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Fern Hammock Spring

fern hammock spring in juniper springs rec area

Fern Hammock Springs

Description:

Fern Hammock Spring is located within the Juniper Springs Recreation Area. From the swimming area at Juniper Spring, follow the boardwalk trail past the old mill for about a 1/4 mile and you will see Fern Hammock Spring.

There is no swimming here, but watching the water boil up from the sand can be quite mesmerizing. There are are a couple of large boils that are about 10 feet or so in diameter, and tons of smaller boils that range in size. Some overlap each other as well. I don’t recall seeing any other springs that have boils like this, at least not of this magnitude, so Fern Hammock is unique in that aspect. Pictures don’t really do this spring justice, but video paints a more accurate picture of what Fern Hammock is all about:

If you come here to visit Fern Hammock Springs, there are a few other things you can do while in the area. Swimming at Juniper Springs can be fun, but this one always seemed really cold to me. Canoeing down Juniper run is AWESOME, I highly recommend you do this while you are here. Also, there are a few opportunities for day hikes and even overnight trips leaving from the Juniper Springs Rec Area. The Juniper Prairie Wilderness can be accessed here, which is said to have the best section of the Florida Trail.

Fees:

Day Use

$5 per person
Overnight parking $12.72 per vehicle
Camping $21 per site

Canoe Rental

$33/day plus $20 deposit per canoe
$6 per person for rehaul of private canoe

Directions:

26701 EAST HWY 40 Silver Springs, Florida 34488

(352) 625-3147

Official website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ocala/recarea/?recid=34064

 

Fern Hammock Spring Photo Gallery:

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