Rodman Recreation Area and "Thank you, Marjorie Harris Carr"

For years people have said, “Rodman is one of my favorite camping spots.” But somehow the opportunity to visit had never happened. With one day free between stops in Ocala and Marineland we needed a campsite. Rodman Campground was on the way, off Hwy 19 near Palatka, so it was the perfect time to visit.

Campground Trails

Pulling into the campground mid-afternoon I knew the compliments were understated. The main activities are camping and hanging out. There are not official trails; however, you can find hiking on the top of the dredge mounds and along the fire break roads.

Home Sweet Home
Rodman Campground

Rodman Recreation Area is part of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, this 110-mile corridor resulting from remains of the infamous “Cross Florida Barge Canal”. This canal was a dream from the early Spanish days, 1500s, through modern times. In 1935 the canal was started under the Emergency Relief Act and sputtered when the project lost funding. In the 1960s digging resumed much to the consternation of environmentalists. As a result of lawsuits and protests in the 1970s, due to the work of Marjorie Harris Carr, President Nixon halted construction. The project was officially decommissioned in 1990 and the State of Florida gained ownership of the land in 1991.  In 1998 the Cross Florida Greenway was renamed to honor Marjorie Harris Carr.  (history)

Rodman Dam
Ocklawaha River side

Cormorants below the dam

The campground is surrounded by tall long leaf pines, mid-aged live oaks, young turkey oaks, scrub, palmettos, and old sabal palms.

Long Leaf Pine Branches

Turkey Oaks
Often the under story in a
Long Leaf Pine forest

Now, if you take a short drive further into the preserve you will arrive at the Ocklawaha River which is now dammed to form Ocklawaha Lake. The dam was built as part of the Cross Florida Barge Canal project. Here you will find boating and fishing opportunities on the lake. You can canoe the river; however, it is broad and brisk at this point due to the dam. Perhaps a better option is to go up-river and start at Ray Wayside Park off highway 40.

Ocklawaha River below the dam
heading to the St. Johns River

Should you venture about another mile past the dam you enter the Ocala National Forest where the FloridaTrail crosses the road. For those wanting high powered adventure you will find jeep, motorcycle, and ATV trails.

Bill walking the trail
atop the dredge mound