Ocala is a peaceful city and the county seat of Marion County, Florida. It was originally formed following the American Indian Wars and was named for the extinct Timucuan Native American tribe. The Timucuan called their village "Ocali." Today, many of the streets in Ocala have historical Native American names to commemorate the Timucuan people. In 1846, Ocala became the county seat of the new Marion County, and by the late 1850s, the town had become one of Florida's leading business centers. However, the Civil War destroyed many of Ocala's businesses and reduced the population to around 200. The community would be rebuilt over the next few decades, and by 1890, the population had grown to nearly 2,000.
As of 2020, Ocala had a population of around 63,600. These days, the city is nicknamed the "Horse Capital of the World" due to its many thoroughbred horses. Over the years, Ocala has produced some of the most famous names in horseracing. If you'd like to see some of the city's beautiful horses, you should stop by the Gypsy Gold Horse Farm. While you're in the area, you should also spend time exploring Historic Downtown Ocala, a charming area filled with popular restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues.
If you like museums, consider visiting unique educational attractions around Ocala, like the Appleton Museum of Art and the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing. When you feel like enjoying some live entertainment, head to the Ocala Civic Theatre or the Reilly Arts Center. If the weather is nice during your visit, you can walk through the lovely gardens at Sholom Park. You also could explore the fascinating Fort King National Historic Landmark or spend the afternoon mountain biking at Santos Trailhead & Campground.
There are many top-tier campgrounds in the Ocala area, and one great example is the Ocala North RV Park. The park, which is just 20 minutes northwest of Ocala, features full-hookup RV campsites and is surrounded by beautiful, peaceful scenery. There's a small fishing pond located just outside the campground, and there's also a nearby shopping center. Some of the amenities the campground provides include free Wi-Fi, a pool and a hot tub.
Another quality campground is Sun Retreats Crystal River (formerly Rock Crusher Canyon RV Park), which boasts full-hookup RV campsites in a quiet, shady setting. You'll have access to a variety of amenities, including laundry facilities, a large fitness center, a pool area, showers and many more. Additionally, the campground is located only 15 minutes from the ocean and 50 minutes southwest of Ocala.
If you're over the age of 55 and single, you could stay at Florilow Oaks RV Park, 40 minutes south of Ocala. The unique campground features a fun, active atmosphere and offers lots of great opportunities for outdoor recreation, such as hiking, kayaking and biking. The campsites are available for $34.24 per night, and the many amenities include a rec hall, a library, laundry facilities, a picnic area, a covered pavilion and many others.
Fifteen minutes northeast of Ocala, Silver Springs State Park features the beautiful Silver Springs body of water. The site was one of Florida's first real tourist attractions, and today, visitors can explore the springs by taking a glass-bottom boat tour. If you prefer, you could take a kayak or canoe out on the water to forge your own adventure. While exploring the springs, you'll have a great opportunity to view some of its amazing aquatic wildlife. If you'd rather stay on land, the park also offers several miles of lovely hiking trails.
Another state park featuring beautiful springs is Rainbow Springs State Park, a half-hour southwest of Ocala. It is beloved for its sparkling blue waters and lush greenery. The area also features man-made waterfalls, tranquil gardens and gently rolling hills. The park provides numerous opportunities for recreational activities, including hiking, bird-watching, geocaching, swimming, snorkeling and paddling. If you're interested in a relaxing day on the water, you could head to the special tubing entrance to the springs and spend the afternoon floating.
Although Florida is known primarily for its ocean beaches, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is a great example of the state's natural diversity. The park, which is a half-hour northwest of Ocala, features many miles of breathtaking prairies and savannas, which are inhabited by wild horses, bison and other unique wildlife species. While in the park, you can go hiking or biking along the park's scenic nature trails. You could also visit the 50-foot observation tower to enjoy the magnificent views of the tranquil park.
An hour and 40 minutes northeast of Ocala, Fort Matanzas National Monument is an incredible national site that preserves the historic Fort Matanzas, which was constructed in 1742 to protect St. Augustine from would-be attackers. When the fort was being built, an attack was launched, but the fort's soldiers were able to repel the invaders. On weekends, these events are often reenacted at the monument. While exploring the site, you can navigate the historic fort at your own pace. You can also check out the Fort Matanzas Visitor Center. You could also traverse the site's nature trails or capitalize on the excellent nearby fishing opportunities.
