Santos Trailhead and Campground

Santos Trailhead and Campground is a small public campground located in Ocala, Florida. It is situated across from the Marion County Sheriff's station. The campground offers 23 tent or RV full hookup sites and is open year-round. 

Each campsite features a picnic table and a fire ring and can be hooked up to water and electricity. Public restrooms, a bathhouse, and a dump station are also available at the campground for the patrons' convenience. The sites are well spaced out, but since there is not much greenery in between the sites that are situated on a paved loop, there is not much privacy, especially on the inner sites by the bathhouse. 

This cozy, dog-friendly campground is popular primarily due to its close location and easy access to the Cross Florida Greenway and the Santos Trailhead, which consists of over 80 miles of mountain biking trails. The trails vary in difficulty, with yellow tracks aimed at beginners, blue for moderate riders, and red for professionals. Most of the campground’s patrons are bicyclists; however, you can join in on the cycling fun at any time by renting bikes at one of the several bike rentals located near the campground. 

The campground’s hosts are said to be very friendly and accommodating and keep the sites well-maintained and stocked. The main downside of the campground is its proximity to the roads, which causes some noise pollution that can be heard throughout the day and night. If your pooch has noise anxiety, they might have to sit this trip out. 

If you end up deciding to bring your four-legged family member, make sure to pack enough dog waste bags to last the entire stay. Due to the location and amenities, the campground is very in demand, with some making reservations several months in advance to secure a prime spot, so keep that in mind if you intend on taking a trip in these areas. Prices start at $22 per night for tents and RV’s and vary depending on the requested hookups.