I have been coming here for 10 years, 3 different times. Each time has been better than the last. The facility is super rustic and authentic. Great bait and great rates on rental of various boats and fishing gear. Where can u rent a pontoon boat for under $150 for half a day fishing in a wildlife refuge full of fish and wildlife? We catch fish, see gators, birds and manatees amongst other native wildlife. Come fishing here, you will not regret it. They have a sweet bait and tackle shop, everything you need! Highly, highly recommended!! 5 star read more

The people who run the place are nice, friendly service. Got a tent site, comes with power hookup and water. Only negatives I'd say is at our site, the valve for the water was broken off, had to use the site next to us for water. The shower there could use a good cleaning. I understand it's a fish camp but you have guests and bathrooms, showers should be cleaned Atleast somewhat regularly. Other than that very nice park . There's a pond as well they stock for catch and release, which is nice for the family fishing experience. read more

Highland Park Fish Camp - View from tent site - Boating Near Me - Deland, Florida

This place is a hidden gem. The staff is wonderful. The place is spotless and very quiet. Lots of wildlife and an amazing magical garden and catch and release pond. Real camping read more

We came for a free fishing event one Saturday that we saw on Facebook. Volusia count and them paired up for a fishing tournament for kids under 11. The staff is friendly and helpful. They have a bait shop and a little pond where we were able to fish for fun. Would definitely come back! read more

Highland Park Fish Camp - Boat launch - Boating Near Me - Deland, Florida

Regrettably, we had a very disappointing experience with the camp. I am sharing in hopes that it will prompt improvements or be helpful to other potential guests. Several months ago, we booked a guided fishing trip with Cpt James. The trip was a gift to celebrate my father's 70th birthday--something we were all looking forward to for quite some time as avid fishermen. Less than 24 hours before our scheduled trip, we received a call from a staff member who informed us, with no further explanation, that "fishing is off for tomorrow" because "James had something come up." No alternative options were offered--no backup guide, no rescheduling support--leaving us scrambling to decide what to do since we had purchased plane tickets, hotel arrangements, fishing licenses, etc. We decided to proceed with our travel and try to salvage what was supposed to be a special day. The camp offered us boat and equipment rental and instructed us to arrive around 6:30 a.m. Upon arrival, there was no one there. The staff arrived nearly an hour late and seemed unaware of our situation. There was no communication, no plan, an no effort to make things right. They set us up in a small boat, pointed us to the poles we could use, and we purchased lures and bait. When we asked about other basic fishing necessities that we may need, like pliers, extra tackle, the staff scrounged and gave us a plastic bag with some basics. As we set out for the area they pointed us to on the map, it became evident that our boat would not cover that distance in a reasonable amount of time. So, we ended up fishing in the river close to the park only to find that the poles provided had very little line, knotted lines (it appeared that the line may have been tied together), and the nice bites we did get snapped the line! These poles were obviously not maintained or setup properly. Further, the live well did not have an oxygen pump so most of our bait died quickly. While we've had friends that have had incredible experiences here, ours was far from it. We felt like an afterthought and the lack of care was especially disheartening given the occasion we were celebrating. This was the most disappointing fishing experience I have ever had. I feel the need to share this experience with prospective customers in hopes that they will be treated with more consideration and professionalism when things don't go as planned. read more

Great place to rent a pontoon for the day. This is always our first choice! The boats are clean and great performers!

Very cute & clean Fishcamp. It screams old Florida. The store had everything you needed, and was essentially a museum as well from all the cool local artifacts they had. Highly recommend the marker food truck. It was truly incredible. You must get the fried catfish sandwich and the sweet tea. read more

How ironic is it that we escaped to a cabin because we had cabin fever? We stayed out at this place in early June after being in lock down. This was the perfect place to get away because each cabin has it's own entrance, porch and BBQ grill. The accommodations are rustic. My number one concern was the air conditioning and it did a great job of cooling down our cabin. You get sheets, pillows, towels etc. Our cabin had like two pots, a coffee maker, mix n match plates and utensils. We had our own refrigerator and I brought groceries and drinks. We had a new BBQ grill but it required charcoal, so I picked some up on a store run. There was a huge porch with rockers and a fire pit/ring outside. For a small fee I was able to bring my small dogs so they got a vaca too. They have a main office cabin where you check in that sells fishing supplies, rents boats and has a few drinks and sells supplies. The staff is very friendly and they have two really chill dogs that might be there to greet you. They have maps for hiking and area attractions they can provide to you at checkin. My cousins were flying in for my birthday in December 2020 and we planned a return weekend at Highland Park. Unfortunately they are unable to fly right now because of the pandemic. I am hoping we reschedule for next year. There are a lot of hiking trails in this area and we were going to rent a boat and head out to Hontoon Island. The cooler months of the year are the busier season for this fish camp. read more

Fantastic place. It was a family fishing trip with people coming in from Florida, Illinois and Minnesota. Lodging was very clean and beds are comfortable. Staff was super friendly and helpful. The location was great as was the fishing. We're going back next year. read more

Highland Park Fish Camp - Screened in porch - Boating Near Me - Deland, Florida

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We found this wonderful spot on a Groupon . upon arrival the staff was great quick easy check in the little cabin was absolutely perfect it is fully stocked with all you would need for a few days stay . We were scheduled for a pontoon tour and of course it was the worst weather that day , they were so accommodating they changed our date and we were able to enjoy the day exploring Deland itself . Take some time enjoy a few days of relaxation and fishing you will not be disappointed. read more

Highland Park Fish Camp - A great evening by the fire - Boating Near Me - Deland, Florida

Good place. Emphasis on outdoor life. Friendly staff Fair prices. Good advice. What more could you ask.

