Kayaking Ocklawaha River, Gores Landing

We put in at Gores' Landing which is a Marion County Park. To get to Gores' Landing you go east out of Ocala to CR 315, turn left and head for Fort McCoy. About six miles down the road you will see a sign showing Gores Landing it is NE 105 ST. Make a right and follow it down to where it ends and make a right, you will see a sign showing you the direction. Follow this to the end and you will be there ( Approx. GPS 29 17.38N 081 55.59W). At Gores' Landing the price is $2.00 a car for parking. They have semi-primitive camping for $5.00. Each site has a picnic table, above ground grill and large camping area, there is no electricity. All camping sites sit beneath large trees giving you the benefit of plenty of shade. There is water faucets scattered about the campgrounds. There is a bathroom, but no showers. The boat ramp is located on your left about 150 feet after you pass the self-service pay area.

The Ocklawaha River is approx. 100 miles long and flows from Lake Apopka to the St Johns' River. The floodplain forest provides habitat for numerous rare and endangered plant and animal species. You will see many aligators, turtles, herons about 200 species of birds, deer, bear, otters, and others. At different times of the year you will see differest flowers blooming on the banks and in the water.

It is one of the most tranquil, quiet, and relaxing rivers I have been on. We were heading upstream so we were going against a 3mph current. As you are paddling you will see many types of trees, ranging from, palms, cypress, live oak, maple trees, camphor trees, plus many more. The river twists and turns and has some nice hairpin turns in it. The trees form a beautiful canopy over the river and provide shade during a hot day.

You won't see much boat traffic on this part of the river. There are some down trees and snags you have to watch out for. But all of them were passable on the day we were there. The aligators and turtles like to sun themselves on these downed trees.

You can camp anywhere on the Ocklawaha River where you can find high ground. There are many sites up and down the river that will provide you with a nice camping or picnic area. One is located about a mile and half south of Gores Landing. (approx GPS 29 15.90N 081 56.59W).

We paddled about another 3 1/2 miles past the camping area before turning about and heading back to the takeout. It was no effort at all coming back with the current moving you along. If you have a free day, don't miss out on this river. You will have the most enjoyable day of you life.