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Submission
Shanty Pond is a campground in the heart of a longleaf pine eco system, located south of Salt Springs off SR 19. A favorite of equestrians and hunters, it is seasonally open from October 15 through April 15.
The turnoff for Shanty Pond is 1.8 miles south of the junction of SR 19 and SR 314 in Salt Springs, along SR 19. Watch for the sign directing you onto FR 65 on the right.
Went there April 2021 only to find out that it is closed. Looks like road going in to area was intentionally dug up with potholes that you cannot avoid. Wish the government would update and let people know that it is closed. Looks to me permanently
Spooky and years past abandoned. Besides that tis the epitome of beautiful ocala nature mostly undisturbed except more accommodating for humans than walking into the woods off the side of the road.
We camped here because Sat Springs was crowded and very open. This is more like back country camping. There is a pit restroom that's not in good condition and rather broken hand pump water. However, we filled our buckets in the nearby gas station and camped fine. There were more than 20 sites but only 2 or 3 were taken. It was truly peaceful and secluded. I'm planning to go there again with larger group.
This site is permanently closed like MANY of our other national Forest campgrounds.
12-25-23, she's dead Jim. This place is abandoned, though access is plenty easy with 4WD (look for the vehicle width-sized short loop through the brush to the right of the gate. Very short, curves around left sharply. Rather bumpy.)
Place has been left to rot. Some trash around the dump station/toilets, almost overgrown enough to obscure major vehicle pathways now. Plenty of picnic tables left at each site looked like. Spooky as hell even in broad daylight.
