• log cabin image by robert mobley from Fotolia.com
  
  Ocala is a small town lying just south of Gainesville in central Florida. Sparsely populated in comparison to the more metropolitan areas surrounding it, Ocala is known more for the expanse of wilderness in the vicinity, including the massive Ocala National Forest on the eastern edge of the town. Throughout these areas plenty of accommodations can be found, often in the form of authentic and beautiful log cabins.
  
  

Ocklawaha Resort

• Ocklawaha is a wilderness resort catering to those who wish to experience the vast array of activities in Ocala's outdoors areas. Situated on the northern edge of Ocala just outside the national forest, the resort lies on hundreds of acres of protected and maintained wilderness. While tent and RV camping are both allowed in certain areas of the resort property, the real draw to Ocklawaha is the luxury log cabins available for rental. Each cabin is designed like an authentic mountain or forest residence would be, built and decorated in a rustic woods style. Despite the old-time rustic feel, each cabin is still fully furnished and comes with all modern amenities. This includes a full kitchen, private bathrooms, screened front porch and heating and air. Fresh linens and towels are provided at the start of your stay by the resort staff as well. While enjoying a stay in the authentic log cabins, guests can enjoy countless outdoor activities offered by the resort. Canoes and kayaks are available for daily excursions down the Ocklawaha River, which runs through the resort property and into the national forest. These trips will provide plenty of scenery of the undeveloped Florida forestry and the animals that live there. Fishing is also available in certain areas, and hiking trails wind through the resort for those looking for a scenic walk.
  
  Ocklawaha Resort
  15260 N.E. 152nd Place
  Fort McCoy, FL 32134
  866-236-4606
  outpostresort.com
  
  

Riverside Lodge

• Located just south of Ocala on the shores of Apopka Lake, Riverside Lodge offers plenty of accommodations in various settings, including several log cabins along the lake's shore. The resort itself is a privately-owned property that caters to campers and those looking for an RV stop. However, the recently built log cabins add a new dimension to the resort, becoming one of the only log cabin rental resorts in the area. The cabins are all custom designed and built for the resort and each offers unique floor plans and design styles. The cabins are all fully furnished and come with a wide range of modern amenities in a rustic lakeside atmosphere. Exposed wood flows throughout the cabins give a true wilderness feel. Electronics and appliances are all modern and top-of-the-line, from the fully-equipped kitchen to the flat-screen TVs in every room. The cabins also feature a sleeping loft above the living room and a private outdoor deck overlooking the scenic lakeside. Outdoor activities such as fishing are allowed and in many of the cabins can be done right from the porch due to the proximity to the water.
  
  Riverside Lodge
  12561 E. Gulf to Lake Highway
  Inverness, FL 34450
  352-726-2002
  riversidelodgerv.com
  
  

Silver River

• Silver River is a State Park located just east of downtown Ocala, situated between the town and the much larger Ocala National Forest. Silver River is home to plenty of camping and outdoor activities, as well as several cabins available for rent. These rustic log cabins are designed to model authentic forest log cabins often found in mountain towns across the country. Each cabin can comfortably sleep six people in its two bedrooms. Also featured is a private bathroom, fully-equipped kitchen and outdoor items such as picnic table, rocking chairs and a screened front porch. The cabins are without some modern amenities such as phone and television; however, this provides a very authentic outdoors feeling. The cabins are scattered throughout the park, which also features plenty of hiking opportunities. More than 15 miles of trails wind through the area, accessible either by foot or by bicycle. Canoeing, kayaking and fishing can also be found along the Silver River, which winds through the heart of the park past several of the log cabins. At night guests will appreciate the access to outdoor fire rings, perfect for relaxing under the stars near the cabins themselves.
  
  Silver River
  1425 N.E. 58th Ave.
  Ocala, FL 34470
  352-236-7148
  floridastateparks.org/silverriver