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Withlacoochee South Paddling Trail Guide
The Waterway
Once a refuge for Seminole Indians during the Second Seminole War, the river emerges from the Green Swamp in west central Florida and twists and bends through scenic sandhills before entering a swampy terrain. For such an extensive river, there is minimal development. The river flows south to north with banks lined predominantly with lush cypress floodplain swamp. The intermittent lakes are rich in wildlife, offering excellent fishing opportunities and scenic vistas. Overhanging limbs form a shady, lacy canopy.
The Paddling Experience
The 76-mile paddling trail has been divided into three logical sections and although this is a long trail, numerous access points enable paddlers to choose shorter trips. The river is generally suitable for beginners depending on conditions. During dry seasons with lower water levels, paddlers may encounter logs and hyacinth jams, especially in the upper section. The ideal water level for paddling from the put in at Lacoochee downstream to Silver Lake is 38 feet, according to the USGS gauge near Nobleton.
Access Points for Upper Section (Lacoochee to Silver Lake, 19 miles)
The Upper Section is characterized by relatively high banks and excellent wildlife viewing. It is a site on the Great Florida Birding Trail. The river is considerably narrower than the Middle and Lower Sections, with most of it lined with oaks and cypress and occasional stands of pine. The banks are less swampy than the rest of the river and there are a number of homes along this section. When the water is low, there are places where portages and pullovers are necessary.
Access #1, Start of the trail, Lacoochee Park The originally designated stretch of the Withlacoochee River begins at Lacoochee Park. However, the park is remote and overnight parking may not be secure. A better option is to launch at the Withlacoochee River RV Resort and Canoe Rental, located a few miles downstream at the CR 575 bridge in Lacoochee. Or you can arrange a shuttle to the Lacoochee Park launch and then park at the RV Resort. From SR 50, turn south onto US 301 to Lacoochee. Turn left (east) onto CR 575. Turn right (south) onto Durden Road, then left onto Coit Road (unpaved road). Follow 2.5 miles to river access.
Access #2, Mile 2.5, CR 575 Bridge/Withlacoochee RV Resort There are canoe/kayak rentals here and a launch/parking fee. From SR 50, turn south onto US 301 to Lacoochee. Turn left (east) onto CR 575. The Withlacoochee RV Resort is about 2 miles further on the southwest side of the bridge.
Access #3, Mile 16.5, Crooked River Campground A reservation is required to camp here, call 352-797-4140. From SR 50, turn north onto Croom Rital Road (1 mile east of the intersection of SR 50 and I-75). Paralleling the Withlacoochee State Trail, follow this road 3.5 miles to recreation area, indicated by brown sign. From CR 476, turn south onto Edgewater Ave (unpaved), across from the Nobleton Wayside Park. Follow this road for 4 miles, the turn left onto Croom Rital Road (paved). Follow for 2 miles, cross underneath I-75, and the recreation area entrance is on the left. Follow signs to campground.
Withlacoochee South Paddling Trail Guide
Access #4, Mile, 18, River Junction Recreation Area From US 301, turn west onto CR 656. After 2 miles, turn left on FR 13 (SW 50th Blvd), indicated by a brown “River Junction Recreation Area” sign.
Access #5, Silver Lake Recreation Area Camping is available at Silver Lake Recreation Area. Take I-75 Exit 301 to US98/SR50. Turn east (away from Brooksville) and proceed about 1 mile until you reach the stoplight at Croom Rital Road. Turn left and proceed north on Croom Rital Road. Follow signs to the Withlacoochee State Forest Silver Lake Recreation Area. Turn right onto Silver Lake Road and follow to Day Use Area and boat ramp.
Access Points for Middle Section (Silver Lake to Spruce Park, 44 miles)
The Middle Section is characterized by undefined banks and dense cypress swamp. Due to the confluence of the Little Withlacoochee River, the river becomes much wider and straighter. Homes are few and far between, and wildlife is abundant. The river is continually changing shape between wide, open lake sections and narrow, winding sections. There are few places to stop for rest breaks. There are a few fish camps that allow camping, and one public camping area at Shell Island with a couple of primitive campsites.
Access #5, Silver Lake Recreation Area Camping is available at Silver Lake Recreation Area. Take I-75 Exit 301 to US98/SR50. Turn east and drive about a mile to Croom Rital Road. Turn left and follow signs to the Withlacoochee State Forest Silver Lake Recreation Area. Turn right at Silver Lake Road and go to Day Use Area boat ramp.
Access #6, Mile 20, Iron Bridge Recreation Area From CR 476, turn south onto CR 635. After 1.5 miles, turn right onto SW 90th Ave. Follow brown signs to recreation area.
Access #7, Mile 21.5, Hog Island Recreation Area The Hog Island Recreation Area is located on the east bank of the Withlacoochee River near Nobleton. Explore the Hog Island Nature Trail, a part of the Florida National Scenic Trail. The campground has shaded campsites and access to the Withlacoochee River. From CR 476, turn south onto CR 635. After 1.5 miles, turn right onto SW 90th Ave. Follow brown signs to recreation area. If using as a take out, the boat ramp is not on the main branch of the river and is easy to miss.
