The Florida Forest Service offers camping discounts for individuals age 65 and older, active-duty military or honorably discharged veterans, and for individuals 100% disabled at applicable camping facilities on Florida's State Forests. If you qualify for any of these discounts, please call the Reserve America Call Center at (877) 879-3859 and provide the appropriate document number (e.g., driver's license number; military ID number) to have the documentation added and your profile updated. Once this is complete, your discount will automatically apply upon checkout. The Florida Forest Service reserves the right to verify documentation provided to Reserve America.   
Important Notice:   
The Florida Forest Service will close all campgrounds and recreation areas on State Forests if the county where the State Forest is located is placed under a Tropical Storm or Hurricane WARNING by the National Weather Service. Reservations will be automatically refunded for closures related to tropical weather.   
Krul Campground Info: Day Passes are not valid for entry at Krul Campground. Reservations are required for entry and are available 2 days in advance here. Annual passholders also require a reservation, but will be admitted for free.
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Important Notice: The Florida Forest Service will close all campgrounds and recreation areas on State Forests if the county where the State Forest is located is placed under a Tropical Storm or Hurricane WARNING by the National Weather Service. Reservations will be automatically refunded for closures related to tropical weather.
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Watermelon Pond Primitive Campsites Goethe State Forest, FL

Average Rating: 4.5
Average Rating: 4.5
Average Rating: 4.5
Average Rating: 4.5
Average Rating: 4.5
36 Ratings
This is a separate tract of land managed by Goethe State Forest located in Alachua County north of the main body of the forest. The Watermelon Pond primitive campsites are co-located with the Watermelon Pond Trailhead. The trails in this section of the forest are multi-use so it is likely ...
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FACILITY OFFERING:

Camping
Description
This is a separate tract of land managed by Goethe State Forest located in Alachua County north of the main body of the forest. The Watermelon Pond primitive campsites are co-located with the Watermelon Pond Trailhead. The trails in this section of the forest are multi-use so it is likely hikers will see equestrian users on the trail. As these campsites are primitive, there is no electric and or water on site. There is a restroom at the trailhead. Campers have a designated parking spot and walk in 20-40 yards to their campsite. Recreational activities featured here are: hiking, picnicking, bird watching, equestrian, wildlife viewing and photography. This area is also great for stargazing.
Geography:

The most notable feature in this area is Watermelon Pond- a large intermittent basin marsh. Basin marsh is a mosaic of seasonally inundated and semi-permanent ponds interspersed with marshes and wet prairies, the latter characterized as a treeless plain with woody shrubs and a dense groundcover of grasses and herbs. Water levels in this area have changed dramatically over the years. Basin marshes provide breeding or foraging habitat for species such as the striped newt, little grass frog, southern chorus frog, narrow-mouthed toad, gopher frog, white ibis, woodstork, whooping crane, and sandhill crane. The pond and surrounding hammocks are a great area for birding.

Recreation:

The Watermelon Pond tract of Goethe State Forest has primitive campsites and recreational trails that offer a variety of activities such as hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, birding, wildlife viewing and photography. The state forest is also adjacent to Watermelon Pond Wildlife and Environmental Area managed by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This allows forest visitors to enjoy twice as much state land. Get outdoors and explore the recreational opportunities at Watermelon Pond or other tracts of Goethe State Forest.
For further information please visit:
https://www.fdacs.gov/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Goethe-State-Forest.

Facilities:

A restroom (no showers) is located in the day use parking area.

Nearby Attractions:

Devils Den (scuba dive site)
Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens

Services & Amenities:

Within Park
  • Bird Watching
  • Camping, Primitive
  • Fire Rings
  • Fishing
  • Grills
  • Group Picnicking
  • Hiking
  • Hiking Trail
  • Jogging/Running
  • Kiosk
  • Nature Study
  • Parking
  • Photography
  • Picnic Tables
  • Restrooms
  • Stargazing
  • Trails, Equestrian
  • Walking
Within 10 Miles
  • Boat Ramp
  • Boating
Alerts and Important Information
  • No potable water or electric at this site. This is primitive camping.
  • The campsites are 20-40 yards from the parking areas.
  • A restroom at the trailhead is shared between day use visitors and campers.
  • Hunting seasons occur on this area of the state forest. Please check hunting dates out before making reservations.
Contact Information:
Mailing Address:
Watermelon Pond Primitive Campsites Goethe State Forest
9509 SW 282 Street
Newberry  FL  32669
Phone Number:
Information:  (352) 566-5225