My 1st visit to Grasshopper Lake Lodge was several years ago....I Googled "secluded vacation rental Florida" & it popped up...along with many others that turned out to NOT live up to their description!
I had grown accustomed to being disappointed with the alleged "private getaways", but from the moment we arrived I knew we had found what we had been searching for!
A beautiful cabin with everything you could need for a couple or small family!
The surrounding forest & peaceful spot on the lake just recharge your batteries!
Every morning we wake to the sounds of songbirds greeting the new day. Then the tough choices...do we go for an early morning hike, hoping to spot some deer or a black bear?
Or should we take the kayak or the new canoe, out for the morning bass & bluegill bite?
Should we leave the comfort of the cabin to explore the springs & Ocala National Forest?
Most times we choose to never leave. We bring all our provisions & once Doris hands us the keys, we just lock the gate & settle in and feel as though there is no one else in the world!!
We have stayed at this cabin in spring and summer. My husband's past 3 birthdays have been spent at Grasshopper Lake. In August we must rise early & get in our activities before the heat of the day. But that's when it's wonderful to take a nap & listen to afternoon rains.
In the cooler months, we enjoy the wood stove or the firepit in the yard! Very cozy!
I have caught fish off the dock in my pajamas with my morning coffee & returned at sunset to fish some more with my glass of wine!
The cabin is just beautiful & the 1st thing you will notice upon entering , is the wonderful cedar aroma from the wood of the cabin! It fills up your senses.! The king sized bed is extremely comfortable & we have enjoyed both , the deck with overhead ceiling fans, as well as the screened-in porch when the bugs are biting.
Wildlife around the cabin is often abundant , & we have spotted deer, turkey, otter, alligator, sandhill cranes, bald eagles, osprey, and hawks.
The best times have been when we spotted black bear. Once, in June on the trail , a mother with 2 cubs & twice on the lake...a bear on shore & one swimming!
I am so grateful that a place like this exists, so that we can get a break from our hectic , city lives . We can go there to kick back, relax, and get in tune with unspoiled nature!!
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Words, pictures, videos - none of it can even come close to sharing our Ocala area experience! You REALLY, REALLY HAVE to do this if you are in the area or going to be looking for something in the area.
For us this was all kind of a nonchalant event that kind of happened. My friend and I were talking about an article or something on FB that someone shared showing & rating the natural springs in Florida. We are beach bums that live in South Florida. I am from Tennessee (like in the back of the woods girl) and she is OBSESSED with bears. No girl, like OBSESSED! Somehow we were looking for a little, cute B&B or something in the area just to do some hiking and maybe a few springs. I found Grasshopper Lodge and INSTANTLY fell in love! It reminded me SO, SO much of where I grew up even though it's over 1000 miles away! Not only did I not know there was ANYTHING like that down here - I had NO CLUE what I was in store for!
David answered all of my questions and gave me suggestions as well. All of the instructions were perfect and Doris was just a little peach! The drive in is a little (ok a LOT) rough and, for us, covered in water. I cannot stress the importance of a SUV/Jeep!!! Oh - and just a heads up - the stove/oven is gas and my friend and I just looked at each other blankly. LOL My grandma always cooked on gas but she had to light it and I never understood that concept AT ALL so I was terrified at first. Turns out - you just (gasp) turn it on! It works just like anything else. I thought that was quite comical although embarrassing!!
The place is amazing! Gorgeous as you could even imagine. Rustic and homey. I immediately felt comfortable. Like I was visiting my dads house. IF you find a need to watch TV there are two flat screen TVs. I think we turned one on once for some background noise but stuck w/music most of the time, which he has an aux adapter to plug your phone/ipod/etc into the stereo system. Usually nature wins out though yanno?
In the area there are some AMAZING things to do. We hiked, went to Juniper and Alexander Springs which I mean you HAVE to do. We canoed through them and saw gators, otters and bears! We even swam with an otter in the swimming area of Alexander Springs (my favorite of the two). Beware! The water is FREEEEEZING but soo, sooo worth it! Clearest water I've EVER seen!
So I guess what I'm saying is - I love it! I plan to go back in a few months w/more friends.
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A great place to get away from it all! Didn't see another human being our entire stay. The peace and quiet were great and the campfire evening was excellent. Will certainly be back!
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I cannot sing the praises of Grasshopper lodge enough. I felt at home, I wanted find a way to make it mine, I wanted to stay there until, I was down to my last grain of rice. in short.......
I LOVED IT!!!! as welcoming as staying in your best friends home. I plan on making this a yearly event, no doubt!!
How easy was it to book the property? | How helpful were the directions to the property? |
How easy was key pickup/access to the property? | Overall condition of the property |
Bedding & mattresses | Kitchen & utensils |
Bathroom cleanliness | Other facilities & amenities |
Service |
Friends getaway | Older travelers |
People with pets |