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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Attention: For more information, please contact the state forest office at (386) 467-2388.
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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Welaka Primitive Campsites, FL

Average Rating: 4.5
Average Rating: 4.5
Average Rating: 4.5
Average Rating: 4.5
Average Rating: 4.5
12 Ratings
The Welaka Primitive Campsites are located in the Welaka State Forest (Putnam County), about 25 minutes south of Palatka, FL. The campsites are accessible by a 2 mile hike or access by boat along the St. Johns River. These campsites have no electricity and no water. ...
Status: Open year round.   Season Dates
Max Reservation Window:   View all
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Site type
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Equip length/ Driveway
Amenities
Online availability
Welaka Primitive Campsites
Primitive
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed - no Near Water - no
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Welaka Primitive Campsites
Primitive
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed - no Near Water - no
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** Arrival dates earlier than the online-reservation-window may also be available at the campground.
Overview

Description

The Welaka Primitive Campsites are located in the Welaka State Forest (Putnam County), about 25 minutes south of Palatka, FL. The campsites are accessible by a 2 mile hike or access by boat along the St. Johns River. These campsites have no electricity and no water. Recreational activities featured here are: hiking, picnicking, , bird watching, wildlife viewing and photography.

Geography:

Welaka State Forest is over 2,000 acres of woodlands and river swamps. Mud Spring empties 13,750 gallons per hour of clear spring water into a half-mile spring run that flows into the St. John's River. The east side of the forest features sandhills, open pine savannas dominated by longleaf pines and wiregrass. This is where the largest population of gopher tortoises and all their burrow dependent associates are found. For further information about Welaka State Forest, please Click Here.

Recreation:

Welaka State Forest has an equestrian campground, horse stalls, horse arenas, kitchen/dining hall, pavilion, dorms, a bullpen group dorm, primitive campsites, training room and recreational trails that offer a variety of activities such as hiking, horseback riding, camping, hunting, fishing, picnicking, birding, wildlife viewing and photography. Welaka State Forest is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. The forest is also a part of the Bartram trail in Putnam County, which follows the route of William Bartrams travels via waterway, hiking, biking and driving routes. Get outdoors and explore the recreational opportunities at Welaka State Forest; for further information please Click Here.

Facilities:

Picnic table
Fire ring

Nearby Attractions:

Welaka National Fish Hatchery
Dunns Creek StatePark
Ravine Gardens State Park
Fort Gates Ferry
Ocala National Forest

Booking Window
Wed May 15 2024 - Tue Apr 15 2025

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

Season Dates

Season Schedule

Park Season
Start
End
Peak
Mon Jan 01 2024
Tue Dec 31 2024
Peak
Wed Jan 01 2025
Wed Dec 31 2025
Services and Amenities
Within Park
  • Art & Museum
  • Bird Watching
  • Boating
  • Boating, Kayaking
  • Boating, Power
  • Camping, Backcountry
  • Camping, Primitive
  • Canoeing
  • Dining
  • Fire Rings
  • Fishing
  • Fishing, River/Stream
  • Hiking
  • Hiking Trail
  • Horseback Riding
  • Horseshoes
  • Jogging/Running
  • Kiosk
  • Nature Study
  • Photography
  • Picnic Tables
  • Picnicing
  • River/Stream
  • Shrimping
  • Stargazing
  • Trails, Moderate Hiking
  • Walking
  • Wildlife Viewing
Fees and Cancellation Policies
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
    Jan 01 2024 -
    Dec 31 2024
    Primitive
    $8.90
    Peak Season
    Jan 01 2025 -
    Dec 31 2025
    Primitive
    $8.90

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

    **Weekly rates may not be available for all sites

    Getting There
    GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
    29.44521, -81.67125
    29°26'43"N, 81°40'17"W

    Welaka State Forest is located on the eastern edge of the St. Johns River in Putnam County.

    From Palatka- At the intersection of US 17 and CR 309 in Satsuma, FL turn south on CR 309. Contine south on CR 309 for 7.6 miles. You will see the the Welaka State Forest Johns Landing Trail sign on your right (west side of the road). There is also a forestry tower at this location.Turn right into the parking lot. You will leave your vehicle in this parking lot and hike in to your campsite following the Johns Landing Trail.

    From the south (Deland) - At the intersection of US 17 and CR 308 in Crescent City turn left (west) on CR 308. Continue on CR 308 for 8.4 miles to CR 309. Turn right (north) on CR 309 and travel for 2.2 miles. You will see the Welaka State Forest Johns Landing Trail sign on your left (west side of the road). There is also a forestry tower at this location. Turn left into the parking lot. You will leave your vehicle in this parking lot and hike in to your campsite following the Johns Landings Trail.
    Contact Information

    Mailing Address:

    Welaka Primitive Campsites
    PO Box 174
    Welaka  FL  32193
    Phone Number:
    Information:  (386) 467-2388
    Additional Information