A late April Suwanee River Kayak Trip developed into an incredible adventure for four friends who had a few days off. The trip began at Branford, Florida and ended 42 miles and two days later at Fanning Springs. The weather was beautiful, the river full, calm and steadily flowing.
We left Tallahassee early in the morning, grabbed some breakfast and drove to Branford where we put all four boats in the river. We then drove both trucks to the take-out point in Fanning Springs leaving one truck there and bringing the other truck back up to Branford where the paddling journey began.
Day 1 was a 13 mile paddle downriver to Sims Landing. This was a rural boat landing that provided paddlers a place to make camp and relax. A kind neighbor on a tractor came by and discussed the area and said if we needed anything to walk over to his house which was just down the road. Camp was set and dinner was made. Sunset came and paddlers soon retreated to their tents and hammock. It had been a good day. Paddlers were serenaded throughout the night by Barred Owls and fish jumping in the river.
Day two began early as paddlers had a 20 mile day awaiting them. Paddlers broke camp, ate and loaded the boats. The original plan had the day ending after 17 miles of river paddling however paddlers were encouraged to go another 3 miles and spend the night at “Hart Springs”. To say the least…this was great advice!
Paddlers saw more wildlife on this leg of the Suwanee than any other leg thus far. Boaters were warned of jumping Sturgeon on the river and this warning is to be taken seriously. Numerous large Sturgeon were observed jumping five feet in the air and splashing back down into the river. Deer and gators were regularly seen and birds were everywhere, especially ducks and herons. Lots and lots of ducks!
As the river nears the Gulf it becomes more wide. The beautiful limestone walls which were prevalent much further up (north) on the river were non-existent in this area of the Suwanee.
After taking the advice to stay at Hart Springs paddlers added an additional 3 miles to the day and spotted the sign for Hart Springs. Paddlers turned up the creek and instantly noticed the water color changed from Tannic brown to a clear blue green. The further the bluer until the creek opened up into a paradise! It was Old Florida and it was beautiful! Paddlers beached the boats and made their way to the park office. Hart Springs is part of the Gilchrist County Park System as well as the Suwanee River Blue Trail. Paddlers paid $9 each for the privilege to camp here overnight. It was late in the day and park employees were off at 5. Within minutes they were gone and paddlers had the entire park to themselves. The evening was spent swimming, bathing and jumping off the diving platform into the spring! Restrooms and showers were available across the park. Camp and dinner was made and once again as night fell paddlers retired after a long day on the river. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day!
After being serenaded by Barred Owls and mullet jumping in the spring throughout the night the final day of the trip had arrived. Today would be a short 10 mile paddle from Hart Springs to Fanning Springs. Paddlers broke camp early and got on the river. This morning was calm and quiet, very serene as paddlers enjoyed the morning heading downriver.
Day three ended at the State Park at Fanning Springs. After loading the boats paddlers had lunch at the Lighthouse Restaurant in Fanning Springs, returned to Branford to grab the truck staged there and headed home. This was an incredible trip. The weather was perfect, the river was prime and the trip well planned. Two legs of the Suwanee river remain for this team of paddlers to have paddled the entire length of the Suwanee, Fanning Springs to the Gulf and the Okeefenokee to the Suwanee River State Park. These two legs will be completed by this time next year. The paddling/camping season will be suspended until the fall due to heat and biting insects, specifically Yellow Flies. Until then……
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