Rolling sandhills covered in longleaf pines and native grasses create the backdrop for this established state park campground built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park Campground & Cabins spreads across six different camping areas, each with its own character and amenities, accommodating everything from tent camping to big rigs up to 55 feet.
The campground maintains a notably quiet atmosphere, with campers frequently spotting white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species moving through the sites. Stuart K. notes the park offers "sanctuaries of old-growth longleaf pines amidst a golden sea of grasses." The Sandhill and Turkey Oak camping areas provide the most intimate settings with decent spacing between sites, while the Lakeview Loop accommodates larger RVs with some sites offering views of Little Lake Johnson.
Nearly six miles of the Florida National Scenic Trail wind through the property, connecting to ravine overlooks and the crystal-clear waters of Gold Head Branch. Campers can swim, fish, or paddle in Little Lake Johnson, with canoe rentals available on-site. The park's trail system includes both easy loops near the historic mill site and more challenging routes through the steep ravines that give the park its name.
Most sites include water and electric hookups, with clean restroom facilities featuring hot showers and laundry options. Marlene V. recommends sites 25, 18, and 29 in the Turkey Oak area for optimal tree coverage and privacy. The park operates year-round with reservations available, though some campers note occasional noise from nearby Camp Blanding military training exercises during morning hours.
This campground works well for families seeking lake access and hiking opportunities, RV travelers needing full hookups, and anyone wanting to explore Florida's distinctive sandhill ecosystem while staying in well-maintained state park facilities.
Description
TURK
Fee Info
$20 per night plus tax, plus a non-refundable $6.70 reservation fee and a $7 nightly utility fee for RVs. (Utility fee does not apply to tent camping.) The utility fee includes water and electricity. Sites 57 and 60-67 do not have electricity. Maximum of eight people per campsite.
Reservation Info
Each site may have up to two vehicles, two tents and eight people. A site with a recreational vehicle may have one tent. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. Visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
Warning 3 Alerts are In Effect
There are 3 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 3 Alerts are In Effect
There are 3 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
The park gates close at sunset. If you plan to arrive late please, contact the park prior to 5 p.m. on the day of your arrival.
Check in time is 3 p.m. Check out time is 1 p.m. br>
Quiet time begins at 11 p.m. and must be observed by all campers.
For everyone's enjoyment, including pets, please observe the pet camping rules found in the complete Florida State Parks Pet Policy, click here.
Pets are not allowed in any state park cabins or cabin areas.
Service animals are welcome in all areas of the park where visitors are normally allowed.
No one younger than 18 may camp overnight unless accompanied by a responsible adult, who will remain onsite for the period rented.
Check-in time for campground is 3 p.m. to sundown. Check-in time for cabins is 4 p.m. to sundown. The park closes at sundown. If you are arriving after sundown, please call the park prior to 5 p.m. on the day of arrival for the check in procedures.
Toiletries and dishwashing soap are not provided in the cabins; basic cooking and eating utensils are provided in the cabins. Cabins have 2 nights minimum. Cabin kitchens are equipped with a refrigerator/freezer, 30" electric ranges/ovens basic cooking / eating utensils and microwave ovens.
All cabins have a screened porches, a picnic table, a ground grill, and a bathroom a hot and cold water, and showers.
You must provide your own firewood as the collection of firewood within the park is prohibited.
For an extended cabin stay, bring extra towels and beach towels. Linens and towels are not changed on a daily basis.
CCC Cabins - 9 cabins, constructed during the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, will accommodate 4 people using a full-size bed and a futon that will sleep two people. These cabins also contain a stone fireplace and are heated and cooled with a window heat/ac unit. These cabins consist of a combination living room/bedroom area, 1 bathroom, kitchen, wood burning fireplace and a screened-in porch. Bathrooms are furnished with flush toilets and hot and cold water showers. Two CCC cabins (cabins 101 and 109) are equipped with standard size bathtubs. If you would like one of these cabins, please specify this when making reservations.
Block Cabins - 5 cabins are of masonry construction and are more modern in appearance. These cabins can sleep up to 6 people. These cabins consist of a separate bedroom, living room/dining room combination, bathroom, kitchen, and a screened in porch. Each cabin has a double bed and two futons that sleep two people each in the living room. The cabin also includes a microwave oven. The bathrooms have a standard size bathtuband shower. These cabins are equipped with centralized heating and cooling.
Our newest cabins are ADA accessible and can accommodate a maximum of 6 people. These spacious cabins have two bedrooms. One bedroom is furnished with a full size bed; the 2nd bedroom has a set of twin beds. For additional sleeping accommodations a pullout couch in the living room is available. The kitchen is equipped with a stove, refrigerator, microwave oven and dishwasher. These cabins have centralized heatingand cooling and cooking and eating utensils and have a gas fireplace that is operational from October 1 through April 30 and screened in porch.
Upcoming Campground Closure
Effective Nov. 1, 2025: The Turkey Oak campground loop at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park is closed for renovations.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsMike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park Campground & Cabins is located in Florida near Keystone Heights
Directions
Park is located 6 miles north of Keystone Heights on State Road 21 midway between Gainesville and Jacksonville in northeast Florida.
Address
6239 State Road 21
Keystone Heights, FL 32656
Coordinates
29.8294828711721 N
81.9492629631333 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 5/21/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/21/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 16 usersLast on 5/21/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 5/21/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/21/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 16 usersLast on 5/21/26
Access
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Electric Hookups
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- 30 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 32 min from Gainesville, FL
- 48 min from Jacksonville, FL
- 58 min from Ocala, FL
- 1 hr 21 min from Wildwood, FL














































