Tent Only walk-in primitive site
- Hookups
- No hookups
- Power
- Not listed
- Pull-through
- Not listed
- Max length
- Not listed
- Pad
- Dirt
- Number of sites
- 3
- Nightly
- $8.8
Watermelon Pond Primitive Campsites Goethe State Forest
State forest in Newberry, Alachua County, Florida Also known as Watermelon Pond Primitive Campground
USDA NAIP via USGS State forest with 3 sites
Pets welcome, On the water
From the park's website, Oct 2026
Not yet confirmed by phone. Details can change, so check with the park before you go.
3 sites
Open year-round
Open year round. Reservations up to 11 months ahead. Day use 1.5 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hours after sunset (Goethe brochure).
Pick your exact site online
Source: Official website
Book online
Through State reservations
Three reservable walk-in tent sites at the Watermelon Pond trailhead of Goethe State Forest near Newberry, with no electric or drinking water and a shared restroom. Not suited to RVs: these are tent-only sites reached on foot from a parking spot.
What stands out
- Only 3 walk-in tent sites at a state forest trailhead
- No electric or drinking water; shared trailhead restroom
- Next to Watermelon Pond, a large basin marsh used by cranes and wading birds
- Multi-use trails shared with horseback riders
- $8.80 per night via ReserveAmerica
Sites
What this place offers
- Hiking trails
- Pond
Things to know
Rig rules
- No RV age limit listed
Pets
- Pets allowed
- Goethe State Forest rule: pets must remain on a leash. Pavilion listing says pets allowed, leashed.
Arrival
- Check-in: 3:00 PM
- Check-out: 1:00 PM
- Open year round. Reservations up to 11 months ahead. Day use 1.5 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hours after sunset (Goethe brochure).
Cancellation: $9 non-refundable cancellation fee if cancelled 1 or more days before arrival. Day of or after arrival: call center only, $9 plus first night's fee; after arrival, nights after the call refunded. No same-night refunds. Reservations auto-refunded if campgrounds close for a tropical storm or hurricane warning.
Included in the rate: Max 6 people and 2 vehicles per site (ReserveAmerica). FFS fee schedule (2016) says primitive camping is per site, max 5 persons.
Other fees: ReserveAmerica reservation fee $5.79 per booking. Day-use pavilion (35 people) $9.17-$18.69 per day. Tent rate same in peak (Oct-May) and non-peak (Jun-Sep). State forest day pass $2 per person, annual pass $45.
Good to know
From the park's own website and other official pages. Policies change, so confirm with the park.
Location and directions
- Watermelon Pond tract is a separate tract north of the main Goethe State Forest, in Alachua County.
Sites
- Campers park in a designated spot and walk 20-60 yards to their tent site.
- Water at sites area is non-potable; bring drinking water.
Rates and fees
- Discounts for age 65+, military/veterans and 100% disabled apply at applicable FFS camping facilities; must be added to the ReserveAmerica profile by phone.
Rules
- Possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in Goethe State Forest.
- Off-highway motorcycles and ATVs are prohibited.
- Horses require proof of current negative Coggins test; riders under 16 must wear helmets.
Amenities and services
- Day-use pavilion holds up to 35 people, 15 vehicles; concrete floor, lighting, no alcohol.
Activities and nearby
- Hunting seasons occur in this area; check hunting dates before reserving.
- Watermelon Pond is a large intermittent basin marsh; good for birding, including sandhill and whooping cranes.
- Listed as good for stargazing.
- Nearby attractions listed: Devils Den scuba site and Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens.
Weather and hurricane policy
- All state forest campgrounds close when the county is under a tropical storm or hurricane warning; reservations refunded automatically.
On Google
Rating, reviews and photos from the park's Google listing.
Where you'll be
Newberry, FL
DirectionsWhere this info comes from
- fdacs.gov Goethe SF page: primitive campsites, restrooms, walk-in 20-40 yards, phone, address
- floridastateforests.reserveamerica.com ReserveAmerica: status, sites, rates, cancellation, alerts
- floridastateforests.reserveamerica.com ReserveAmerica facility details: description, amenities, mailing address
- floridastateforests.reserveamerica.com Site 001 details: check-in/out, pad, shade, people/vehicles
- floridastateforests.reserveamerica.com Pavilion details: pets leashed, no alcohol
- fdacs.gov Watermelon Pond trails map (2026/03)
- fdacs.gov Goethe brochure: rules, hours, pets on leash, alcohol
- fdacs.gov FFS fee schedule 2016
- Florida Department of Health mobile home and RV park license list
- OpenStreetMap
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