This is the second time my husband and I visited the fish camp for a fishing trip. Seven years ago our fishing guide was Rick. And we had a blast!! Great stories and great catch!! Large mouth bass. Our second visit we had James as our guide and again we had a blast!! He said he would take us to where the fish are biting and he certainly did. We caught twelve large mouth bass. He taught us how to hook the fish so we wouldn't loose more than we caught. I think he was impressed with his teaching skills because we caught a lot of bass. We plan on returning in the spring. We highly recommended Highland Park Fish Camp. read more

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Reputation for fishing is deserved, but also very good for renting pontoons and having a great day on the Saint Johns. The location is perfect for seeing some less populated areas of the river that has lots of opportunities to see the wildlife. read more

We visited today with my 2 year old and nine month old. There were three dogs running around off leash in and out of the little pond. Which was ok at first but then they started bolting around chasing each other and rammed my two year old so hard she flew about 3 feet. Turns out the dogs belonged to the woman in the baitshop. As I was tending to my daughter the woman came out and asked if she was ok then proceeded to tell us we need to leave because we were using bread-showed no true concern for my daughter. We left immediately and once we got home we found that my daughters entire face and chest is now bruised. in the year we have gone here not once we're we told no bread and the manager at one point even gave her stale hot dog buns to use for the ducks. this is just sad-it was our favorite spot but we will not be returning at all. read more

Wasted an hour and a half out of 8 hour cruise riding in circles because of crude, poorly drawn map. $200 CASH deposit required, with no pre-cruise inspection. We didn't ground the boat or hit anything solid, but on return, employee pointed out "chip"on Prop big enough that about 20% of 1 blade was missing. Tourists (and most other people) don't carry around $200 cash, why not credit cards? How do you dispute a charge, when somebody is holding your $200? read more

If I could give extra stars I would. My father in-law and I went out on a guided fish trip today with James. It was a very cold day and the lake was pretty empty but we got out early and James had us on the fish within a handful of casts. We each caught over 10 nice sized specks and had a blast despite the weather. Can't wait to come back in nicer weather when the bass fishing heats up. Everyone was really pleasant and it reminded of the comraderie of the old tackle shops back home. read more

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This place is off the beaten path, rustic and enjoyable. Personally knowing this little family owned and operated campsite, it is the heartbeat of the family. If you're looking to be entertained, go somewhere else. This is what camping was meant to be. Making memories with your family. While yes, stores are not that far, it is out of the city, in a country setting. Where you can enjoy a nice quiet setting, with your family, roasting marshmallows or even hotdogs. The possibilities are endless, with a little imagination you could make great memories. Go back to the good old days, we have lost due to modern day conveniences. Family time is the most important time there is. You can never get back this moment or this day. Make a memory! Please know, if someone posted a negative comment, there is definitely more to the story. read more

Great location and amazing service! James provides incredible customer service. We stayed for a long weekend and enjoyed the rustic feel of the camp grounds. Rented a boat on Sat and it was ready for us and a fabulous way to spend a day with the family. read more

One of the things I miss the most about Florida is the huge network of waterways and lakes one can explore for days on end. Renting a pontoon boat from Highland Park Fish Camp was always easy and inexpensive, and never overly crowded. The camp is in the boundaries of Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, a 20,000 acre preserve that has been left untouched by development. I am susceptible to motion-sickness, but not out on the calm St. Johns River. The St. Johns is a world famous fisherman's paradise and is known for its largemouth bass. We took nearly all of our out-of-town visitors on boat rides to get up close and personal with alligators and vultures (super creepy when sitting by the 100s in the dark tree branches of winter). Our boating adventures were truly special, memorable moments. Put a visit here on your list of must-do's at some point in your lifetime. read more

Nice view from the screened in porch of community fire area and stocked bass pond. Cabin fully furnished including cooking supplies makes it the perfect place to relax and enjoy home cooked meals without ever leaving the cabin. Being able to bring the dogs was an added bonus. Located right on the water, they offer boat rentals or you can bring your own and launch at the boat ramp. We rented a pontoon boat for the day and took the river up to Lake Woodruff where we fished and watched alligators. read more

