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 ...
Status: Open year round.   Season Dates
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4 site(s) found
ALL (4)
Pavilion (1)
Tent Only (3)
4 site(s) found
ALL (4)
Pavilion (1)
Tent Only (3)
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Loop
Site type
Max # of people
Equip length/ Driveway
Amenities
Online availability
Watermelon Pond Primitive Campsites Goethe State Forest
Tent Only
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed - no Near Water - no
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Watermelon Pond Primitive Campsites Goethe State Forest
Tent Only
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed - no Near Water - no
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Watermelon Pond Primitive Campsites Goethe State Forest
Tent Only
6
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed - no Near Water - no
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Watermelon Pond Primitive Campsites Goethe State Forest
Pavilion
35
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed Near Water - no
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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

Fri Oct 30 2026 - Thu Sep 30 2027

Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 11 Month(s) in advance.


Season Schedule

Park Season
Start
End
Peak
Thu Oct 01 2026
Mon May 31 2027
Non Peak
Tue Jun 01 2027
Thu Sep 30 2027
Peak
Fri Oct 01 2027
Wed May 31 2028
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
Special Policy Applicable to this Facility
Cancellations:

  • Cancellations can be made on the website and through the call center.
  • 1 or more days prior to arrival: $9 non-refundable cancellation fee.
  • Day of or after arrival, must be cancelled through the call center.
  • $9.00 plus the 1st night's use fee.
  • After the arrival date, $9 non-refundable cancellation fee, fees for the nights following the call will be refunded. No same night refunds.

Refunds:

  • Credit Card refunds are automatically credited back to the original credit card and will take up to 3 - 5 business days to appear on the customer's statement.
  • The State Forest campgrounds cannot process refunds for reservations processed online or through the call center.
  • The State Forest can process refunds for cash or check payments made through walk-in office reservations and walk-up campsites. State Forest do not process any credit card refunds.

Facility Rates*
Park Season
Site Type
Nightly/Daily Rates
Peak Season
Oct 01 2026 -
May 31 2027
Tent Only
$8.80
Pavilion
$9.17-$18.69
Non Peak Season
Jun 01 2027 -
Sep 30 2027
Tent Only
$8.80
Pavilion
$9.17-$18.69
Peak Season
Oct 01 2027 -
May 31 2028
Tent Only
$8.80
Pavilion
$9.17-$18.69

*Displayed rates do not reflect attribute fees (electrical hookups /water hookups), taxes or incremental charges.

**Weekly rates may not be available for all sites

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
29.56417, -82.63694
29°33'51"N, 82°38'13"W

From Downtown Newberry (Intersection of US 41/27 and State Road 26) - Head west on State Road 26 for 1 mile to county road 337. Turn left (south) on CR 337. Follow the CR 337 for 6.3 miles. The trailhead entrance will be on your left (east side of the road).You should see a state forest recreation area sign. Turn in at the recreation area sign and follow the road for 2/10ths of a mile. The campsites will be on your left.

From Downtown Bronson (Intersection of US ALT 27 and State Road 24) - Head east on SR 24 for 1/4 mile to County Road 337. Turn left (north) on CR 337 and travel north for 8 miles. You will see a recreation area sign on your right (east side of the road). Turn right at the recreation area sign and follow the road for 2/10ths of a mile. The campsites will be on your left.
Mailing Address:
Watermelon Pond Primitive Campsites Goethe State Forest
9509 SW 282 Street
Newberry  FL  32669
Phone Number:
Information:  (352) 566-5225