40 Acre Park
Community park in Welaka with quiet birding trails through former fish-hatchery wetlands, plus a playground, sand volleyball, racquetball and picnic pavilion.
Things to Do
Springs, state parks, golf, music, fishing, and the slow art of doing nothing on the water.
All Things to Do listings
Andersen’s Lodge
Riverfront lodging on the St. Johns in Welaka, with Andersen's Bar & Grill serving food, drinks and karaoke to guests and locals alike.
Bartram Trail
Follow William Bartram's 1770s route along the St. Johns River through Welaka, Georgetown and Crescent City, by boat, on foot or on horseback.
Bass World Lodge and Marina
Family-owned fishing lodge and marina on the St. Johns River at the northern tip of Lake George, a rustic Old Florida getaway two decades in the making.
Betcha Bass Bait Shack
Welaka bait shop with live wild shiners, minnows and worms, plus non-ethanol gas, tackle, snacks and drinks. One stop before you hit the water.
Boat Bar
Bar inside Welaka Lodge with a deep list of beers, wines and signature cocktails, plus karaoke and live music on the St. Johns River.
Brenner Marine Construction
Residential and commercial marine contractors in Satsuma, FL, specializing in docks, boathouses and bulkheads.
Bryant’s Wharf Kayak Launch
Public kayak launch in Welaka with a floating dock, restrooms, scenic viewing area, fishing and shrimping, and two-night overnight mooring.
C-GYPSEA ART
Mobile painting parties across Florida since 2015. Easy-to-follow classes for all ages and group sizes, no experience needed.
Crescent Fish Camp
Family-friendly fishing camp and RV resort in Crescent City with cottages, tiny homes, a full marina, fueling station and live bait.
Dog Rose Brewing Co
Family-owned craft brewery in St. Augustine's Lincolnville, pouring handcrafted ales and lagers since 2017, steps from the historic district.
Dunns Creek State Park
More than 6,200 acres south of a bend in the St. Johns River, with hiking, wildlife watching and scenery off the Sisco Road entrance.
Eddie’s Trailers
Trailer sales in Welaka since 2006: enclosed, utility, motorcycle and car trailers.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
The FWC manages Florida's fish and wildlife resources, including the fishing, hunting and recreation around Welaka and Putnam County.
Fort Gates Ferry
The historic Fort Gates Ferry crosses the St. Johns River between Fruitland Cove and the Ocala National Forest. Not running at this time.
Gnarly Gar
Satsuma marina bar on the water since 1968, with ice-cold drinks, karaoke, live music and some of the best sunsets around.
Grand Reserve Golf Club
Eighteen holes in Bunnell, FL that reward smart shot selection, combining classic design with natural Northeast Florida terrain.
Groot's Golf Cart Rentals
Family-owned street-legal gas golf cart rentals in Welaka, FL. One, two and five-day rentals, delivery available, plus gas golf cart service.
Harri Buffalo
Acoustic Americana duo Bill Snyder and Lee Pinkerson, playing songs rooted in Florida natural history around the St. Johns River.
Hideaway Bar and Grill
Pomona Park bar and grill under new ownership, built around good food, live music and connecting the community across generations.
Hog Waller Campground & ATV Resort
More than 1,100 wooded acres near Palatka with ATV and UTV trails, mud bogs, camping and RV sites for outdoor adventure in Northeast Florida.
Jefferson Smith Memorial Ball Park
Welaka park with a lighted ballfield and covered bleachers, two playgrounds, swings, a basketball court, picnic pavilion and restrooms.
Kevin Mark Music
Florida singer, drummer and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Mark, playing venues around Putnam County and the St. Johns River.
Little Lake George Croaker Hole
A spring in Little Lake George 3.5 miles southwest of Welaka, named by the FWC as a thermal refuge where striped and sunshine bass gather.