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I have read a lot about Highland Park Fish Camp over the years and I decided it was time to give them a visit. This is a unique place. When you arrive on the dirt road you are immediately taken back in time. The beautiful nature setting puts you in a relaxing mood. The staff here are truly friendly and very helpful. You must rent a boat and go for a ride to see the real Florida. Tons of wildlife and most of the time good fishing. I am so happy to see a place like this still alive and thriving! read more

On two separate visits had bad experiences with the manager. Very rude and bad tempered for no apparent reason. This one person was so unpleasant to deal with, it overshadowed the pleasant employees and any positive aspects of the location. Too bad. He needs to be in a different line of work. One where he does not have to be civil. read more

Our stay was a fun and relaxing time. We rented a pontoon boat and had a great time exploring the surrounding water area. recommend you take floating devices like noodles and head up to the Blue Springs where we seen local manatees in August! we also did a little bit of fishing in the local pond and that was also fun. The staff were all so helpful and so friendly even the dog came on our porch to hang out with us . Loved every minute. read more

A group of my friends went to the Highland Park Fish Camp last year and we had a great time. We stayed in one of their cabins and enjoyed hanging out on the porch having a few drinks and hanging around the camp fire at night. Since this is a working fishcamp we knew not to expect high end amenities or services but a cool place to hang out for the weekend to go fishing and explore the area on the St. Johns River. Everyone we met there knew the area well and directed us what to look for on the river (check out one of the natural springs, can't remember the name though) and where to find the fish. We didn't have a boat but you can rent one there. Be sure to say hey to Ranger the camp dog when you get there. read more

I really enjoyed my stay at Highland Park Fish Camp. The family feel is great. They welcome you to their camp and are very helpful about things to do in the area. I am not from Florida, so I wasn't aware of the bugs. The girl at the desk showed me ways to keep from getting bit! The camping area was nice and I liked most that it was located right on the water. Anywhere you are on the whole property you're only a few steps from water. I would suggest this place to anyone wanting a long weekend stay, or just a week to enjoy some time with your family. 5 stars in my book. read more

Though non-fishermen, my wife and I enjoy weekend staycations at fish camps. What a fantastic place to hide away from the week's routines here at Highland Park! The #22 cabin, fully furnished, provided a much needed comfortable R&R. We rented a small boat to meander the river while attempting to fish for bluegills. Capt Hillman, the quintessential old-fashioned, but not old, gentleman, patiently and unequivocally assisted us. A particular bright moment was Zack, a genuinely friendly young guy with an infectious smile who patiently crossed generational lines to instruct and help us with the boat, before and after our excursion. The ride through the river featured remarkably lovely nature scenes--including a fun near run-in with an alligator. We chose not to go too far into Lake Woodruff due to our limited boating experience, but we hunkered down for awhile to absorb the placid surroundings. We thoroughly enjoyed sitting on the screened-in porch on the rainy final morning. Coming from highly demanding professions, we've decided that we want to return to the super friendly and nostalgic surroundings at Highland Park Fish Camp sometime in the near future. We might even hire a guide to help us more successfully in our amateur fishing attempts. The video on YouTube is our motivation. read more

Our family recently spent the weekend here. After looking up several fish camps around Northern Florida we chose this place for 2 reason; the first being it was a family business and we wanted to support a local business and 2 being the bass pond for the kids. We felt that everything was very over priced. The cabins aren't really cabins and the boat rental really hurt the wallet, for only being on it a short time. It was a cute little place in a cute little town but we wont go back. Just too far too expensive for the amenities. read more

DO NOT STAY HERE! This "fish camp" places no priority on guests. They must make enough money on their boat launch and boat rentals to not care about guests - long or short term. The bathrooms are inadequate (a single shower for the whole camp & 1 toilet for women & 1 for men), dingy and dirty. The campsites are too close together and just out in the open field - no trees, no cover and no fire rings - "just be responsible with where you build your fire." I was over charged - which was refunded after much discussion and disbelief on the owner's part. Now let me get to the worst - they have "camp dogs" that are not subject to the leash requirements set forth for every other guest so they invade your campsite, bark all day and night and chase you barking if you happen to need the restroom facilities after dark. There is a TRAIN that screams through the dark at 2 AM and planes that fly so close overhead you'd swear they are landing in the campsite next to you. AND their boat launch customers also like to scream at each other at 5:30 AM about "boat launch etiquette" while standing 30 feet away from the campsite on the south side of the property. PLUS while I was calmly asking for a refund for the nights we had paid for but not yet stayed I was interrupted by one owner (sprawled in his leather Lazy Boy) who was inflexibly unreasonable and rude, laughing at my concerns and dissatisfaction. Apparently unless you belong to the "good ole boy club" you are not prioritized or treated as a guest at all. And last but not least their website is ridiculously misleading and inadequate. You'll notice there are no pictures of the property save 1 or 2 of the pond and the bait shop. There are lots of pictures of people with fish but they don't include pictures of the grounds because of the reasons I listed above - nothing but boats, old cabins, dirty singlewide trailers, moldy fifth wheels and campers and a cinder block "outhouse." DO NOT STAY HERE! read more