Welcome to Sallie's Laurel Vacation Rental Cottage:
Luxurious Living Nestled in the Florida Ocala National Forest!

	Built in 1950, I am the second owner of this Forest gem. I have spent the last 4 years completely renovating her. A 3 bedroom 1 ½ bath - with an additional outdoor shower. 2 decks for relaxing or entertaining. Large gas grill and small wood burning Chiminea. 3 TV’s and 2 DVD players. DirecTV provides over 200 channels. Full kitchen and laundry. Equipped with wireless high speed internet to access the internet from any room.
An Extraordinary Fine Living Experience Sallie's Laurel is furnished with antique furniture, antique wool rugs, Capodimonte lamp fixtures, and down cushions on the couches. The linens, pillows, feather bed, and pillow shams are of the most luxurious quality. The fabrics that adorn the rooms are velvet, silk, and tapestries. This is no ordinary "cabin". It is a "fine living" experience. The gardens and grounds are comparable to a golf course resort.
Overlooks Round Lake - Miles of Trails and Outdoor Activities Nestled in the Ocala National Forest, Sallie’s Laurel overlooks Round Lake (28 acres) on an acre of lushly landscaped grounds, making this the perfect Florida getaway. Miles of trails for hiking or horseback. Canoeing and swimming in Round Lake are enjoyed by many who visit. Enjoy this beautiful lake view while relaxing with your morning coffee. > More Photos! <

Sallie's Laurel amenities include:

About the Ocala National Forest

The Ocala National Forest is the largest publicly accessible landholding in northern Florida and the state's second largest national forest. Established in 1908, it is both the oldest national forest east of the Mississippi River and the southernmost in the mainland United States. With approximately 2 million visitors annually, it is also one of the nations most frequently visited. It encompasses 384,000 acres and contains an array of habitats, including flat woods, sandy uplands, swamps, spring-run woodlands, and numerous lakes. A main attraction for the naturalists is the Big Scrub region on the eastern side of the forest-a dry, sandy upland known for natural stands of Sand Pine and scrubby woods. In prehistoric times, when sea levels were much higher than they are today, the ancient dune field that constitutes much of the scrub lands was all that separated the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico.

Ocala National Recreation Trail

A local portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail, this trail offers approximately 65 miles of hiking, backpacking, and back country camping. Perhaps the most scenic stretches are the grassy wetlands through the Juniper Prairie Wilderness Area and along Hopkins Prairie.

Salt Springs

This large inland salt spring, located along Route 19, is perfect for fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and swimming. The 4-mile Salt Springs Run is canoe able to Lake George, the state's second largest lake. The salty content of the spring's waters comes from remnant subsurface salt beds laid
down by ancient sea.

Things To Do

Nineteen campgrounds dot the forest. The campground within Juniper Springs Recreations Area is one of the most developed and most popular. It offers swimming, a concession area, and tent and trailer sites. Bird life includes, Bachman's Sparrows, Brown-headed Nuthatches, Bald Eagles, Wild Turkeys, and Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. The Florida Scrub Jay is a specialty here. Black Bears and White tailed Deer are also plentiful. Alligators are present in some streams and wetlands. Ocala is also an outstanding butterfly area. Scrub plants, including Chapman and Myrtle Oaks, Sand Pine, Scrub Morning-glory, and Garberia, are of special interest in this forest.

Another botanical draw here is the Yellow Anise, a Florida endemic naturally found only in wet hammocks and along spring runs in Marion, lake, and Volusia Counties, now widely used as an ornamental shrub because of its easy cultivation and the distinctive aroma of its leaves.

Ocala's 100-mile horse trail, divided into two 40-mile loops and one 20-mile loop, is an excellent way for equestrians to experience the forest. In addition to the Salt Springs Run, Juniper Creek and Alexander Springs Creek offer pleasant paddling excursions. For the more adventurous, the 19-mile Ocklawaha Canoe Trail on the Ocklawaha River, which runs along the forest's western edge, is the forest's longest canoe run.

Ocala National Forest Contact Information:

Ocala N.F. Lake George Ranger Station
17147 E. Hwy. 40
Silver Springs, Fl 34488
352-625-2520

http://www.ocklawaha.org

Note: This is Federal property. Motor boats in the lake and 4 wheelers on the land are not allowed. Anyone breaking these rules will be asked to leave immediately!

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For more information about reserving our
Florida vacation rental house email: sallie@sallieslaurel.com