(386) 329-3575
Buckman Lock reopened for business around the first of 2003 after a long period of closure to allow the installation of devices on the lock gates to protect manatees. It seems manatees like Rodman's quiet waters and abundant aquatic plant supply (food).
It is possible to lock into or out of Rodman, to or from the St. Johns River via the barge canal, at no cost.
The Lock is closed on Wednesdays for maintenance and from12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M. daily for lock tenders lunch break.
Lock tenders are on station from 6:30 AM to 3:00 P.M. The scheduled times of lockages sometimes changes. Call the telephone number above for the most recent schedule.
FISHING ON LAKE OCKLAWAHA (RODMAN RESERVOIR)
Rodman Reservoir is a flooded forest. Some of the forest was not leveled prior to flooding. As a result there is plenty of underwater structure - great environment for all types of fish. The percentage of open water to that containing aquatic vegetation varies from 70/30 percent to 40/60 percent. When the aquatic vegetation covers over 50%, the level of the reservoir is lowered from 18 feet above sea level to 11 feet. This exposes over 50% of the normally covered land and renews the fishery without the use of sprayed chemicals. Aquatic plant control and fisheries enhancement drawdowns occur during the winter months once every three or four years.
Fast or large boating on Rodman is hazardous because of the underwater structures. A fourteen to twenty foot, shallow draft boat equipped with a trolling motor is most useful. Large horsepower engines are unnecessary unless you wish to enter Rodman through Buckman Lock and must travel some distance on the St. Johns River.
Both artificial and live bait (shiners) are effective in Rodman, however most people who are after "wall hangers" will use shiners. Several 16 pound bass have been caught in Rodman on wild shiners. Ten pound bass are not uncommon from Rodman. The big bass weighed in at the January 1999, three day, Florida Bassmaster Eastern Invitational Tournament launched from Palatka was from Rodman. It was caught by Georgia's Robert (Duke) McCatle and weighed 10 pounds 13 ounces. There were 139 boats entered in this tournament. Of these 139 boats 86 of them locked into Rodman to fish the first day and 95 boats the second (one day was canceled due to heavy fog).
There are several guides in the area that we can recommend:
| Bill Snyder | (352) 546-4886 |
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(386) 244-4454
or (386) 467-8969 |
| Sean Rush: www.floridatrophybass.com | (352) 843-0939 |
Lake Ocklawaha has a heavily wooded, undeveloped shore line. There are no marinas. Lake Ocklawaha RV Resort has only two small boats with oars that it will rent for $25.00 per day. It is best to bring your boat with you or use a guide's service.
..............................BOAT RENTALS
The Lunker Lodge Resort in Georgetown and the Ocklawaha Outpost have boats to rent. The Lunker Lodge is about seventeen miles by water from Buckman Lock. The Ocklawaha Outpost in Eureka only rents canoes. The Lunker Lodge's prices are reasonable if you don't mind the long trip into Rodman. They also rent cabins at a reasonable price. The Ocklawaha Outpost is convenient if you wish to stay in the southern sections of the reservoir and prices are not too bad - about $30.00 per day. However, if you wish to take the Outpost's boats into the northern portion of the reservoir the price goes up to $36.00 per day and there is a $25.00 pick up fee unless you paddle all the way back to the outpost at Eureka.
| Lunker Lodge Resort | (800)244-5601 |
| Ocklawaha Outpost | (352)236-4606 |
| Lake Ocklawaha RV Resort | (352)546-5500 |
Rodman Reservoir has been called one of the ten best bass lakes in the nation. It is true. Rodman is a great fishen' hole, but Rodman has much more to offer.
CAMPING
at Rodman
Often we receive calls asking about camping here at Rodman. This is one of the subjects we like to talk about because Rodman is a great place to camp and offers very nice facilities not only for camping, but just enjoying a day away from the normal daily grind.
Rodman's campsites are located near the main pool. Rodman campground is state operated and Lake Oklawaha RV Park is private.
