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-Haulover-Cedar Creek Paddle Paddle
Submitted by Steve Cournoyer - Region C Co-Director
Stony Bayou-Haulover-Cedar Creek Paddle Paddle
Stony Bayou-Haulover-Cedar Creek Paddle Paddle
Stony Bayou-Haulover-Cedar Creek Paddle Paddle
Stony Bayou-Haulover-Cedar Creek Paddle Paddle Details
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 with an occasional smattering of smooth cordgrass. Once in Haulover Creek, there are side creeks and islands to navigate around, with some winding and twisty turns. Navigation can be tricky. A good map and compass, or GPS is recommended. Cedar Creek leads back to the Gulf.
Skill Level: Advanced
Distance/Approximate Time: 12.3 Miles / 5.5 hours
Launch Site: St Marks NWR Lighthouse Ramp
Take Out: This is an out an back paddle route
Special Considerations: Recommend paddling on medium to high tide only. Some open water paddling in the Gulf can be quite rough on windy days. The creek bottoms are mostly sandy.
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/s5smw-day-paddles
