Paddle Florida, Suwannee River, FL

Paddle the storied Suwannee on a guided tour

by Alisson Clark | July 23, 2010

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Paddling the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail is one of those bucket-list, must-do Florida experiences. Stretching from White Springs north of Gainesville to the Gulf of Mexico in the town of Suwannee, the trail delivers some of the most pristine, undeveloped stretches of Florida wilderness you're ever likely to see.

The problem is, I'm a chicken.

As much as I love canoeing and kayaking, I'm afraid to head out on a 123-mile paddle on my own. Every time I imagine it, I hear banjo music.

Luckily, Paddle Florida's annual events offer the Suwannee experience with enough logistical support - and strength in numbers - to see paddlers through any incident that might crop up. The organization's signature event, a weeklong paddle from the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park to Manatee Springs State Park, is coming up October 14-21, 2010, and registration is already underway. Paddle Florida takes care of the unpleasant parts of an overnight paddle, i.e. packing food, water, tents and supplies into your watercraft. All you have to do is show up and paddle. In the evenings, paddlers enjoy the cameraderie of their fellow river folk and, if they wish, have meals prepared for them.

Entertainment at night includes live music, presentations about the river and summer-camp style fun from campfires to a congeniality contest. They'll even shuttle you back to your vehicle at the end of the trip.

Registration is $300 for adults, $275 for seniors and college students, $250 for kids 8-17, and free for kids 7 and under. Meals are $150 per person. If you’re not up for all 123 miles, check out the Paddle Florida Lite option, where four days or less costs $60 a day, meals $30 a day.

Check out photos and video of past trips to learn more.