Experiences & Amenities

Bicyclists are welcome to enjoy over 3 miles of paved park road. There are no off-road biking trails.

The main entrance of Gold Head on State Road 21 has a paved, 6-mile connector trail that leads to the Palatka-to-Lake Butler State Trail.

• Please remember to watch for traffic at road crossings and obey all traffic signals.
• Prevent theft by not leaving your bicycle unattended in the park. 
• Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.

The park offers many birding opportunities in a variety of habitats. During the spring and fall migrations, the lush hardwood forest of the ravine attracts many warblers, thrushes and other songbirds.

Start at the ravine stairway and take the Fern Loop Trail or the Ridge Trail. Alternatively, you can start at the Mill Site parking lot and take the Loblolly Loop Trail.

Take the Florida National Scenic Trail through the longleaf pine forest, which features Bachman's sparrow and other sandhill wildlife. In the winter, many migrating bird species can be observed. Drive slowly along the main park drive and you might see wild turkey, bobwhite quail or raptors such as the American kestrel. 

Wading birds can be viewed around the park's lake edges as well as bald eagles, which have nested in the park for many years. Birds soaring around the lakes and marsh include raptors such as the Northern harrier and the swallow-tailed kite.

In the winter, waterfowl frequents Little Lake Johnson. Overnight visitors can listen for the eerie call of the Eastern screech owl or the hoot of the great horned owl.

On summer nights, the Chuck-Will’s-Widow’s distinctive call can be heard. Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park is a designated portion of the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail.

Gold Head has three campground loops, Sandhill, Turkey Oak and Lakeview. The park's 73 campsites accommodate tents, trailers and motorized campers. Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring/grill and potable water.

A centralized dump station is available for use, and 20- and 30-amp electrical service is available at all campsites except for sites 57 and 60-67 in the Lakeview campground loop. Sites 16-18, 58 and 59 feature 50-amp service in addition to 20- and 30-amp service. 

Each campground has its own bathhouse facility with hot showers. The Lakeview bathhouse is fully accessible and sites 58 and 59 are the closest, with paved sidewalks leading from the sites directly to the bathhouse.

Well-behaved domestic pets are welcome in the campgrounds but are not allowed inside the bathhouses. View our park pet policy for more information.

• A coin-operated washer and dryer are available at the Sandhill and Lakeview bathhouses.
• Each site may have up to two vehicles, two tents and eight people. A site with a recreational vehicle may have one tent.
• Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. Visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.

Two primitive campsites are located within the southern end of the park just off the Florida National Scenic Trail. These sites include a picnic table, fire ring and a common pavilion.

• There is no water or electricity in the primitive campground.
• Each site accommodates up to six people.
• The primitive camping area is a hike-in site, inaccessible by vehicles.
• The hike is three-quarters of a mile from the parking area to the primitive campsites.
• Campers are required to pack in all supplies and pack out all trash.
• Collecting firewood is prohibited, but you can obtain firewood for a donation to the park citizen support organization at the ranger station.
• Pets are prohibited in the primitive camping area.
• Reservations are recommended and may be made by contacting the ranger station at 352-316-4286 during business hours, Monday through Thursday.

Three primitive group campsites are available for organized youth and adult groups. An organized group is six or more people camping together who are members of or sponsored by a recognized community organization such as a church, benevolent society or civic service club.

• Each of the three sites has a water spigot and shares access to an outside cold shower and a restroom with sinks and flushing toilets. 
• Electricity is not available. Picnic tables and a ground fire ring are provided. Only one fire is permitted per site. 
• Each group site will accommodate a maximum of 25 people. Group campsites are equipped for tent camping and check-out time is 1 p.m.
• Reservations are recommended and may be made by contacting the ranger station at 352-316-4286 during business hours, Monday through Thursday. Priority is given to organized youth groups with chaperones and they may reserve a site up to 11 months in advance. Adult groups may reserve a site up to 30 days in advance.
• Camping fees are $5 per night per adult and $1 per night per youth (under 18).

Fishing is permitted at Little Lake Johnson. The present lake level sustains a population of pan fish, catfish and bass but the lake depth is not what it used to be, so large bass are unlikely. You can fish from the shore or from a canoe or other small non-motorized boat.

• It is not possible to launch a large boat at this time due to the low water levels.
• Fishing is not allowed in the swimming area. Fishing is prohibited in Sheeler Lake, Deer Lake and Pebble Lake.
• All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Fishing in Florida.

