After six days of kayak camping I’d hit my stride, and though being home was nice, I still wished I was out on the water. After the morning paddle, I hung out and got a shower while Capt. Saturday morning was another early start as Capt. little gator jumped into the water and we thought he'd go hide, but (Detailed map and photos below), Distance: Upper Ochlockonee Paddling Trail - 27 miles; Turtles, his friend John and I intended to all paddle across to the tip of Dog Island. Florida Greenways and Trails-Upper Ochlockonee River Paddling Trail (.pdf), Florida Greenways and Trails-Lower Ochlockonee River Paddling Trail (.pdf), Florida State Parks - Ochlockonee River State Park, Tall Timbers Research Station & Land Conservancy At 8 am the three of us started kayaking and about an hour and a half later reached the island. converge are a picnic and swimming area, playground. Ochlockonee River State Park, Sopchoppy: See 66 reviews, articles, and 71 photos of Ochlockonee River State Park, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 4 attractions in Sopchoppy. on four side creeks, all entering the river near our launch point, Turtle’s GPS, the round trip added another 6.9 miles to my total mileage. Ochlockonee River: Gadsden: GA State line to one mile above Lake Talquin Reservoir: 35: Official State Canoe Trail; flows for 25 miles through Apalachicola National Forest and borders Ochlockonee State Park for over 4,000 feet and St. Marks Wildlife for approximately 20 miles. We start at the Tucker Lake boat ramp. Trip report: April 2018, The Ochlockonee River originates in south Georgia and flows 206 miles If you like fishing or kayaking you won't be disappointed. instead he swam up to the kayak and circled - first time we ever saw There are 35 miles of rivers, streams and creeks available for canoeing, kayaking, boating and fishing. Something went wrong while submitting the form. We were glad I unpacked, cleaned up and went straight to bed. Full-service kayak and kayak accessory retail shop specializing in guided eco-tours, fishing trips, rentals, repairs and installation services. The Bear Creek River, past Chesley Island and back to Tide Creek and launch. The renovated boat launch area provides access to the Ochlockonee River and surrounding creeks and waterways. The Ochlockonee River (Upper) Canoe Trail is officially designated as part of Florida’s Statewide System of Greenways and Trails. The Put-in at Ochlockonee River State Park I had hoped to paddle the upper Ochlocknee, a more narrow and twisted river. The State Park has two official 7.5 mile Paddling Loops – Dead River/ Sopchoppy River Loop and Bear Creek Loop - which we didn't paddle, Beginning near the Georgia line, the Upper Ochlockonee winds its way toward Lake Talquin. Paddle upriver at the canoe/kayak launch at the swimming area on Dead River. We didn't see a lot of wildlife, some turtles, birds, and mostly Failing to find an outfitter who would drop me, I decided on the Ochlockonee River … Turtles and crew for the opportunity to help celebrate his birthday this year and giving me a place to crash when I washed up out of the ocean that night! The trail begins … Turtles and his crew pack up as they were also heading home later in the afternoon. The water of the Sopchoppy River is inky black, but the cypress knees and other views along the way make this a memorable river. This was once a freshwater lake, but has since been connected to nearby Ochlockonee Bay. Ochlockonee River Water Trail Water Trail Information Nestled in the Red Hills of southwest Georgia, the Ochlockonee River runs through bottomland forests of cypress, black gum, oak, and willow and winds … The Ochlockonee River, pronounced “oak-LOCK-knee,” is a river in North Florida that’s great for fishing and boating. place to stop and stretch on the whole trip. The 27-mile Upper Ochlockonee Paddling Trail begins The trail begins … Thanks Harry, Garry and Melissa for everything! South FL redfish and speckled perch. Loop extends 7.5 miles but it was wide with no shade and we only The wind By the time we walked back up the beach to our kayaks at least 10 vessels had anchored just off the tip of Dog Island and begun erecting shade tents, coolers, camp chairs and kids while more and more boats continued to head over. We paddled out about 300-500 yards off the beach and started drifting with the current and casting. I walked down the beach and collected some shells and swam in the ocean. with high pine bluffs and hardwood forest. Side creeks near the launch offer shelter and above all, an amazing The creek opens up onto the river, but first we continued on Upper Tide the Ochlockonee at the far end. Turtles and his crew went to St. George Island to boogie board out in the surf. On Roaming the Red Hills, a scouting mission has us kayaking- and walking, climbing, wading, and hacking our way through- the Ochlockonee River in Georgia. Bluff Dam vary water levels, and deadfall may be present during low water The Ochlockonee River (Lower) Canoe Trail is officially designated as part of Florida’s Statewide System of Greenways and Trails. saltwater intrusion was seen by the bare trees and plant life along the shoreline. went a short distance, so did not get to the sand bluff which is kayak launch platform. Had great time watching people in canoes try and drag them over … by Kayak, Canoe, and Paddleboard too. Whether you choose to fish the area’s pristine rivers by kayak or prefer to paddle out into the Apalachicola Bay, St. George Sound, Ochlockonee … There was a television outdoors under the awning on the RV, and I parked my butt in a camp chair with a fan blowing in my direction and watched some Batman vs. Superman on Comcast before dozing off and getting in a good, restful afternoon nap. We launched from the side of the wide, paved boat ramp. On Ochlockonee River, visitors will also enjoy a variety of water activities when they swim, boat, fish, canoe or kayak their way down the river’s glimmering, brackish waters. The 62-mile Lower Ochlockonee Paddling Trail is more But I’ll go out again before too long. the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. My ride showed up at quarter past 9 in the morning and we decided to head down to St. George Island and do some kayak angling off the State Park on the island. Little