A Weekend in Welaka: 2-Day Itinerary from St. Augustine or Jacksonville

Two days is the sweet spot in Welaka. You get time to hike, fish, eat, and slow down. You also have time to ride the ferry, which is half the fun. Here is a 2-day plan, with notes for travelers coming from St. Augustine or Jacksonville.

Before you go: the drive

From St. Augustine: About 41 miles. Drive time is around 55 minutes. The fastest route is Route 207 west.
From Jacksonville: About 74 miles. Drive time is around 1 hour 25 minutes. The fastest route is I-95 south to exit 311 (Route 207), then Route 17 south to County Road 309.
From Orlando: About 115 miles. Drive time is around 2 hours. The fastest route is I-4 east to I-95 north, then west on Route 207 (or south on Route 17 from East Palatka). For a slower, more scenic ride, take Highway 17 north the whole way.
From Daytona Beach: About 75 miles. Drive time is around 1 hour 30 minutes north.

Either way you come, get gas before you leave the highway. Stations get fewer and farther apart once you reach Putnam County.

Where to stay

Welaka is small. Your main choices are:

Welaka Lodge & Resort. The biggest place in town. It has river-front cottages, RV spots, a pool, a jacuzzi, and a community bar. Good for families and groups.
Vacation rentals. Homes like Low Tide Welaka and Stillwater sleep up to 8. Most sit near the river. Great if you bring a group.
Old Florida Fish Camp. A short drive north of Welaka. Good for anglers.
Crescent Fish Camp, RV Resort & Marina. A short drive south in Crescent City. Has a lounge, bar, and fitness room.

Book ahead. The fishing crowd fills rooms fast in spring.

Day 1: Arrive, hike, eat, and watch the river

Morning: Hit the road

Leave home early. From St. Augustine, you can be in Welaka by 10 a.m. From Jacksonville, plan to arrive around 10:30. You'll want most of the day on the ground.

Late morning: Check in and walk Bryant's Wharf

Drop your bags at the lodge or your rental. Head straight to Bryant's Wharf at 1A Palmetto Street. There are picnic tables, restrooms, and a great river view. Take a few minutes to walk the dock. Watch the boats roll past.

Lunch: Shrimp R Us & More

Walk or drive over to Shrimp R Us & More at 765 3rd Avenue. It is the local seafood spot. Try the fried shrimp, the crab cakes, or the fish sandwich. There is a tiki bar with live music most weekends. If your timing is right, eat outside.

Afternoon: Mud Spring Trail

Drive over to Welaka State Forest. The address is 720 CR 309. There is a $2 per person day-use fee.

Walk the Mud Spring Trail. It is a 1.7-mile loop and very easy. The big stop is Mud Spring itself — a small, clear, blue-green pool that sits like a little jewel in the woods.

Plan 1 to 1.5 hours for the walk, including stops for photos. Bring bug spray. The bugs here are no joke.

Late afternoon: Welaka National Fish Hatchery & Aquarium

Drive a few minutes to the hatchery, just off US Highway 17. It is free. The aquarium is open until 4 p.m. and has 16 tanks of Florida river fish. The grounds are open dawn to dusk.

After the aquarium, walk the short Beecher Run Nature Trail. It loops around the old hatchery ponds. Birders should bring binoculars — eagles, ospreys, and herons all use the area.

Evening: Dinner and a river sunset

Head back to your room to rest. For dinner, you can:

Eat at the Welaka Lodge Boathouse Bar & Grill
Grab takeout from Shrimp R Us & More
Cook in your rental kitchen

Then walk to the river for sunset. The sun goes down behind the trees on the west bank. The light on the water is one of the best parts of the day.

Day 2: Ferry, fishing, and a slow exit

Early morning: Coffee and the boat ramp

Get up early. The river is at its calmest right after sunrise. Grab coffee and head to a public boat ramp — Welaka Public at 9199 Elm Street or Shell Harbor at 162 Shell Harbor Road. Watch the boats put in. You'll see herons and ospreys hunting their breakfast.

If you have a boat, this is the time to go fishing. The first two hours of light are the best for bass.

Mid-morning: Rent a pontoon and get on the river

The Fort Gates Ferry is one of Welaka's favorite things — but the landing is closed right now. The team is working to reopen it. Watch the Fort Gates Ferry Facebook page for updates.

Until then, the best mid-morning move is to get on the river yourself. Rent a pontoon boat from Welaka Boat Rentals. They sit right on the St. Johns River and a pontoon is an easy ride for any skill level. Call ahead to book your time.

A few hours on the water is plenty. You will see herons, ospreys, and maybe a manatee in the cooler months. Bring sunscreen, snacks, and water. The river is wide and slow here, which makes for a calm, easy ride.

Lunch: Grab a bite in town

After your pontoon ride, head back into Welaka for a sit-down meal. Shrimp R Us & More is open seven days a week.

Early afternoon: Pick your last stop

By now you've had a full weekend. Pick one last thing before you go:

Hike a different trail in Welaka State Forest. The William Bartram Loop is 5 miles and runs along the river bluffs. It is great if you like long walks.
Take photos at Mount Royal. The Native burial mound is just up the road from Welaka. It dates back to 1250 to 1500 CE. Look but do not climb.
One more visit to the river. Watch a boat come in. Sit at the dock. Breathe.

Heading home

Leave Welaka by 3 or 4 p.m. From St. Augustine, you'll be home in about an hour. From Jacksonville, about 1.5 hours. Plan to stop for gas before the highway.

What to pack for a Welaka weekend

Bug spray (do not skip this)
Sunscreen and a hat
Water bottles
Comfy walking shoes
A fishing license for anyone 16+ who plans to fish
A camera or phone for the sunsets
A small cooler for picnics
A book or two for slow river afternoons

Quick "at a glance" weekend plan

Day 1 - Drive in - Bryant's Wharf - Lunch at Shrimp R Us & More - Mud Spring Trail - Welaka National Fish Hatchery - Dinner and sunset on the river

Day 2 - Sunrise at the boat ramp - Pontoon ride with Welaka Boat Rentals - Lunch in town - One last hike or river stop - Drive home

That is a Welaka weekend. Two days, one small river town, and a long list of small things to enjoy. You will come home slower than you left. That is the point.