|
|
|
Paddling Locations |
|
Freshwater, Space Coast North |
|
|
|
This section lists destinations for
Kayaking the St John's River, the Little
Big Econ, and other freshwater bodies in
Southern Volusia, Eastern Seminole, and
Northern Brevard Counties.
|
|
|
Six Mile Creek
The Six Mile Creek boat ramp can be
found on S.R. 46 about 3.5 miles
west of I-95. The creek flows out of
the Buck Lake Conservation Area from
a small lake and wet prairie that
forms the headwaters of the creek.
You can paddle upstream for about
3/4 of a mile before the creek
narrows dramatically and is blocked
by logs and low overhanging
vegetation. Heading south from the
put in takes you to Salt Lake,
Loughman Lake, and eventually to the
St. John's River. Wading birds,
Black neck stilts, redwing
blackbirds, and many waterfowl, and
other wildlife species associated
with the St. Johns floodplain can be
found here.
GPS N 28 39.960 W 80 54.668
Google Satellite Image
|
|
|
|
St John's River
The St. John's River is the longest
river in Florida at 310 miles, and one
of the few north flowing rivers in the
US. From the headwaters in the South to
its mouth at Jacksonville in Northeast
Florida there is only a 30 foot change
in elevation and the river flows at a
lazy 1/3 of a mile per hour. The St.
Johns here is a Blackwater stream,
meaning that its primary water supply is
fed primarily by the swamps and wetlands
that surround it and groundwater seeping
up through the sandy soil prevalent in
the area, with no major tributaries.
Editors Note; When paddling the St.
Johns you will be sharing a twisting,
turning river with powerboats and
airboats. It is recommended that you
attach a flag to your kayak, carry an
airhorn to alert boaters to your
presence, and always paddle around a
bend in the river along the outside
shore to give oncoming boaters a chance
to see you. Most boaters and airboaters
will be very courteous and slow down to
pass you. With that said.....
There are several places in the
Space Coast North coverage area where
kayaks can be launched from. Those
associated with Lake Monroe and Lake
Jessup Conservation Areas are listed in
the two sections just below. Additional
Launch sites include;
C.S. Lee Park(Seminole County)
4600 E. State Road 46 Geneva, FL 32732
Phone: (407) 788-0405
Head west on SR 46 from I-95 until you
cross the St. Johns. Park is on the west
side of river, north side of SR 46.
GPS N 28 42.897 W 81 02.140
Google Satellite Image
Hatbill Park
100 Hatbill Road, Mims
FROM I-95, take SR-46 Exit-223 west
towards Mims/Sanford. Stay on SR-46 for
4.1 miles to Hatbill Road. Turn left and
go 8.5 miles to the Hatbill Rd/Baxter
Point Rd intersection, keep left and go
0.5 miles to the park.
GPS N 28 36.351 W 80 57.731
Google Satellite Image
Loughman Lake Lodge (Privately
owned lodge)
1955 Hatbill Rd, Mims, FL.
(321) 268-2277
Follow the directions for Hatbill Park
just above from I-95 to Hatbill Road.
Soon after entering Hatbill Road you
will see the signs for the Lodge on the
left side.
GPS N 28 38.774 W 80 56.270
Google Satellite Image
State Road 50 Boat Ramp (Orange
County Park)
1 acre park with boat ramp on State Road
50 on St John's River west of
Titusville.
GPS N 28 32.588 W 80 56.146
Google Satellite Image
|
|
|
Lake Monroe Conservation Area
Protecting more than six miles of Lake
Monroe and St. Johns River shoreline,
the Lake Monroe Conservation Area
between Geneva and Sanford contains 90
percent of the floodplain area for Lake
Monroe. Wetlands make up 94 percent of
the conservation area. Predominant
natural communities here are floodplain
marsh/wet prairie and floodplain
swamp/forest. Years ago, Native
Americans hunted and fished in this
area, as evidenced by the number of
shell middens found here. A five-mile
paddle northward from Cameron Wight Park
will cover Thornhill Lake and Brickyard
Slough within the Lake Monroe
Conservation Area.
Numerous wading birds and raptors can be
expected. American bittern,
black-crowned night-heron, wood stork,
bald eagle, Cooper's hawk, short-tailed
hawk, crested caracara, merlin,
peregrine falcon, purple gallinule, king
and Virginia rails, limpkin and sandhill
crane are all possible. Sixty-seven
species of birds were spotted on a kayak
trip here during last year's Space Coast
Birding & Wildlife Festival, including
10 species of raptors. Alligators are a
common sight, and you might see deer and
river otters. A trail system within the
conservation area, located off of CR 415
about two miles north of the St. Johns
River bridge, passes through fields,
marshes, hammocks, flatwoods and scrub.
This site is good for marsh birds,
raptors, warblers, wrens and sparrows;
several families of Florida scrub-jays
occupy territories within the scrub
habitat.
Directions: Launch from Seminole
County's Cameron Wight Park at SR 46 and
the Lake Jessup Bridge. From I-95 and SR
46, go west on SR 46 for 21.1 miles. The
park is on the northwest side of the
bridge. For a map of the area, visit
Lake Monroe Conservation Area or call
407-329-4404.
Caution: Airboat traffic is heavy on the
St. Johns River, especially on weekends.
It is recommended that paddlers use a
bright, tall warning flag on boats in
order to be more visible above tall
grasses. Take along a loud horn. The
river supports a HUGE alligator
population. Avoid paddling in this area
during alligator mating season in
springtime, and don't bring small pets.
