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.
Welaka Primitive Campsites, FL
Book a Campsite at Welaka Primitive Campsites, FL
** Arrival dates earlier than the online-reservation-window may also be available at the campground.
*** Some sites may be available only from the campground on a first-come-first-served basis.
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
Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 11 Month(s) in advance.
Season Schedule
- 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
Refunds:
Facility Rates*
Jan 01 2024 -
Dec 31 2024
Jan 01 2025 -
Dec 31 2025
*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
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.