Steinhatchee River Designated Florida’s 50th State Paddling Trail

With the addition of the Steinhatchee River, Florida now has 50 state paddling trails. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Greenways & Trails designated the Steinhatchee River during the Taylor County Commission meeting on Sept. 16. The Florida Paddling Trails Association also presented signs designating the communities of Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee as …

Paddle Natural North Florida’s Springs and Spring-Fed Rivers

With our abundant springs, spring runs and spring-fed rivers, the Natural North Florida region is the perfect place to spend a lazy day paddling. In the southern regions, there are several springs that feed the mighty Suwannee River.  County parks at Otter Springs and Hart Springs attract paddlers to their quiet waters.  The State Parks …

Kayak (and fish!) Cedar Key’s Backwaters

I admit it. I’m guilty of telling anglers heading to Cedar Key to avoid these Big Bend backwaters. Of course, many of them are taking powerboats with them, and likely appreciate my advice after they see the structure there. While Cedar Key is the name of the town that actually sits on Cedar Key and …

Apalachee Bay Maritime Heritage Paddling Trail System

If you’re a paddler, you don’t want to miss an opportunity to visit historic Wakulla County and explore the coastline. Be transported to a different time and place as you paddle Apalachee Bay’s Ten Maritime Heritage Trails. Designed for enthusiasts of all levels, enjoy fishing, wildlife viewing, and photography as you explore one of Florida’s …

Florida’s Apalachee Bay Maritime Heritage Paddling Trail System

Trail Overview Be transported to a different time and place as you paddle Apalachee Bay’s Ten Maritime Heritage Trails. Designed for enthusiasts of all levels, enjoy fishing, wildlife viewing, and photography as you explore one of Florida’s last great bays, its inlets, rivers, and springs. Apalachee is one of the healthiest and most productive bays …

Head Down Dixie County’s ‘Road to Nowhere’ For Some Excellent Paddling

Dixie County’s ‘Road to Nowhere’ is the southern extension of CR361 that runs from Casey’s Corner in Jena (just across the river from Steinhatchee) and dead ends about 12 miles south, inshore of the Pepperfish Keys.  If you’re traveling from the south, come to Jena via CR358 from US19/98 and bear left onto CR361 when …

Your Gateway to the Wakulla River: T-n-T Hideaway

You’re not supposed to stand up in a kayak, but ever since seeing stand-up paddleboarders in action, I had been eager to try paddling from a standing position. I asked my guide from T-n-T Hideaway first. I knew if I did a header over the kayak and wound up wriggling around in the Wakulla River, …

Guided Paddle Tours in Cedar Key

The stick floating in the water sure was wriggling a lot. I had thought it was a stick, anyway. Then my guide told me it was a snake. Why was a snake swimming a mile off the coast of Cedar Key? It had clearly bitten off more than it could chew (figuratively, thank goodness) and …

Manatee Springs State Park: Perfect in Winter

A trip to the springs is a no-brainer in hot weather, when the 72-degree water provides a welcome retreat from the heat. But camping at the springs is a lot more pleasant in winter and spring, even if swimming isn’t part of the attraction. So what do you do at Manatee Springs State Park in …