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Wakulla River, Tallahassee Florida
This page Copyright 1999 Alfonso Vazquez-Cuervo - See Terms of Use

Our Route Summary

  • Submitted by: Al Vazquez
  • Date Submitted: 11/99
  • Email: alvazquez@kayakguide.com
  • Location: less than half an hour south of Tallahassee FL
  • Class: Typically flat water spring fed river with slight current
  • Distance Paddled: 3.1 miles (one way) between the 2 Entry/Exits below (about an hour of paddling)
  • Water: fresh, clear, spring-fed river
  • Wildlife: More turtles than I've seen anywhere, manatees, birds (Egrets, Cormorants, Herons, Ospreys, etc.), alligators, Cyprus trees, Spanish Moss, eel grass

Entry/Exit

  • Directions: Upstream Entry at 363 bridge just East of Rt. 61 south of Tallahassee just outside Wakulla Springs Park boundary
  • GPS: N 30 deg 12.783' W 084 deg 15.670'
  • Fee: none
  • Description: dirt ramp beside bridge over the river
  • Parking: dirt
  • Facilities: none

Entry/Exit

  • Directions: Downstream Exit at Rt. 98 bridge south of Tallahassee.
  • GPS: N 30 deg 10.566' W 084 deg 14.751'
  • Fee: none
  • Description: cement ramp beside bridge over the river
  • Parking: cement boat ramp
  • Facilities: none

What We Saw

Crystal clear water flowing through lush Cyprus trees draped in Spanish Moss makes this river a beautiful memory of Florida paddling.

The typically slight current gives paddlers the option of paddling in either direction for either a one way trip or a round trip.

Unfortunately, Wakulla Springs State Park (a great place to visit) has an ugly chain link fence on the upstream side of the 363 bridge, so passage into the park up to the spring is blocked. And the park does not permit launching of private boats in the park. But this does not prevent you from enjoying a gorgeous stretch of water.

The first thing you'll notice is in the clear, spring-fed water itself, bright green eel grass bent by the current. This type of water plant is common in many of the spring fed streams in north Florida.
You'll pass numerous Cyprus trees draped with moss. And you can paddle among various islands in the upper part of the river.

But the one thing you'll probably notice are large turtles sunning themselves on logs. We counted 13 on one log.

If you're fortunate, you'll even see alligators or manatees swimming gracefully through the grass.

Though the river has docks and cabins along the route, you'll can still get a feel for this timeless water whose history goes back to the early days of man in Florida; an easy, beautiful paddle full of Florida flavor.