The Place to Share
Canoeing & Kayaking

  

Yankeetown to Barge Canal, Gulf of Mexico, west of Dunellon Florida, USA
By reading further, you agree to our Terms of Use

Copyright 2002 Alfonso Vazquez-Cuervo - See Terms of Use

Our Route Summary

  • Submitted by: Tom and Judy Ayers, Sundowner Kayak Adventures macrylon@mfi.net
  • Date Submitted: 4/2002
  • Location: Yankeetown, Central Florida, Gulf of Mexico, west of Dunellon, Florida, USA
  • Class: 1, open water, affected by wind and tides
  • Distance Paddled: 3 miles round trip
  • Water Level: Depth ranging from 1 to 6 feet when not in a channel. The main thing you have to watch out for here is the oyster beds, they are numerous. They are easy to spot during low tide, but during high tide you have to paddle slowly in some places because they are just beneath the top of the water.
  • Water: Saltwater
  • Wildlife: Pelicans, seagulls, manatees, dolphins, cormorants
  • Special Regulations: On the islands at the barge canal, and surrounding areas, respect the signs posted protecting certain areas. There are nesting birds and other animals not to be disturbed.

Entry

  • Directions: From Dunnellon, take 40 West through Inglis and Yankeetown. You will come to a 4-way stop. Make a left on 40A and follow it to the end. At the end is a County boat ramp and picnic area.
  • Fee: none
  • Description: small sandy beach adjacent to a paved road
  • Parking: You can park on the side of the paved road just up from the boat ramp. Or if this is too crowded you can unload and park in the picnic area.
  • Facilities: There is a picnic area and beach with restrooms about 100 feet west of the put-in.
  • Handicap Access: beach

What We Saw

The put-in and take out is on the Withlacoochee River where it empties into the Gulf of Mexico a few hundred feet away. There is a nice little sandy beach here that is perfect for putting in kayaks. You can't miss it. There is a palm tree there that has a face carved into it. From here south past the barge canal is part of the Crystal River State Buffer Preserve. The waters here are usually calm and it is a nice paddle. Once in the channel you can see the islands of the Barge Canal south of you. They are about 1 1/2 miles away. There are smaller islands you pass along the way dotted with mangroves and red cedar trees. The main thing you have to watch out for here is the oyster beds, they are numerous. They are easy to spot during low tide, but during high tide you have to paddle slowly in some places because they are just beneath the top of the water. And as always keep an eye out for any approaching storms coming from the West.

On this day in particular we were nearing our destination point, a small island that is used for overnight camping on the barge canal. It is at mile maker 39. GPS 28 58.94 N, 082 45.98 W. We saw the water in front of us churning then noticed it was 4 dolphins working the water. They would circle and slap their tails on the waters surface chasing their prey towards the center. Then one at a time they would enter the circle to feed. We sat and watched them for about a half an hour until they finally broke into pairs and headed in opposite directions. It was quite a sight to see.

The wildlife here is abundant, you will see seagulls, cormorants, osprey and the well known pelicans pictured below. Manatees also swim up into the channels to feed.

 
We stopped on the island pictured at left for a little walk-about before heading back to the take out point. On these islands you have to watch out for cactus, it's all about. This one has areas cleared out for pitching tents and a few pathways lined with rocks going into the interior for a little ways. It is nice to have a GPS when paddling in this area if you like to venture around. There are numerous islands and little inlets that twist and turn. If you're not careful you could get turned around very easily.