FLATWATER TRIPS IN FLORIDA

The Florida Recreational Trail System has designated 36 canoe trails throughout the state, some of which are in the region and are described below. However, canoeing can be done in any of the rivers in north central Florida.

Econfina Creek:
The Econfina River is located in Taylor County on the west coast of Florida. It is approximately 35 miles long, with its headwaters located in San Pedro Bay, a swampy inland area covering a three-county (Taylor, Madison, Lafayette) boundary. At the mouth of the river, oyster bars and sandbars may be exposed during low tide.Experienced canoeists will find the Ecofina Creek virtually unspoiled and a technical paddling challenge. It flows through a scenic river swamp, hammocks and pine flatwoods. The springs that feed this swift flowing stream have cut deep canyons in the limestone.

Aucilla River:
The Aucilla River is approximately 75-miles long. Its main tributary is the spring-fed Wacissa River in neighboring Jefferson County. For most of its length in the upper end, the river's water movement is basically in sheet flow, with no well-defined channel system. Past U.S. 90 and Interstate 10, the river becomes a well-defined channel, later going underground, then re-emerging in the vicinity of Nutall Rise and U.S. 98 where it joins the Wacissa River. From this point onward, the river becomes significantly wider, passing through the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and emptying into the Gulf of Mexico on the west coast of Florida.This coffee-colored river is recommended for experienced canoeists. Rapids and man-made dams along the trail can be a challenge, and they become more numerous and hazardous during low water.

Withlacoochee:
The Withlacoochee River is a major tributary of the Suwannee River, flowing south from Georgia to join the Suwannee in northern Florida. It takes its name from the Seminole Indian language.Flowing through swamplands and past sandy beaches and limestone outcrops, the trail contains several shoals areas. The trail ends at Suwannee River State Park.

Suwannee River (Upper):
The historic Suwannee River borders seven of the 11 counties in the North Central Florida Region. It originates in the Okefenokee Swamp in southern Georgia, winds approximately 235 miles through north central Florida, and empties into the Gulf of Mexico on Florida's western shore. The Suwannee contains over 70 springs, nine of which are first magnitude springs averaging a discharge of 100 cubic feet of water per second (65 million gallons or more daily).The Suwannee River flows through areas of pristine river swamp and along wide sandy banks. There are numerous access points offering a choice of one-day excursions. Even experienced canoeists are recommended to portage "Big Shoals" rapids. The Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center is accessible from the trail, and the Suwannee River State Park marks the trail's end.

Suwannee River (Lower):
Continuing from Suwannee River State Park, the lower section of the Suwannee River also contains numerous shoals during low water. Portage may be necessary. Abundant wildlife and beautiful scenery make this a very popular trail.

Santa Fe River:
The Santa Fe River is approximately 75 miles long from its headwaters and merges with the Suwannee River near the town of Branford, located in the southwestern edge of Suwannee County. It has various tributaries: three major ones are the New River, Olustee Creek and spring-fed Ichetucknee River.This trail begins just below River Rise State Preserve where the Santa Fe returns to the surface after a three-mile-long underground journey. Lazy current and gentle curves make the Santa Fe a good beginner's canoe trail. There are some small shoals during low water, but they are generally passable.

Ichetucknee River:
The Ichetucknee River, a major tributary of the Santa Fe River, is a clear, spring-fed stream developed into a state park. It is considered one of the most beautiful river-front parks in Florida. There are 11known springs along the Ichetucknee River pumping an average of 361 cubic feet of water per second into the 5.5-mile long river. The springs receive approximately 60 percent of their water from the unconfined Floridan Aquifer. The water is crystal clear, of excellent quality, averages 72 degrees Fahrenheit, and has been designated as an Outstanding Florida Water. Thousands of visitors currently utilize it annually for tubing, swimming, and canoeing. Use is limited to 2000 people per day to protect vegetation. The springs can be reached from two entrances, both of which are well marked by signs off US 27 between Fort White and Branford. The north entrance allows visitors to float the full length of the river between June 1 and Labor Day. Transportation is available from the south end take-out point back to the north end parking area. The south park entrance allows visitors to float only half the run of the river. A tram also provides transportation back to the south end parking lot. No camping, food, beverages, tobacco or alcohol are allowed on the river. The park is open year around.