Be sure to check the weather before
attempting to cross any of the lakes
you'll encounter along the St. Johns
River. Violent thunderstorms can form
rapidly over the lakes, and strong
prevailing southeasterly winds kick up
during summertime afternoons. It is a
long hard paddle back to the east side
of a lake in those conditions. It is
recommended that paddlers leave early in
the morning to be back to the east side
of the lakes by very early afternoon.
Trails
Map
GPS
Cameron Wight Park Launch Site N 28
47.169 W 81 10.828
Google Satellite Image, Cameron Wight
Park Launch Site
|
|
|
Lake Jesup
Conservation Area
If you want to see alligators, Lake
Jessup is the place to be! A large,
shallow water body in Seminole County,
Lake Jessup and its floodplain extend
over approximately 16,000 acres. Over
100,000 years old, the lake itself
covers about 10,000 acres. Jessup is
home to many eagles, ospreys, wading
birds, bobcats and river otters as well
as a large gathering of alligators. More
than 10,000 strong, Lake Jessup has
Florida's highest population of the
ancient crocodilians. In fact, no other
lake in North America claims more gators
per acre. Where there are alligators
present, you'll sometimes find bird
rookeries (the birds know that gators
keep predator populations in check) and
Lake Jessup is no exception. Bird
Island, a small island in the interior
of Jessup is a significant wading bird
rookery.
Directions: The north end of Lake
Jessup is reached from Cameron Wight
Park (see above). East Lake Jessup may
be accessed from the Black Hammock
Marina. Bird Island is located near the
middle of the lake, about two miles
northwest of Black Hammock. Go south
from SR 46 at the traffic light in
Geneva on CR 426 to Oviedo, 7.5 miles.
Turn right on Broadway. Make an
immediate right on Central Avenue (SR
434). Go 1.3 miles and turn right on
Deleon Street. Go to Howard Avenue and
turn left. Go to Black Hammock Road and
turn right. The road ends at Black
Hammock Fish Camp (407-365-1244).
Trails Map
GPS
Cameron Wight Park Launch Site N 28
47.169 W 81 10.828
Google Satellite Image, Cameron Wight
Park Launch Site
GPS, Black Hammock Fish Camp N 28
42.251 W 81 12.392
Google Satellite Image, Black Hammock
Fish Camp
|
|
|
Econlockhatchee River
Econlockhatchee River is one of the last
unspoiled rivers in Central Florida, and
can be paddled in three sections.
The first section (9 miles), which
starts at State Road 50 west of
Titusville can be difficult, but is
probably the most beautiful section to
paddle under a junglelike canopy of
cyprus. Water levels are highly variable
on the Econ, as it is called by locals.
Expect lots of portages at low water. At
high water, the current is strong and
the actual course of the river is hard
to determine. There are lots of sharp
bends and getting lost afloat among half
submerged trees is a distinct possibilty
and river reading skills are an absolute
necessity. Strainers should be expected
and of course, avoided. At middle water
levels this can be an absolutly
beautiful paddle. Call Hidden River Park
at (407) 568-5346 and ask for Don for
river conditions. The park also provides
rentals and a shuttle service for at
least sections one and two.
The second (and the most popular)
section begins at County Road 419 near
Oviedo where the river opens up to
reveal 15 foot high sandy banks lined
with oaks and cabbage palms. There is a
parking area just off the north side of
CR-419 on Willingham Road. Check the
river for wildflowers in this area.
There may be weed jams in this area,
portages are difficult in some sections
due to the high banks. there are places
along this stretch to pull out and
picnic and plenty of wildlife to be
seen. This is considered a classic
Central Florida paddle. Take out for
this section will be at Snow Hill Road,
and shuttle services can be arranged
through Hidden River Park.
Below the Snow Hill Road bridge, the
banks are lower, while cypress trees and
clusters of cabbage palms line the
banks. About 6 miles later the river as
the tree-lined banks give way to pasture
land and the marshes of the St. John's
River. Stay in the boat here as much of
the land is in private hands. About 3
miles later, the Econ enters the St.
Johns. Turn left once entering the St
John's and paddle 1.5 miles to the S.R.
46 bridge, which is clearly visible from
the mouth of the Econ. The takeout is at
the northwest corner of the bridge. This
last section from Snow Hill Road to the
takeout at State Road 46 totals about 11
miles. Care should be taken on the St
John's due to the possibilty of heavy
powerboat and airboat traffic.
GPS SR 50, Hidden River Park N 28
34.029 W 81 09.393
Google Satellite Image SR 50, Hidden
River Park
GPS CR419 N 28 39.318 W 81 10.099
Google Satellite Image CR 419
GPS Snow Hill Road N 28 40.636 W 81
06.831
Google Satellite Image Snow Hill Road
GPS SR 46 takeout N 28 42.897 W 81
02.140
Google Satellite Image SR 46 Takeout
|
|
|
Fox Lake / South Lake
Fox Lake Park at 4400 Fox Lake
Road; Fox lake is a freshwater lake
just outside the Titusville city
limit and is the closest freshwater
paddling site to Titsuville. Putting
in at Fox Lake also provides
paddling access to South Lake via a
canal connection. The shoreline and
the surrounding marshes provide
habitat to all sorts of wading birds
and other wildlife associated with
Florida freshwater marshes. By
paddling through the canal to South
Lake and following the western
shoreline you come to a creek that
makes a very nice paddle.
After the put in there is also a
kanding dock on the shoreline
opposite the dock to allow you to
get out and hike the hiking trails.
The paddling trail is outlined in
blue on the following trails map.
Trails Map
GPS N 28 35.271 W 80 52.385
Google Satellite Image
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
