Bootleggers Campground Jennings State Forest

About

Bootleggers Campground is a primitive drive-up campground within the 24,000-acre Jennings State Forest in Clay County, Florida. The forest encompasses pine flatwoods, hardwood hammocks, and the scenic North Fork of Black Creek, providing habitat for diverse wildlife including gopher tortoises, wild turkeys, and white-tailed deer. The campground's eight tent-only sites are arranged around a communal area with a vault toilet and a four-table pavilion. Each site features a 16x16-foot tent pad, fire ring, grill, and individual parking. Campers should bring all water and supplies as no potable water is available on-site. The forest offers extensive recreational opportunities including over 50 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, plus several canoe/kayak launch points on Black Creek. Hunting occurs during scheduled seasons throughout the forest, and trail users should wear blaze orange during these periods. The area around the campground provides excellent bird watching and wildlife photography opportunities, particularly during early morning hours.

Directions

From Jacksonville: Take I-10 west to exit 343, then US 301 south for 4 miles. Turn east on Normandy Boulevard for 1 mile, then south on CR 217 for 1 mile. Turn east on Long Branch Road and continue 6 miles to the campground entrance on the right.