Looking for the best Citra RV camping? Find the best information on RV campsites and dispersed camping near Citra, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your RVing experience. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the woods or a place near local attractions, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect spot for your motorhome.
Ocala Sun RV Resort offers the best of central Florida living with its convenient location, spacious full hook-up sites and first-class resort amenities.
First-Class Amenities, Activities and Service
Ocala Sun is a resort community designed to fulfill every wish of today's discerning RV owner. Residents and visitors in this wonderful resort community will have access to a complete suite of luxury amenities including:
Newly remodeled clubhouse complete with:
Laundry
Kitchen
Counter bar
TV & lounge area
Computer station
2 handicap and 3 regular private baths with showers
Seating for 90 people at tables
Free wireless internet and 70+ channel cable TV at every site
Spacious full hookup sites with 50-amp electric service
Big Rig Friendly
Heated outdoor pool and spa
Outdoor recreation and picnic area
Pet friendly with a fenced dog run area
Numerous walking trails
A secure community with perimeter privacy fence
$54 - $75 / night
Enjoy a beautiful RV resort on Florida's scenic West Coast. Indulge in the nearby Gulf beaches, shopping, restaurants, golf courses and fishing. Crystal Isles RV Resort lets you create the perfect blend of peace, pleasure and play for the Florida RV vacation you have been dreaming of. Hit a golf ball, stroll on the wide beaches, rent a boat, catch a fish in local streams and lakes, or visit nearby King's Bay to swim with a manatee - it's all waiting for you! We offer a wonderful experience for the whole family at Encore's Crystal Isles RV Resort in Florida. Perfect blend of peace and pleasure at a Nature Coast RV resort Whether you're planning a retreat for the whole family, a group of friends or a getaway for two, there's no shortage of unique activities to explore at Crystal Isles RV Resort. Plan activities upon arrival or visit this page before your departure to plan ahead. Looking for more? Our friendly staff can fill you in on all of the great ways to make your stay a memorable experience.
Rated "One of the Top Nine Resorts in the United States" by USA Today and given a 5-star rating by Woodall's, Sun Retreats Ocala Orange Lake immerses you in central Florida's natural beauty and seclusion mixed with a wonderful Florida RV resort experience.
Take your RV experience to the next level with a stay on an elite site offering full hookups with 30- or 50-amp electric service for your convenience. These back-in sites are beautifully landscaped and feature full concrete pads that can accommodate up to 45 feet with room for slide-outs, plus a beautiful brick paver patio area. Each site also includes cable and WiFi services to keep you connected, and a shed for extra storage space.
Waterfront, 420 Friendly and Clothing Optional camping and Gla.ping Destination. Welcome to Runaway Bay! You can lose yourself, find yourself and be yourself all on the same trip!!! We offer luxury glamping Yurts and cabins, as well as sites to set up your own tent. We are refreshingly different. We offer gourmet meals, at our Private Chef Dinner for Two Experience and relaxation services, as well as, yoga, meditation, reiki, sound bath, couples introduction to tantra and our very popular plant based magic meditation.
Check us out online at: https://www.runawaybaylodge.com/
$30 - $160 / night
At Southern Palms RV Resort you will find we have the best residents and guests around: friendly and full of fun. The staff at this RV resort in Central Florida is great, and always willing to do their best to make your stay a wonderful experience. Our activities keep you entertained and going with something new and exciting every day at Southern Palms RV Resort , from a friendly game of bocce ball to dancing the evening away. Come and join your friends and enjoy the Florida RV lifestyle here at our Encore RV resort in Central Florida 's Lake County. Experience something new at a RV resort in Central Florida Whether you're planning a retreat for the whole family, a group of friends or a getaway for two, there's no shortage of unique activities to explore at Southern Palms RV Resort. Plan activities upon arrival or visit this page before your departure to plan ahead. Looking for more? Our friendly staff can fill you in on all of the great ways to make your stay a memorable experience.
