Fort Gates Ferry: What It Is, Why We Love It, and When It'll Be Back

The Fort Gates Ferry is one of the oldest ferries in Florida. It is small. It is slow. It is pure Old Florida. People drive in from all over the state just to ride it.

Heads up: the landing is closed right now. The team is working to reopen it. We do not have a firm date yet. The best place to follow updates is the Fort Gates Ferry Facebook page.

But the ferry is worth knowing about, even while it sits idle. Here is why locals love it, and what to expect when it runs again.

What is the Fort Gates Ferry?

It is a small ferry that carries cars, trucks, motorcycles, and bikes across the St. Johns River. The crossing is about one mile wide. The ride takes around 10 minutes.

There is no bridge here. So when the ferry runs, it is the only easy way to get from the east side of the river to the west side at this spot. The next bridge is many miles away.

Where does it go?

The ferry connects two sides of the St. Johns River:

East side: Fort Gates Ferry Road, near Pomona Park
West side: Forest Service Road 43, which leads into the Ocala National Forest

On the west side, you can drive into the forest and reach Salt Springs in about 30 minutes. Salt Springs has a clear spring, a swimming area, and a Forest Service campground.

When the ferry is running

When the ferry is open, here is what to expect.

Days: Every day from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. — except Tuesdays.
Schedule: The ferry runs "as needed." That means it does not leave on a set time. The operator brings it across when someone shows up.
Cost: $10 cash for one one-way trip. Bring cash. No card readers.
How big: Small. It can hold 2 to 4 pickup trucks, or a dozen motorcycles, or 38 dirt bikes or bicycles.

The wait is part of the deal. Sometimes 5 minutes. Sometimes 30. When the ferry is back, plan to bring patience and a book.

What is the ride like?

Calm. Quiet. Slow.

The river is wide and smooth at the crossing. You will see herons, ospreys, and maybe a gator on the bank. The water looks dark, almost black, in some spots. That comes from tannins in the leaves. It is normal and not a sign of pollution.

The crossing takes about 10 minutes. Most people stay in their cars. Some hop out for photos. Either is fine. The whole trip feels like a step back in time — which is why people drive hours to do it.

A piece of Florida history

Ferries used to be common across the South. Most got replaced by bridges. The Fort Gates Ferry kept going. That is part of why locals love it. It is slow. It is small. It is real. You do not get many trips like this anymore.

That is also why the closure stings. Losing the ferry, even for a while, means losing a piece of Old Florida. The good news is that work is being done to bring it back.

What to do on the west side (for when it reopens)

Once you cross, you are in the Ocala National Forest. A few easy stops:

Salt Springs. A clear blue spring with a swimming area, picnic spots, and a campground. About a 30-minute drive from the ferry landing.
Silver Glen Springs. Another spring with a swimming area. Great for warm days.
Lake George. The big lake to the north. Good fishing if you have a boat.

You can also just turn around and ride the ferry back. Some people do that. The ride itself is the point.

What to do until it reopens

You can still have a great Welaka day without the ferry.

Walk Bryant's Wharf at 1A Palmetto Street. Restrooms, picnic spots, a kayak launch, and great river views.
Hike Mud Spring Trail in Welaka State Forest. It is a 1.7-mile loop with a clear spring at the halfway point.
Visit the Welaka National Fish Hatchery for a free 16-tank aquarium and a short nature trail.
Rent a pontoon boat from Welaka Boat Rentals. The river is wide and slow here. A pontoon is the easy way to see it without bringing your own boat.
Watch the sunset at the Boat Bar at Welaka Lodge, right on the river at 1001 Front Street.

The St. Johns River is still here. So is the small-town pace.

Tips for the day the ferry runs again

When the team gives the green light, here is what will make the trip smoother:

Bring cash. $10 per crossing. Round trip is $20.
Check the day. No ferry on Tuesdays.
Get there early. The first crossing of the day is usually the easiest.
Use the bathroom first. There is no restroom at the landing.
Top off your gas. Once you cross to the west side, gas stations are far apart.
Bring food and water. The Ocala National Forest is wide open and quiet.
Don't trust your GPS at the very end. Sometimes map apps send people the wrong way. Look for signs to "Fort Gates Ferry Road."

How to know when it reopens

The best place to get the news first is the Fort Gates Ferry Facebook page. The team posts updates there.

We will also update this page when the ferry is running again. Bookmark it or come back any time.

One last thought

The Fort Gates Ferry has been crossing this river for a very long time. It will cross again. Until then, the river still flows, the sun still sets behind the trees, and Welaka is still here waiting. Come spend a day. Then come back for the ferry the day it returns.