This Florida Paddle Notes category, Santa Fe River, is one of several rivers explored and documented by Florida Paddle Notes
The River Rise has an abundance of wildlife to include several species of Turtles, Otters, Deer, Snakes, Herons, Egrets, Limpkins, Owls, and Ospreys among others. The shoreline, adorned with numerous Cypress Knees, is an assortment of hardwood trees and Saw Palmetto…James
This week, we decided to paddle downstream from our launch at Bible Camp Road and head toward the Santa Fe Sink, located at O’Leno State Park. The sink is where the Santa Fe River goes underground for just over three miles before emerging at River Rise. Access to the sink is blocked at the park, a half-mile upstream, however, the two-mile paddle to the park and back was quite an adventure!…James
The last time I paddled the Upper Santa Fe River and Olustee Creek was back in February ( You can read about that paddle here ). The trees were still bare but it was a great first visit to this section of the river. Today Florida Paddle Notes revisited the same route on what started out a beautiful sunny summer day and finished with a typical Florida thunderstorm. A very enjoyable paddle! …James
It’s been over 20 years since I’ve paddled on the Upper Santa Fe River, the stretch above Oleno State Park, and a first-time paddle onto Olustee Creek. It was a beautiful spring day ( despite being February ) and I was definitely treated to an exciting new adventure! …James
It was a very relaxing paddle with a hint of Fall in the air. The water was clean on both rivers and the lack of Tannin in the Santa Fe River was quite noticeable. Herons, Egrets, several species of Limpkins, an Eagle, and plenty of Turtles, were viewed, especially on the Ichetucknee. The fact that it is Fall, the tubing season being over and it being a weekday made for the peaceful solitude we were able to enjoy!…James
The Santa Fe River continues its flow for over 30 more miles until it meets the Suwannee River near Branford, Fl. Along the way, numerous springs feed into the river as do New River, Olustee Creek, and the Ichetucknee River. Due to the numerous springs, the water temperature is usually around 72 ° F, especially close to the springs…James
The Santa Fe River is a 75-mile river in north-central Florida and derives its name from a Franciscan mission named Santa Fé de Toloca once located near the river. Its source is Lake Santa Fe – Little Lake Santa Fe located north of Melrose and East of Waldo. The upper half of The Santa Fe is a small, winding creek that often dries in low water periods and the river is usually a slow-flowing river…James
A 26 mile Designated Paddling Trail runs from High Springs to Branford at the Suwannee River. The upper portion of this stretch has an abundance of popular springs and after the Ichetucknee River flows into the Santa Fe the river widens. In this section, there is more development and there are numerous powerboats as it flows into the Suwannee River…James
