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Umatilla and the Ocala National Forest

Located in Lake County, Florida, Umatilla is a small city named after an Oregon town of the same name. Umatilla, Florida can only boast about 2,000 permanent residents. This gives it a great deal of small town charm, an aspect that is only heightened by the rural nature of the town and surrounding areas. Most Americans associate Florida natural attractions only with the Everglades or the ocean, but Umatilla has been called the "gateway to the Ocala National Forest and features more than 600 ponds and lakes.



The Ocala National Forest



This national forest is the most popular site of its kind in Florida, with millions of tourists coming to northern Lake County each year in order to see it. Many of them stay in vacation homes in Umatilla because of the ease of access.



Visitors to the forest can expect to see "scrub habitat, which once covered most of this region of Florida. The national park is one of the last remaining areas that have been left in their natural state. Many sand pine trees live in the forest as do longleaf pines.



In addition to natural lakes, the forest is filled with wet prairie areas that are characterized by stands of grass in rivers that are moving very slowly. Cypress trees and water lilies, as well as other natural pond plants surround these unusual river structures.



Nearby, tourists can visit the Juniper Prairie Wilderness. This was one of the filming locations for The Yearling, a motion picture that also used Juniper Springs near Umatilla.