Tate's Hell State Forest Picketts Bay Primitive Campsites

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

About

Located 10-12 miles north of Carrabelle in Franklin County, the Picketts Bay Primitive Campsites offer five dispersed riverside locations throughout Tate's Hell State Forest. The campsites at Sunday Rollaway, Oxbow, Warren Bluff, and New River are accessible to both tents and RVs, while Gully Branch is tent-only. These primitive sites lack all amenities except picnic tables, fire rings, and grills. Tate's Hell State Forest spans over 202,000 acres between the Apalachicola and Ochlockonee rivers, encompassing diverse habitats including wet prairies, strand swamps, bottomland forests, and unique dwarf cypress stands. All five campsites provide close access to the forest's 35 miles of rivers, streams, and creeks, making them ideal bases for paddling, fishing, and wildlife observation. The forest serves as part of the Florida Scenic Trail and Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail systems. Visitors can explore hydric communities home to diverse plant and animal species, photograph dwarf cypress trees over 150 years old, and experience remote wilderness camping. Sites are accessed via forest roads and require self-sufficiency as no water or facilities are available on-site.

Directions

Sites are accessed via different routes. For New River (site 10): From US 98, turn onto River Road and travel 4.3 miles; turn right onto Burnt Bridge Road and travel 4 miles; turn left onto East Double Bridge Road and continue 1.6 miles to the end. For Gully Branch (site 11): From CR 67, turn onto Gully Branch Road and travel 5.8 miles; campsite is on the left before New River, across from the day use pavilion. For Sunday Rollaway (site 46): From CR 67, turn onto Gully Branch Road and travel 1.2 miles; turn left onto Warren Bluff Road and travel 2 miles; turn onto campsite road and continue 0.45 miles to the end. For Oxbow (site 47): From CR 67, turn onto Gully Branch Road and travel 1.2 miles; turn left onto Warren Bluff Road and travel 4 miles; turn left onto Forest Road 124A and continue 0.8 miles; campsite is on the left. For Warren Bluff (site 48): From US 98, turn onto River Road and travel 4.3 miles; turn right onto Burnt Bridge Road and travel 0.35 miles; turn right onto Warren Bluff Road and travel 2.6 miles; turn right onto Forest Road 315A and continue 0.2 miles to the end.

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