Good places to camp and paddle in NE FLA

Advice
#1

I wanted to head down to the Jacksonville, FL area for Memorial Day Weekend. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good place to camp or paddle. I had a great time this past weekend up in the North GA Mountains. I went kayaking down the Chestatee River, about a 6 mile trip; took about 2 hours; very scenic river.



cgbjdc77

#2

second the request
i’ve explored much of florida over 20 years of yearly and biyearly trips but the NE corner from St. Augustine down to Cape Canaveral is uknown to me…so any suggestions?

#3

Passing on a recommendation
A friend has recommended “a small Volusia County park called River Breeze located in Oak Hill Florida on the North end of the famous Mosquito lagoon and Indian River. It is right across from the Canaveral National Seashore. The rent is low and the paddling is nice and shallow.” I have not been there, but my friend has spent 4 months camping and kayaking in Florida for the last seven or eight years.

#4

Georgia actually…but…
Just North East of St Mary’s is the Cumberland Island National Seashore…

#5

Cumberland Island
This isn’t first hand paddling information but have visited the areas below and know of the possibilites.





Cumberland Island national Seashore would be my suggestion to look into, go thru the national park service for info, resies and ferry to the island.



I think you could find some historical and scenic paddling around St. Augustine and Fernandina Beach also.



Check the Florida State Parks web page for paddling and camping information





Brian

SoFlo

#6

Make reservations before you come down
Most State Parks fill up fast on Memorial Day Weekend and I would suggest making online reservations rather than trying your luck on finding a site when you get there. Here are some websites.

Florida State Parks

Steven Foster State Park (Suwannee River)

O’Leno State Park (Santa Fe & Ichetucknee River)

http://www.floridastateparks.org/



National Forests in Florida

Ocala/Junipter Springs & Silver River

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida/



Also check out the Okefenokee Swamp

http://www.fws.gov/okefenokee/

http://www.gastateparks.org/info/scfoster/



Please note that there are two Stephen Forster State Parks, one in Florida and the other in Georgia.



Kayak_Ken

#7

I live in Central FL
so I’m familiar with some of the areas a bit farther down. Tomoka State park (about 40 miles south of St. Augustine) is a great place to camp and paddle. The campground is excellant and there are miles of backwater to explore. Another good place is Wekiwa Springs State Park. It’s over near Orlando, but has a crystal clear spring run, and good paddling. I’ve also heard Faver-Dykes State Park is nice, but I haven’t been there.