Citra Royal Palm RV Park - A clean, friendly, and safe camping atmosphere for all types of campers. Full Hook-Up RV Sites, Partial Hook-Up RV Sites, and Tent Sites. Clubhouse with showers and toilets, coin laundry, and wi-fi. A beautiful community fire circle and free firewood, surrounded by a large grassy area, woods, and some backwoods with Florida Swamp backing up to Orange Lake. A mix of short-term and long-term guests. We host Motorhomes, RVs, Tiny Homes, Skoolies, Vans, Tents, and all sorts of other campers.
$25 - $50 / night
Located in a quiet wooded setting, yet close to the heart of Ocala ‘s shopping district.
We are only 3 miles from I 75 exit 354 yet a hidden gem in the woods.
Upon entry, as you head to the office you will notice the new 10ft privacy fence which offers a secure and quiet park. When you arrive at the office /clubhouse which boasts a new beautiful red roof on the “Lincoln log like” cabin style building. Then step into our completely remodeled bathhouses close to the recently heated pool. The pool is outfitted with new furniture and umbrella tables. This a great place to cool off and enjoy the lovely Florida sunshine.
The laundry room expansion now has 7 washers (including 3 double load units) and 8 dryers.
We have an a full calendar of activities, including Bingo, arts and crafts, pot luck dinners, holiday dances, game night, movie night, pizza night, pool table, card games, line dancing and more.
Also, a Wild Frontier only weekly event called street golf. Come and play at our around the block putting course, loads of fun.
The monthly rent includes unmetered electricity, water, sewer, cable, wi-fi, 20/30/ 50-amp service.
The sites are paved asphalt with grass patios and picnic tables. We pick up garbage at your site at 10 am every day of the week. Your site is mowed weekly. All you have to do is enjoy all that Wild Frontier has to offer!
CALL US FOR MORE INFORMATION (352) 629-3540
$56 - $99 / night
Traveler
Absolutely fantastic Hosting and cleaned facilities with quiet and friendly surroundings, trails and more.
Traveler
We were looking for a place to overnight during the wknd. Office was closed but several residents came to our rescue. They made us feel so welcome. We parked on the overflow (water/30amp hook-up) with views over the lake. Rate was 45$ plus tax at time of our stay (2025)
Guide
Older Florida park with roots in the CCC and Forestry Service. Large park with hiking, bike and equestrian trails. Along the Santa Fe River there is a swimming hole, suspension bridge, old buildings and a small museum. Magnolia loop would be the best loop for RVs, but spots can be had. Facilities are clean, albeit old. Camping loops and pads are hard sand. Sites vary in size and level. Separation between sits is not bad but suffered in hurricane damage. Some sites appear a bit tight with overhanging trees.
Scout
Too bad I can not leave ZERO stars. Gave a month notice to pull my boat out for good. They lost it and tried to charge me another month. Then after pulling my boat I see another$60 charge for fuel I NEVER asked for. When I complained to a lady on the phone some man eavesdropping on the phone breaks in and says"I'm glad you pulled your boat out". AVOID THIS PLACE!!!
Guide
Rodman Campground, nestled within the Ocala National Forest, offers a delightful escape for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. This peaceful campground provides a serene setting surrounded by towering pines and lush Florida foliage.
The campground is immersed in the beauty of the Ocala National Forest, offering a tranquil environment for relaxation and exploration. Its proximity to the Ocklawaha River and Rodman Reservoir allows campers to enjoy a variety of activities such as fishing, boating, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. There are also several hiking and biking trails located nearby to explore the diverse ecosystems of the Ocala National Forest.
Bathrooms were clean (with hot showers) but were a bit of a hike if you camp riverfront (you can follow the road around or go through the woods up and over a pretty steep hill). Site 61 had a picnic table, fire ring, water and electric and was right on the river with only an access road (5mph) between the campsite and riverfront. Be advised, that you cannot access the river from the camp site, you must go to the boat ramp, there is a steep drop off and there are signs telling you there is no access. But you can put up a camp chair and enjoy relaxing at the top of the riverbank. We saw deer at dusk meandering through the woods.