Explore the park in a new and challenging way. Experienced geocachers have requested permission to hide caches containing trinkets, treasures or information in various places around the park. 

Please check the Geocaching website for the most up-to-date information and clues to locate these caches. 

• Operation Recreation GeoTour 

Gold Head has multiple hiking and nature trails.

• The Ridge Trail (1.1 miles) meanders along the upper ridge of the ravine between the stairway and the mill site. From the ridge, hikers can see the contrasts between the sandhill and the ravine natural communities.
• The Loblolly Loop (1 mile) begins and ends at the mill site and winds past the largest loblolly pine trees in the park. 
• A nature trail (0.1 miles) leads from the roadside to Sheeler Lake, one of the oldest lakes in Florida.
• The Florida National Scenic Trail passes through 5.4 miles of the park and connects to other public lands. Visit the Florida Trail Association for more information.

Enjoy the beauty of Little Lake Johnson by canoe or kayak. You are welcome to bring your own canoe or kayak, but take note that it is a long walk down the hill from the parking area to the lake.

Main picnic area

• The large picnic area overlooks Little Lake Johnson as well as Pebble Lake and features ample parking spaces, potable water, accessible restroom facilities, eight sheltered picnic pavilions, stone picnic tables, playground and shaded areas.
• Every pavilion has a charcoal grill, and there are additional grills scattered throughout the picnic area.

Ravine overlook

• The ravine overlook area has a single picnic table nestled in the shade.
• There are no restroom facilities, water or grills at this location.

Equestrian trailhead

• Picnic tables are available for equestrian trail users at the trailhead.
• There are no restroom facilities, water or grills at the equestrian trailhead. Approximately 3.5 miles from the trailhead there is a rest station with a hitching post and picnic table.

The large picnic area at Gold Head can accommodate family reunions of many sizes. There is plenty of parking and multiple facility rental options to choose from.

You can rent an outdoor, covered picnic pavilion for any size group up to 100. Additionally, you can rent the enclosed, accessible recreation hall that comes with a kitchen. There are enough tables and chairs to accommodate up to 75 people.

The kitchen has a refrigerator, ice machine, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, stove, oven, and basic cooking and eating utensils. There is central heating and cooling, a serving or buffet counter, ceiling fans, media screen and a back porch with four picnic tables.

• To make a reservation, call the ranger station during business hours, Monday through Thursday, at 352-316-4286.

Overnight campers can take advantage of the park's absence of light pollution to view the night sky. To best enjoy this stargazing opportunity, visit the boat ramp or the ball field in the picnic area. Be sure to allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness. 

• To avoid compromising your night vision, use a red lens over your light.
• Day visitors must leave the park at sundown.
• Annual pass holders may apply for an after-hours permit directly from the ranger station. 

Swimming is popular during the warmer months in Little Lake Johnson. This freshwater lake is fed from Gold Head Branch, which travels through the ravine and eventually makes its way to the lake. There is a large, sandy beach downhill from the picnic area.

• The swimming area is located within easy walking distance from the cabins but is a longer walk from the campgrounds. Please carefully watch children and non-swimmers as no lifeguard is on duty.
• Pets are not allowed on the beach or in the swimming area.
• Swimming is allowed in the designated swimming area only.
• There is a restroom facility near the swimming area but it does not have electricity or showers.
• The lake is presently open for swimming. Contact the park for more information about current water levels at 352-316-4286.

Gold Head features beautiful natural and historic settings for your dream wedding. A large picnic area overlooks Little Lake Johnson and its white, sandy beach.

Multiple pavilions of different sizes are nearby, plus an indoor recreation building that can accommodate up to 75 people and provides a full kitchen for caterers.

• The large outdoor pavilion can accommodate up to 100 people.
• Sixteen vacation cabins are available for wedding guests.
• Please call the ranger station for pricing and availability at 352-316-4286.

In addition to great birding opportunities, Gold Head offers many wildlife viewing opportunities.

Commonly seen mammals include gray squirrels, cottontail rabbits and white-tailed deer. Sherman’s fox squirrel is a large squirrel with a long, bushy tail and can occasionally be seen along the road and trails. The large, sandy mounds of the Southeastern pocket gopher are visible throughout the park although the actual gopher is rarely seen.

• Common reptiles include the threatened gopher tortoise, Southern fence lizard, six-lined racerunner and green anole, as well as many kinds of non-venomous snakes.
• Please remember to keep a respectful distance to avoid disturbing wildlife.