Ocean Pond Campground
Sanderson, Florida · on Ocean Pond · Osceola National Forest
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $12/night
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Ocean Pond Campground
Ocean Pond Campground sits on the north shore of Ocean Pond, a roughly 1,760-acre, two-mile-wide natural lake in Osceola National Forest near Olustee, Florida. The lake has a shallow, sandy-bottomed swim beach, a classic national-forest swimming hole used by both campers at the campground and day visitors at the separate Olustee Beach day-use area on the south shore, two places to swim on the same lake.
Ocean Pond is a large natural lake set in Osceola National Forest's pine flatwoods and cypress wetlands, in Baker County about 14 miles east of Lake City off US Highway 90. The campground occupies the developed north shore, while the south shore holds the Olustee Beach day-use area and is near the historic Olustee Battlefield site of the 1864 Civil War battle.
Swimming at Ocean Pond Campground
The lake has a shallow, sandy-bottom beach suited to casual swimming and cooling off on hot days, alongside boating, waterskiing, and fishing on the open water. The Forest Service page notes conditions can range from glassy calm to windy with whitecaps given the lake's 2-mile width.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Lake City, take US Highway 90 east about 14 miles, then north on CR 250/FR 266 for about 4 miles to reach Ocean Pond Campground on the north shore. Olustee Beach, the day-use swim area on the south shore, is reached separately off US 90 near Olustee.
Parking: Boat ramp with trailer parking at the campground; designated day-use parking at Olustee Beach.
The hike in
The Florida National Scenic Trail runs along/near the campground entrance road and is maintained annually for hikers, but it is a through-trail, not a required approach to the swim beach itself, the beach is drive-up/walk-up from camp or the day-use parking lot.
No hike is needed to reach the water; this is a drive-up beach at both the campground (campers only) and Olustee Beach (public day-use).
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Shallow, sandy-bottom beach and a beachside swingset make it welcoming for kids, but this is a 2-mile-wide open lake with a boat ramp and moderate-to-high weekend boat/waterski traffic and no lifeguard, so supervision near the swim area is needed.
Parking
Paid, $5/vehicle at Olustee Beach day-use (or $2.50 with Senior/Interagency pass); campground parking included in nightly site fee
Campground has one paved parking slip per campsite plus free visitor/overflow lots and a separate area for boat trailers across from the ramp (grass parking not allowed in Electric/Water sections). Olustee Beach has its own day-use parking lot.
Restrooms
Yes
At the campground (north shore): flush toilets and hot showers in the Electric/Water sections ($5 for non-campers, $2 for hikers), and flush toilets with sinks (no showers) in the Primitive section. At Olustee Beach day-use area (south shore): flush toilets.
Hours
Campground is open 24 hours/day, 365 days/year (check-in 2pm/check-out 11am for registered sites). Olustee Beach day-use area is sunrise to sunset; its boat ramp is accessible 24 hours.
On the water
Restrictions: Florida state boating registration/fishing license rules apply; boating in the National Forest is regulated by the state of Florida. Motorized boating and waterskiing are permitted on the open lake (no stated horsepower or no-wake restriction found), while kayaks/canoes/low-powered boats can also hug the cypress-lined shoreline per the Olustee Beach page.
Boat ramps exist at both the campground and Olustee Beach; the campground boat ramp area has dedicated trailer parking.
What regulars say
Campers who have stayed here describe the restrooms and showers as consistently clean, note the forest access roads can be rough after rain, mention insect bites and ticks in April, and highlight scenic lake sunsets and a beachside swingset; none commented on water clarity or alligators.
Backstory
The campground area is adjacent to Olustee Battlefield, site of the largest Civil War battle fought in Florida (1864). The Trampled Track Trail near the campground interprets the area's historic turpentine (naval stores) industry.
Ocean Pond Campground: FAQ
Does Ocean Pond Campground charge a fee?
Campground sites range from $12/night (backcountry/primitive) to $20/night (water only) to $30/night (electric+water). Olustee Beach day-use fee is $5 per vehicle ($2.50 with Senior Pass or Interagency Access Pass). Non-campers pay $5 for hot showers ($2 for hikers) and $5 to use the RV dump station.
Is Ocean Pond Campground kid friendly?
Shallow, sandy-bottom beach and a beachside swingset make it welcoming for kids, but this is a 2-mile-wide open lake with a boat ramp and moderate-to-high weekend boat/waterski traffic and no lifeguard, so supervision near the swim area is needed.
Do I need to hike to reach Ocean Pond Campground?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Ocean Pond Campground?
Campground has one paved parking slip per campsite plus free visitor/overflow lots and a separate area for boat trailers across from the ramp (grass parking not allowed in Electric/Water sections). Olustee Beach has its own day-use parking lot.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Ocean Pond Campground?
Boat ramps exist at both the campground and Olustee Beach; the campground boat ramp area has dedicated trailer parking.
When is the best time to visit Ocean Pond Campground?
Swimming described by the Forest Service as good for cooling off on hot summer days; campsite availability is easier in December/January and tightens on weekends and holidays per camper reviews.
What are the rules at Ocean Pond Campground?
Camping limited to 14 days within a 30-day period; max 5 people and 2 vehicles per campsite; check-in 2pm/check-out 11am ET; no ATVs/OHVs in the campground; pets allowed in camp but not on the beach; Florida state boating registration and fishing license required. Olustee Beach day-use area operates sunrise to sunset (boat ramp open 24 hrs) and was listed as temporarily closed on the Forest Service site at time of research, so current access should be reconfirmed before a visit.
What water body is Ocean Pond Campground on?
Ocean Pond Campground is on Ocean Pond, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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