Concerning the tranquil surroundings, a note of caution and something to definitely keep in mind when booking ... IF there is an "ALL HOURS WEEKEND" at the nearby Hog Waller Campground and ATV Resort (right across the river), then the trails remain open 24 hours and you will not have any tranquility or relaxation all night. We were there unfortunately on one of these weekends and there was loud music, dirt bikes, ATVs and 4-Wheelers screaming through the entire night. (24-Hour riding begins Friday 8:00am- Ends Sunday 5:00pm... Gates and trails are open 24 hours during this period). So be forewarned to check the schedules at Hog Waller before booking because you will hear the all night parties and roaring engines tearing up the mud pits. This only detracts from Rodman when Hog Waller is in full swing but it's 1-2 weekends each month. Also, if there is any type of fishing tournament going on, the boats on the river will wake you in a tent very early in the morning. If you like getting up early and having a cup of coffee by the river and watching the bass boats go by then this is good fun, but don't think about being lazy and sleeping in (see video).
Overall, it's a really nice park in the wilds of Florida and we have already booked our next stay (but not riverfront and not during a Hog Waller 24 hour weekend). We look forward to visiting during the week when everything is more "chill".
Legend
I don’t use the word ‘best’ sparingly whatsoever, so when I refer to this little lakeside gem using that term, it isn’t applied lightly. To begin with, the very well-meaning groundsman that runs this place is definitely THE nicest gent I’ve ever come across running a campground in all of my sojourns. Add to this the fact that this place, which has recently been refurbished, gets top marks for simply outstanding restoration efforts as well as fine attention to detail as it relates to all of the landscaping and overall layout of Port Cove RV Resort & Marina. This place offers up 74 total RV slots with 66 of those being FHUs and is meticulously groomed, incredibly organized all with an incredible eye for detail, layout and organization.
As far as amenities go, Port Cove packs quite the punch with top marks for what is quite simply having the best eatery around for miles – Idle Awhile Restaurant & Bar– sitting right next door, ensuring that while you can fire up franks & beans for dinner over a roaring campfire, you can do that, but when you want to change things up, you don’t even need to get back in your cab or car to drive anywhere, but rather, just strap on your flip flops and walk 20-30 yards to this little waterfront oasis with spectacular views of Lake George / St. Johns River. Beyond coming close to having its own on-site restaurant, the second biggest draw here is of course the amazing pier and dock with EZ access to the beautiful body of water sitting in front of Port Cove RV Resort – this jetty is incredibly picturesque in and of itself, but what’s better, you can take your lawn chairs out on the pier close to sundown with an iced cooler of tall boys to watch the sun retire each night. Add to this list the amazing, heated pool with rock star sun deck complete with brand new patio chairs, sun umbrellas and tables along with black woven loveseats and chaise loungers with a westerly lakeview and you’ll be reaching for your Mai Tais in no time.
Additional amenities include: spartan-clean and completely refurbished new restrooms and well-appointed showers, scattered picnic tables, outdoor wicker furniture, brand new solid wood picnic tables, gravel strewn pathways and pads, ancient Oaks dripping with Spanish moss along with tall Q-tip-like Palms, river / lake deck, laundry facility, boat launch, outdoor covered pavilion with tables, WiFi, mini-golf, designated dump stations, doggie park on-site mini-market (at the office), cornhole and community fire pits.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) The best sites are those located right in front of the lake of which there are 9 to choose from, so call in advance to reserve one of these beauties, which are also protected from the harsh Florida sunshine with a combination of ancient and live Oaks dripping with Spanish moss as well as pencil-thin towering Sable palms; (2) In the event that you don’t have an RV, no worries, Port Cove has you covered with 6 different AirBnB rentals; (3) For a lakefront RV outpost like this, I found the rates incredibly affordable at $55 / night, $325 / week and $850 / month along with boat slip rentals @ $10 / night.; and (4) If you want to get ‘off the reservation’ Port Cove can arrange for a boat transfer to take you over to nearby Silver Glen Springs Recreation Park that features one of the best springs in all of Florida along with the opportunity to swim alongside manatees.
Happy Camping!
