Rodman Campground

A secure campground with a guarded or (at night) locked gate. Security is enhanced by the presence of a law enforcement officer living in a cottage in the campground.

The campground has nice restroom and shower facilities.

Rodman Campground ramp is a good double ramp with plenty of safe parking that accesses Rodman through a small dredged canal that is dry during drawdowns.  Once you clear the canal it is necessary to work your way across part of the main pool to reach the dredged barge canal. This can be somewhat frustrating because the stumps require that you cross this area at idle speed. OGT has been promising a marked channel from the ramp canal to the barge canal for years, but as yet there are no markers in place. For access to most points around the main pool it is probably easier and cheaper to launch at Kenwood.

Covered picnic tables are near the boat ramp.

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.

	Rodman Campground 410 Rodman Road Palatka, Fl 32177 (386) 326-2846
	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.

The second area just recently competed has twenty eight full 50 amp hookup sites, two of which are handicapped compatible.

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)

• Entrance Station Hours: 7 AM - 8 PM DST / 7 AM to 6 PM (Non-daylight savings time)
• 8 AM - 6 PM (During Rodman Reservoir drawdown, non-daylight savings time)
• Check out 11 AM
• Check in 1 PM to 4 PM`

• Campsites w/ power & water hookups: Normal $22 + tax; Seniors (65+w/FL DL or 100% Disability) $11+ tax
• Primitive Campsites: Normal $12 + tax; Seniors (65+w/FL DL or 100% Disability) $6+ tax
• Dump Station and Boat Launch free to campers.
• Dump station: $5+ tax - Non Campers
• Boat Launch (non-campers) $5 + tax Up to 8 persons/ $1 per extra person
• Annual Pass $30 + tax (Up to 8 persons/ $1 per extra person)
• Day Use $3.00 per vehicle, up to 8 persons

• All prices plus tax.

1. Leave something at your site at all times to show occupancy.
2. Firearms, alcohol and ATV's are prohibited from this area
3. No rain checks or refunds.
4. 10 PM - 6 AM is "Quiet Time" No generators or radios may be used. Please do not make any loud noises that may disturb campers near you.
5. Campsites are limited to one family (mother, father, and their children) or a group of five people, two cars and two tents or RV
6. Maximum Stay -14 consecutive days. You must leave for 7 consecutive days before you may check back in to camp.
7. Primitive camping area is for tent camping only and generators are not permitted.
8. Pets must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and attended at all times. You must clean up after your pets.
9. The recreation area front gate is locked at closing time. Campers are responsible for keeping the gate closed and locked. The combination is given to each camper upon check-in. See gate house attendant if you have misplaced the combination. DAY PASS USERS MUST LEAVE BEFORE CLOSING.
10. Lanterns should be hung on lantern posts. Please do not hang on trees.
11. Campfires are permitted in fire ring only. Dead wood may be gathered from the ground. Please do not cut or chop trees and vegetation.
12. Garbage cans are provided; please use them for your litter.
13. No hunting
14. Help keep our facilities clean. Please don't litter.
15. The campground may close without notice upon management's determination that the facilities and/or area are deemed unsafe to visitors.

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.