Gores Landing

One of the historic steamboat landings, the site has a boat ramp, bank fishing, trail and primitive camping. It is best enjoyed early in the morning as the mist rolls off the river and the sun peaks through the tree canopy sitting on the bench provided at the ramp.

Location

13800 NE 98th St., Ft. McCoy, FL 32134 (on the Ocklawaha River)

State-owned property, leased and managed by Marion County

Hours: 8 am to sundown

Schedule: 365 days a year

Amenities: boat ramp, bank fishing, 3-mile round trip trail leading to the Ocklawaha River, limited primitive camping on river, restrooms, picnic tables with grills. No reservations required.

Cost: $5 per vehicle, $10 per night camping, $5 for Marion County Park Pass Holders (camping first come, first served)

Conservation Significance

  • This middle portion of the Ocklawaha River has not been as impacted by the effects of the Rodman/Kirkpatrick Dam.
  • The undisturbed river is a semi-tropical forest with moss-draped trees, cypress, swamp maple and sable palms. The River is winding and narrower.

Historic Significance

  • One of the historic steamboat landings
  • This was near the site of Daisy, a community with a tram railroad.
  • Dale Crider and Don Grooms were honored to spread Will McLean’s ashes at Gores Landing to fulfill the Father of Florida Folk Singing’s wishes. McLean’s tribute sign is here. Google one of McLean’s songs to celebrate his life and the works of all of Florida’s music troubadours that composed songs about the Ocklawaha and Silver Rivers – Will McLean, Dale Crider, Linda Crider, Bob Patterson, Whitey Markle, Gamble Rodgers, Paul Nosca, John H. Hankinson, and many more.

River sites from Gores Landing to Eureka

  • Eaton Creek
  • Sunday Bluff
  • Piney Island
Back to Map