Legend
Formerly known as Water’s Edge Oak RV Park, this lakeside RV retreat has been completely refurbished under new ownership who have renamed this outdoor camping respite Old Florida RV Park, so do take note of these changes as of October, 2024. This RV resort, complete with just 34 FHU (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage) slots that dot a small, simple single loop, sits right on Orange Lake. One of its great assets is the quick and EZ access you’ll have to this formidable fresh water lake that is very decent in size and is perfect for kayaking, canoeing and boating along with fishing where you’ll have no problem reeling in redear sunfish, large- and smallmouth bass, black crappie and bluegill. When we rocked up, all we needed to do was scan the QR code to book a slot for the night – while somewhat impersonal, it was incredibly convenient and EZ enough to find our slot and apart from meeting all of our neighbors, we never actually got to meet the owners as it seems as though they run this RV park on remote control.
This RV resort lives partially up to the name of ‘resort’ as there’s freshly minted Tiki huts throughout the property that look to be like they are in partial construction-mode, although when finished, these freestanding structures will definitely be a draw for those wanting to sip their Mai Tais under a straw-covered canopy. The road that leads you into this CG is perfectly smooth but wide enough only for a single vehicle moving in a one-way direction around the loop, where you’ll easily find diagonally-slotted pull-through (in the center) or back-in (on the exterior) RV sites complete with a perfectly paved adjoining patio decked out with brand new picnic tables. And while the interior of the RV resort is barren, exposing you to all of your soon-to-be-neighbors, the exterior perimeter is surrounded by a decent thick tree line along with brush and a new fence that encircles the property adding to the sense of safety and security here.
From an amenity’s standpoint, what exists now is very good, but apparently there are plans to develop a lot more, like an in-ground pool, pickleball courts, horse shoe rings, game room as well as kayak and canoe rentals along with offers of wildlife and fishing tours. There’s also the promise of a general store, full Tiki bar (open to the whole community), weekend food trucks and a community grilling area. There’s a lot of ‘Coming Soon’ amenities, so hopefully the good folks here at Old Florida RV Park make good on their plans, but those newly built Tiki Huts, which apparently will be offered only with the more premium sites (read: upcharge), are a good indication that all of these other amenities will be offered shortly. What is currently on-site is in either fairly excellent condition and / or brand-spanking new, like a facility that has an 8-seat movie theater, showers and restrooms, excellent boat ramp launch as well as a community fire pit.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Unfortunately, for mi tent-pitchin’ bredren, there are not sites that allow for you to set up for the night, so you’ll have to keep looking for higher ground; (2) Should you be in the mood to check out some local fare, there’s just a small smattering of offerings in the nearby hamlet of Citra with options like Phil’s Grille and Sweet Baby Cheese’s or you’ll have to head a bit further west to the tiny town of Orange Lake to feast on Eagles Nest Bar & Grill, Lupita’s Taqueria, Southern Cooking and Georgie’s Lakeside Restaurant; (3) If you haven’t tried your go at a spring here in Florida, you need to add this to your bucket list – and fortunate enough for you, Salt Springs, which is one of the best springs in all of Florida, is located just about 20 minutes away from Old Florida RV Resort, so bring your goggles and fins and head on over to Salt Springs where if you are lucky, you’ll find some friendly manatees to swim alongside.
Happy Camping!
Legend
If you either own an ATV or dream of combining 4-wheel muddin’ with overnight campin’ then you have hit the jackpot here with Hog Waller Mud Campground & ATV Resort. As my post from a bit more than a year ago provided quite a bit of detail on this campground, I’m following up on that review by sharing additional fotos as well as providing a topline update:
Highlights: (1) No shortage of mud-slinging fun for those ATV enthusiasts who want to spend all day long chasing trails with no end; (2) An incredibly unique and welcoming community of outdoor-motorcross enthusiasts; (3) Excellent topography to driving wild or hiking in the wild (but for the latter, make sure you wear bright orange); (4) Sites are spacious, flat and nicely shaded; (5) Despite being out in the boondocks, there’s an on-site restaurant and marketplace; (5) The restroom and shower facilities are actually pretty well-maintained and nicely outfitted.
