Kingsley Lake Insider Q&A — Answers Travelers Actually Ask

Getting there & around

Logistics

Why is Kingsley Lake almost a perfect circle?: It's an ancient sinkhole, now spring-fed, about two miles across and 90 feet deep at the center — nearly a perfect circle. Pilots flying over it nicknamed it Silver Dollar Lake for the shape. It's in Clay County, about six miles east of Starke.
Can the public access Kingsley Lake?: Not really. Strickland's Landing, the lake's public swim beach, closed in 2002 after running more than fifty years, and there's no remaining public boat ramp — the sole ramp sits on Camp Blanding, open only to installation access holders or paying property-association members.
What's the closest airport to Kingsley Lake?: Jacksonville International (JAX) is the nearest with regular commercial service, about 45 minutes northeast.

Groceries, gas, urgent care

Where's the closest grocery store to Kingsley Lake?: Winn-Dixie at Starke Plaza on West Madison Street in Starke, about six miles west of the lake, open daily from 7am to 10pm.
Where's the closest emergency room to Kingsley Lake?: HCA Florida Starke Emergency, on East Call Street in Starke — a 24-hour ER, the closest hospital to the lake.

Where to eat

Where can I eat near Kingsley Lake?: The Downtown Grill and Call Street Cafe, both in historic downtown Starke, about six miles from the lake — a full-service restaurant and bar, and a breakfast-and-lunch spot. Keystone Heights, sometimes mentioned in "near Kingsley Lake" searches, is actually twice as far and sits on a different lake, Lake Geneva.

What's worth doing

What is Camp Blanding, and why is it on Kingsley Lake?: A Florida National Guard training base established on the lake's western shore in 1939. It trained more than 745,000 soldiers during World War II, briefly becoming Florida's fourth-largest city, and still operates today. The free Camp Blanding Museum, in a restored WWII barracks, covers that history.

Seasons & weather

When's the best time to visit Kingsley Lake?: Fall through spring for milder weather, since the lake's own recreation options are limited to what a lakefront rental or the Camp Blanding property-owners association provides. Summer brings full Florida heat and humidity with less shade than a typical lake town.