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Established Camping

Etoniah Creek State Forest Green Camp

Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

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.

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Etoniah Creek State Forest offers a camping experience surrounded by flat terrain with dense forests and waterways. Temperatures range from the 40s in winter to the 90s in summer. Nearby, visitors can explore the Palatka-to-Lake Butler State Trail and the Ravine Gardens State Park.

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Location

Etoniah Creek State Forest Green Camp is located in Florida

Detail location of campground

Directions

**<u>If coming from the East (Palatka) or the West (Keystone Heights) you need to take State Road 100 towards Florahome.</u>** &nbsp; &nbsp;**Coming from the west (Florahome, FL)-** Take State Road 100 east to Holloway Road. Holloway Road is across SR100 from Q.I. Roberts School. Turn north on Holloway Road for .75 miles to Quail Road. Turn east on Quail Road for .3 miles to North Creek Road. Turn south on N. Creek Road and travel for .95 miles. You will intersect here with West V Road. Head south on West V road (crossing over Etoniah Creek) for .9 miles to the power line. At the power line you will turn east for 20 YARDS and then make an immediate turn back to the north on East V Road. Take East V Road north for 1.5 miles to Green Camp Road. Turn on Green Camp Road and follow it for 1 mile to the Green Camp Primitive Camping Area. &nbsp;**Coming from the east (Palatka, FL)-**Take State Road 100 west to Holloway Road in Florahome. Holloway Road is across SR100 from Q.I. Roberts School. Turn north on Holloway Road for .75 miles to Quail Road. Turn east on Quail Road for .3 miles to North Creek Road. Turn south on N. Creek Road and travel for .95 miles. You will intersect here with West V Road. Head south on West V road (crossing over Etoniah Creek) for .9 miles to the power line. At the power line you will turn east for 20 YARDS and then make an immediate turn back to the north on East V Road. Take East V Road north for 1.5 miles to Green Camp Road. Turn on Green Camp Road and follow it for 1 mile to the Green Camp Primitive Camping Area. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Address

390 Holloway Rd
Florahome, FL 32140

Coordinates

29.73105378910526 N
81.80028179498778 W

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Connectivity

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    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Dispersed
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Reservable
  • Electric Hookups
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups

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4.5

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2 Reviews

Reviewed Feb. 26, 2024

Very Nice primitive camping

Just off the Palatka-Lake Butler Bike trail. Campgrounds are About 4 miles in on bikeable hard roads. Six Sites have picnic tables, lots of room, fire ring with grate, bbq grills, a latrine nearby. Etonia Creek is a couple miles from camp but a beautiful destination on its own

Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Etoniah Creek State Forest Green Camp by Brian K., February 26, 2024
  • Review photo of Etoniah Creek State Forest Green Camp by Brian K., February 26, 2024
  • Review photo of Etoniah Creek State Forest Green Camp by Brian K., February 26, 2024
  • (8) View All
Reviewed Jan. 1, 2024

Equestrian Trail-Riding w/ Primitive Camping Options

Located just about 20 minutes due northwest of Palatka – dubbed ‘Florida’s State Farmers Market’ where you will easily discover that this north central town is teeming with fresh agriculture every which way you look – Etoniah [pronounced: ET-oh-NI-ah, not E-TOE-nia] Creek State Forest is a little known gem(which is actually inaccurate as far as descriptors go as this State Forest is nearly 9K square acres) that many folks will bypass enroute to Gainesville, without even noticing the secrets that this pine tree lined park paradise has to offer. With tons of hiking trails and a nice southwest access point for some great fishing at Georges Lake (just further north is Mike Roess State Park, which is nothing short of amazing itself, but see my reviews on this SP elsewhere for the details) offers about 500 feet of lake frontage. 

Named after the Etoniah Creek that runs through the northeast of this state forest, to discover the lone primitive campsite that is available, you’ll actually have to head clear to the southeast corner of the forest. You’ll discover all sorts of wildlife here from white-tailed deer and a dozen or so different hawk species, wild turkey and eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, to name a few. If you are into hiking and longing for some serious P&Q, then Etoniah has you covered with 3 different trails: (1) George’s Lake hiking trail, which is about a mile rountrip and will place you at an observation deck overlooking the lake; (2) Lake Blossom Trail is an even shorter½ mile loop around the tall grass marshes; and (3) Longleaf Pine Trail, which is part of the Florida National Scenic Trail and takes you to the southern end of the park, which is where the primitive camping spot is located. 

As for the primitive campground itself, in order to stay in the stand-alone Iron Bridge shelter, you must book this really unique free-standing camping spot WELL in advance. This enclosed camping shelter is one part simple 4-walled wooden framed open-air lodge that is one half (lower) wood and one half (upper) metal screen encased unit all with a fortified roof and solid foundation. There is even a wooden loft built inside the structure that allows for 2 people to sleep comfortably well-above the floor as a well as a proper porch. We weren’t lucky enough to book this unit, so we set up our tent camp adjacent to the Iron Bridge shelter, which served us up just fine. 

Insider’s tips: (1) Day use is from sunrise to sunset here and they’re pretty stringent upon locking the gates before and after these times; (2) Etoniah is part of a wildlife corridor that offers up safe passage for the black bear, so be sure to read up on how to prepare to encounter black bears in these parts(although none were spotted during our particular outing); (3) If you have horses and are interested in taking your steed for a nice ride, there is a fantastic horse trail that runs the circumference of this park and the sandy-dirt trails are perfect for horseshoes!; and (4) When you get tire of thinking about that next meal and don’t want to build a fire to cook something, then check out the local scene just due east in Palatka, where I would recommend you check out mi Jamaican bredren at Caribbean 450 for some nice jerk chicken, grilled mojo chicken, oxtail and some coconut water to wash it all down with. 

Happy Camping!

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Etoniah Creek State Forest Green Camp by Stuart K., January 1, 2024
  • Review photo of Etoniah Creek State Forest Green Camp by Stuart K., January 1, 2024
  • Review photo of Etoniah Creek State Forest Green Camp by Stuart K., January 1, 2024
  • (10) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What scenic areas can I photograph in Etoniah Creek State Forest?

Etoniah Creek is the crown jewel for photographers visiting the state forest. Located a couple miles from the Green Camp area, the creek offers beautiful natural landscapes worth the journey. The surrounding forest provides classic North Central Florida scenery with native vegetation and wildlife. The forest's location northwest of Palatka also means you're in prime agricultural country, offering additional rural landscape photography opportunities. For the best lighting, plan your creek photography excursions for early morning or late afternoon when the light filters through the trees most dramatically.

What hiking trails are available in Etoniah Creek State Forest?

The forest features several hiking opportunities, with a notable trail connecting to Etoniah Creek about two miles from the Green Camp area. This trail is considered a beautiful destination in its own right. Additionally, the campground is conveniently located just off the Palatka-Lake Butler Bike trail, which can also be used for hiking. The forest roads throughout are generally hard-packed and bikeable, making for alternative walking routes. Trail difficulty varies, but most are suitable for average hikers.

Are permits required for camping in Etoniah Creek State Forest?

Yes, permits are typically required for camping at Etoniah Creek State Forest's Green Camp. As a state forest campground, standard Florida State Forest camping regulations apply. Contact the Florida Forest Service or the forest headquarters directly to obtain the necessary permits before your trip. The campground features six established sites with amenities like picnic tables, fire rings with grates, and BBQ grills, making it a more developed camping option within the forest system. Always check current permit requirements and availability before planning your stay.