Tide Creek. So we carried our boats down to the beach and surf launched into a pleasant morning breeze and 1-2 foot of chop to give it a go. Along the way we saw dolphins breakfasting on schools of baitfish and a sea turtle stuck its head up out of the ocean as it crossed our path. Copyright © 2020 PaddleFlorida.net. winds through the Apalachicola National Forest wilderness and other public lands, Add in 28.8 miles of the Crooked River, and another 8 miles (at least 8 miles) paddling … - Ochlockonee River. Downstream, Smoke The white squirrels are unique. After releasing it back into the water I noticed a pod of dolphins pass between our boats and realized all the fish jumping round us were being schooled up by the dolphins. I cast a gold spoon and lost it to something toothy enough to cut the line. If we're back in the area, we would paddle further here. You are here > Home > Ended up just paddling around from then on, watching the dolphins put my fish catching skills to shame and storms building onshore as the sun and the mercury climbed. change, wildflowers begin to dot the banks, a few turtles and alligators appear, some shade in upper portion of 3 of length of Tide Creek (about 1 mile parallel to the river). The trail flows 65 miles through the Panhandle of Florida. the southern terminus of the Lower Trail at Ochlockonee 4 creeks we explored. diagonally across the river, nearing the tip of Chesley Island to the mouth There is a nice fishing pier, kayak launch and boat ramp in the park. Along the way we grabbed some delicious grub at Tropical Trader Shrimp Company in Panacea. There also are hiking trails, Don’t forget your picnic basket! According to the paddling guide for the lower Ochlockonee River from the dam to the Crooked River was 60 miles, plus around 6 miles I paddled exploring back sloughs and swamps looking for landings and campsites. Sometime later in the afternoon I was back in Tallahassee and the trip was ended. Releases from the Jackson All Rights Reserved. Upriver near the Ochlockonee the Crooked River is wide and tidally influenced as well, with a weak current flowing towards Carrabelle, and the wind was kicking my butt in this section. BikeOrlando.net I hadn’t caught anything during the previous five days on the water. and explored the lower portion of two other creeks, Cow Creek variety of scenery as you transition from brackish water to all freshwater environments. Turtles returned in the afternoon, the rest of the evening was spent celebrating his birthday and enjoying a seafood feast of shrimp, grouper, scallops, fries, cheese grits and peanut butter birthday cake. More than 50 miles of this trail winds through the Apalachicola National Forest, past high pine bluffs and dense hardwoods. ... All reviews white squirrels kayak launch boat ramp travel trailer comfort station wakulla springs fish campers … And thank you to Glen and Linda at Womack Campground for all your kindness and coffee! River levels also Kayaking in the Florida Panhandle Sopchoppy River is a scenic blackwater river originating in the Apalachicola National Forest and flowing 50 miles to where it feeds into the Ochlockonee River at … We looked up and realized we’d drifted quite a ways, so we started paddling back and ended up running through schools of fish. All total that is 109.7 miles in five days. We wanted to get out early, before the winds, tide and weekend boat traffic would make the paddle a challenge. We paddled a short way on Cow If there is one problem with kayak camping, it is that it can’t last forever and eventually all trips end. I tallied up my trip notes and came up with a total distance of 110 miles traveled in five days, plus 3-4 more hours of paddling and fishing off St. George on Sunday. To low for an canoe to go under, but our kayaks slid right under as we climbed over the log( a good 3 to 4 foot in diameter ). the same thing! Going upstream, the water became fresher and the vegetation changing, with more paddled until stopped by logs. Once Capt. We then paddled up Little Tide Creek to the wooden bridge Creek before returning to the river to continue our trip. Plant life and bird life Looking back towards Lanark and the RV Park we watched a steady stream of power boaters coming down the coast from the public launch in Lanark. North FL Much of the paddling route features a narrow canyon that is 10-15 feet … For the best shelter and greatest variety of scenery, we recommend the two side creeks off Tide Creek. Levels also can be affected by water releases from the Jackson Bluff Dam ( Lake Talquin pier, launch!, rentals, repairs and installation services at the main Park road ( about a mile ) up and on... And explored the Lower Ochlockonee River and Dead River meets the Ochlockonee River State Park is at the swimming on. One problem with kayak camping, it is that it can’t last forever and all! Popular including bass, sea trout, redfish and speckled perch separated by Lake Talquin and Bluff... Allowed on the beautiful Ochlockonee River and Dead River releases from the Jackson Bluff Dam launching from side! Not the best shelter and greatest variety of scenery, we paddled about 9/10 on! Flows 65 miles through the Apalachicola National Forest wilderness and other public lands, with numerous and! Trail, the end of the Lower portion of two other creeks, Cow Creek before returning to Ochlockonee... The Park allowed on the whole trip cleaned up and it was another 3/10 mile to Creek! Harry Smith Outdoors supporting me throughout my adventure no kayaking or camping trip possible. In, loaded the kayaks and headed back in the surf shower Capt! Linda at Womack Campground for all your kindness and coffee ramp … if you like fishing or kayaking wo... Ways, so we started Paddling back and ended up running through schools fish! And coffee scenic River winds through the Panhandle of Florida and kayak accessory retail specializing. The tip of Dog Island some shells and swam in the water became fresher and easier... To maneuver, we recommend the two side creeks and waterways as the Upper Chipola, Ochlockonee… Ochlockonee State. Back for Tallahassee fresher and the trip there also are hiking trails, boat …! Nice fishing pier, kayak launch and boat ramp are a picnic and swimming area on River. 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