Your Guide to 55 Miles of Fun Along Natural North Florida’s Gilchrist Blueway

For a Natural North Florida county that has no Gulf of Mexico coastline, Gilchrist County sure has lots of waterfront!  In fact, few of our area’s coastal counties have shoreline to match Gilchrist’s 55 miles along the Suwannee, Santa Fe and Ichetucknee rivers.  The Suwannee River begins several hundred miles from the Gulf in Georgia’s …

Fishing Feature: Paddle Boat Outfitters Guide

Natural North Florida’s coastline, often referred to as the “Big Bend”, is perfect for paddlers.  Whether cruising, birding, scalloping or fishing, there are a number of outfitters in our area willing to point you to the nearest launch spot.  Some of our best paddling is along the coast, but several of our rivers are worth …

Mark Your Calendars–2016 Hidden Coast Paddling Adventure, Suwannee Florida, 9/29-10/2

Now’s the time to mark your calendar for the 2016 Hidden Coast Paddling Adventure.  This year’s event will be at Suwannee, Florida on the Suwannee River, and promises to be more fun than ever before.  And, with the event falling on the last week of September, the air should be cooler–but not so cool to …

Cedar Key’s Shell Mound, a “Sea Kayaker’s Playground”

While the town of Cedar Key is 24-miles off the beaten path, at the western (Gulf) end of SR24, Shell Mound is a bit farther! “The Shell Mound Unit of Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge is adjacent to Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge. This unique feature was created by archaic period Eastern Woodland Indian cultures …

Paddle Natural North Florida’s Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is proud to announce the Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail was awarded designation as a National Recreation Trail during National Trails Day June 4th, 2005. The Big Bend Paddling Trail was one of 37 trails in 23 states to receive this award. National Recreation Trail designation is an honor …

“Seenie Otey” Is Just A Short Paddle From Cedar Key

On the charts and maps of Cedar Key and Dixie County, Florida it’s named “Atsena Otie Key”.  But to locals, it’s simply “Seenie Otey”.  In any case, this island is just a short paddle from the beach and harbor at the south end of the town of Cedar Key.  There, you can launch your own …

Paddle Steinhatchee, on Florida’s Big Bend Coast

We’ve come full circle. Now, modern interpretations of eons-old paddle craft are the latest rage when it comes to fishing. Many are as simple as rafts and others, like Hobie’s Master Angler 12, are fitted with modern conveniences like cozy seats, pedal or electric drives, depth sounders, and even live wells.  But no matter your …

Paddle Natural North Florida’s Suwannee River Wilderness Trail: October 22 – 27, 2015

While there seems like plenty of time to sign up for this excellent paddling adventure, be advised that it’s very popular and the limit fills quickly.  So….act now!  And if you’d like to see an itinerary of the trip, click on https://www.naturalnorthflorida.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/suwannee_trip_itinerary_2015-599498116b4fe34b99b6584b7f03a85a.pdf More information can be found on the Paddle Florida website at:  www.paddleflorida.org Here …

Want To Paddle Natural North Florida? Kayak and Canoes Available for Rent!

There are hundreds of paddlecraft (kayak and canoe) launches along our Natural North Florida waters, inland and coastal.  And there are a number of outfitters willing to help you learn local waters.  Fishing is an option, but there’s also some excellent touring along some of the most uninhabited rivers and coastline in the southeastern U.S. …

Paddle Natural North Florida . . . and go with the flow!

  Paddling, whether solo or tandem, in a canoe or kayak, has become a popular sport nationwide.  And there’s not place where it’s more evident than in our Natural North Florida region.  We have rivers like the Withlacoochee, Waccasassa, Suwannee, Steinhatchee, Econfina, St. Marks, Wakulla and the Ochlockonee.  We have lakes, like Newnans, Rousseau, Orange …