutes east on Highway 40, features an enclosed spring, walking trails, and an intermediate to advanced kayak trip. Pick-up at the other end is necessary.
3) Silver Glen Recreation Area/NF, 20 minutes east on Highway 40 and then north on Highway 19, provides wonderful swimming and picnicking opportunities. It's great for kayaking, but trailers are not permitted.
4) Salt Springs Recreation Area/NF, 20 minutes east on Highway 40 and then north on Highway 19 into Salt Spring, has a fantastic swimming area and kayaking options. If you're only kayaking and bringing your own equipment, consider Salt Spring Marina (south on Highway 19 from the Salt Springs entrance) which charges $20 per car instead of per person.
5) Alexander Springs Recreation Area/NF, east on Highway 40 to Highway 19 and then south to the access road, is 30 minutes from the camp and not clearly marked. It boasts a large swimming area, picnic spots, hiking trails, and kayaking. The Paisley bike trail is right across from the entrance.

OTHER SPRINGS:
6) De Leon Springs SP in Deland, 45 minutes away, offers swimming, hiking, boat trips, a kayak route, and a renowned Pancake House.
7) Rainbow Springs SP, 60 minutes west on Highway 40 to Highway 41 south, provides tubing, swimming, and kayaking.
8-10) Kelly Rock Springs, Blue Springs, and Wekiva Springs are all about 1 hour southeast.

06/25/2024

With only a few weeks of kids vacations left, we wanted to add our list of hiking and biking trails and springs around Lake in the Forest.
Hope everyone is having a great summer! Lake in the Forest
www.lakeintheforest.com

Favorite Biking and Hiking Trails at Lake in the Forest Resort

SANTOS STATE PARK TRAILHEAD (B & H)
3080 SE 80th Street, Ocala, FL 34480
Approximately 30 minutes away (24 miles)
Features paved trails, ebikes are permitted, and there are separate trails for mountain biking. Helmets are mandatory. Facilities include bathrooms. No cost.

BASELINE GREENWAY TRAILHEAD PARK (B & H)
4803 SE 58th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34472
Around 30 minutes away (22 miles)
Offers paved roads and loops. Access to mountain bike trail to Marshal Swamp is available. Amenities include a playground, permission for ebikes, water, and bathrooms. No cost.

PAISLEY WOODS Bicycle Trail (B & H)
A 22-mile mountain biking loop with trailheads at Alexander Springs and Clearwater Lake. Ebikes are not allowed. A day use fee is required. Alexander Springs entrance is at 49525 County Rd 445, Altoona, Florida 32702, which is about 31 minutes/26 miles away.
Please check the rules on the website before visiting.

CARNEY ISLAND (paved roads) (B and H)
Entry fee is $8 per car at 13275 SE 115th Avenue, Ocklawaha, FL 32179 (Marion County Park). Features include a playground, swimming area, bathrooms, volleyball, short hiking trails, and a boat launch to Lake Weir. It's 15 minutes away from us.

OCKLAWAHA PRAIRIE NORTH (B & H)
(St. John's Water Management Lands)
7910 SE 137th Avenue Road, Ocklawaha, FL 32179
Follow the main path to the right, then take another right to come to a wooden bridge, and ride along the Prairie.
There are no paved roads, no bathrooms, and no cost.
It's a 10-minute drive from us and also offers beautiful hiking trails where dogs are allowed.

Silver Springs State Park (H & B)
1425 NE 58th Ave, Ocala, FL 34470
Enter at the camping area or the main area. You can hike or mountain bike from the main entrance off Highway 40, behind the kayak launch, all the way to the camping area. The fee is $2 per person. The main area, where the glass-bottom boats are located, has a restaurant, other walking areas, and ice cream.

Marshal Swamp-Florida Greenway (H & B)
Accessible when not flooded. It's a very woodsy area suitable for mountain bikes.
Take Highway 40 west to 314 (NOT 314A), turn left. You will cross a small bridge over the Ocklawaha River, and Marshal Swamp will be on the left side.

Located in the Ocala National Forest, Lake In The Forest Balck Bear Resort offers Cabin Rentals, Camping, RV Parking and Family Friendly Vacations for All. Swimming, Fishing, Crafts, Boating, Activities, Camping, Nature Hikes, Horseback Riding, Karaoke and Quiet are all here.

06/20/2022

Come join us for the 4th of July Holiday - quiet, simple and lots of nature. The springs are within a stone throw and our Half Moon Lake offers a nice selection of fresh fish. We can't do fireworks here but there are so many shows within a show drive in Ocala or the Villages to see them.
We still have sites and cabins open at this time.
Call 352-625-6275 or book directly on www.lakeintheforest.com.
Each site or cabin includes 2 adults and 2 children and it is a 3 night minimum.

06/27/2019

Looking forward to 4th of July Holiday next week. Guests arriving between Tuesday and Sunday. We still have 2 cabins and a few RV and tent sites open. Lots of fun crafts planned!!! We also look forward to Family Camp from July 18-22 with onsite and offsite activities planned. See you all soon. Have a safe Holiday!
Deb and Team
Lake in the Forest
352-625-6275

06/02/2019

Last week, we enjoyed all of our Memorial Day Guests! This week, we are happy to host Camp Unite for 1 week!
Come join us for an upcoming "Meet the Forest Family Camp" (not just for families):June 20-24, July 18-22, Oct 11-14 and Nov 8-11.
Other upcoming events and Holidays:
Fathers Day June 13-16
4th of July July 3-7
Labor Day Aug 30-Sept 2nd
Book at www.lakeintheforest.com or call our office at 352-625-6275.

04/19/2019

Another great Snowbird paddle to Silver Glen along with swim and picnic! To our surprise, we even saw 2 mermaids at Silver Glen. Last paddle next week!

04/07/2019

Snowbird Kayak Club has been busy this year: Juniper, Silver Springs, Weeki Wachi, Salt Springs, Cedar Key, Tomoka State Park, Half Moon Lake, Lake Bryant, DeLeon State Park, Rainbow Springs, etc. Few more trips and they we retire our paddles till October!

03/21/2019

Lake in the Forest Upcoming 2019 Holiday and Family Camp

April 18-21 Easter Weekend (Crafts and Easter Egg Hunt)
May 10-14 Mother's Day Weekend(Closed for Private Event)
May 24-27 Memorial Day Holiday
June 13-16 Father's Day Weekend
June 20-24 Meet the Forest Family Camp(Thurs-Monday-4 nights)
-lots of crafts and activities, group campfire, star gazing and also coordinated Bike, Hike, Picnic and
Swim and Kayak Trips at Florida Greenway, Florida State Park and Ocala National Forest Springs.
July 2-7 Fourth of July Holiday
July 18-23 Meet the Forest Family Camp(Thurs-Monday-4 nights)
-lots of crafts and activities, group campfire, star gazing and also coordinated Bike, Hike, Picnic and
Swim and Kayak Trips at Florida Greenway, Florida State Park and Ocala National Forest
Aug 30-Sept 2nd Labor Day Holiday
October 11-14 Fall Family Camp(3 nights) Short version of Summer Family Camp.
November 8-11 Fall Family Camp(3 nights) Short version of Summer Family Camp
Nov 26-Dec 2nd Thanksgiving Holiday Activities and Dinner
Dec 24-Jan 1 Christmas and New Years Activities

11/19/2018

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our family, friends, Snowbird Family and guests at Lake in the Forest. If you are looking for last minute getaway- we just had a emergency cancellation for 2 small cabins for up to 2 adults and 2 children. 3 night minimun booking needed. please call office at 352-625-6275 or Deb at 352-454-9353.