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Shoal River Paddling Trail Guide

The Waterway

A nature photographer’s dream, the shallow, gold-tinted Shoal River threads through a northwest Florida wilderness of high sandy hills, broad sandbars perfect for rest stops, and floodplain forest. The surrounding forest is a mixture of maple, birch, oak, gum and cypress. The land along the Shoal is mostly undeveloped with the first signs of civilization appear near the Hwy 85 takeout just south of Crestview. The Shoal River meanders through pristine habitat that is home to Florida black bear, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and many other species that a quiet, observant paddler may glimpse.

The Paddling Experience

This 9.5-mile paddling trail is slow-moving and perfect for beginning paddlers. Plentiful sandbars offer pleasant rest stops and picnic sites. As with many of the Western Panhandle rivers, the Shoal River changes dramatically with recent rain events. The river is usually navigable below US 90. During high water, beginners should avoid the Shoal River as the current may be very swift and paddling technically challenging. It is possible to paddle further downstream than the SR 85 takeout but a recreation permit must first be obtained from the Eglin Air Force Base Jackson Guard office in Niceville, call 850-882-4164.

Access Points

#1, Start of the Trail, US 90 Bridge, Ray Barnes Boat Ramp From Crestview, take US-90 east 4 miles to the bridge over the Shoal River. The Ray Barnes boat ramp is on the north side of the road on the west side of the river.

#2, Mile 9.5, End of the Trail, SR 85, Bill Duggan Jr., Park The park entrance is at the corner of SR-85 and Live Oak Church Road. From Crestview, take SR-85 south 5 miles to the bridge over the Shoal River. The Bill Duggan Jr. Park and boat ramp is on the north side of the river on the east side of SR-85.

Photos FWC