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River Forest is a shaded group camping facility on the shores of the St. Johns River in Ocala National Forest. Located just across the river from Deland, the site is popular for groups, family reunions and weddings and can accommodate up to 125 guests.
This site is a great setting for groups to relax, picnic and enjoy the shade on a warm day. A large field offers ample space for activities such as softball, volleyball and horseshoe tossing.
Visitors wanting to venture out of the picnic area can go for a long walk through floodplain forests and pine flatwoods on the St. Francis Trail, or head to the river to canoe, kayak or fish for bass.
All new facilities are the highlight of the River Forest Group Site. Facilities include a screened pavilion for food preparation and cooking with your own cook stoves. A new bathhouse has also been built on site.
The camping area is flat for tents with some shade provided by trees. While RVs are welcome, there are no hookups and all vehicles must remain in the designated parking area. Grills and picnic tables are provided.
The Ocala National Forest spans four counties and 383,000 acres. It is the southernmost and oldest national forest east of the Mississippi River and protects the world's largest contiguous sand pine scrub forest.
The campground is shaded with large live oaks with a flat, grassy patch of land that leads to the St. Johns River.
The Ocala National Forest is notable for its extensive off-road trail system catering to off-road vehicle enthusiasts, as well as being a traditional destination for deer hunters from around Central Florida. Numerous lakes, rivers and natural springs surround the area and offer many water activities.
River Forest is northwest of Deland off CR 42, just north of its junction with SR 44 immediately west of the bridge over the St. Johns River.
Such a beautiful and amazing campsite along the St. John's river. The campground was so spacious, had an amazing dining pavilion with electricity and upgraded bathhouses. The campsite hosts Mitchell and Diane kept the grounds in fantastic shape and were so helpful during our stay. I highly recommend this site for your next group camping.
What a nice clean park. Had hot showers and a dish wash and rinse station behind bathrooms. Charcoal BBQ grills. Self contained gas fire pits are allowed at campsites. Just verify with call to Ranger station prior to camping, depending on season and weather, I'm sure.
Mitchell, the camp host, was very friendly and accommodating. It's a nice level area with both sunny and shady areas to camp. The pavilion is large, screened and has electricity. The fire pit area has a nice concrete apron. There were mosquitoes and no see-ums but that's to be expected when camping near the river. There are bathrooms and showers.
excellent camping, I loved it. Mr. Michael and his wife were very attentive and excellent people. I came with my team and it was one of the best camping trips we have ever done. super recommended
Very nice place. The camp host is wonderful. We are at a meetup for Senior women campers. Great place to hold a gathering. The road coming in could use the big potholes filled in, but you can get a big rig in here. You would just have to park close to the gate. The pavilion is very nice. It's screened in. There have been some bear sightings. Personally I haven't seen one, but they are around. The water for 🐠🐟🐠 is near the pavilion. The bear left a present with berry seeds in it on the ground, see picture.
