Recreation guide to District lands
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Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area
Size:
27,241 acres are managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Of this, the District owns 6,573 acres.
Location:
Six miles south of Palatka in Putnam County, bounded on the east by the St. Johns River and on the south by the Ocklawaha River.
Description:
The area is located at the confluence of the Ocklawaha and St. Johns rivers. The area helps the restoration of these two major rivers and protects threatened and endangered species. The management area is a large, diverse tract which connects the Cross Florida Greenway with the Ocala National Forest.
Wildlife viewing:
Caravelle Ranch’s location contributes to a variety of habitats and a diversity of wildlife. The hammock islands are favored nesting sites for bald eagles. Other significant wildlife species found here include alligator, gopher tortoise, eastern indigo snake, spotted turtle, Florida black bear, little blue and tri-colored heron, snowy egret, southeastern kestrel and limpkin. In the rivers, manatee and snail bullhead are among other commonly seen species.
Recreational activities:
- Seasonal hunting, fishing, canoeing and boating. View hunting information.
- Hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, primitive camping at designated sites and wildlife viewing are available, but are restricted during hunt dates. more info
Restrictions: more info
- No motorized vehicles allowed on property, except as authorized during hunt season.
- Off-road vehicles (including motorcycles and all-terrain or track vehicles) are not allowed on property.
Access:
The main entrance is on the east side of State Road (SR) 19, which bisects the area, just south of the bridge over the Cross Florida Greenway; there is also a parking area with walk-through two miles to the south. There is a boat ramp to the Ocklawaha River off SR 19, south of the entrance.
For more information:
The lead manager for this area is FWC: (352) 732-1225.
