Group Landing
37 mi north · USDA Forest Service
Group Landing is a secluded area that offers a flexible space accommodating many outdoor activities, from a weekend family camping trip to a midweek company picnic.
Outdoors
Fishing near Gainesville
Lakes, rivers and recreation areas near Gainesville where fishing is allowed, closest first.
23places to fish
37 mito the closest
Good to know: Anyone 16 or older generally needs a state fishing license; seasons, limits and special rules vary by water. Florida license information ↗
Closest picks
Lake Shore Group Camp
38 mi southeast · USDA Forest Service
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.
Ocean Pond Campground
39 mi north · USDA Forest Service
Situated in Baker County, Florida, this campground includes 64 campsites and is open 24 hours/day. All sites are available at recreation.gov. There's something here for everyone in this lakeside campground.
Map of all 23 places
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30 to 75 miles (17)
Group Landing
Group Landing is a secluded area that offers a flexible space accommodating many outdoor activities, from a weekend family camping trip to a midweek company picnic.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Swimming
Lake Shore Group Camp
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.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Ocean Pond Campground
Situated in Baker County, Florida, this campground includes 64 campsites and is open 24 hours/day. All sites are available at recreation.gov. There's something here for everyone in this lakeside campground.
- Accessible Swimming
- Backpacking
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
Salt Springs Recreation Area
Salt Springs Recreation Area is one the recreational jewels of the Ocala National Forest, with a spectacular natural mineral spring that gives the area its name.
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge is bisected by 20 miles of the famous Suwannee River and includes 30 miles of coastal marsh habitat along the Gulf of Mexico.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
- Nature education
Juniper Springs Rec Area
Juniper Springs Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in the Ocala National Forest. The location offers deeply shaded sites within walking distance of some of Florida's most beautiful natural springs.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Ranger programs
- Swimming
- Water sports
Doe Lake Group Site
Doe Lake is a group campsite with a variety of activities. Centered around a historic lodge with a large group kitchen, it's an ideal place for major outdoor gatherings of up to 250 people.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Horseback riding
- Wildlife viewing
Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
Chassahowitzka NWR was established in 1943 for waterfowl conservation. The refuge protects saltwater bays, estuaries, brackish marshes, and hardwood swamps in Homosassa, FL.
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Paddling
- Photography
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1983, is the only refuge created specifically for the protection of the threatened Florida manatee, a subspecies of the West Indian manatee.
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
Buck Lake Group Campground
Buck Lake is a group camping facility in the heart of Ocala National Forest in Florida. Great for family reunions and social gatherings, the campground can host a group of up to 50 guests along the shores of Buck Lake.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge
Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1929 by President Herbert Hoover to protect a breeding ground for colonial nesting migratory birds during a time when market hunters, desiring feathers for the ladies' apparel…
- Boating
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Nature education
- Paddling
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Alexander Springs Recreation Area
Alexander Springs Recreation Area is located in the Ocala National Forest near the beautiful, turquoise waters of Alexander Springs.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Swimming
Lake Dorr Cabin
Lake Dorr Cabin is set along the south shore of beautiful Lake Dorr, ideal for a family getaway. The cabin is open year-round and creates a great setting for plenty of outdoor water fun.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
Clearwater Lake Rec Area
Clearwater Lake Recreation Area offers a quiet getaway along the southeastern edge of the Ocala National Forest, just outside the community of Paisley, Florida.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge
Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1964 as a migratory bird refuge to offset losses of wetland habitat that were occurring in central Florida.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Paddling
- Ranger programs
River Forest Group Site
River Forest is a shaded group camping facility on the shores of the St. Johns River in Ocala National Forest.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 as a "refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife.” The refuge conserves the unique features of the Okefenokee Swamp,the headwaters of the Suwannee and…
- Boating
- Camping
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
- Non-Motorized Boating
75 miles and farther (6)
Cumberland Island National Seashore Camping Permits
Whether you are looking to spend a night with family and friends around a campfire under the moss covered branches of the live oak trees, or looking for the rugged challenges and solitude of the wilderness, you will find it on Cumberland…
- Backpacking
- Beach
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge
The Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1985 under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 and the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
The Refuge was established in 1931 to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds. It is one of the oldest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System.
- Boating
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Canaveral National Seashore
Discover a dynamic barrier island shaped by dunes, coastal hammocks, and Mosquito Lagoon. Walk among ancient Timucua shell mounds and connect with thousands of years of human history.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Paddling
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge traces its beginnings to the development of the nation’s Space Program. In 1962, NASA acquired the lands and waters adjacent to Cape Canaveral to establish the John F. Kennedy Space Center.
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Photography
- Ranger programs
Wolf Island National Wildlife Refuge
Wolf Island National Wildlife Refuge, which also includes Egg Island and Little Egg Island, is located at the mouth of the Altamaha River on the Georgia coast.
- Fishing
- Motor Boat
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Gainesville. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Get outside around Gainesville
A WALK AROUND TOWN
Downtown Gainesville Florida Walking Tour
A recorded downtown Gainesville walk, passing University Avenue, storefront blocks and the clock-tower area. Shared by Florida Streaming; the creator’s closing graphics are part of the original film.
Watch on YouTube ↗
A WALK AROUND TOWN
A Relaxing Walking Tour Downtown Gainesville, Florida | City Walk USA
A short recorded walk along downtown Gainesville’s palm-lined streets and pedestrian areas, including The Promenade. Shared by City Walk USA.
Watch on YouTube ↗More outdoors near Gainesville
Questions
Where is the closest place for fishing near Gainesville?
Group Landing (USDA Forest Service), about 37 miles north of Gainesville as the crow flies. Next are Lake Shore Group Camp (38 mi) and Ocean Pond Campground (39 mi).
Do I need a fishing license near Gainesville?
Yes, anglers 16 and older generally need a Florida fishing license from the state wildlife agency. Rules, seasons and limits vary by water.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.