Connecting Paddlers to Florida's Water Trails
Welcome to the Florida Paddling Trails Association (FPTA). We are the steward of Florida's paddling trails. FPTA's mission is to support, improve, and maintain water trails; promote environmental protection along the trails; serve as a resource and advocate for paddlers; and promote paddling safety and education. Read more
Our website has information on most water trails in the state including the longest paddling trail in the continental United States, the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail (CT). You can find details on day paddles, campsites, launches, sights to see, and facilities along the trails by clicking on the Paddling Trails link on the top menu bar, under Paddling.
Trail of the Month
Stony Bayou Paddle Paddle
Submitted by Steve Cournoyer - Region C Co-Director
Stony Bayou Paddle
Stony Bayou Paddle
Stony Bayou Paddle
Stony Bayou Paddle
Description: This is a St Marks NWR paddle that takes you four miles down the coast, past the iconic St Marks Lighthouse and into Stony Bayou. The shallow coastal shoreline has some small sandy beaches along the way if you need to take a break. Turning up into the bayou, the shoreline consists mainly of black needlerush and a smattering of smooth cordgrass as you wind past island hammocks near the end. The creek enables you to access the east side of the Mounds Pool impoundment road, where you can get out and walk along the trail to stretch your legs. Eagles, Ospreys, and shorebirds are usually plentiful paddle offers some variety, open water paddling, navigation around oyster bars, visiting springs and a great tannic creek paddle. Spring Creek is aptly named for it’s 13 springs located near the creek’s mouth. Unfortunately, the tannic creek does not allow for the usual clear Florida springs vistas. However you can see a few of the boils as they reach the surface, especially Spring #1 with an extremely high outflow, and the smaller Spring #2 (See Map). The creek itself goes almost all the way to the Florida Hiking Trail.
Skill Level: Advanced
Distance/Approximate Time: 13.7 Miles / 5.5 Hours
Launch Site: St Marks NWR Lighthouse Ramp
Take Out: This is an out and back paddle route
Special Considerations: Recommend paddling on medium to high tide only. Some open water paddling. The upper part of the bayou is shallow, however the bottom is mostly sandy. In general, the deeper water is usually along the shorelines, not out in the middle.
Trip planning: In addition to weather, planning for your trip should include tide and wind forecasts. When Trip planning, please see our Paddling Resources > Planning Tools page - https://www.floridapaddlingtrails.com/planning-tools
For more information: go to: https://www.floridapaddlingtrails.com/s5psm-day-paddles-overnight-primitive-camp-trips