Lowlights: (1) There is nothing nearby to either stock up on supplies or grab a bite to eat, apart from the Hog Wild Country Café/ BBQ joint just a few minutes west of here, so when you come here, bring everything with you that you’ll need; (2) Maybe it is understood when you come into this place, but to state the obvious, this entire place is buzzing with ATVs, motorbikes and lots of other contraptions that makes for a loud atmosphere, so if you want peace & quiet, particularly on the weekends, you don’t want to check-in here; and (3) On the weekends, in particular, it feels like things get a too party-centric, so the music gets louder and the drinks often get the best of people, resulting in either louder chatter or, in a few cases, fights breaking out (but, to be fair, there’s always a few off-duty sheriffs watching the place, so things get broken up real quick).
Happy Camping!
Guide
I don’t know if I would necessarily call this place “luxury” but it is clean & quiet. To be fair, it’s maybe only 10% full. The little store has very little merchandise. The pool is very nice. The staff have been nice. There are several doggie poo bag & trash stations. The dog run by site 121 is very small & mostly dead grass and dirt, no shade or water. There is a nice tiki bar & pickle ball. Close to gas, groceries & shopping. Easy in & out. The landscaping is very small so no shade or privacy between sites but the sites are decently spaced. There is a bath house with laundry. Full hookups. Big rig friendly.
Guide
My family and I had an incredible experience at black prong. Massive RV pad, full hookups, Golf Cart, plus privacy between you and your neighbor. As an added bonus we were able to bring our horse for trail rides throughout the park. Tons of room and friendly staff. Highly recommend. (Didn’t use the pool or hot tub but they looked nice and well kept)
Scout
Had a great time at Seminole Springs Campground while visiting Ocala National Forest. check in was super easy and the hosts are fantastic. I will be staying here again.
Traveler
Overall it’s not a bad campground but I have no plans to ever return.
The good: clean bathrooms with running, hot water; wild Florida flora; starry night skies. The spring run is one of my favorites. It’s difficult and technical and challenging and I just love it.
The bad: the worst part of my experience was other campers being loud after quiet hours and the camp host doing nothing about it. While most people kept it down after 10 (as stated in the rules) one group of partiers was up til 3am, blasting music and hootin’ and hollerin’. I know the park can’t control individual’s behavior but, again, the camp host was on site and did nothing about it. I talked to other campers the next day who all lamented at their lack of sleep because of this one group. It was so bad we only stayed one night. We left the next day after kayaking the run because our home in the city is quieter.
Also, there’s a general lack of information available for visitors. There are no maps available, for the campground or the run. I had to take a picture of an employee’s personal map of the grounds which ended up being inaccurate because it listed a shower facility that doesn’t actually exist. I asked the staff at the spring run for a map and they didn’t have one I could look at. I asked “how do I know I’m at the end of the run for pickup?” She said “it’s right after the bridge.” Which was true, but it’s not labeled in any kind of way so if I hadn’t asked, I would’ve just kept on paddling forever. Their website has limited information and the confirmation email I got after booking had incorrect information. It said to call if I’d arrive after hours starting in November, so I did, and was told that policy wasn’t in effect for a few weeks. None of these things are a big deal on their own but when they’re all together it becomes a pattern.
TravelerFantastic hosts, camp grounds are impeccable, bath houses cleaned and surrounded by nature, what a wonderful place to be.
Scout
I called and was told they don’t allow any tent camping. Just an FYI. Was advised only the state parks in the area allow tent camping.
Legend
Large sites. Very nice pool. First rate laundry facilities. Great playground and dog park.
Guide
Very convenient campground to go for a hike along the florida trail and cool off in the gorgeous blue spring waters. It does get crowded so plan accordingly.
LegendWe stayed one night on a grass spot with harvest host. While we did not “pay,” we were still treated as royalty. The entire team was amazing. The grass spit was up front by all of the amenities. The other lots are beautiful and further back. The pool is gorgeous. They have bikes that you check out with the bracelets, and the restaurant was top notch with live music.
Traveler
Very small and quiet place , great for beginners.
