Two state forests, a trophy-bass reservoir, wild conservation land, and fish camps on the St. Johns — Putnam is camping-rich. Here's where to pitch a tent or park an RV, and why this lifestyle draws so many buyers here.
Camping rules, seasons, and reservations change — always confirm current details with the managing agency (Florida State Parks, Florida Forest Service, FWC, or SJRWMD) before you go.
For a rural county, Putnam is unusually rich in places to camp — two state forests, a famous bass reservoir, a wildlife management area, water-management conservation land, and a string of fish camps on the St. Johns. It's a big part of what makes living here feel like a permanent vacation.
It's also why so many of our buyers come looking for waterfront and acreage in the first place: they want this on their doorstep. Below is an honest rundown of where you can actually camp in (and right at the edge of) Putnam — with a clear note on which spots are overnight and which are day-use only, because online sources often get that wrong.
Putnam's two state forests offer everything from electric equestrian sites to true primitive camping — all reservable through the Florida Forest Service.
~8,000+ acres on the river near Little Lake George. An equestrian campground (some sites with water/electric, plus tent sites and horse stalls) and primitive hike-in/boat-in sites along the John's Landing Trail. Don't miss Mud Spring and 8+ miles of trails.
~8,000+ acres east of Florahome. The Green Camp primitive site (vault toilet, no power/water; special-use permit required) sits amid the Florida National Scenic Trail, hunting, and black-bear country — for those who want quiet and self-reliance.
Putnam's flagship public campground sits on a legendary bass lake along the Cross-Florida Greenway, about nine miles southwest of Palatka.
For a wilder night, Putnam has primitive options on public land — with rules worth checking before you go.
~10,470 acres between the St. Johns and Ocklawaha. Primitive camping is allowed only at designated sites near the SR-19 entrance and only on specific dates tied to the hunt calendar — check FWC regulations first. Strong hunting, fishing, and paddling.
The SJRWMD land next to (and separate from) Dunns Creek State Park has one reservable, tent-only campsite off Doe Bay Road — a short walk in, with a fire ring and pitcher pump but no restrooms. This is the ‘Dunns Creek camping’ many sites confuse with the day-use state park.
A quick, honest heads-up: these beloved spots are day-use only. Enjoy them sunup to sundown, then camp elsewhere on this page.
Prefer a hot shower and a boat ramp? The St. Johns fish camps double as RV-and-cabin camping bases.
~33 full-hookup RV sites and 7 cabins on the St. Johns near Lake George, with a boat launch, dockage, bait & tackle, and fuel — a comfortable, fishing-first camping base.
A classic Dunns Creek fish camp with motel rooms and cottages, a bait shop, and boat ramp. Worth knowing: it's lodging, not a tent/RV campground — book a room, not a site.
Smaller private camps and RV spots appear around Interlachen, Welaka, and Crescent City; we (and you) confirm site types and operating status before counting on them.
Not sure where to start? Here's the quick guide for Putnam.
A little planning makes a Putnam camping trip easy. Confirm the current details with the managing agency before you head out.
For the public sites — Rodman Campground, Welaka and Etoniah Creek State Forests, and the Dunns Creek conservation site — yes, reserve through the managing agency, and book early for prime bass season (late winter into spring). The private fish-camp RV sites and cabins also fill up over the winter snowbird months, so call ahead. Walk-up availability is unreliable, especially October through April.
The confirmed overnight options are Rodman Campground (developed RV/tent sites on Rodman Reservoir), Welaka State Forest (equestrian and primitive sites), Etoniah Creek State Forest's Green Camp (primitive, permit required), Caravelle Ranch WMA (primitive, date-restricted), the Dunns Creek Conservation Area's tent-only site, and fish-camp RV/cabin bases like Georgetown Marina. Always confirm current rules and reservations with the managing agency.
Not overnight — Dunns Creek State Park is day-use only (fishing, paddling, and about 10 miles of trails). The campsite many people associate with ‘Dunns Creek’ is actually the adjacent St. Johns River Water Management District conservation area, which has one reservable, tent-only site. It's an easy mix-up, so we flag it.
Rodman Campground, hands down — it sits right on Rodman Reservoir, a Florida Top-10 trophy-bass lake, with boat ramps on site. Welaka State Forest and the river fish camps (Georgetown Marina, Welaka Lodge) also put you on outstanding St. Johns and Lake George water. We can point you to homes near any of them, too.
No — it's mostly in Marion County (with a sliver reaching toward Putnam), just across Lake George and the St. Johns. But it's an easy drive from the southern county via the Rodman Dam and SR-19, so its springs and campgrounds are a genuine lifestyle perk for Putnam residents. We're careful to call it ‘next door,’ not ‘in the county.’
Directly. A huge share of our buyers want waterfront or acreage precisely because this network — trophy-bass reservoirs, two state forests, spring runs, and the St. Johns — is at the doorstep, with Ocala National Forest a short drive across the river. If outdoor living is the goal, we'll help you buy the home that puts it closest. Call (386) 916-8707.
If this is the lifestyle you're after, let's find you a home with the river, a lake, or the forest at your back door.
Talk To The Parham Team