Long’s Log Cabin Bar and Package
Historic Welaka bar established in 1929, veteran and biker owned, with live music, package sales and a fierce loyalty to locals.
Mason Newstead Memorial Downtown Park
Welaka's downtown park with lighted tennis and basketball courts, playgrounds, swings, shuffleboard, and restrooms with showers.
Mt. Royal Indian Mound
One of Florida's largest ceremonial mounds, built between 1250 and 1500 AD near Crescent City and documented by William Bartram in 1765.
Old Coast Ales
St. Augustine microbrewery that grew from a 10-gallon garage operation into a local favorite, minutes from the historic district.
Palatka Golf Course
Historic public 18-hole course in Palatka, designed in 1925 by Donald Ross and open to golfers across Putnam County.
Pomona Park Community Center
Historic former schoolhouse in Pomona Park, renovated with a stage, ADA access and room for 150, available for parties, events and shows.
Porky’s Lodge, Bar & Grill
Porky's Lodge, Bar & Grill in Georgetown, on the St. Johns at the mouth of Lake George. Old Florida resort feel, fresh food and sunset views.
Port Cove RV Resort and Marina
RV resort and marina in Georgetown, FL with colorful sunsets, warm weather, nearby attractions and a steady calendar of events.
Putnam County Speedway Park
Racing in Satsuma, FL: late models, sportsman, hobby stocks, thunder stocks and gladiators.
Ravine Garden State Park
New Deal-era state park in Palatka built around two spring-fed steephead ravines up to 120 feet deep with steep 45-degree banks.
Reel Florida Guide Service
Capt. Adam DeLaney, a fifth-generation Floridian and Georgetown dockmaster, guiding the Lake George region of the St. Johns River.
Renegades on the River
Riverside tiki bar, marina and lodging near the St. Johns in Crescent City, with live music, karaoke, bait and boat rentals.
S&A Leisure and More LLC
Authorized trolling motor and marine electronics service in Welaka, FL: Minn Kota, Lowrance, Garmin, Power-Pole and Rhodan. Sales, installs and repairs.
Shell Harbour Public Boat Ramp
Free FWC-managed public boat ramp on Shell Harbour Road in Satsuma, FL, with poured concrete, a dock for launching and staging, and parking.
Shrimps ‘R Us and More
Family-style seafood restaurant in Welaka with banquet rooms, a covered pavilion and tiki bars. Lunch and dinner daily, live music most weekends.
Skydive Palatka
Skydiving in Palatka, FL — tandem jumps, AFF certification, and a USPA Group Member Dropzone with views of North Central Florida from 13,500 feet.
Southern Chaos Band
Five-piece Putnam County band with male and female leads, playing country and rock that keeps a room dancing.
St. Augustine Shores Golf Club
Relaxed 18-hole course minutes from historic St. Augustine, easy to pair with beaches, sightseeing and local culture.
St. Johns Golf Club
Eighteen-hole championship course between St. Augustine and Jacksonville, with scenic routing that suits golfers of every skill level.
St. Johns Paddle Co.
Stand-up paddle board rentals in Georgetown, FL on the St. Johns River. Single and tandem boards, suitable for all skill levels.
St. John’s Watersports
Watercraft rentals in Crescent City for a solo adventure or a day on the St. Johns River with family and friends.
Sweet William
Palatka singer-songwriter Billy Ennis and collaborators, playing original finger-picked songs with deep roots and a deeper voice.
The Gonzos
Area band with multi-instrumentalist Don Austin and Jon Alexander on pedal steel, playing wide-appeal covers and a few originals.
The Lochside Restaurant, Bar & Marina
Waterfront dining with Scottish charm on Crescent Lake. Restaurant, bar, and full-service marina in Crescent City, FL. Tie up, drop in, and stay a while.
The Oaks Golf Club
Eighteen-hole championship course in Crescent City with wide front-nine fairways, a tighter back nine, and a restaurant open to the public.
