RV campgrounds near Palatka, Florida offer convenient access to the St. Johns River and surrounding natural areas. Located in north-central Florida between Jacksonville and Orlando, Palatka sits at approximately 16 feet above sea level in a region known for its freshwater springs, lakes, and forests. Summer temperatures consistently reach above 90°F with high humidity, while winter overnight temperatures can occasionally drop into the 40s.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Cooper Lake RV Community provides access to their small lake with catch-and-release fishing. "Close to St. Augustine, Gainesville, and Ocala. New owners so renovations and upgrades are at the top of their list," notes Tom & Shar S. about Cooper Lake RV Community.
Historic sites exploration: Many campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring nearby St. Augustine. "Great location, close to 95 and downtown St Augustine. Plenty of shade and level sites," reports Joe R. at Sun Outdoors St. Augustine.
Boating access: The St. Johns River provides extensive opportunities for boating activities. "This RV park is awesome for snowbirds, out-of-state workers, and long-term campers. Quiet, friendly park away from the hustle & bustle," according to reviews of Cooper Lake RV Community.
What campers like
Shaded sites: Trees provide welcome relief from Florida heat. "Driving into the resort I thought I was at a horse ranch in Ocala. Rolling acres of green grass and the biggest oak trees I've ever seen," notes Rob D. about Encore Bulow RV.
Concrete pads: Level, paved sites make setup easier. "Great pavered sites and quick drive to St Augustine. Our first trip with our dogs. Good campground for pets," reports KCStarling about Compass RV Park.
Waterfront access: Direct access to water ranks high among camper preferences. "If you find yourself up in the northeastern corner pocket of the Sunshine State...then Crystal Cove Marina & RV Resort might just be the spot for you...you will have direct access to St. Johns River with an amazing boat launch," notes Stuart K. when describing Crystal Cove Marina & RV Resort.
What you should know
Seasonal occupancy: Winter months bring significant crowds. "While just a short jaunt from I95, in under 7 minutes from 3-lane express highway traffic, you'll find yourself sauntering south on a meandering paved entranceway with white picket fences," describes a review of Encore Bulow RV.
Variable site privacy: Site spacing differs significantly between parks. "There was a variety of options to choose from when we booked this campsite including pull-through, back-in, gravel, or brick paver sites," explains Randal F. about Compass RV Park.
Limited cell service: Connectivity issues affect several campgrounds. "The only down side is that the cell service (for both T-Mobile and Verizon) didn't work very well, and the Wi-Fi is iffy at best," reports Daniel G. from Compass RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities: Several parks feature swimming pools for hot days. "Stayed here for about a week. Great location, clean facilities, helpful and friendly staff. Lots of things for kids to do at the campground (pool, playground, cornhole, ping pong table, fishing pond, etc)," shares Daniel G. about Compass RV Park.
Recreational activities: On-site games keep children entertained. "Nice pool, ping pong table and corn home games. If you really want to get around and don't have a toad, you can buy a trolley ticket at the park ($24.00 for the day)," notes Catherine A. about Compass RV Park.
Weekend entertainment: Some parks schedule regular events. "Have stayed here several times, very comfortable. They have entertainment on some weekends and a large fire pit near the pool for groups and cook outs," shares Mack W. about Compass RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Shuttle services: Transportation options exist for those without towed vehicles. "The resort has a deal with Old Town Trolley where they will pick you up from the office and take you into historic town. One thing they don't tell you is to keep your ticket stub for a cheaper rate if you go back within 5 days," advises Deb P. from Compass RV Park.
Pull-through availability: Many parks offer easier access sites. "All the sites were pull through gravel full hook ups. For as crowded as the place was it was very quiet. There is a dog park and a basketball court," notes Faith J. about Stagecoach RV Park.
Washdown stations: Some parks offer pet-friendly cleaning facilities. "We did notice outside of the laundry facility it appeared they had re-purposed some older washers and dryers and created a pet washing station. This is such a great idea and would make it easy to do laundry for your pets," observed a reviewer at Compass RV Park.