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
Scipio Creek - Turtle Harbor Paddle
Submitted by Steve Cournoyer Region C Co-Director
Boat Basin
Scipio Creek
Scipio Creek
Scipio Creek - Turtle Harbor Paddle
Description: Leaving the Battery Park ramp, you’ll go by some of Apalachicola’s pleasure boats before heading under the US98 bridge. Historic Apalachicola is on your left along with the shrimp boat fleet. Stay to the left shore to enter Scipio Creek. Just before you reach the wild part of the creek, you’ll pass the marina basin, which holds an interesting collection of commercial boats, and is worth a paddle in to see the variety of boats. From this point on, Turtle Harbor on your left and Scipio Creek are mostly wild with only a couple buildings along the trail. The shoreline is mostly cattails and occasional stretches of Phragmites australus, which are invasive reeds that can grow to 16 feet tall, and look like a wall lining the creek.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Distance/Approximate Time: 8.4 Miles/4 Hours
Launch Site: Battery Park Ramp
Take Out: This is an out and back paddle route
Special Considerations: Creek is tidal, but the current is not strong, and the creek is deep.
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/s4ep-day-paddles-overnight-trips
