Campgrounds and RV parks near Keystone Heights, FL

Keystone Heights sits on the sandhill ridge of north-central Florida, roughly halfway between Jacksonville and Gainesville, and it functions as a small-town base for lake camping and RV travel. The area's marquee public campground is Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park, one of Florida's oldest state parks, developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and set in rolling sandhills with old-growth longleaf pines, lakes, and a spring-fed ravine. For full-hookup RV travel, Keystone Heights RV Resort sits closest to town, while Gainesville RV Park, Waldo RV Park, and Starke/Gainesville NE KOA Holiday spread out along the US-301 and I-75 corridors within short driving range. The KOA is located between Jacksonville and Gainesville on US-301, a practical stop for larger rigs with pull-through sites. Most travelers use Keystone Heights as a quieter alternative to Orlando-area parks, with easy day trips to Gainesville, Palatka, and the St. Johns River.

Reservations at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park are handled through the Florida State Parks reservation system and can be made up to 11 months in advance, either online at the reservations website or by phone. Cancellations made in writing at least 30 days before the arrival date are eligible for a refund, and the park requires a valid entrance pass to reserve a campsite. The Turkey Oak campground is closed for renovations effective March 2026. Private parks handle their own bookings. Starke/Gainesville NE KOA Holiday takes reservations through the KOA website and app, and KOA Rewards members receive a discount at checkout. Keystone Heights RV Resort, Gainesville RV Park, and Waldo RV Park book directly by phone or through their own websites. Call ahead in winter, when monthly and seasonal renters take many of the sites.