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 develop and maintain water trails, protect the environment along those trails, serve as a resource and voice for paddlers, and promote paddling safety." 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
Kissimmee River Paddling Trail
Submitted by Steve Cournoyer, Region C Co-Director
Kissimmee River Paddling Trail
Kissimmee River Paddling Trail
Kissimmee River Paddling Trail
Kissimmee River Paddling Trail Details
Description: The Kissimmee Basin encompasses more than two dozen lakes in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes (KCOL), their tributary streams and associated marshes, and the Kissimmee River and floodplain. The basin forms the headwaters of Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades; together they comprise the Kissimmee-Okeechobee-Everglades (KOE) system.Public use on the Kissimmee River is cooperatively managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). To camp at these primitive river campsites or access them for the day, you will need a "Special Use License" (SUL) for each campsite. Always practice “Leave No Trace” principles. Please see the links below for more SUL information. Primitive river campsites have a picnic table and fire ring.
Skill Level: Intermediate / Advanced.
Distance/Approximate Time: There are multiple day trip and multi-day trip options.
Special Considerations: Public use on the Kissimmee River is cooperatively managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). To camp at these primitive river campsites or access them for the day, you will need a "Special Use License" (SUL) for each campsite. Here is the link to the Special Use License information page: https://www.sfwmd.gov/community-residents/recreation/sul - use this for step-by-step guides for creating an account and obtaining a reservation.
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/s32krt-coastal-rivers-and-blueways
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