St. Johns River Bartram Frolic

Relive and Re-Love Our River’s Heritage and History

📅 Saturday, April 12, 2025

⏰ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

📍 Downtown Palatka Riverfront

• Meet William Bartram, The Long Warrior, Trader Job Wiggens, and more living history!
• “Passport to the Past” adventure
• Pride of Palatka Riverboat Tours
• Guided hiking, biking, kayaking, and bus tours
• Nature-based exhibitors and food trucks

🧭 About Bartram Heritage

In the fall of 1774 William Bartram experienced what is known as the Indian Frolic at Spalding’s Lower Store. His 9-month stay on his favorite river in Putnam County is documented in Bartram’s masterpiece TRAVELS. The annual St. Johns River Bartram Frolic on Palatka’s riverfront will celebrate our National Heritage River, the Bartram National Recreation Trail in Putnam County, and offer our county as a historic eco-tourism and recreation destination.

Interested in taking a Tour? Click the links below for information & tickets!

• St. Johns River Bartram Frolic Paddling Tours
• St. John’s Riverkeeper Cruise
• History of Palatka and the St. Johns River Cruise
• Bartram National Trail Historic Cruise
• Sunset Riverboat Wine & Appetizer Cruise
• Sunday, April 13 at 9:30 am – Bartram Bus Tour – Palatka to Mount Royal
• Sunday, April 13 at 1:30 pm – Bartram Bus Tour – Palatka to Mount Royal

Join in on the Rice Creek Hike!

• 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm on Saturday, April 12
• 5-mile guided hike in Rice Creek Conservation area that explores the Florida National Scenic Trail and a Bartram site. Participants need transportation to the trailhead 15 minutes northwest of the Palatka Riverfront on Highway 100.
• Join the Florida Trail Association (FTA) for a guided loop hike on the Florida National Scenic Trail. Here the Florida Trail traverses the former site of a 1700s rice plantation and passes an impressive shelter known as the Rice Creek Hilton. A 1,886-foot-long boardwalk built by FTA volunteers transports hikers right into the wild heart of the swamp. Explore floodplain swamps, pine flatwoods, and mixed upland forests lush with epiphytes and wildlife. We will also visit Bartram site 3B, where Bartram and his companions attempted to paddle Rice Creek but were forced to turn back by dense vegetation. Adding to the intrigue, the mythical Bardin Booger is said to have lurked amongst these ancient cypresses and dense palmettos.
• This hike is just over 5 miles long and hikers should come prepared with at least 1 liter of water and supportive shoes with traction. Sun protection and comfortable clothing are recommended. Bug spray will be provided on-site. There are no bathroom facilities on site. Hikers should meet at the Rice Creek Conservation Area Trailhead on Highway 100 just north of Bardin Road.