Peace River:

St. Mary's River:

Everglades National Park:
The Everglades is a shallow freshwater river a few inches to a few feet deep and 50 miles wide that creeps seaward on a gradually sloping riverbed. The river flow clocks in at a mellow quarter mile a day. Along its long course, the river drops 15 feet, finally emptying into Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Sawgrass covers most of the interior; the Everglades is often called the "river of grass." A fringe of mangrove forest defines the edge where sea and fresh water meet along the coast.The Everglades are a world of their own, where tropical and temperate climates and ecologies intertwine and offer habitat to manatees, alligators and wood storks. Vast rivers of seagrass, mangrove-lined creeks and an abundance of waterfowl make Florida's backcountry a rare paddling adventure.


WHITEWATER TRIPS


Once or twice a semester (more if we are lucky) the Club goes on whitewater rafting/canoeing trips to any of the following rivers:

Chattooga
The Chattooga River is one of the few remaining free-flowing streams in the Southeast. The setting is primitive. Dense forests and undeveloped shorelines characterize the primitive nature of the area. Floaters, hikers, and fishermen can all enjoy this protected river corridor. The river begins in mountainous North Carolina as small rivulets, nourished by springs and abundant rainfall, high on the slopes of the Appalachian Mountains - the start of a fifty-mile journey that ends at Lake Tugaloo between Georgia and South Carolina. From its origin, it flows southward for ten miles in North Carolina, and then continues for forty miles as the state boundary between South Carolina and Georgia, dropping almost one-half mile in elevation.

Ocoee
The Ocoee, as most people know it, is 5 miles of continuous class III/IV whitewater, dam controlled which runs throughout the summer and into late October. A commercial outfitter's trip can run from a little over an hour to over 3 hours, depending upon the company, guides and congestion on the river (in general, longer is better). A private boater can do the run in 45 minutes on up, and paddlers have been known to spend hours at a single wave.

On Saturdays in July and August the river gets incredibly crowded, as the commercial outfitters push down over 4,000 people a day (over 125,000 a year), but on weekdays (A different set every year, usually Monday, Thursday and Friday, and only during the mid-season) and early and late in the season, it has just enough other people around to make your trip a social occasion as well as a basically fun run.

Rare in the southeast, the Ocoee has only 3 potentially dangerous undercuts, all of which are easily avoided, and although there are the usual opportunities for injury, the forgiving nature of the Ocoee makes it a good place for less experienced paddlers to play on water that would normally be solid class IV.

Nantahala
The Nantahala River is one of America's favorite whitewater playgrounds. This popular river, near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offers a delightful whitewater experience for beginners and families. Its clear, cool waters rush through the Nantahala National Forest's beautiful Nantahala Gorge. The Nantahala is dam-controlled, so water levels typically remain consistent all year. The highlight of the half-day 8-mile trip is the exciting plunge through Nantahala Falls, a Class III rapid.

Nolichucky
Nolichucky--The recommended segment of the Nolichucky is a popular stretch of whitewater that flows through a spectacular gorge in Cherokee National Forest. In this section the river Drops 35 to 60 feet per mile and has numerous class III and IV rapids. The Nolichucky Gorge is also renowned for its scenery, characterized by huge boulders, impressive rock outcroppings and steep slopes rising more than 2,000 feet above the river.

French Broad
North Fork of the French Broad River--The North Fork of the French Broad River drains a protected watershed along the eastern edge of Nantahala National Forest. This is a beautiful stream that tumbles over several impressive waterfalls and into a spectacular gorge. The gorge contains a very challenging and popular Class V whitewater run.




OTHER TYPES OF TRIPS

Camping/Hiking

Rockclimbing

Beach Trips

Tubing