Top 10 most Instagrammable spots in Ocala

Good lighting, the right angles, the perfect composition. Thanks to social media, it’s never been easier to embrace your inner photographer! What better location to showcase your skills than picturesque Ocala/Marion County? If “I did it for the ‘gram” is a part of your vernacular, then here are the 10 most Instagrammable spots in Ocala/Marion County you won’t want to miss.

 

Silver Springs State Park
5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd.Ocala, Florida 34470
(352) 261-5840 (+1-352-261-5840)

Silver Springs (https://www.ocalamarion.com/directory/silver-springs-state-park/) became one of Florida’s first tourist attractions (https://www.ocalamarion.com/blog/top-10-must-sees-in-ocala- marion-county/) in the late 1800s, and it’s picturesque artesian springs and abundant wildlife have been attracting visitors ever since. Hop aboard one of its world-famous glass-bottom boats (https://www.ocalamarion.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-glass-bottom-boat-rides/), and you’ll be snapping shots of fish, turtles, birds, alligators, deer, and yes, even rhesus macaque monkeys!

 

Silver Glen Springs Recreation
5271 N Highway 19 Fort McCoy, Florida32134
(352) 685-2799 (+1-352-685-2799)

Part of the Ocala National Forest (https://www.ocalamarion.com/things-to-do/outdoors/ocala- national-forest/), Silver Glen Springs (https://www.ocalamarion.com/directory/silver-glen-springs- recreation-area/) boasts clear, aquamarine-hued waters that, when the sunlight hits just right, reRect hundreds of tiny rainbows. During the cooler winter months, manatee (https://www.ocalamarion.com/blog/best-places-to-spot-manatees-in-ocala-marion-county/) sightings are frequent, as they take a liking to the springs’ warmer waters.

 

Carney Island Recreation Area
13275 SE 115th Avenue Ocklawaha,Florida 32179
(352) 671-8560 (+1-352-671-8560)

The Carney Island Conservation Area (https://www.ocalamarion.com/directory/carney-island- recreation-conservation-area/) is situated on a peninsula in Lake Weir—the largest in Marion County— and dotted with jaw-droppingly large live oak trees and panoramic views of the lake and its sandhill islands. Take one of the three loop trails, where visitors frequently spot resident deer, turkeys and bald eagles.

 

Rainbow Springs
18185 SW 94th StreetDunnellon, Florida 34432
(352) 465-8555

Pretty much everything about Rainbow Springs (https://www.ocalamarion.com/directory/rainbow- springs-state-park/) is picturesque (including its name). This popular swimming, snorkeling, tubing (https://www.ocalamarion.com/blog/tubing-guide/) and camping destination is one of Florida’s largest springs (https://www.ocalamarion.com/blog/natural-springs-must-do-activities-in- marion-county/), but it’s particularly revered for its magnificent azaleas. Be there in early spring when their blooms color the entire headsprings with vibrant pinks, purples and whites. The Rainbow River’s adjacent KP Hole Park is also home to a variety of photo-friendly wildlife, including alligators, turtles, otters, birds and fish.

 

Crones’ Cradle Conserve
6411 NE 217th Place Citra, Florida32113
(352) 595-3377 (+1-352-595-3377)

A visit to this 756-acre ecological preserve will make you feel like you’re in another era, where Florida’s natural Rora and fauna grow freely without any sign of human inRuence. The conserve (https://www.ocalamarion.com/directory/crones-cradle-conserve/) is also home to a not-for-profit organic vegetable and herb farm, which visitors are invited to tour.

 

Downtown Ocala Square
1 SE Broadway St. Ocala, Florida 34471
(352) 368-5550 (+1-352-368-5550)

Art, history, fine dining and entertainment share the spotlight in Ocala’s Downtown Square (https://www.ocalamarion.com/plan-your-visit/area/ocala/). Snap a shot of that great meal our award- winning chefs (https://www.ocalamarion.com/food-drink/) created just for you, or show off your unique shopping finds (https://www.ocalamarion.com/things-to-do/shopping/). Don’t miss the downtown area’s colorful public murals, which are featured in Florida’s statewide Mural Trail. Definitely Insta-worthy.

 

Sholom Park
7110 SW 80th Avenue Ocala, Florida 34481
(352) 854-3677 (+1-352-854-3677)

Designed to be a source of inner peace for all who visit, Sholom Park (https://www.ocalamarion.com/directory/sholom-park/) combines native Florida plants with cultivated ornamentals, perennials and annuals. Stroll on one of the park’s paved walkways and encounter mature oaks, hickories, sweet gums and long-leaf pine trees. And don’t forget to take a selfie of yourself at peace!

 

Juniper Springs Recreation
26701 E Highway 40 Silver Springs, Florida 34488
(352) 625-3147 (+1-352-625-3147)

With hundreds of tiny bubbling springs emerging from underwater crevices, and a dense canopy of palms and oaks, Juniper Springs (https://www.ocalamarion.com/directory/juniper-springs-recreation- area/) is an oasis in the heart of Ocala National Forest’s desert-like Big Scrub. It’s impossible to take a bad photo here!

 

Santos Trails
3080 SE 80th Street Ocala, Florida 34480
(352) 369-2693 (+1-352-369-2693)

Hikers (https://www.ocalamarion.com/things-to-do/outdoors/hiking/) and mountain bikers love the Santos Trailhead and Campground (https://www.ocalamarion.com/directory/santos-trailhead-and- campground/). It offers some of the best mountain biking in the southeastern (https://www.ocalamarion.com/thingso-do/outdoors/biking/), thanks to numerous wooden features and an extreme-terrain area built in a former lime rock quarry. Here you can also find some of the remains of the defunct Cross Florida Barge Canal project, now renamed the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. In all, Santos offers more than 80 miles of diverse bike trails for beginners to expert- level riders – so don’t leave without posting the perfect action shot!

Author
Ocala/Marion County
Florida’s Natural Wonder

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