Three Bananas
Crescent Lake bar and restaurant reachable by car, motorcycle or boat, with deck drinks, burgers, wings and salads in a historic setting.
Trailboss RV and Marina
RV sites and boat slips by the day, week or month on the St. Johns River in Welaka, with gas and great bass fishing right out front.
Velchoff’s Corner
Downtown Palatka restaurant pairing Southern comfort food with fresh seafood and a Cajun-inspired take on American classics.
Welaka Boat Ramp
Public boat ramp in Welaka with two lanes of poured concrete and a staging dock, open to all boaters.
Welaka Boat Rentals
Boat rentals in the heart of the St. Johns River, positioned for quick access in either direction so you don't lose a day getting there.
Welaka Dog Park
Fenced dog park on Orange St. in Welaka, FL. Open sunrise to sunset. Two play areas for shy and confident dogs, water, poop bags, benches, restrooms.
Welaka Fish, Crab And Bait
Welaka fixture for fresh fish, seafood and famous blue crabs, plus bait, with quality overseen by 25-year crabber Bruce 'Bull' Horning.
Welaka Golf Carts
Street-ready golf cart rentals in Welaka, FL. 4-seat and 6-seat carts, town-registered and delivered charged. 2-day minimum, weekly rates.
Welaka National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium
Fish hatchery and aquarium on the St. Johns River in Welaka, built in 1926 and run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since 1938.
Welaka Pickleball
Open pickleball play in Welaka from 8 to 10:30am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Learn the skills and meet South Putnam neighbors.
Welaka State Forest
State forest along the east bank of the St. Johns River, managed by the Florida Forest Service for recreation and environmental education.
Welaka State Forest Mud Spring Trail
A 1.7-mile loop through the Welaka State Forest to Mud Spring, where a clear basin cradles an underwater garden rather than mud.
Welaka Town Hall Recreation Area
Welaka recreation area with the LifeTrail circuit, basketball court, picnic pavilion and playground, an easy outdoor stop in town.
Frequently asked questions
- What is there to do in Welaka besides fishing?
- Plenty. Welaka State Forest has hiking trails to Mud Spring and the Bartram river-bluffs loop. The Welaka National Fish Hatchery has a free 16-tank aquarium. Bryant's Wharf has a kayak launch and picnic spots. The downtown park is right on the river.
- Is Welaka a good day trip from St. Augustine?
- Yes. It's a 45-minute drive on Route 207. A solid plan: morning hike at Mud Spring, lunch at Shrimp R Us & More, afternoon at the National Fish Hatchery aquarium, sunset drinks at the Boat Bar before heading home.
- Are the springs near Welaka swimmable?
- Mud Spring and Beecher Spring in Welaka State Forest are for viewing, not swimming. For a guaranteed swim, drive 30-45 minutes west to Salt Springs or Silver Glen Springs in the Ocala National Forest.
- What state parks are near Welaka?
- Welaka State Forest is right in town. Dunns Creek State Park is 25 minutes north. Ravine Gardens State Park is in Palatka, about 30 minutes north. Hog Waller Campground & ATV Resort has off-road riding for ATV adventures.
- How do I take the Fort Gates Ferry?
- The Fort Gates Ferry landing is currently closed and the team is working to reopen it. Check the Fort Gates Ferry Facebook page for updates. When running, fares are $10 cash per crossing, every day except Tuesday, 7am-5:30pm.
- What is the weather like in Welaka, and when should I visit?
- It is Florida. Summers are hot and humid, and afternoon thunderstorms are normal — bring water, sun protection and bug spray, and plan outdoor time for the morning. Autumn through spring is far more comfortable for hiking, fishing and being on the water.
- Are there alligators and snakes around Welaka?
- Yes. This is the St. Johns River, and alligators, snakes and biting insects are part of the landscape. Keep dogs leashed and away from the water's edge, do not swim outside designated swimming areas, and give any alligator you see a wide berth.