Florida Paddling Trails Association

The Florida Paddling Trails Association, which was initially formed to provide support for the Florida Circumnavigational Salt Water Trail, has increased its’ scope to include inland paddling trails. They are actively recruiting paddle trail keepers. To read more about the organization go to www.floridapaddlingtrails.com.

I have decided to work with this group and have volunteered to be the Chipola River Paddling Trail contact. My first goal was to paddle the entire 52-mile water trail sections at a time. I have accomplished this goal and will work toward finding legal camping spots, do river clean-ups, and promoting paddling on the Chipola River.

Springs in the Chipola River Basin

There are a total of 63 springs identified in a 2003-04 study conducted by the North West Florida Water Management District with funding from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. In Jackson County, 30 of these springs are located north of I-10 and 28 are south of I-10. There are 5 more springs in Calhoun County. The springs can be categorized as typical fissure-type vents and those that discharge by diffuse percolation, which are called seep springs.
Discharge measurements of the Chipola River at US 90 indicated a base flow of approximately 300 cubic feet per second. At CR 274 west of Altha, the base flow is 800 cubic feet per second. The small surface water drainage streams emptying into the Chipola River cannot account for this increase. The major tributaries to the Chipola River are Rocky Creek, Dry Creek, and Spring Creek which all are spring runs for first and second magnitude springs groups.
One would expect that since much of the water in the Chipola River comes from springs that it would have clear water most of the time. This is not true, because the upper Chipola River runs through rich farmland, and the water traveling downstream is often muddy. Only at low water levels after an extended period without rain will the water be clear.

Camping

Camping is available at Florida Cavern State Park, 3345 Caverns Road, Marianna, FL 32446. 850-482-9599 or 850-482-1228. The toll-free number for reservations is 1-800-326-3521 and the website for reservations is www.ReserveAmerica.com.
This Park is about a half mile north of the Chipola Boat Ramp on SR 166 at Yancey Bridge

The second spot for camping is a private campground at Scotts Ferry General Store and Campground. They have some cabins, and space for tents or trailers/RV's. There number is 850-674-2900 and they are located at 6684 Sr. 71 S, Blountstown, FL 32424

Camping On the River: A majority of the land is privately owned so there are no officially designated camping sites along the river. There are two islands where locals camp, and some people paddle a short distance up Dry Creek and camp on a spot on the left side of the creek. Sandbars are extremely limited along the Chipola, so one cannot expect to camp on sandbars.

Where to Rent a Canoe or Kayak

Paddling on the lower Chipola in a section of the river known as Ward Lake

Bear Paw Canoe Trails

850-482-4948

21oo Bear Paw Lane, Marianna, FL 32446


Bear Paw Canoe Trails are open daily from April through September. During other months of the year one should call and make an appointment. They have two trips:

1. From SR 166 to the Bear Paw Landing immediately before Magnolia Bridge. On this trip one can see Sandbag Spring, the caves called the Ovens, and Maund Spring, paddle a ways up Spring Creek, or stop for a swim.

2. Spring Creek and Chipola Paddle. This is a short paddle down twisty Spring Creek which empties into the Chipola River, and ends at the Bear Paw Landing. Expect this paddle to be crowded with tubers on summer week-ends.


Scotts Ferry General Store and

Campground at 850-674-2900

6648 State Road 71 S, Blountstown, FL 32424

The Scotts Ferry Store has canoes and kayaks for rent and will furnish shuttle service with advanced arrangements. If you don't call in advance and coordinate with the store, one is limited to paddling upstream and back from the boatramp on the Chipola River.

1. Jehue Landing to Scotts Ferry: A 7 mile paddle from a Calhoun County put-in down to Scotts Ferry.
2.SR 20 to Scotts Ferry: A 14 mile paddle from SR 20 west of Blountstown to Scotts Ferry.

Using the Greenwave Forum

There are many descriptions and pictures of the Chipola River Paddling Trail posted on the Greenwave Forum. To find the information, use the link in this blog, or go to www.clubkayak.com/greenwave and select NW Florida from the Homepage. Then select Chipola River from the list of paddles and read the information posted.