Host was great, bathrooms cleaned and hot showers.
15/20 minutes away plenty of amenities and shopping if necessary.
Scout
Quiet and friendly place. Better for campers.
Traveler
We stayed here for 3 weeks. Park staff made sure we had a shaded site in the front of the park. The park is very clean and well cared for. Staff is very attentive. Location is convenient to Gainesville or Ocala, and the park is next to a beautiful horse farm with curious, friendly horses. Great pool and fitness center. Very pet friendly!! We’ve already booked our next stay
Traveler
Friendly staff and well maintained Park and facilities with great fishing and an amazing view of Lake George.
Ranger
This is a beautiful large RV and golf resort. The grounds were clean and well maintained. There is a full 18 course golf course and putting green. There are also onsite golf cart rentals and a golf pro shop. The staff were very helpful and friendly. Bath houses were clean. Nice laundry facilities available. Campground is directly in Orange Lake with a dock available. Fishing permitted off dock and from shore. All roads were paved. There are both RVs and vacation rentals. Many things to do and lots of options for other recreation nearby. We came for spring break and would definitely visit again.
ScoutMy wife and I decided last year to full time RV. We were already living in Ocala and we wanted to remain in the area. We discovered Silver Springs RV and are so glad we did. Everyone here, especially the staff, was so welcoming and friendly. SSRV is definitely going to be home for a long time.
Legend
This campground is really dark, quiet and pretty. The bathhouse was always clean. You can smell the well water in the bathhouse. Brings me back to my childhood memories. We rode our bikes to the observation tower, but we were not lucky enough to see any bison or wild horses. Still nice to see the open prairie. We had a big rainstorm and the back of our site did become a lake, but it was gone overnight. The bugs lit us up all hours, so make sure you different bug sprays.
Legend
One thing’s for certain, this camping outpost located just outside the itty bitty village of Georgetown couldn’t be any closer to the mighty St. Johns River, which if you don’t know, is one of the largest and most prolific fishing rivers in all of Florida. Should you find yourself in north-central Florida and / or near Lake George and looking for a spot to call ‘home for the night’ (or many as it might be) then you’ll definitely want to plan a stay here at Rivers Edge RV Park, which is a little know campground jewel in the rough, but be sure to reach out well in advance, as with only 50 or so slots, this place books up quick.
Apart from the very close proximity to St. Johns River – so close that Rivers Edge RV Park actually offers up boat launch and slips exclusively for its guests, so if you have a boat, whether with motor or not (like those of us towing canoes and kayaks), be sure to call ahead and enquire about available boat slips – this is one very pristine, well-kept and easily organized campground. There’s a decent amount of top-grade amenities including spartan-clean restrooms, shower & laundry facilities with brand new washers & dryers, propane refueling station, a pup playground, trash stations and waterfront nature walk path.
What I appreciated most was that Rivers Edge RV Park offers up a distinct tent area, which places mi tent-pitchin’ bredren in our own canvassed-erected environ that is actually the closest camping option to the St. Johns River here. As for the RV or 5th Wheel crowd, the standard hook-ups are offered here including 30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage back-in and pull-through sites with concrete patios. Complimentary WiFi is offered everywhere and actually isn’t too bad (although our ability to stream was slow). Most sites offer up picnic tables and fire-rings and there are community offerings like a riverside pavilion (also with another set of restrooms and showers), lawn games, horseshoes, pickleball court and enough space for a good game of jarts or frisbee.
