Tate's Hell State Forest New River Primitive Campsites

Open — Open year-round. Reservations available through Reserve America and can be made up to 11 months in advance. No water available at campsites.

About

The New River Primitive Campsites are located in Tate's Hell State Forest in Franklin County, Florida, comprising eight tent or RV accessible primitive campsites scattered over an 11-mile stretch along the west side of the New River. The individual sites are North Road, New River, Gully Branch, Dew Drop, two Borrow Pit locations, Parker Place, and Pope Place. From Sumatra, Florida, the closest campsite (North Road) is approximately 14 miles or a 30-minute drive east, while the furthest site (Pope Place) is about 22 miles or 60 minutes southeast. Each campsite provides basic amenities including a picnic table, fire ring, and grill, but no electricity, water, or restrooms are available. New River site has a canoe launch and Pope Place features a boat launch. All sites offer close access to the river for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, wildlife viewing, bird watching, and photography. Tate's Hell State Forest encompasses over 202,437 acres between the Apalachicola and Ochlockonee Rivers, featuring diverse natural communities including wet prairie, wet flatwoods, strand swamp, and bottomland forest. The forest is home to unique dwarf cypress stands and is part of the Florida Scenic Trail and Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance through Reserve America.

Directions

Access varies by site. North Road: From CR 67, turn onto Gully Branch Road and travel about 12.3 miles, turn right onto North Road. The campsite is about 4 miles ahead at the end of the road. New River: From CR 67, turn onto Gully Branch Road and travel about 5.8 miles, turn right onto Billy's Road after crossing the New River. The campsite is about 2 miles ahead on your right. Gully Branch: From CR 67, turn onto Gully Branch Road and travel about 5.8 miles. The campsite is on your right after crossing the New River. Dew Drop: From CR 67, turn onto Gully Branch Road and travel about 5.8 miles, turn left onto W. River Road after crossing the New River. Dew Drop campsite access road is about 2 miles ahead on your left. Borrow Pit 7: From US 98, turn onto River Road and travel about 4.75 miles, turn right onto W. River Road after crossing the New River and travel about 2.5 miles, turn left onto Forest Road 90. The campsite is about 0.45 mile ahead on your right. Borrow Pit 6, Parker Place, and Pope Place: From US 98, turn onto River Road and travel about 4.75 miles, turn right onto W. River Road after crossing the New River. Pope Place is 1.2 miles ahead on your right, Parker Place is about 2.3 miles ahead on your right, Borrow Pit 6 is about 2.6 miles on your left.

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