Campground List

CAMPGROUND NAME: Ocean Pond

VISIT DATE: 11/18/1996

UPDATE DATE: 2/12/2017

STATE: Florida

REGION: Southern

RANGER DISTRICT: Osceola

NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Olustee

RESERVATIONS: No

DIRECTIONS:
In Lake City, FL, at intersection of U.S. Rts. 441 and 90, take Rt. 90 
east 13.7 miles to campground sign (sign is on the corner and not easy 
to see).  At sign, turn left (no street sign) and go 4 miles to another 
campground sign.  Turn left at sign and go 1.2 miles into campground.

GENERAL COMMENTS:
The elevation is 130 ft.

The campground, stretching along the settled north shore of Ocean Pond, 
offers campers three different styles of camping, each in a different 
environment.  To the right of the campground's entrance is an open area 
dotted with Spanish Moss-draped towering Longleaf pine and a few Live oaks. 
Each site in the loop has an electric and water hookup and view of Ocean 
Pond.  Some of the sites are on the water and campers can moor their boats 
at their site. The grass understory is manicured giving this area a near RV 
resort feel.

To the left of the entrance are the other two environments.  At the far end 
of the interior road is a loop in a dense forest with sites tucked in among 
an assortment of native trees, including Longleaf pine.  Vines such as wild 
grape provide excellent privacy.  The dirt interior road as well as the 
irregular shaped parking aprons, enhance the primitive feel of these campsites.  
The only tent pads in the campground are in this "primitive" environment.  
Between the two loops, campsites with only water hookups stretch along Ocean 
Pond's shoreline.  These sites are spacious with groomed grass understory and 
native vegetation providing good privacy between sites.  The towering Longleaf 
pine provide good shade.  

Additional features of this campground are a basketball half-court, credit card
operated washing machine and driers, bird watching opportunities (particularly 
for Snow egrets and herons), lantern poles and excellent cell phone reception.

Possible day trips from the campground are Big Gum Swamp Wilderness; the 
Olustee Depot museum; Olustee Beach; historic Lake City; and the Olustee 
Battlefield Historic State Park.  The Battle of Olustee was the only major 
Civil War battle in Florida and once a year, in February, the battle is reenacted.  
In the Fall there is a smaller gathering called the Civil War Expo.  
See www.Battle of Olustee.org for details and exact dates.

This is bear country, practise safe food storage techniques.  It is also alligator 
country; practice caution around water especially with small dogs.

SEASONS
Open Seasonal: No
Open All Year: Yes

RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED
Rate: $8 per day - no water/electric hookups
$12 per day - water hookups only
$18 per day - water and electric hookups
Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 30

CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION
No. RV Sites: 0
No. Tent Sites: 0
No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 67
   
   Total Sites: 67

Tent Pads: Yes
Open Sites: Yes
Wooded Sites: Yes

No. Tables on Sites: 67
No. Grilles on Sites: 67
Equestrian Camping: No

RV INFORMATION
No. Full Hookups (includes waste): 0
No. Water and Electric Only: 19
No. Water Only: 28
No. Electric Only: 0

No. RV Pull Throughs: 0
Waste Station: Yes
Potable Water at Waste Station: Yes 
Average Parking Apron Size: See Comments below.

Comments:
The parking aprons are paved and all about the same size 
(12' X 55') except for the "primitive" area.  The latter 
parking aprons are dirt and irregular in shape.

BATH AND SHOWER FACILITIES
Vaults: No
Flush Toilets: Yes
Hot Showers: Yes

Comments:
The showers are wheelchair friendly.

OTHER FACILITIES
Playground: Yes
Public Phone: No
No. Water Spigots (non-site): 5
  No. Threaded: 5
Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes

WATER SPORTS
Lake: Yes
Swimming (provided): Yes
Sailing: Yes
Boat Ramp: Yes
Boat Carry Down Access: Yes
Power Boating: Yes
Boating (no power): Yes
Water Skiing: Yes
Rafting (whitewater): No
Kayaking (whitewater): No

Comments:
Ocean Pond is a natural 1,760-acre lake.

HIKING
Connector trail to Florida National Scenic Trail (foot only) - 0.25 
miles

FISHING   
Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Warmouth and Crappie