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Upper Ochlocknee River Paddling Trail Guide
The Waterway
Beginning near the Georgia line, the narrow upper portion of the upper Ochlockonee twists around cypress knees and log jams as it flows toward Lake Talquin. The river originates in Worth County, Georgia, and flows 206-mile southward to Ochlockonee Bay. Most of this river corridor is completely undeveloped, surprising when considering that the city of Tallahassee is only a few miles away. The Upper Ochlockonee Paddling Trail empties into Lake Talquin and then reemerges below the Talquin Dam just above SR 20, renamed the Lower Ochlockonee River, another designated state paddling trail. Lake Talquin is an impoundment of the Ochlockonee River built in 1929 for power generation and very popular fishing and recreation area.
The Paddling Experience
The designated portion of the river is 27 miles long. However the first 15-miles from the SR 12 Bridge to the Old Bainbridge Road Bridge is a very challenging with numerous blockages and downed trees making it barely navigable. A better option is to paddle 12 miles of the river below the Old Bainbridge Road Bridge with less of these challenges. If the USGS gauge level is below 12.5 feet, expect numerous pullovers or portages. Do not attempt to park or access the river from US 27. Access points are remote and not well-developed, leave unattended vehicles at your own risk.
Access Points
#1, Start of the Trail, SR 12 Directions: From Tallahassee travel north on Meridian Road (SR 155) to SR 12. Turn left (west) and proceed to bridge and unimproved boat launch at southwest side of the bridge #2, Mile 15, Old Bainbridge Road Bridge (SR 157) Access is on the northeast side of the bridge. Directions: From Tallahassee take US 27 (Monroe Street) north about 5 miles past I-10 to CR 157 (Old Bainbridge Road). Turn right on Old Bainbridge Road and travel about 3.5 miles to the bridge over the river. #3, Mile 21, Tower Road From Tower Road the river flows downstream through Lake Talquin State Forest. Directions: From Tallahassee travel north on CR 157 (Old Bainbridge Road) about a quarter mile after it merges with CR 263 (Capital Circle Northwest). Just before US 27, turn left on Tower Road and proceed about 1.6 miles to the unimproved landing where the road dead ends at the river. #4, Mile 27, End of the Trail, US 90 Boat ramp and parking is located on the southwest side of the Ochlockonee River Bridge. Directions: From CR 273 (Capital Circle Northwest) in Tallahassee, travel west on US 90 about 3 miles.