Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 15
  1. #1
    New Member
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Orlando, FL
    Posts
    21

    Where near Orlando that allows hammocks?

    My 6 yr old son & I have each just got our camping hammocks (HH Cub & Explorer, respectively). So...where within about 1 hr of Orlando, FL would be nice for us to go? Before xmas, I should think.

    My wife will be with us but in a tent. I'd like to avoid the RV's campground sort of thing. More primitive but definitely want to be able to have a campfire. Don't mind packing in water but would prefer site water. I don't want to walk far with our little bloke.

    I've only camped once in the USA - all the rest was in Australia - so I'd welcome some suggestions. I'm just not familiar with the camping scene here.

  2. #2
    Senior Member MAD777's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    White Mountains, New Hampshire
    Hammock
    DIY, WBBB & Switchback
    Tarp
    HG cuben,OES Spinn
    Insulation
    DIY 3/4 UQ/TQ, UGQ
    Suspension
    Dynaglide / Dutch
    Posts
    10,950
    Images
    39
    Ocala National Forest just north if you up Highway 19.
    You can hang anywhere you find trees!
    Mike
    "Life is a Project!"

  3. #3
    Senior Member bear bag hanger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Sanford, FL
    Hammock
    Dream Hammock ThunderBird
    Tarp
    Zpack Cuben 7X9
    Insulation
    JRBSierraSniveller
    Suspension
    ring buckle system
    Posts
    491
    Images
    4
    Seminole State Forest is closer. Take Hwy 46 from I-4 and go west. Once you cross the Wekiva River, the next right you can make takes you to the parking lot. There is a shelter on the Florida Trail you can hike to in about a mile and the Blackwater Creek campsite in three to four miles. Plenty of hanging trees in either place.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Cannibal's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Hammock
    Warbonnet ON!
    Tarp
    SuperFly or MacCat
    Insulation
    Yetis & Mambas
    Suspension
    Webbing and rings
    Posts
    13,605
    Images
    136
    Quote Originally Posted by MAD777 View Post
    Ocala National Forest just north if you up Highway 19.
    You can hang anywhere you find trees!

    One of my favorite places to hike in Florida. There are gobs of good hangs in the Ocala NF.
    Trust nobody!

  5. #5
    Senior Member GrayDog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Orlando, FL
    Hammock
    Skeeter Beeter Pro
    Tarp
    WB Mamajamba
    Insulation
    WL3/4 - GoLite TQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies
    Posts
    358
    Images
    8
    A great resource is floridahikes.com

    There's so many great hanging spots in Florida that even the skeeters sleep in hammocks!
    hammock [ham-uhk] noun
    Man's successful attempt to sleep on a cloud

  6. #6
    Senior Member GrayDog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Orlando, FL
    Hammock
    Skeeter Beeter Pro
    Tarp
    WB Mamajamba
    Insulation
    WL3/4 - GoLite TQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies
    Posts
    358
    Images
    8
    Why don't y'all come to the 3rd Annual Florida Hang. It's promising to be a family friendly little affair with about a hundred other hangers and it's in one of the prettiest areas of the Ocala NF
    hammock [ham-uhk] noun
    Man's successful attempt to sleep on a cloud

  7. #7
    Senior Member domromer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Flagstaff,AZ...Charleston for now.
    Hammock
    ENO Double
    Insulation
    Thermarest
    Suspension
    Whoopie slings
    Posts
    226
    Images
    1
    I hammocked at Kelly park campground, it's very nice and you can swim in the spring which cuts through the park.

    Sorry just read the part about no campgrounds. I'd say your best bet then is the national forest.
    Last edited by domromer; 12-05-2012 at 10:42.

  8. #8
    New Member
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Orlando, FL
    Posts
    21
    Thanks everyone. I've thought about Ocala NF, but just aren't familiar enough with it to pick a place. Are you allowed to make a campfire anywhere you choose to camp?

    That 'floridahikes' site looks like a good resource.

  9. #9
    New Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Orlando, FL
    Hammock
    Hammock Bliss No See-um
    Tarp
    Kelty Noah 9
    Insulation
    Big Ol Sleepin'bag
    Suspension
    cheap 1" straps
    Posts
    6
    Little Big Econ is also a great place for a quick camping trip. I usually go by canoe, but come across many hikers, even some with younger kids. Most of the established spots have fire rings and there are a few 'beach front' spots within an easy hike. In the Florida National Forests you can camp anywhere when it is NOT hunting season, only established camp facilities or primitive sites during hunting season, common sense when it comes to fires, more details at the state's website.

  10. #10
    Senior Member FLRider's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Gainesville, FL
    Hammock
    DIY Gathered End
    Tarp
    DIY Asym
    Insulation
    DIY Modular Quilt
    Suspension
    Whoopies/MSH
    Posts
    4,471
    Images
    14
    Quote Originally Posted by Tinstaafl View Post
    Thanks everyone. I've thought about Ocala NF, but just aren't familiar enough with it to pick a place. Are you allowed to make a campfire anywhere you choose to camp?

    That 'floridahikes' site looks like a good resource.
    Check the Ocala alerts and notices page for any fire bans before you go. Also, another good resource is the Florida Forest Service wildfires page. As of right now, yes, you can build a fire where you camp--as long as you use LNT methods for it (a mound fire) or an established fire ring (most of the common campsites in the forest have one).

    It's general gun season right now in Ocala, so be careful of where you camp. From now until January 20th, you need to camp either at a designated site or in a designated wilderness area. Fortunately, one of the nicest spots in Ocala, Hidden Pond, is located in the middle of the Juniper Prairie Wilderness Area. We did an hang there back in October (link is to trip report), and the spot is absolutely beautiful. It's an easy three-and-an-half-mile hike in from the Pat's Island trail head along the Florida Trail (follow the orange blazes).

    On the weekends, that spot might be a bit busy, though, so be prepared to share the site with others. Don't worry, though; there's plenty of room to spread out.

    Hope it helps!
    "Just prepare what you can and enjoy the rest."
    --Floridahanger

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. Hello from just outside Orlando
      By Moonshiner in forum Introduce Yourself
      Replies: 7
      Last Post: 11-18-2014, 09:30
    2. Hello from Orlando
      By Shmilling in forum Introduce Yourself
      Replies: 14
      Last Post: 02-04-2013, 18:32
    3. Hey From Orlando!
      By ajenness3 in forum Introduce Yourself
      Replies: 17
      Last Post: 09-11-2012, 16:09
    4. Hello from Orlando, FL
      By Great White in forum Introduce Yourself
      Replies: 15
      Last Post: 03-08-2011, 23:30
    5. Warbonnet Owners in Orlando
      By zukiguy in forum Warbonnet Hammocks
      Replies: 0
      Last Post: 02-27-2011, 18:48

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •