A gravel road curving into a high mountain valley at first light, the peaks catching the sun.

Forest Service group campground

Lake Shore Group Camp

Forest Service group campground in National Forests in Florida, Marion County, Florida. 73 feet. 15.7 miles from Ocala.

Managed by
Forest Service National Forests in Florida
Elevation
73 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
1 1 group standard non-electric
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Marion County

Overview

Lake Shore Group Campground sits on the north shore of Fore Lake in Ocala National Forest. It is a favorite for scout, church and civic groups, as well as large families and reunions.

14 day stay limit in a 30 day period in ALL Ocala National Forest Campgrounds

Recreation

Fore Lake is an excellent spot for birding. Visitors can also picnic and fish along the shore. Campers who wish to venture out into the water can launch their electric-motor boats, canoes and kayaks from the facility's boat ramp.

Swimming is allowed, but campers should be aware that there are alligators in this lake.

Facilities

Lake Shore Group Camp is for tent camping, however RVs are allowed in the small parking area. The site can accommodate up to 50 guests and there are campsites in the shade and in the sun, all within sight of the lake. The centerpiece of the facility is the large accessible picnic shelter, perfect for group gatherings. A group grill, picnic tables and a restroom with showers and flush toilets are available.

The lake is situated in the historic community of Scrambletown, which has a store.

Natural Features

Located in north central Florida, 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.

Lined by marshes, the 12-acre Fore Lake is home to many species of birds. The surrounding landscape is forested with saw palmetto and oak trees.

Nearby Attractions

The Ocala National Forest is notable for its extensive off-road trail system catering to both ATV enthusiasts and Jeeps, as well as being a traditional destination for deer hunters. These opportunities are available within a short drive.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • picnicking

The land around Lake Shore Group Camp

The ringed pin is this group campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.