As for the campground itself, you’ll access Rivers Edge RV Park simply by following Road 309 and just as this small country road bends making way for Drayton Island, you’ll want to turn in heading westerly, wherein you’ll be greeted by the main office where you’ll check in at the office immediately on the right. The layout for the campground is a simple loop, about the size of a junior football field with sites #1-28 on the right and the other sites through #54 on the interior of the loop. Should you not have a tent or an RV, no worries, the very good folks at Rivers Edge even have a handful of cabins that they’ll rent you. Overall, I found the pricing to be VERY affordable here – no matter what type of camping you might be interested in.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Rivers Edge RV Park offers up firewood for sale for a decent price, which I always like to flag, because if you don’t need to find additional space to haul firewood with you, it frees up space for other things, right?; (2) If you’ve got kids and need a much bigger space to let them run around, nearby this campground is a very nice kid’s playground as well as a soccer field; (3) For anyone wanting a bit of an off-the-grid adventure, just south of Rivers Edge is the Drayton Island Ferry (just take your second right after the US post office), where you can cross the channel over to Drayton Island for some decent off-the-trail biking & biking as well as zip-lining, which you can access on the far western side of the island at Grands Island Resort, which is a very cool camping outpost in its own right; and (4) Should you grow weary of trying to conjure up that next meal from the depths of your roto-molded Cordova cooler or mini-onboard fridge, you’ll only find meager options near you that include Mel’s River Pub Italian Grille & Liquor Store that offers up a very diverse menu featuring pasta, sandwiches and pizzas, The Oaks Golf Club Café serving up glorified bar fare such as burgers, po-boys, wings, fried baskets, tacos & quesadillas and southern comfort food or Renegades on the River, which is actually another campground, but offers up a super-cool restaurant featuring pizzas, wings, peel & eat shrimp and fried foodstuffs like pickles and gator bites as well as a Tiki Hut pouring some mighty strong Daquiris and Mai Tais.
Happy Camping!
LegendMaybe it was that the light was falling at just the right time as I moseyed into Rodman Campground a good hour or so before dusk became official here just due south of Palatka, the Sunshine State’s ‘Unofficial Farmer’s Market’ and a pretty decent stretch from the endless miles of pristine white sand beaches on the Atlantic Coast or the overwhelming non-stop entertainment options of a city built on 'Mouse Magic.’ Whatever it was, there’s something that struck us as incredibly special about this particular campground outpost. I think what we left with was a surreal understanding that no matter what you come packing with, you’re gonna have just one helluva amazing camping experience here at Rodman Campground.
This place is perfect for both the RV tribe as well as mi tent-pitching community. And I don’t often get to say that. As for the campground itself, while there’s 64 sites to choose from in all, there’s basically 3 distinct areas that you should be aware of. The first area is what I would call the VIP RV Lots, given its proximity to the Rodman Reservoir, while I’m not an RV enthusiast, but this spot feels like you’ve hit ‘the jackpot’ as it’s a single lane with 6 or so sites on either side and provides you with direct and easy access to a very well-maintained restroom and shower facility. The second area is exclusively carved out for my tribe – those that are packing their experience with them and like to unroll their version of protection from the elements while staring straight up at the blessed star-crossed sky while completely surrounded by the thick of nature and tall needle-like trees. And while Rodman Campground calls this the ‘primitive campground,’ I’ll affectionately refer to it as ‘Pitch-A-Tent Heaven.’ Admittedly, I’ve never set up camp so close to RVs that still made me feel like one with nature. The third and final campground option here at Rodman is what I will characterize as ‘RV Pavement Parking Lot Hell,’ where if you have an RV (and can’t get into the VIP RV spot, then, well, you’ll be parking yourself here, but hopefully the freshly poured flat concrete will turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
