If you're launching on Ocklawaha River, Rodman Recreation Area - Kirkpatrick Dam Boat Ramp is a solid freshwater option in Putnam County. It's well-placed for boaters who want to spend their time fishing rather than trailering across the county. With 2 launch lanes, it can handle a busy weekend crowd without the usual bottleneck. As of the last FWC inventory update, launching is free here.
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At a glance
- County
- Putnam
- City
- Palatka
- Waterbody
- Ocklawaha River
- Water type
- Freshwater
- Ramp type
- Stand Alone Ramp
- Launch lanes
- 2
- Ramp surface
- Concrete
- Dock
- No Docks
- Parking surface
- Paved - Asphalt or Concrete
- Trailer parking
- 28
- Restroom
- Flush Toilet
- Fee required
- No
- Managed by
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection
- Status
- Open for Business
- Hours
- 8:00 AM until Sunset, 365 days a year
Address: 531 Rodman Dam Road, Palatka, FL, 32177 · Coordinates: 29.507956, -81.803453
Get directions on Google Maps →
Where it is
Live NEXRAD radar from Iowa State Mesonet — past ~65 minutes animated. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Ramp location from the FWC boat ramp inventory. Not for navigation.
On-water restrictions nearby
No mapped state manatee-protection or boating-safety zones were found within 500 m of this ramp in the current FWC dataset. This does not mean the area is unrestricted — posted signs and other local, state, or federal rules may still apply.
Restriction zones: For general awareness only — not for navigation or legal determination. Florida Administrative Code and posted on-water signs prevail. Other local, state, or federal restricted zones may exist that are not shown here. Source: FWC manatee protection & boating-safety GIS layers. Zone data as of .
What to know before you launch
- Clean, drain, and dry your boat between freshwater launches to help stop the spread of invasive plants like hydrilla.
- Even with multiple lanes, prep in the staging area first so you're not tying up a lane while loading gear.
- Always check current tides, wind, and marine forecasts before you launch — Florida afternoons can turn stormy fast.
Tides at the nearest station
The closest NOAA tide station is St. Augustine Beach, about 40 miles away. Here are today's predicted highs and lows (referenced to MLLW):
Boater discussion
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