Coming up this March, Paddle Florida will be hosting two different trips in the North Florida Area.  These trips provide a great opportunity to meet people, and experience a side of Florida that most people never get to know.  The schedule of these trips allows for a lot more freedom than most group tours, and paddlers are allowed to pick and choose where they want to stop over the course of the day.  Each night at the campsite, there will be entertainment in some form, such as music or lectures, providing people further opportunity to bond with the group.  These trips are appropriate for people with any level of paddling experience, from absolute beginners to advanced.

 The first of these trips is the “Dam to the Bay” trip (March 12th-18th) which begins at Ed and Bernice’s Fish Camp (link this) and travels 76 miles down the Ochlockonee River to Bald Point State Park.  This year is the first year that Paddle Florida has done this trip, and it is limited to 100 people.  The campsites for the first three nights of this trip are primitive which means no running water, and no electricity. 

The second of these trips is a 115 mile trip (March 26th-April 2nd) down the Suwannee River starting at Madison Blue Springs State Park, and ending at Manatee Springs State Park.  This the fourth year that Paddle Florida has done this trip, and the trip is capped at 200 people.  This trip stops in some of Florida’s most beautiful springs along the way, providing ample opportunity for swimming for those who wish to do so. 

The trips cost $275 for the Ochlockonee River trip and $300 for the Suwannee River trip.  Those who are unable to or do not wish to go on the full trip can opt instead for the “Paddle Florida Lite” package which at $60 per day allows visitors to pick and choose the days that they wish go on the trips, up to four nights per trip.  This option is available for both the Ochlockonee and the Suwannee River  trips.  The fees for these trips include the transport of gear (by truck) from one camp site to the next, all camping fees, maps of the route, and a goodie bag.  These fees do not include canoe rental, as paddlers are expected to provide their own boats.  If paddlers are looking to rent a boat for the trip, there are several companies used by Paddle Florida. 

There is also an optional meal plan, available at $125 per person for the Ochlockonee River trip and $150 per person for the Suwannee River trip ($30 per day for the Paddle Florida Lite option).  This meal plan includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day, and there will be a vegetarian option on the menu. 

More information, including registration, details on each campsite and what to pack can be found on the Paddle Florida website by clicking on the appropriate tour.