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Paddling in North Florida

18 Top Destinations... Maps, Photos, Kayaking Reports

By kayak or canoe, North Florida offers a variety of paddling opportunities. Here are some of the best. On the Gulf Coast, the Big Bend Paddling Trail contains some of the longest, undeveloped (publicly-owned) coastal wetlands remaining in the USA. The iconic Suwanee River offers miles of paddling, a favorite (at normal water levels) for multiday canoe-camping trips. Juniper Springs Run is often mentioned on short lists of America's best paddling trails, but not one we would recommend for beginners. Once (pre-Disney) one of Florida's most popular roadside attractions, Silver Springs is now a State Park, entirely open to paddlers. Cedar Key is one of our favorite places in all of Florida, some say "like Key West 75 years ago." See our detailed Regional Overview Map.

Regional Map, North FL
(see individual maps via links below)

North Florida Region... 18 Destination Reports

North Florida has some of the most natural paddling trails in the State, with many springs. Find rentals and tours. Enjoy!

Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail... 105 miles along the Gulf of Mexico. (view details...)

Bulow Creek... At Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic Park. Rentals available (view details...)

Cedar Key... A step back into old Florida. Paddle, bike, explore, enjoy. Rentals available (view details...)

Ichetucknee River... Short but beautiful paddling run, fed by 9 springs. Rentals available (view details...)

Juniper Springs Run... Named as one of the Top 25 paddling trails in USA. Rentals available (view details...)

Ocklawaha River... Fed by the Silver River, forms boundary of Ocala National Forest. Rentals available (view details...)

Otter Creek, via Waccasassa... flows through remote forestry area into Waccasassa. (view details...)

Pellicer Creek... Brackish, salt water paddling near St Augustine FL (view details...)

Potano Paddling Trail... Near Gainesville, water levels are key (view details...)

Rainbow River... Entire river is a Registered National Landmark. Rentals available (view details...)

Salt Springs Run... In Ocala National Forest. Wide, slow, birds, side creeks. Rentals available (view details...)

Santa Fe River... Fed by over 35 springs, at one point goes underground. Rentals available (view details...)

Silver River... Formed by Silver Springs, one of Florida's first tourist attractions, now a state park. Don't feed the monkeys! Rentals available (view details...)

Steinhatchee River... Fresh to salt. Goes underground, includes a waterfall. Rentals available (view details...)

Suwannee River - Overview... Visiting the river from Georgia to Gulf of Mexico, including paddling trips, 30 launches. Rentals available (view details...)

Suwannee River - Upper... Okefenokee NWR, Georgia, to White Springs, FL: wild and remote, good for small kayaks and canoes. Rentals available (view details...)

Suwannee River - Middle... White Springs to Branford: historic sites, State parks, most popular for paddling. Rentals available (view details...)

Suwannee River - Lower... Branford to the Gulf of Mexico: some springs, becomes tidal; wider, deeper, motorboats. Rentals available (view details...)

Tomoka River... 13-mile designated paddling trail. Rentals available (view details...)

Waccasassa River / Wekiva River / Otter Creek 0verview... Wild and scenic, tributaries add to the experience. (view details...)

Waccasassa River... Spring fed, from forest to bay. (view details...)

Wekiva River, via Waccasassa... Small spring-fed "river," same name as its big cousin in East Central FL (view details...)