Ocean Pond hosts more than 100,000 visitors annually. The two-mile wide lake has a shallow, sandy beach and facilities for fishing, picnicking, hiking, restrooms, fire rings and picnic tables. Ocean Pond is a favorite for boaters and skiing enthusiasts. A public boat launch and a 67-site campground attracts visitors from many parts of the country. The early bird gets the worm! Come early for lakeshore camping. Nineteen sites have electric and water hook-ups, 27 have water hook ups and there are twenty primitive sites. Water and electric are paved spurs with a 50-foot capacity. Each site has a lantern post, picnic table, fire ring and convenient access to bathrooms and hot showers. Campers can enjoy the boat launch and swimming area. If you are interested in day-use activities, the Olustee Beach has full bathrooms with showers, beach, boat launch, fishing pier, trails and picnic areas. The Great Florida Birding Trail and the Florida National Scenic Trail pass through the campground. Motor boats and trailers can be kept in the boat trailer parking across from the boat ramp. Ocean Pond is just four miles away from the Olustee Battlefield Park, site of Florida's only Civil War battle in 1864. The Olustee Battle Festival and Re-enactmentis held annually in Lake City. The campground is located approximately 1 hour from the First Coast Atlantic beaches and a short half-hour to multiple State Parks, local springs and caves.
Nice place to camp, top notch hosts! Will be back if I'm down this way again. UPDATE: Was here in March and at that time the bathrooms where being painted, there was no hot water in the showers at that time. It's now November and the hot water still does not work except for one shower stall on the opposite end of the campground. Not sure what the story is here but the words lazy and complacent come to mind.
More like primitive camping. Restrooms facilities aren't or haven't been cleaned. Need to clean before use. There was a 80 year old couple trying to clean. Not sure if they were hosts or not. Swim/ play area is overgrown. Washer and dryer didn't work in one area. Dead animals in-between washer and dryer in the other area. There was another camper staying there going around repairing fences with boards around the park. I asked if he worked there and he replied no, just didn't want kids getting hurt. Bathroom trash wasn't changed out entire stay. Weren't full but had baby diapers in them. Overall wasn't a bad place. Just overpriced if I have to clean or use my own facilities being primitive camping is only $12 a night and water electric is $30. The entry sign says 80 percent of proceeds go back to maintain the park. If this is accurate then oven pond facility should have a cush savings account by now bc I can't see where the money is going other than over priced contractors to constantly repair plumbing.
The tent area where I go is quite tight between sites. So not as much privacy as I like and sometimes generator noise too. The showers are often without hot water and there's no place to hang your clothes inside where they'll stay dry. I have to set mine outside. View of the pond is good and there's a pavilion and walking trails not too far away.
Beautiful park and place to camp.
All of the workers and the Campground Hosts are very helpful and seem to love their work.
Lots of trails and places to walk and bike. The lake looks so beautiful, and the water is sparkly.
Even though there seem to be a number of dogs here, it's pretty quiet...
I Love It Here!
Very nice campground. I was surprised that it was full and I got a spot only because somebody else left. The restroom and shower were clean. The lake is very nice and provides a great view. The pavilion was nice and the little beach swim area looked good. The lake water is dark From all the leaves and tannins that turn it dark.most of the waters in that area are dark also it's not a surprise.It did look clean for the most part. The prices for the camp spots are very reasonable.