Palatka is a city in and the county seat of Putnam County, Florida, United States. Palatka is the principal city of the Palatka Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is home to 72,893 residents. The Palatka micropolitan area is included in the Jacksonville—Kingsland–Palatka, FL-GA Combined Statistical Area. The city is the location of the St. Johns River State College, St. Johns River Water Management District Headquarters, and Ravine Gardens State Park.