Is Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Are there showers at Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground?

Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground have?

Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground has 67 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground?

Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground offers: Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground?

Popular activities at Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground

4.29

14 reviews

108 Rodman Dam Road, Palatka FL 32177

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

105 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

67 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Book on Florida State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

105 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

67 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Book on Florida State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No fees are required for day-use (official page notes day-use fees are not required).

No paid fee categories listed.

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Florida State Parks

Provider

386-326-2846

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

108 Rodman Dam Road, Palatka FL 32177

Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground

108 Rodman Dam Road, Palatka FL 32177

Nearby places

Palatka — approximately 9 miles (northeast).

Weather at Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground

Best Time to Camp at Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground

Fall brings the best conditions, with daytime highs in the mid-70s to low-80s (October-November) and comfortable nights in the 50s-60s. The cooler, drier weather makes the steep sand trails more manageable, and migrating birds join the resident scrub-jays and other species for excellent wildlife viewing. Summer is punishing: deep sand, no shade, high heat, and horseflies drive most visitors away. Winter and overcast days work well if you avoid the heat. Reviewers consistently warn against summer visits and recommend weekdays year-round to avoid the small parking lot filling up.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Planning Tips

About Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground

Catfish Creek Preserve State Park Campground sits in rare Lake Wales Ridge scrub habitat southwest of Palatka, offering 67 sites and two primitive backpacking options along its trails. The park preserves ancient sandhill and scrub ecosystems at 105 feet elevation, with 6 miles of hiking trails and 7 miles of equestrian routes threading through steep, sandy ridges. This is a quiet, undeveloped preserve with minimal facilities and no entrance fee.

Rodman Campground is a 67-site campground located approximately 9 miles southwest of Palatka off State Route 19 on Rodman Dam Road.

Historical Significance

The park is named after Allen David Broussard, who studied and worked to preserve the rare flora and fauna of the Lake Wales Ridge from development. A monument marks one of his favorite spots within the preserve. The broader Rodman Reservoir area was created during the 1960s Cross Florida Barge Canal project, which began in 1964 near Palatka.

Weather and SeasonsFall brings the best conditions, with daytime highs in the mid-70s to low-80s (October-November) and comfortable nights in the 50s-60s. The cooler, drier weather makes the steep sand trails more manageable, and migrating birds join the resident scrub-jays and other species for excellent wildlife viewing. Summer is punishing: deep sand, no shade, high heat, and horseflies drive most visitors away. Winter and overcast days work well if you avoid the heat. Reviewers consistently warn against summer visits and recommend weekdays year-round to avoid the small parking lot filling up.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground lies within the ancient Lake Wales Ridge, where north-south running ridges of deep white sugar sand create a landscape of exposed dunes, scrub habitat, and wet prairie swales. Trails climb steep sand hills that offer sweeping views across Central Florida's interior. The scrub supports rare and threatened species including Florida scrub-jays, gopher tortoises, scrub lizards, and sandhill cranes. Deer, turkeys, and bald eagles appear regularly, and hikers report frequent wildlife sightings in the quiet, undisturbed habitat. The terrain is hilly and physically demanding, with little shade on the ridges and wildflowers scattered through the scrub.

Geological RegionRodman Reservoir / Cross Florida Barge Canal area

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsMake a Reservation link on the Florida State Parks official page

Total Campsites67 campsites

Best CampsitesTwo primitive campsites require advance reservation by contacting the park directly. Site 1 sits 1.7 miles along the hiking loop, past the first two ridges, with a picnic table and fire ring. Site 2 lies farther along the trail near Catfish Creek. Neither has water, so carry what you need. Reviewers note the campsites offer solitude and a true backcountry feel in the scrub.

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Florida State Parks Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Official amenities list includes accessible amenities, a boat ramp, campground facilities, parking, pets, a picnic pavilion, restroom facilities, and a water fountain.

Potable water

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

The campground provides access to the Rodman Reservoir and lists a variety of outdoor activities including fishing, boating, hiking, biking and wildlife viewing.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsThe reservoir is inhabited by numerous alligators and other wildlife; visitors should be aware of wildlife near water.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

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Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.3

14 reviews

Satisfactory

Anclote Key Preserve State Park Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers consistently praise Catfish Creek Preserve State Park for its rare Lake Wales Ridge scrub habitat, abundant wildlife, and quiet, scenic trails. Most visitors describe the terrain as hilly, sandy (sugar sand), and physically challenging — excellent for hiking, horseback riding, birdwatching, primitive camping and solitude, but not heavily developed.

Review Summaries

Based on 14 reviews

What Campers Love

["Unique ancient Lake Wales Ridge scrub and sandhill habitat with rare plants and wildlife (Florida scrub-jays, towhees and other birds).","Extensive, varied trails that offer steep sand hills, great...

Based on 14 reviews

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Go if

Hikers, birders, and equestrians who want Florida scrub-jay habitat and genuine solitude. Fall weekdays are the sweet spot: manageable heat, migrating birds, and a better shot at the small parking lot. Potable water is on-site, but pack extra, those sandy hills burn through it fa

Skip if

Anyone expecting developed facilities will be disappointed: no showers, no flush toilets, no hookups, and a primitive setup throughout. Summer heat plus no shade plus deep sand is a genuinely miserable combination, and a nearby shooting range occasionally breaks the quiet.

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Lake Kissimmee State Park's Loop LK2 holds 60 campsites under a canopy of mature oaks and pines in Central Florida's cattle country. Each site has electric and water hookups, and the park's 20 miles of trails wind through 12 ecosystems, from scrub and prairie to the wetlands edging Lake Kissimmee and the Kissimmee River. Sites cost $5 per night and fill up fast. Reservations open 11 months ahead.