Kayaking the St Johns River Central

River Lakes Conservation Area
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.
This conservation area includes lakes Washington, Winder and Poinsett as well as stretches of the St John's River. The river's water flow is regulated at one point — a fixed-crest weir located just north of Lake Washington — to help ensure water supply to Melbourne. The area contains extensive wetland communities, typically dominated by emergent species such as saw grass, smartweed, arrowhead and maidencane. It is also the northern part of the Upper St. John's River Marsh Wildlife Management Area, which encompasses virtually all of the Upper St. Johns River floodplain south to the marshes surrounding Lake Blue Cyprus in Indian River County. The St Johns River flows from the source in the south northward to Jacksonville Fl.
This area provides important habitat for fish and wildlife populations, including several listed species: wood storks, bald eagles, Florida sandhill cranes and river otters. The diversity of fish and wildlife provides an important recreational resource for anglers, hunters, boaters and bird-watchers.
Of special interest to boaters and kayakers are the 11 designated campsites and camping platforms along the river north and south of Lake Winder and along the western shore of the lake itself. The approximate locations are shown on page 4 of the FFWCC Brochure below. from SR 520 to the north the river's course is divided into a maze of channels and dead ends. Paddling this area can be very confusing to those not familiar with this river. South of Lake Poinsett the channel is a little more straightforward. This section of the St john's can be accessed from three launchsites. These are listed just below this section.
FFWCC Brochure
River Lakes Property Map
Primative campsites and platforms.

James G. Bourbeau
Memorial Park
8195 King St (Hwy 520), Cocoa
FROM the I-95 Exit-201, go west 5 miles on SR-520. The park is located along the St. Johns River next to Lone Cabbage Fish Camp.
ADA ACCESSIBLE: Parking, Restrooms, Boat Ramp, Dock, Pavilion.
GPS N 28 22.050 W 80 52.232
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Leroy Wright Recreation Area
8190 King Street (Hwy 520), Cocoa
FROM I-95 take the SR-520 Exit-201 west 4.9 miles. The park is on the right.
Situated along the flood plain of the St. Johns River at the north side of James G. Bourbeau Memorial Park, this 32.65-acre recreation area features a paved ramp and paved parking for 21 cars and 31 boat trailers. Picnic tables, 2 grills and benches offer added convenience.
GPS N 28 22.290 W 80 52.273
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Lake Washington Park
6000 Lake Washington Road, Melbourne
FROM I-95 take the SR-518/Eau Gallie Blvd Exit 183 east 0.4 miles. Turn left on John Rhodes and go 0.8 miles. Turn left on Aurora Blvd and stay straight 1.3 miles. Turn left on Lake Washington Road and go 1.5 miles to the end of the road.
FROM US Hwy 1 go west 5.6 miles to the end of Lake Washington Road.
Boat ramps open 24 hours a day.
This shaded 25.96-acre community river park is along the shore of Lake Washington which accesses the St. Johns River. The park has ramps for power boats and a launch area for airboats. Fishing is popular from the lake and the 120' fishing pier.
ADA ACCESSIBLE: Parking, Restrooms, Pavilions.
GPS N 28 08.852 W 80 44.041
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Space Coast North	Space Coast Central	Space Coast South
Estuarine	Estuarine	Estuarine
Freshwater	Freshwater	Freshwater

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