Rodman Campground
The state owned Rodman Area Campground is operated by the Office of Greenways and Trails who can be contacted at:
Office of Greenways and Trails
8282 SE Hwy. 314
Ocala, FL 34470 (352) 236-7143
http://www.floridagreenwaysandtrails.com
The campground is located on the east end of Rodman Reservoir within a short distance from the dam and spillway where the angler can fish from the handicapped accessible fishing piers or along the sides of the spillway. For those who like a slower pace, the connecting canal between the spillway and the old Ocklawaha river channel offers a quiet spot to cane pole fish, picnic or lay back and nap. Access to the Ocklawaha River below the dam is possible from a good concrete double ramp east of the spillway. There is plenty of good parking.
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Rodman Campground 410 Rodman Road Palatka, Fl 32177 (386) 326-2846
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The Rodman Area Campground is divided into two areas. The first, which is the older campground, offers thirty-nine campsites, thirteen have 30 amp electricity and water. The remaining twenty-six are rustic in beautiful wooded settings and great for tent camping. |
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For more pictures of Rodman Campground unit one see "Rodman
Campground" under "Camps and Ramps" To return
to this page click "Back" on your browser.
The second area just recently competed has twenty eight full 50 amp hookup sites, two of which are handicapped compatible. |
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This area is near the dredged canal connecting Buckman Lock and Rodman Reservoir and offers a wonderful view of the canal from sites 59 through 68. |
A sewage dump station is available at the campground entry area. There is a good boat ramp with plenty of safe parking. Covered picnic tables are near the boat ramp.
FEES & REGULATIONS (May 1, 2007)
All prices plus tax.
All plants, animals and other natural and cultural resources are protected
by FAC 62S-3
When I visited Rodman campground to take some pictures for this article I talked to a camper who wasn't sure he wanted me to write about the campground. He said that the campground was too nice a place to let a lot of folks know about it. It was much better to keep it a secret.
Directions to Rodman Recreation Area
TRAVELING NORTH ON I-75 .
Take SR 40 (Silver Springs Blvd.) east through Ocala and Silver Springs to CR 315. Turn north CR 315 and travel about 25 miles to CR 310. Turn east on CR 310 for about 5 miles until it ends at SR 19.
TO G0 TO KIRKPATRICK DAM OR RODMAN CAMPGROUND
Turn right and go over the Florida Barge Canal Bridge. Turn right onto Rodman Road at the foot of the bridge. Rodman Campground is approximately 3 miles on the right.
TO GO TO THE GREENWAY EAST VISITOR CENTER AND BUCKMAN LOCK
Turn left on SR 19 and go about one mile to the entrance road (Buckman Lock Road) on the right - The Lock and Visitor Center are about 1 mile south on this road.
TRAVELING SOUTH FROM JACKSONVILLE
Take I-95 South and exit onto 207 South. Take 207 South to SR 17. Turn right and go across the bridge to Palatka. Turn left onto SR 20. Turn left onto SR 19, and go south.. Go across the Cross Florida Barge Canal Bridge. Turn right onto Rodman Road and travel approximately 3 miles. Rodman Campground is on the right.
TRAVELING EAST FROM GAINESVILLE
Take SR 20 E. (Hawthorne Road) to Palatka. In Palatka, turn right onto SR 19 S. Take SR 19 approximately 10 miles. Cross over the Florida Barge Canal Bridge. Turn right onto Rodman Road at the foot of the bridge. Rodman Campground is approximately 3 miles on the right.
TRAVELING WEST FROM DAYTONA
Take SR 40 west through Aster and turn right onto SR 19. Travel north on SR 19 through Salt Springs. About 10 miles north of Salt Springs you will see the Cross Florida Barge Canal Bridge ahead. Turn left onto Rodman Road just before going over the bridge.
