Places to stay near Ocala National Forest

Getaway on the Waterway: Kayak, SUP, fish, relax!

Welcome to your peaceful Getaway on the Waterway right on the beautiful canal that connects Big and Little Lake Weir! Kick your feet up and wave at the boats going by as you grill or fish from the dock. Play a round of corn hole, hop on one of our paddleboards or kayaks for beautiful ride to either lake! Bring your boat/ jet ski or rent one from Eaton's Beach Aquatic sports, (they also offer sunset cruises and water taxi service to Eaton's Beach restaurant right from our dock!) RELAX and ENJOY!

Unique Concrete House Boat! No cleaning fees!

This ferrocement boat Later Gator was made in Sweden in 1973. That’s right! It’s made of concrete! The boat circumnavigated the globe twice before eventually ending up here in sunny Sanford FL. We spent 2 years completely renovating everything and tried to leave as much of the boat’s original personality intact while adding modern amenities. Restaurant/bar, pool, laundry facilities, showers and restrooms, diner, and marina store all on site, and downtown historic Sanford and river walk close by.

Countryside Loft at Coco Ranch

Make memories with the ones you loves at this unique Countryside loft feeling cottage with an elegant mix between rustic and modern aesthetic. We are a pet friendly Cottage, bring your furry friend and enjoy the coziness. This is a family wood gated compound. Each cottage are private, surrounded by beautiful común areas. Surrounded by a lot of natural springs and also the convenients of local restaurants like “Gators Joes Beach Bar & Grill” at just 6m walk, 6m walk to Lake Weir, and more.

Woodpecker Treehouse Retreat

Take some time for yourself and enjoy the treehouse, you will marvel at nature, you will be surrounded by beautiful birds of different types, explore the place just 10 minutes from Santos Trailhead and 35 from Rainbow Springs. After you finish visiting Ocala and seeing its incredible recreational areas, enjoy our hot tub with hydro massage, relax in our hanging mesh, gather around the fire pit and make s'mores. Our Treehouse promises the perfect blend of nature's tranquility and modern comfort!

Rustic Retreat in the heart of Lake Helen

This charming rustic home has a lot to offer. It has many nooks where your family can unite and create moments for their memory buckets. Florida room allows you to observe nature and is a perfect spot for your coffee. The house has one master bedroom (king size bed) with attached full bathroom. It has a second bedroom with two built-in beds (twin and full size). There is a separate shower room and a separate restroom. Upstairs it has a 3rd bedroom with 2 built in twin beds and a 1/2 bathroom.

Barn Apartment Minutes from WEC on Private Farm

Private 650 square foot loft apartment above the barn available on a peaceful 15 acre farm. This unique getaway is located in NW Ocala in the heart of the Farmland Preservation area. Minutes from WEC (7.0 miles) and HITS (6.0 miles), as well as easy access to the best of Central Florida! -Pet friendly! Please contact the host if you would like to bring your pet! -Fully equipped kitchenette. -Wifi (Starlink satellite, not high-speed). -Washer and dryer on site. -Iron and ironing board.

Mira Bella South

Tiny Home with full kitchen on a peaceful 13 acres in a small town. Owner lives on site, but the tiny home is away from the main house so it is private. Ideal for 2 guests, but there is a pull-out sofa which could be comfortable for one more adult or a couple kids. Room for more than one car or a trailer. (Not suitable for 4-legged travelers due to free ranging ducks, peacocks and close proximity to horses and miniature donkeys) (If your dates are unavailable, search Mira Bella North)

Beautiful House On the River, Kayaks, Large Dock!

Come relax by the river in this 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom vacation rental in Lady Lake, Florida. Recently built by our family in 2022, the home has a screened in back porch, a fire pit, WIFI, and is complete with a large private dock right on the Ocklawaha River. All that and it's located only 10 minutes from The Villages where you can shop and have fun. Centrally located 1-1/2 hours from Disney, Daytona beach, and Tampa. Lockbox key access is available for check-ins at any time of day.

St John's Cottage Astor- escape to the forest!

A little bit of Old Florida - stay in this quirky cottage on the edge of Ocala National Forest with its beautiful clear springs! Set in an acre of land away from the crowds, with plenty of room to bring your toys, you're all set for outdoor adventures - Springs galore, river boating, horseback,kayaking ,skydiving, hiking- gorgeous outdoor deck& patio, grill! We allow one non-shedding dog, no pet fee charged, we just ask that your fur baby is kept off the furniture at all times.

Salt Springs Soulful A-frame Retreat

Do you love to play in nature but still have our creature comforts? This A frame in the Ocala National Forest is the spot. There are 2 springs both 5 minutes from the house, Salt Springs & Silver Glen Springs. Beautiful Juniper Springs, Silver Springs and Alexander Springs are all a hop, skip, and jump away. This fully loaded A frame is stocked with a shed full of fishing gear. Mosey down to the boathouse and try your luck fishing right in the backyard at the canal.

Tiny Hobbit cabin on lovely Fort Brook Horse Farm

Hi everyone! This little cabin is a bedroom with a queen size bed. It is camping. It includes coffee maker,pods Cream , Sugar. It has a/c electricity and a lamp. The restroom and showers are Close by. You have a fire pit that is a grill and table and chairs just out front. You might want to grab some wood and match light charcoal makes cooking on the grill easier. You are welcome to pet the horses and goats. We allow well behaved dogs that are leashed.

Harmony Oaks Guesthouse on Lake McMeekin

Enjoy a great getaway at Lake McMeekin. Ours is a beautiful spring fed lake with beautiful sunrises. A private dock with table and chairs is part of the package. Our guesthouse provides a spacious, comfortable, quiet, lake retreat in the country with 30 minutes of Gainesville, Ocala and Palatka. Bring a kayak or canoe... or some fishing equipment and fish off the dock or enjoy the area's many fishing lakes and springs.!