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Shady Grove Preserve

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· Ocala, Marion, Florida

Hosted by Marnie H.

Shady Grove Preserve, SGP, has history that goes back over 12,000 years. It is a natural water recharge area and so had plenty of game, fish, berries, nuts, and tons of other native foods for animals and humans alike. One of the oldest roads (trails) in central Florida runs across SGP. The trail connected Rainbow Springs with Silver Springs and served as a "game land grocery store for early native peoples. Artifacts of the Ocali Indians and others abound. When the white settlers came to Florida, SGP became part of a large cotton plantation, but the main homestead was used to produce the food that fed the entire work force of the plantation. An early southern railroad built a line across SGP to bring people and crops into Ocala before the civil war. The rail line was abandoned in the 1950s, but the berm trail still remains. The old growth woodlands at SGP are the only complete natural woodland habitat left in the area and provide a wonderful hands-on learning cure for 'not being able to see the forest for the trees'. After a woodland tour at SGP you will never look at trees or woodlands the same way again. Find yourself, outdoors, and find our mother earth as well at Shady Grove Preserve.

Activities

Biking

Hiking

Horseback riding

Paddling

Natural features

Beach

Forest

Lake

River, stream, or creek

100%

3 ratings · 2 reviews

Randa Z.recommends

March 25, 2018

Camp RV at ShadyGrovePreserve

It's a beautiful preserve with different grooves of trees, local creatures, and trails to walk through. Not many rv sites but all we needed was one. Host is very nice and helpful and extremely knowledgeable about many things, flora and fauna. I would like to return.

Caroline W.recommends

March 19, 2018

Camp RV at ShadyGrovePreserve

Camp RV at ShadyGrovePreserve is down an unmarked driveway lined with tall towering trees, but it was not difficult to find. Only about 25 miles west of Ocala on State Road 40 you will find Camp RV at ShadyGrovePreserve. You will start to see horse farms along 40 on your way out to the Hipcamp. Marnie, your host, has been here for many years caretaking the incredible forest and diverse microclimates on her property. She is energetic, friendly, and very knowledgeable about the native and not-so-native plants on her property. After a walk-about tour with Marnie, where we learned all about the property as well as seeing alot of the unfortunate damage from Hurricane Irma, we were turned loose to find a campsite. There are many maintained trails on the property for you to explore so make sure to get here in time to really relax and see the property. Be sure to watch out for poison ivy if you are allergic. We chose a camp spot out in a level field with a large sandy area in the middle for our campfire. The field is surrounded by large trees and you feel so cozy and safe here! There are many water spigots around the property, especially up by the barn and near the other 2 campers and trailer, so make sure to fill up your water if you choose to camp in a more primitive setting. There were also huge piles of downed dry wood for us to pick from for a campfire. The night was quiet and dark, so be sure to count on a great nights sleep here. In the morning we were woken up by a great thunderstorm, even with a bit of lightening and thunder! We had no problem driving out in the rain and even heard some coyotes that morning. We loved our time here and highly recommend booking yourself a night at Camp RV at ShadyGrovePreserve!

Location

Ocala, Marion, Florida, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Seminole, Timucua, Miccosukee, and Mascogo First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Marnie H.

Joined in November 2017

Things to do nearby

Shady Grove Preserve

Hosted by Marnie H.

Safety at Hipcamp

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