Why Putnam?

St. Johns River

A river of nearly 300 miles that flows north through nine lakes, used for fishing, boating, sailing, kayaking and wildlife viewing.

Rodman Reservoir

A reservoir of about 9,500 acres behind the former Rodman Dam (renamed Kirkpatrick Dam), known for bass, bream, catfish and mullet.

Rodman Recreation Area

Spillway fishing piers and a two-lane boat ramp that reaches the lower Ocklawaha River, the largest tributary of the St. Johns.

Lake George

Florida's second-largest lake, known for largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill.

Crescent Lake

A lake of about 16,000 acres, linked to the St. Johns River by Dunns Creek.

Dunns Creek

A deep creek about 6 miles long that links the St. Johns River to Crescent Lake, with a canoe launch in Dunns Creek State Park.

Crescent City lakes

Crescent Lake lies east of Crescent City and Lake Stella lies to the west.

Interlachen lakes

More than 28 lakes lie within the town limits. The two largest are Lake Lagonda and Lake Chipco.

Palatka Riverfront Park

It has a covered stage, a kayak launch, boat and fishing piers, the city clock tower, a memorial to the WWII submarine USS Tang, and a riverfront walking trail.

County boat ramps

The county runs 14 public ramps, including Crescent Lake, Lake Stella, Shell Harbor (Satsuma), Palmetto Bluff (Bostwick), Brown's Landing, Drayton Island Ferry (Georgetown) and several Interlachen lakes.

Ravine Gardens State Park (Palatka)

A New Deal-era park with steephead ravines up to 120 feet deep and 1933 WPA gardens. Azaleas usually bloom from January to March.

Dunns Creek State Park (Pomona Park)

More than 6,200 acres south of a bend in the St. Johns River, with a fishing platform, a canoe launch and a trail to Blue Pond.

Welaka State Forest

About 2,287 acres on the east bank of the St. Johns River, with hiking trails, about 18 miles of mostly equestrian trails and riverside campsites.

Etoniah Creek State Forest (near Florahome)

About 8,902 acres beside 819-acre Georges Lake. Its trails include part of the Florida National Scenic Trail.

Palatka-to-Lake Butler State Trail

A paved rail-trail of nearly 47 planned miles from west of US-17 in Palatka through Putnam, Clay, Bradford and Union counties. It is still being built in sections.

Palatka-to-St. Augustine State Trail

A paved trail 12 feet wide and 19 miles long through St. Johns and Putnam counties.

Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway

A linear park of 110 miles that ends at the St. Johns River. Its Putnam County sites include the Kenwood and Rodman recreation areas, Rodman Campground and Buckman Lock.

Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area

Swamp, flatwoods and pasture between the Ocklawaha and St. Johns rivers, with a bird checklist of more than 120 species.

Murphy Creek Conservation Area

Land along Murphy Creek and the St. Johns River. Murphy Island, reached by boat, has more than 6 miles of trails.

Rice Creek Conservation Area

Includes Hoffman Crossing, a long boardwalk on the Florida National Scenic Trail.

Lake George Conservation Area

About 35,380 acres on the east shore of Lake George, with more than 10 miles of horse trails.

Old Palatka Water Works Education Center

The historic water plant site now has walking trails, a gopher tortoise enclosure and a community garden.

Florida Azalea Festival (downtown Palatka, February/March)

The festival's site lists February dates, and Ravine Gardens' azalea season runs from about January to March.

Blue Crab Festival (Palatka Riverfront, Memorial Day weekend in late May): The festival site lists May 28–30, 2027.

Mug Race (first Saturday in May)

The Rudder Club bills it as "the world's longest river race." It runs from Palatka's Memorial Bridge to the Buckman Bridge and has been held since 1954.

Catfish Festival (Crescent City, first Saturday of April)

Run by the Rotary Club of Crescent City at Eva Lyon Park since 1978.

Bostwick Blueberry Festival (April)

An annual festival in Bostwick.

Bronson-Mulholland House (Palatka)

A city-owned house built in 1854 that is open for tours and private events.

David Browning Railroad Museum (Palatka)

Historic photos, maps and signs, plus a working model train that shows the area at the height of rail traffic.

St. Johns River Center (Palatka)

An education center about the river at 102 N. 1st St.

Putnam Historic Museum

Housed in the county's oldest surviving building, built in 1834.

Welaka National Fish Hatchery & Aquarium

A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hatchery with a 16-tank public aquarium, an observation tower and eagle cams.

Mt. Royal Indian Temple Mound (near Welaka)

A Timucuan-era archaeological site described as the largest sand mound in Florida.

Fort Gates Ferry

Carries cars across the St. Johns River between Welaka and the Ocala National Forest and is described as Florida's oldest operating ferry.

Golf

Palatka Golf Club is a 1925 Donald Ross course next to Ravine Gardens. The Oaks Golf Club is a public 18-hole course.

Palatka

The county seat, on the west bank of the St. Johns River. Its downtown was rebuilt in brick after an 1884 fire, and its North and South historic districts are on the National Register.

East Palatka

A census-designated place east of Palatka where US-17, SR-20, SR-100 and SR-207 meet. It is home to the Putnam County Fairgrounds and the Palatka State Farmers Market.

Crescent City

A city between Crescent Lake and Lake Stella, with the motto "Life Between the Lakes." It was incorporated in the 1880s and has a historic district listed on the National Register.

Interlachen

A town with more than 28 lakes inside its limits. The Swiss-inspired name means "between the lakes."

Welaka

A town on the St. Johns River, home to the Welaka National Fish Hatchery and nicknamed the "Bass Capital of the World."

Pomona Park

A town on Lake Broward along US-17, settled around 1869. Dunns Creek State Park's main entrance is here.

Satsuma

An unincorporated community on US-17 and Dunns Creek, home to Putnam County Speedway.

San Mateo

An unincorporated community just southeast of Palatka on the east shore of the St. Johns River, along US-17.

Hollister

An unincorporated community off SR-20 between Interlachen and Palatka.

Putnam Hall

An unincorporated community near SR-100 and SR-26, settled in 1849.

Melrose

An unincorporated community on Lake Santa Fe that spans Putnam, Alachua, Clay and Bradford counties. The Melrose Historic District covers 1,250 acres.

Georgetown

An unincorporated community on the shore of Lake George, south of Welaka State Forest. The county's Drayton Island Ferry boat ramp is here.

Bostwick

An unincorporated community north of Palatka on US-17, home to a county library branch and an annual blueberry festival.

Florahome

Home to Q.I. Roberts Jr.-Sr. High School, and near the headquarters of Etoniah Creek State Forest.