Another cool historical monument worth visiting is the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, an hour and 45 minutes northeast of Ocala. The site features the Castillo de San Marcos, which was constructed in the late 17th century and boasts a fascinating history. The fort was originally built to protect the trading routes between Florida and the Atlantic Ocean. Today, the monument features many interesting historical exhibits as well as a theater room that shows informative historical films. If you take a self-guided tour of the fort, you'll encounter living history actors who are happy to interact with visitors.
Two hours northeast of Ocala, Fort Caroline National Memorial is a national site dedicated to a group of French colonists who created a colony in Florida in the mid-16th century. The colonists established relations with the local Timucua people, but within two years, they had all died, been taken captive by Spanish soldiers or returned to France. At the memorial, visitors can learn what life was like for these colonists and check out landmarks like the Timucuan Preserve Visitor Center, the Timucuan Village Exhibit and Fort Caroline. The area also provides opportunities for hiking, kayaking and canoeing.
Ocala National Forest covers roughly 387,000 acres 40 minutes southeast of Ocala. The forest, which contains four protected wilderness areas, is home to wetlands, swamps, woodlands, highlands and various bodies of water. Visitors can fish, swim, kayak, canoe and water ski in the many lakes, streams and rivers. They can also hike scenic trails, such as the Timucuan Trail and the Yearling Trail, while observing the local wildlife, which includes bobcats, foxes, alligators, gopher tortoises and other interesting creatures.
An hour and a half north of Ocala, Osceola National Forest is filled with natural beauty, outdoor recreation and historical significance. The forest is primarily known as where the largest Civil War battle took place in Florida. These days, though, the area is very peaceful, providing a tranquil setting for activities like hiking, horseback riding, fishing, swimming and water skiing. The forest is also an exceptional destination for stargazing; the Northeast Florida Astronomical Society regularly hosts events in the area on Saturday nights.
Apalachicola National Forest is located on the Florida Panhandle, three and a half hours northwest of Ocala, and boasts a diverse collection of natural features and ecosystems. Most notably, it features the Leon Sinks area, which contains mysterious caverns and fascinating sinkholes. If you enjoy auto touring, you could drive along the Apalachicola Savannahs Scenic Byway and get beautiful views of the forest's grasslands. You could also go fishing in the Apalachicola River, observe the many endangered bird species, and hike popular trails like the Trail of Lakes and Munson Hills Trail.
Everglades National Park is a massive natural area containing several unique ecosystems and many amazing species of flora and fauna. Encompassing roughly 1.5 million acres in southern Florida, four hours and 15 minutes southeast of Ocala, the park is a sanctuary for alligators, Florida panthers, manatees, egrets, turtles, black bears and other fascinating creatures. If you want a unique perspective of the vast tropical wilderness area, you could embark on one of the park's guided airboat tours. You can also hike, bike, kayak, canoe, boat and fish while surrounded by the park's pine flatwoods, sawgrass marshes and coastal mangroves.
Biscayne National Park is a picturesque area comprising approximately 172,000 acres of gorgeous land and waters approximately five hours southeast of Ocala. The park is revered as one of the best destinations for water-based recreation in the entire country. Visitors will find exceptional opportunities for fishing, boating, snorkeling and scuba diving. While you're there, you may spot unique wildlife like bottlenose dolphins, various crustaceans and other creatures that inhabit the southern seagrass ecosystem. While scuba diving in the area, try to spot one of the many shallow-water shipwrecks scattered throughout the park. You can also browse the on-site art gallery or join a guided park tour.
If you head to South Carolina, six hours northeast of Ocala, you can check out Congaree National Park, which is the state's lone national park. The area has a rich Native American history and is named for the tribe that originally inhabited the region. The most notable feature of the park is its abundance of hardwood trees, which are some of the tallest trees on the Atlantic Coast. The national park hosts many unique events, including wilderness canoe tours, Owl Prowl tours and bird-watching excursions. Visitors can also observe the local wildlife and enjoy fishing and paddling on the nearby Congaree River.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Ocala, FL, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Ocala?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Ocala from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Ocala?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