Access #8, Mile 26, CR 476 Bridge/Nobleton Canoe Outpost The ramp is located on the northwest side of the CR 476 Bridge on property of the Nobleton Canoe Outpost76 Bridge on the property of the Nobleton Can
Access #9, Mile 27, Nobleton Wayside Park The park is in Nobleton on CR 476, about 0.25 miles west of the Withlacoochee River bridge.
Access #10, Mile 27.5, Lake Townsen Regional Park The entrance is adjacent to the crossing of the Withlacoochee State Trail. The park is in Nobleton on CR 476, about 1 mile west of the Withlacoochee River bridge.
Access #11, Mile 38, SR 48 Bridge/Wynhaven RV Park Wynhaven RV Park offers primitive camping and private ramp with a launch fee. It is on the southeast side of the SR 48 Bridge, about 8 miles west of I-75.
Withlacoochee South Paddling Trail Guide
Access #12, Mile 42, Marsh Bend County Park, Outlet River (side trip) The Marsh Bend County Park is about a mile east of the Withlacoochee along the Outlet River with a ramp on the southwest side of the bridge. The Wysong Dam is about 3.2 miles downstream from this launch and must be portaged. From SR 44, turn south onto CR 470. Follow 6 miles to bridge over Outlet River.
Access #13, Mile 45, Carlson Landing/Wysong Dam There is a lock at the east side of the river or a portage option around Wysong Dam. There are two boat ramps here on both sides of the lock for launching either side of the dam. No amenities or overnight parking. From the north, take SR 44 to CR 470 and turn south. After driving 2 miles, turn right (west) onto CR 300. From the south, take CR 470 to CR 300. Park is located on west side of the road.
Access #14, Mile 47.5, Rutland Park The segment above Rutland Park and Nobleton is often shallow in low water levels. The park is on the southeast side of the SR 44 Bridge, approximately 11.5 miles from Wildwood and 6.5 miles from Inverness.
Access #15, Mile 53.5, Turner Camp The property was acquired for protection of the area’s groundwater recharge, as well as important surface water features and wetland habitats, part of the Floridan aquifer’s recharge/discharge system. From Inverness, traveling on US 41, turn east onto CR 581-Turner Camp Road. Travel 7 miles until the road ends at the boat ramp.
Access #16, Mile 63, Spruce Park From SR 200, turn west onto Spruce Drive, just south of the Withlacoochee Bridge. The park is 0.5 miles on the right.
Access Points for Lower Section (Spruce Park to US 41 Bridge, 12.5 miles)
The Lower Section is reminiscent of the Upper Section, with defined banks and less cypress swamp. A number of sand bars suitable for camping occur along this stretch, depending on water levels. The popular crystal-clear Rainbow River feeds into the Withlacoochee about a half mile before the end of the designated trail. Spring-fed Gum Slough is also a tributary of the lower Withlacoochee and offers a delightful paddling experience.
Access #16, Mile 63, Spruce Park From SR 200, turn west onto Spruce Drive, which is just south of the Withlacoochee Bridge. The park is 0.5 mile on the right.
Access #17, Mile 76, End of the Trail, Centennial Park Centennial Park is located on northwest side of US 41 Bridge in Dunnellon.
Outfitters and Shuttle Service
Angler’s Resort, 12189 S Williams St., Dunnellon (352) 489-2397 Aquatic Wilderness Adventures, 19783 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Dunnellon (352) 643-0524 Dragonfly Watersports, 20336 E Pennsylvania Ave, Dunnellon, (352) 489-3046
Withlacoochee South Paddling Trail Guide
Nobleton Canoe Rental 29295 Lake Lindsey Rd., Nobelton, (352) 796-7176 Rainbow River Canoe and Kayak, 12121 River View, Dunnellon (352) 489-7854 Rainbow River Kayak Adventures, 11463 N Williams St., Dunnellon (352)-489-3046 Withlacoochee River RV Park, 39847 SR 575, Dade City (352) 583-4778
Base Camp
There are many options for camping along the Withlacoochee River during multi-day paddling trips. For exploring more of the region, the Rainbow Springs State Park makes a wonderful base camp with a full- facility campground. Plan on paddling the Withlacoochee and popular Rainbow Rivers, as well as hiking, cycling and riding horses on public conservation lands in the area. The nearby popular 46-mile Withlacoochee State Trail is the longest paved rail-trail in Florida. Archaeological evidence indicates that people have been using Rainbow Springs for nearly 10,000 years. Rainbow Springs is Florida's fourth largest spring and, from the 1930s through the 1970s, was the site of a popular, privately-owned roadside attraction. A picnic area at the spring includes enticing paved trails winding through the beautiful gardens that were once part of the old roadside attraction. Canoes and kayaks can be rented at the headsprings. To beat summer heat, bring a tube or float and launch at the Tube Entrance, about 1.4 miles south of the Campground Entrance on SW 180th Avenue Road,. This is nine miles from the Headsprings Entrance, which is located three miles north of Dunnellon on the east side of U.S. 41.
Stefis Demetropolous Steve Cournoyer
Middle Section Lacoochee Ramp Limpkins Diane Lewis, Florida Cracker Photography