Lake Oklawaha R. V. Park
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Lake Oklawaha RV Park PO BOX 2010 Ft McCoy, Fl 32134 (352) 546-5500 or 1-800-622-5550
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Lake Oklawaha R. V. Park is a private campground offering nearly 400 full service hook ups and facilities. It has a large 6000 square foot recreational building that houses a kitchen and is large enough for banquets and gatherings. |
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A junior Olympic swimming pool lies next to the recreational building. |
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The park is located in the northwest corner of the Ocala National Forest on top of a one hundred twenty-five foot high bluff with a tremendous overview of Rodman. |
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Small boat launching is possible from the old Orange Springs ferry road Hog Valley ramp about one half mile away from the park. All campers have full use of all facilities (swimming pool, showers, laundry facilities, etc.) There is no primitive camping (tent camping) at this park. The US Forest Service is developing an ATV trail to be known as the Hog Valley Trail about an eighth of a mile from the park entrance. No ATVs are allowed to be operated in the park, but you can camp in the park and trailer your ATV to the Hog Valley Trail while still drinking your morning coffee. The normal rate for camping with full hookup is $27.50 plus tax however, membership in several organizations like AARP or being a senior citizen can get you a 10% discount.
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After fifteen years of operation as a standard RV park it was decided to allow RVers to purchase their own lots at the park. The whole park has been remodeled; some of the sites have been designated as "lots for sale", but there is plenty of space still available for the weekend camper who just wants to rent a site for a few days. |
Located on a bluff overlooking the 9,600 acre Rodman Reservoir (also known as Lake Oklawaha), the park is surrounded by the 400,000 acre Ocala National Forest. The park has taken the best nature has to offer and enhanced it with the amenities and conveniences desired by today's RVers.
The park has 3,700 feet of privately owned water frontage on magnificent Lake Oklawaha (Rodman Reservoir)!
They couldn't make the natural surroundings any better than Mother Nature has done, but they did provide upgrades and additions to the park that will make your stay more enjoyable.
The changes at the park are many, much to the delight of those who have visited lately:
Let's admit it. RVers love to meet, mingle, chat, laugh, dance and eat. At Lake Oklawaha RV Park, the 6,000 square foot Recreation Center serves to deliver all of this. For those who want more, There is a junior Olympic size swimming pool adjacent to the Recreation Center which has easy access to the newly-remodeled changing rooms, bathrooms and showers.
Music, good food and lively conversation aren't the only reasons to come to the Recreation Center. Many come to view the spectacular color shows put on by our magnificent Florida sunrises and sunsets. No two are exactly alike. So on any clear morning come to the Recreation Center to watch the sun rise and listen to the sounds of all the wildlife awakening. At night, make plans to gather with your neighbors, family and friends to watch the brilliant colors of yet another one of our famous Florida sunsets as the sun sinks across beautiful Rodman Reservoir.
Amenities
Lake Oklawaha RV Park has nearly 400 full hookup sites that include water, sewer, and electric.
The RV Park includes the following amenities:
Coming soon:
Lake Oklawaha RV Park, has made the property more comfortable, added some needed conveniences but still retained the openness and natural surroundings of what camping and RV people desire the most - to get away from it all and find a friendly place that allows them to experience the best that nature has to offer and to meet and mingle with others who are just like them. Lake Oklawaha RV Park is proud to state that they are kid and animal-friendly. So bring them along!
Refer to the "Campgrounds and Boat Ramps" section of the web page index for boat ramp locations.
Ramps at Rodman and Kenwood locations have all ready been discussed.
Boat launching from Eureka east or west boat ramps provides access to the upstream portion of Rodman. Both ramps are good concrete ramps, but the eastern ramp is very steep and remote. Eureka west is most often used by the local residents, but parking is somewhat limited.
Cypress Bayou is a fisherman's ramp. It is remote, but safe. From the landing, you enter Rodman's aquatic meadows through a quarter mile long canal. Fishermen using shiners for bait like this landing because it is close to the vegetation beds under which the bass hide.
