Princess Place Preserve offers waterfront camping sites accessible by boat, car, or foot with varied terrain including sandy trails and access to three water bodies: Matanzas River, Moody Creek, and Pellicer Creek. The climate remains mild year-round with summer highs reaching 90°F and winter lows rarely dropping below 50°F. Campers should plan for afternoon thunderstorms during summer months and occasional cold fronts in winter.
What to do
Water activities and fishing: Princess Place Preserve - Moody Campground provides excellent access to multiple waterways. "The site has a place to launch kayaks or a canoe. All sites are pet friendly. There are multiple hiking trails, and plenty of places to fish. Dock Site 2 had water on 2 side of the site, and had a steady breeze during our whole visit," notes Kippy N.
Historical tours and wildlife viewing: Take a guided tour of the historic buildings at Princess Place Preserve. "The Ranger who was working when we were there was really helpful. He gave us a private tour of the historic buildings because no tour was scheduled during our stay," shares Aida K. The preserve offers excellent wildlife spotting opportunities: "We saw deer more frequently than we saw other humans lol. My dog & I were truly at peace here!"
Biking trails exploration: For cyclists, Etoniah Creek State Forest offers accessible trails. "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," writes Brian K.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Campers consistently praise the waterfront locations. "This campground has 2 dock sites... The sites are spacious and can accommodate larger rigs, with each site featuring a fire ring, picnic table, and garbage receptacles," says Kippy N. Another camper adds, "What a beautiful and quiet place! The campsites are spacious, spread out and on the water. The park has a small but adequate shower facility, clean campsites and plenty of wildlife."
Secluded camping experience: Princess Place Preserve - Moody Campground offers exceptional privacy. "You'll see from the photos (all taken from my site) that the sites are expansive and beautifully shaded. I stayed in equestrian site 1 (EQ1) and was amazed by how much space there was and how far we were from others," notes Taylor.
After-hours solitude: The preserve's limited hours create unique opportunities. "The park doesn't seem like it gets busy in general, but it closes to the public at 6 pm, so that means you basically have the next three hours of daylight to roam the entire place by yourself! And there's so much to roam!! There are so many trails and winding, sandy roadways to bike or hike," shares Katie M.
What you should know
Water availability limitations: Water access can be challenging at Princess Place. "Water is non-potable so bring plenty. You are allowed to gather wood if it has fallen, however it's a good idea to buy some locally as none is sold by the campground," advises Aida K. Plan to bring at least one gallon per person per day.
Bathroom facilities: Bayard Conservation Area has rustic facilities. "There's a stop on the way near the other campsite that includes some picnic benches, a (non-potable) water pump, and a bathroom with a roof and toilet paper. What more could you want?" writes Nate D.
Booking requirements: Reservations are essential for popular sites. "Sites are reserved well in advance, especially for the weekends so book early," recommends Kippy N. Most equestrian campgrounds require booking at least 2-3 months ahead during peak season.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children enjoy spotting local wildlife. "On our way to our campsite we were able to spot many animals including: deer, otter, turkey, and wild pigs," says Jenn B. from Bayard Conservation Area. Plan morning or evening walks when animals are most active.
Cabin options for easier family stays: Consider Trails End Outdoors RV Park & Cabins for family-friendly accommodation. "After checking in, depending upon what set-up you've signed up for, you'll be directed back the way you came, where a small singular loop will take you around the property, first to the handful of scattered wooden cabins (cleverly named after famous cowboys like Wyatt Earp, John Wayne and Doc Holiday)," notes Stuart K.
Child-friendly hiking trails: Select appropriate trails for younger hikers. "I hiked in about 3.3 miles, but OnX user beware, trust the trail's red marks, not the trail marked on most maps! Part of the trail was reblazed to go around a washed out section. Otherwise, the campsite itself was great," reports Nate D. who camped with 7 and 9-year-old boys.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: For RVers visiting Bulow RV Resort, site selection matters. "We loved how private our site felt within the big oak trees, but we noticed they had a lot of other sites that weren't as private. They did have buddy sites, tent camping, and cabins," advises Kasey M.
Hookup accessibility challenges: Check hookup positioning before setting up. "Once we got parked we realized that the hookups were on the wrong side and we weren't in a pull through so this was a problem. We hooked up what we could and decided to phone the front office to be relocated to another site the following morning," shares Keisha D.
Services and amenities: Be prepared for limited services at some locations. "No WiFi but the restrooms were clean, they have a bar if needed. Nice flat spots for my pop up. Bathrooms very clean. Will definitely return," reports Tom H.
