Weekend availability at River Forest Group Site
Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 19, 11:25 PM PTSold out 5 of the next 5 weekends — exactly when cancellation alerts earn their keep.
- Fri, Sep 25Sold out
- Fri, Oct 2Sold out
- Fri, Oct 9Sold out
- Fri, Oct 16Sold out
- Fri, Oct 23Sold out
Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.
How booked is River Forest Group Site?
as of September 20Weekends book out well ahead here — 4 of the 4 Saturdays we sampled, as far out as Nov, are already sold out. When a site frees up it's gone again within minutes, so people watch River Forest Group Site and hear the instant one opens for their dates. Even midweek is filling — 1 of the 3 weekdays we checked are gone.
Weekends (Saturday night)
Weekdays (Wednesday night)
Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.
Campsites & amenities
Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.
- Campsites
- 1
- Pull-through
- 1
About this campground
Overview 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. 14 day stay limit in a 30 day period in ALL Ocala National Forest Campgrounds Recreation 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.Facilities 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.Natural Features 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. Nearby Attractions 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.
Getting there
From Deland, Florida, drive west on State Route 44 to the first intersection after crossing the St. Johns River. Turn right on County Road 42, and the entrance to the campground is on the right.
Activities
- CAMPING
- FISHING
- HIKING
Nearby federal campgrounds
- Lake Woodruff WildernessLake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge7 mi
- Clearwater Lake Rec AreaNational Forests in Florida10 mi
- Alexander Springs Recreation AreaNational Forests in Florida12 mi
- Lake Dorr CabinNational Forests in Florida14 mi
- Buck Lake Group CampgroundNational Forests in Florida17 mi
- Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area Vehicle ReservationsNational Forests in Florida22 mi
Never miss an opening at River Forest Group Site
Popular Florida campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch River Forest Group Site around the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.
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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.