A: The Emerald Coast
A: The Emerald Coast
Beginning at the Alabama border, the coastal stretch of this region covers the inside route of Northwest Florida's snow-white barrier islands and Emerald Green seas. Here paddlers can experience historic sites and enjoy Southern hospitality. This region also has a wealth of unspoiled rivers, including the Perdido, Coldwater, Blackwater, Yellow, Juniper / Sweetwater, Shoal, Holmes Creek and Econfina Creek.
1: Pensacola / Blackwater
Bordering the Florida-Alabama state line, this segment encompasses several outstanding rivers and it marks the beginning of the Florida Circumnavigation Saltwater Trail at Big Lagoon State Park. The almost 700-acre park offers hiking trails and a top-notch campground. Before beginning your adventure on the trail, be sure to climb Big Lagoon's observation tower for a good look at Perdido Key and outstanding examples of upland coastal marsh and forests.
After leaving Big Lagoon, the circumnavigational trail traverses the Fort Pickens Aquatic Preserve, which consists of 34,000 acres of seagrass beds, salt marshes and the undeveloped portions of Perdido Key and Santa Rosa Island. Paddling past the historic Fort Pickens and Gulf Islands National Seashore Naval Live Oaks Visitor's Center, this segment of the trail terminates at the Navarre Beach Bridge, some 35 miles later.
For river paddling, this segment includes four scenic state designated paddling trails: the Perdido, Coldwater, Blackwater and Juniper Creeks. Each offers long undeveloped stretches, numerous sandbars for rest stops and sparkling waters often tinted with yellow or red-black tannins from swamp vegetation, depending on rainfall levels.
35 mile stretch of Circumnavigational Trail
4 state designated river trails
Florida Cities: Pensacola, Milton
Contact: Contact our Region A Director or Trailkeeper for more information by clicking here.
Day Paddles and Overnight Camping Trip Maps
Areas
Inland Lakes (Bear, Hurricane, Karick and Stone)
Multiday Trail Maps
Coastal, River, Blueways, and Circumnavigational Trail Maps
Environmental Considerations
Coastal section is ideal for sea kayaks; canoes or smaller kayaks can be used on rivers.
This segment crosses channels with heavy boat traffic
Emergency Contacts
Police, Fire and Medical Emergencies: 911
Escambia County Sheriff: 850-436-9630
Santa Rosa County Sheriff: 850-983-1100
Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission Hotline: 1-888-404-3922
2: Santa Rosa Sound / Yellow River
Ah... Santa Rosa Sound on the Emerald Coast. Snow-white singing sands* and emerald green waters. A Northwest Florida paddler's paradise. Here you'll find Fort Walton Beach, playground of the south and Destin, the world's Luckiest Fishing Village.
In this segment of the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Trail you'll also find 46 miles of paddling bliss. The journey starts at Navarre Beach, progresses through the Intercoastal waterway known as "the Narrows" near Fort Walton Beach and crosses Choctawhatchee Bay on the way to Destin. Might even call it your "DESTINation" for the day!
After leaving the lights, shopping and fine dining of Destin behind you, several state parks and some of the world's only coastal dune lakes await. Grayton Beach State Park, located smack in the middle of new urbanist communities of Henderson Beach, Watercolor and Seaside is the terminus of this segment.
*Locals call it "singing sands" as the quartz crystals in the sand squeak as you walk.
Two rivers in this segment also delight paddlers: the Yellow and Shoal. Located in the western Panhandle near Crestview, the Yellow River is unique in that it drains the state's highest elevation. As a result, the current is faster and there are numerous high banks. The Shoal River, on the other hand, usually has a slower current and is easier to paddle upstream if desired.
46 mile stretch of Circumnavigational Trail
2 state designated river paddling trails
Florida Cities: Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, De Funiak Springs, Crestview
Contact: Contact our Region A Director or Trailkeeper for more information by clicking here.
Day Paddles and Overnight Camping Trip Maps
Areas
Multiday Trail Maps
Environmental Considerations
Crossing Destin Harbor you may experience significant tides and boat traffic.
Emergency Contacts
Police, Fire and Medical Emergencies: 911
Okaloosa County Sheriff: 850-651-7400
Walton County Sheriff: 850-892-8186
Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission Hotline: 1-888-404-3922
3: Econfina / St. Andrews
Be sure to bring a mask and snorkel if paddling either Holmes Creek or Econfina Creek. Both are remote streams that feature crystalline springs. Also, the upper portion of Econfina Creek might be the most challenging river paddle in Florida due to its rushing water, hairpin turns and steep banks. The middle and lower portions of the river are slower moving and okay for beginners.
The coastal part of this segment starts at Grayton Beach State Park. It's one of the few places in the world where coastal dune lakes meet saltwater and a sliver of sand is all the separates the freshwater of Western Lake from the Gulf of Mexico.
After exploring Western Lake be sure to stop at the master-planned resort community of Seaside. It's picture perfect, in-fact so much as many of the scenes from the movie The Truman Show with Jim Carey were filmed here.
Next stop is Panama City Beach (PCB), popular with vacationers and home to one of the largest Spring Break gatherings in the state. If you plan on staying at a motel be sure to get reservations in advance, as spring and summer are the busy seasons.
Leaving the "big city" behind, you'll enter into a more remote environment where your new companions are dolphins and an occasional fishing boat or jet fighter from Tyndall Air Force Base. This stretch (25 miles) offers incredible views of coastal dunes shaped by years of storms.
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park is a fitting end to this saltwater section, offering a true coastal wilderness experience. The preserve is accessible by foot or by boat, and circumnavigation paddlers can primitive camp in the preserve with advance reservations.
63 miles of Circumnavigational Trail
2 state designated river trails
Florida Cities: Panama City, Panama City Beach, Bonifay, Chipley
Contact: Contact our Region A Director or Trailkeeper for more information by clicking here.
Day Paddles and Overnight Camping Trip Maps
Areas
Environmental Considerations
The upper part of Econfina Creek requires intermediate to advanced paddling skills. It may require an overnight camping stop to complete section. The gauge at Scott's Bridge at put-in should be between 2 and 4 feet for best results.
If paddling the Gulf side, the coastal stretch has long stretches without public camping locations and will require motel overnights. Distinguishing motels from condominiums from the water can be difficult, as most motels are not marked on the water side.
No camping is allowed on Tyndall Air Force Base.
Emergency Contacts
Police, Fire and Medical Emergencies: 911
Walton County Sheriff: 850-892-8186
Bay County Sheriff: 850-747-4700
Gulf County Sheriff: 850-227-1115
Tyndall Air Force Base Operator: 850-283-1113
Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission Hotline: 1-888-404-3922