Canoeing & Kayaking Florida

By Johnny Molloy

• Popular, proven format: the previous edition (9781634040303) sold more than 7,000 copies, strong numbers for a state-specific title


• Market: More than 18 million people went kayaking and more than 9 million people went canoeing in the US in 2021


• Paddling is a unique and popular way for residents and tourists to experience Florida’s natural beauty in places they otherwise might never see


• 73 river and creek profiles—representing most of the state’s paddleable waterways


• Variety of diverse trip options with recommendations for beginners, families, campers, and more


• Maps and GPS coordinates to help readers find where they are and where to go


• Essential details like access points, river gauges, mileages, and contact information


• Engaging yet concise descriptions of each waterway


• Waterway lists organized by whitewater rapid classifications


• Acclaimed author who has written more than 85 books and is one of the most experienced guidebook authors in the field today

• Language: English
• Publisher: Menasha Ridge Press
• Release date: Dec 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9781634043632

Johnny Molloy

Johnny Molloy is an outdoor writer and author of over 70 books. He is based in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Book preview

PART ONE

THE WESTERN PANHANDLE

The Western Panhandle

1Perdido River

2Coldwater Creek

3Sweetwater Creek and Juniper Creek

4Blackwater River

5Yellow River

6Shoal River

7Seven Runs

8Choctawhatchee River

9Holmes Creek

10 Econfina Creek of Washington Bay Counties

11 Chipola River

1

PERDIDO RIVER

OVERVIEW Located about 15 miles west of Pensacola and forming the Alabama–Florida state line, the Perdido River, a state-designated Outstanding Florida Water, comes to be in South Alabama where Dyas Creek meets Perdido Creek. The upper course of the Perdido is clear and easy to follow despite the name’s Spanish meaning, lost (the river’s name derives from Perdido Bay, where it reaches the Gulf of Mexico in seemingly hidden passages).

The Perdido makes for a fun and friendly paddling river, except for its uppermost headwater segments above Dyas Creek, where shallows and fallen logs can be problematic. The remote river courses southeast beside overhanging cypress and juniper banks, in addition to oaks on higher ground. An aerial view of the Perdido reveals a pattern of straight sections alternating with big bends where gravel and sandbars find a home.

Under normal flows, the Perdido River runs shallow and is a classic blackwater stream. Alluring sandbars draw in sunbathers and picnickers, and deep holes provide swimming opportunities.

As the Perdido meanders toward the Gulf, waterways from Alabama and Florida add their flows. The primary tributary is the River Styx. Wildlife management areas claim significant segments of the Alabama side of the Perdido, while the Perdido Wildlife Management Area, a cooperative public hunting area managed by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, occupies much of the Sunshine State shoreline. Paddlers who camp should honor posted private property. Additionally, the State of Alabama has established a paddling trail, as well as a hiking trail along the banks, complete with campsites and reservable riverside trail shelters. River accesses available on the Alabama side extend Perdido paddling opportunities.

These wild shores and limited access points provide a haven for various wildlife, from bears to hogs to deer and turkeys. Alligators will be seen sunning, and anglers can vie for bass, bream, and catfish.

MAPS PERDIDO CANOE TRAIL (ALABAMA STATE LANDS DIVISION); PERDIDO RIVER PADDLING TRAIL (FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION/FLORIDA DESIGNATED PADDLING TRAILS); USGS BARRINEAU PARK, SEMINOLE

1A DESCRIPTION The Alabama accesses have increased paddling possibilities on the Perdido. Paddlers can travel 9.0 miles from Gravel Landing to Staple Fork Landing, enjoying a twisting, dark-water river with blinding white sandbars at every bend. However, the drive to Gravel Landing requires a high-clearance and/or four-wheel-drive vehicle to tackle some of the stream fords. Deep woods add a wilderness aspect. Fillingim Landing, on the Florida side, is 8.5 miles below Staple Fork Landing. Blue Lake Landing, on the Alabama side, is 1.5 miles below Fillingim Landing, and the landing at Adventures Perdido River is 4.5 miles beyond Blue Lake Landing.

Unless you like pulling your boat over logjams of brittle and unforgiving Atlantic white cedar, don’t start any higher than Alabama’s Gravel Landing area. At Gravel Landing, the river is 50 feet wide, with heavily forested banks 6–8 feet high. The water tends to be shallow, and there may be some obstructions, but it is an easy section, and maneuvering is not difficult. Large gravel bars occupy the insides of most river curves. The forests on either side are wildlife or private hunting preserves, and it is a remote area. The Perdido River Hiking Trail, replete with reservable trail shelters, runs along the Alabama shore. Staple Fork Landing is accessible by all vehicles, and the Terrapin Creek paddler/hiker trail shelter is 1.5 miles below Staple Fork Landing. Sandbars can be huge in places. You will pass under the Barrineau Park Road bridge (no official access) about 3 miles above Fillingim Landing, then float under a railroad span, where logjams can be problematic.

The river courses through remote terrain beyond Barrineau Road Bridge and varies between gentle curves and straight sections with clearly defined banks. The Swamp Field shelter will be on your right 2.0 miles below Barrineau Bridge. Several creeks, including West Fork of Boggy Creek and McDavid Creek, flow in from the east, and the river becomes wider, with sloughs. Fillingim Landing is part of the Perdido Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The day-use-only area has a floating dock for paddlers, along with picnic tables and a huge sandbar across the river. This is the official start of the designated Florida paddling trail. Wildlands continue on both sides, and there are frequent sandbars and gravel banks. You will pass the reservable Otto Hill campsite on the Florida side a mile from Fillingim Landing. It is another 1.5 miles to Alabama’s Blue Lake Landing, with its long ramp, then 2.5 miles from Blue Lake Landing to Pipes Landing, on the Florida side off of Old Bridge Road.

The Perdido retains its shallow, winding characteristics, with sandbars on the insides of turns and alternating straight sections with deeper water. There are a number of places where the presence of old pilings in the river indicates the location of former bridges. It is 2.0 miles from Pipes Landing to the private landing at Adventures Perdido River. The outfitter also offers boat rentals and shuttles. For more Information visit adventuresperdidoriver.com.

SHUTTLE To reach the Adventures Perdido River takeout from Pensacola, take US 29 North 7.6 miles to Muscogee Road/County Road 184. Turn left on CR 184 and follow it west 4.8 miles to River Annex Road, just before the bridge over the Perdido River. Turn right (north) on River Annex Road, and in 0.5 mile reach Adventures Perdido River, an outfitter with a private launch and pay access. GPS COORDINATES: 30.605468, -87.397867

To reach the Gravel Landing (Alabama) access from Exit 5 on I-10 just west of Pensacola, take US 90 west 2.8 miles, then turn right on Beulah Road. Follow it 4.9 miles, then turn left onto CR 184 and head west, bridging the Perdido River and entering Alabama, where CR 184 becomes Old Pensacola Road. Stay with Old Pensacola Road 8.7 miles, then turn right on Staple Fork Road (there will be a sign for Perdido River Canoe Trail). Follow Staple Fork Road 5.5 miles, then turn right (north) on River Road. Continue 3.1 miles, then turn right at the sign for Gravel Landing and the Perdido River Hiking Trail trailhead on Bear Neck Road. You’ll come to the parking area after 0.8 mile. All the major turns are signed. GPS COORDINATES: 30.783293,