Regardless of the camping neighborhood that you end up arriving at, Rodman Campground will impress upon you what an amazing place it is, first and foremost, by offering up what is, no doubt, some of the best FL SP staff you will ever encounter – they are friendly, helpful and incredibly proud of this patch of land that they call home. Secondly, the Rodman Reservoir offers nothing short of AMAZING kayak and canoe adventures. The amenities are pretty top notch: back-in and pull-through RV sites with full-hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage), scattered picnic tables, fire rings and BBQ grills, paved bicycle paths (and miles of additional pavement via Rodman Dam Road, boating within the 9K acre Rodman Preserve, designated dump stations, five reservable pavilions and an excellent boat ramp, freshwater fishing (license required), 5.1 miles of trail hiking (actually part of the Florida National Scenic Trail that runs adjacent to Rodman Campground, picnicking at waterfront pavilions (need to be reserved). If you’re a wild nature enthusiast, you’re in luck, because here at Rodman Campground, you’ll easily be able to spot: bald eagle, foxes, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, hawks and owls, osprey and the American alligator.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If I was an RV’er (and let’s be clear, I’m not) and I was looking to book a spot here at Rodman Campground, I would absolutely be looking at the VIP RV Lots wherein I would chose any of the spots that are backed up against the wilderness (that would be on the west), which offer a greater degree of connectivity with nature (and thus additional privacy) where, in particular, I would book one of these amazing sites: #2, #5, #9, #10 and #12. While the other sites in this spot aren’t bad, they just don’t offer the amount of privacy that these other 5 sites do; (2) For mi tent-pitching bredren, while almost all of these camp sites offer you a pristine au naturale experience (apart from the few sites that are front-facing (#14-17; #38) you’ll want to prioritize any other site (#18-37) as best you can; (3) If you come bringing your boat, please be aware that there’s submerged logs and other underwater obstructions to be aware of, so motor with caution!; (4) When you get tired of staring down the bottom of your Cordova roto-molded cooler or the emptiness of your on-board fridge, and want to try out some of the local fare, then look no further than Hog Wild Country Café back in Interlachen (no, we’re not in Switzerland, but if you head back NW, you’ll find this spot on County Road 310) where all the traditional BBQ plates are being served (smoked brisket, smoked turkey, smoked pork, OK, smoked EVERYTHING) along with killer southern sides like mac-n-cheese, potato salad, slaw and, my favorite, Vidalia onion rings!; and (5) If you come hauling watercraft, you’ll have no shortage of great launches here at Rodman Campground, but if you are looking to dip your canoe or kayak in some different places, I would highly recommend Marjorie Harris Carr (just follow the Kenwood Boat Ram Road till it reaches a parking circle, from which you’ll easily see the boat launch) or over across the reservoir as well as just heading a bit further west to Rodman Recreation Area where you can drop in there or over at the Rodman Dam Kayak Launch, which has tons of tributaries to navigate.
Happy Camping!
Legend
If you find yourself up in the northeastern corner pocket of the Sunshine State, and for some reason end-up here in Palatka (a.k.a. The Farmer’s Market of the entire State of Florida) and looking for a spot to park your mobile living room on solid ground, then Crystal Cove Marina & RV Resort might just be the spot for you. Careful though, as there are only about 8 spots here to choose from (although this RV riverside stand is promising 40 more tree-lined RV slots in the near future), but all sites come with full hook-ups including 30 / 50 electrical, water and sewage. There are no picnic tables, BBQ grills or any other amenities to speak of, but you will have direct access to St. Johns River with an amazing boat launch. That’s about it.
Other than the pavement that you will drive on upon entering this spot or the flat and level sandy locations that you will park upon, there’s not a whole lot to this particular place, although there is an incredibly nice restaurant / bar scenario called ‘The Lighthouse’ (formerly named ‘Captain’s Cove Bar’) which is a decent bar with all of the usuals on tap and on shelf. There’s food trucks and live music on the weekends, but bear in mind that your RV will be parked in the same spot as said food trucks along with all of the local parking traffic that overruns the parking lot you will find yourself in.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) While there’s not much to offer in these parts, you are right near Palatka, which is kind of an overgrown town, that has a number of standard drive-by restaurants that you’ll expect (Chili’s … add every standard fast-food restaurant chain here), but there are a few hidden gems, of which, I highly recommend Corky’s Bell Seafood @ Gator Landing, which I would encourage you to try the fried whole catfish or the mahi-mahi served grilled or blackened; (2) Despite the bar offering here at Crystal Cove, which might keep you rooted because it’s just so dang easy and close, I would highly recommend a trip to Welatka Lodge Resort, which for a 25 minute ride south along the St. John's River will certainly impress; and (3) If you’re looking for a great slice of nature to discover and hike / fish / kayak / etc. then head on over to Etoniah State Forest, which is less than a 20 minute drive from Crystal Cove and there’s 4-5 amazing hiking trails to explore as well as Georges Lake with which to cast a line.
Happy Camping!
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