Orange Springs landing has a good ramp and good parking. The channel from the ramp leads into Orange creek. Small boats can navigate up stream on Orange Creek or travel through the Orange Creek delta and enter Rodman at it's north western corner.
BOATING , CANOEING AND BIRD WATCHING
Hassled by the rush of modern living?
Need some therapy?
Take a leisurely ride through Rodman. Make arrangements for someone to launch you at Eureka and then pick you up at Rodman Campground Landing.
You will float through the riverine zone with its wooded banks and towering cypress trees. See hundreds of foraging wading birds in the meadows. See ospreys, herons, anhingas, cormorants and perhaps a bald eagle in the transitional zone. The pool is home for thousands of ducks during the winter months. Of course, 'gaters, otters and other critters can be seen anywhere.
The trip will take between four and eight hours. Don't forget lunch and plenty to drink. A port-a-potty is a good idea. This is wild country. There are no minute markets and no portalets along the way.
Two good hiking trails are near Rodman. The Florida National Scenic Trail winds north and south through the Ocala National Forest. It follows Rodman's south shore , crosses the Ocklawaha River at Rodman Dam and crosses the Cross Florida Barge Canal at Buckman Lock.
A trip to Buckman Lock is a pleasant junket whether you are hiking or just want to do something a little different. Boats lock through on the hour and on the half hour. There is an observation platform where guests can get a good view of the locking operation. The lock is most active on days when a large bass tournament is launching from Palatka.
The St. Johns Loop Trail's start and finish is just South of Buckman Lock. It is about a two mile hike.
A two mile long equestrian trail also starts and ends south of Buckman Lock.
Both the St. Johns Loop trail and the Equestrian trail starts from a large park with plenty of parking, picnic tables and port-a-lets. The park is located within sight of Buckman Lock. This provides good security and a place for contacting emergency help.
There are few accommodations adjacent to Rodman other than campsites. Donn and Lou Snow (352) 546-1025 have a nice cabin overlooking the reservoir for $125 per night. Only 1.5 miles to the Hog Valley boat ramp. (more cabin pictures)
Whitney Watson also rents a cabin about two miles south of the Hog Valley Boat Ramp
Whitney's cabin rents for $89.00 per night weekdays and $100 per night weekends and requires a three(3) night minimum. Phone 941-812-2823 or e-mail WhitWat101@aol.com for details and reservations.
The Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost and Resort. (1-866-236-4606) has eight very nice cabins for rent. The outpost is next to the Eureka west boat ramp with direct access downstream into Rodman.
Ocala is a large developed area and has about any type accommodations you desire, particularly near where I 75 passes Ocala. The problem is that Ocala is about an hours drive from Rodman.
Palatka, while not as large as Ocala is only about twenty minutes away from Rodman and the traffic is much less. Palatka has several motels:
| Best Western | 386-325-7800 |
| Budget Inn | 386-328-1533 |
| Economy Inn | 386-325-2455 |
| Quality Inn | 386-328-3481 |
| Oaks Motel | 386-328-1545 |
| Palmetto Motel | 386-325-2812 |
| Rivercrest Motel | 386-328-1551 |
| Siesta Motel | 386-325-3235 |
| St Johns Motel | 386-325-2278 |
| Telstar Motel | 386-328-1936 |
| The Moorings at Crystal Cove | 386-325-1055 |
| William Penn Motel | 386-328-1587 |
NEAR BY
Palatka with Ravine State Gardens (386) 329-3721,
absolutely gorgeous when the azaleas bloom,
and
Ocala with Silver Springs Natural Theme Park
5656 East Silver Springs Blvd.
Ocala, Fl 34488
(800) 234-7458
are just a few minutes away if you need to return to civilization. Both cities have good shopping, with major food and merchandise stores. See the attractions, eat a meal someone else cooked, do your shopping and come back to Mother Nature's Aquatic Wonderland - Rodman Reservoir.
We hope this helps answer some of your questions. If you wish more information, call us at (352)546-5011 or E-mail at andry@mfi.net
