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Florida West Coast Trip Logistics

(seashells)

The following are map cooridantes in Delorme's Florida Atlas & Gazetteer.

Capitiva Island (seashells)
Florida Caverns State Park (Tour $4)
Goethe State Forest (Dunnellon)
Myakka State Forest (Bradenton)
Naples Area
   Blackwater/Royal Palm Hammock Creek 110/C2
   Collier-Seminole State Park
   Corkscrew Swamp 111/B3 (Wood Storks)
   Estero Bay/River 110/A3
   Imperial River 111/B1
Pine Log State Forest (Ebro)
Point Washington State Forest (Panama City)
Withlacoochee State Forest (Brooksville)

Overnight parking and camping not permitted at rest areas. 3 hour stay limit.

Florida state forest & state parks offer 50 percent discount to Florida residents over 65.

10,000 Islands:

Naples
Collier-Seminole State Park
15 miles W on US 41 from it's junction with SR 29/CR29 (3 miles north of Everglades City). $13?.

Naples
Picayune Strand State Forest & Wildlife Management Area
18 miles SE of Naples on US41 (Tamiami Trail) just past Collier-Seminole State Park then 2 miles N. $5?, 2 other primitive camping areas are on the N side of the WMA, 1 on Everglades Blvd (Alligator Alley), 1 S of Alligator Alley on Kirkand Road. 14 day limit, toilets, no drinking water, all year.

Boat Luanches: Collier Seminole State Park (Black Water Creek)
SR 92 bridge to Marco Island - also anywhere along SR 92
CR 951 bridge to Marco Island - also anywhere along CR 951

Apalachicola Bay Area

Write for National Forest brochure on canoe trails. Pick up information at ranger stations (for different sections) at Crawfordville and Bristol.

Camping Areas:
Apalachicola Bay Campground RV Park $15/night $80.56/week
Rating: Camping Areas, Fair, Noise: Bad, Generator noise, heavy street noise from US 98 night and day. Barking dogs all night and day. Cooing Morning Doves all day.
Eastpoint, Gulf View Campground $15
St. George Island, St. George Island State Park

Apalachicola National Forest:

Notes:
Apalachiacola National National Estuarine Research Reserve
Visitor center & exhibits
261 Seventh Street
Apalachiacola, FL 32320 (904) 653-8063

Camping Areas:
Apalachicola National Forest, Hickory Landing Campground (FR 101) $3, camping areas, Good, Noise, Excellent, Shower at Wright Lake for $2
Apalachicola National Forest, Wright Lake Campground (FR 101) $8, Showers
Apalachicola National Forest, Silver Lake Campground $8 (closed?) Showers
Apalachicola National Forest, Lost Lake Campground (closed?) Showers

Boat Launches:
Smith Creek, Smith Creek Hunt Camp (FR 124) $0
Fort Gadsen Creek (South Prong), On SR 65, take first right (across from FR 143 & RR xing) south of Fort Gadsen Creek bridge (2 miles south of Fort Gadsen) then first right to end

Aucilla River:

Notes:
Lots of bike routes in the area.

Camping Areas:
Lamont, A Campers World $15/night $65/week, Modem (Sprint pay phone), Camping Areas: Fair, Noise: Bad, Lots of street (truck) noise all night because the park's right of off US 10 & US 19. Minor train noise. Gives good access to the Aucilla and Wacissa Rivers and so so access to Econfina River. Cold showers.

Boat Launches:
Aucilla River, US 27 bridge over the Aucilla River
Aucilla River, From US 27 junction take SR 257A 4.1 miles south. Turn left at the Middle Aucilla sign onto Lanier Road and follow dirt road .9 miles. Turn left at kiosk and then make first right.
Aucilla River, From US 27 junction take SR 257A 7.7 miles south to bridge over the Aucilla River - pretty rocky put in
Aucilla River, From US 27 junction take SR 257A 11.7 miles south to where it turns into CR 14 (dirt road). Bear right after .6 miles. Follow this dirt road .75 miles to first bend to left and turn right onto logging road after .2 miles. Follow this road (and Public River Access signs) 2.5 miles to end (no turns). Turn right for .2 miles to launch.
Aucilla River, US 98 bridge over the Aucilla River at Aucilla Landing
Wacissa River, From US 27 junction take SR 59 south through town of Wacissa. Continue south. When SR 59 turns west (right) continue straight for another half mile to boat ramp.
Ecofina River, US 98 bridge over the Ecofina River
Ecofina River, Ecofina River State Park $4

Big Lagoon State Recreation Area:

Camping Areas:
Big Lagoon State Recreation Area

Blackwater River State Forest:

Notes: Blackwater Forestry Center for info. located on FL 191 just below FL 4. 21 miles of hiking trails. Blackwater (scenic) River 58 miles plus 4 other scenic rivers in area.

Camping Areas:
Harold, Blackwater River State Park $8 plus tax
Campground, Good, Campsite, Good, Noise, Good
Holt, Rivers Edge RV Campground $15
Munson, Krul Lake Campground $8
Munson, Bear Lake Campground $8 (rest of area is free)

Boat Launches:
Harold, Blackwater River, Blackwater River State Park
Holt, Blackwater River, Bryant Bridge. From Blackwater State Park exit turn left and driver 3.9 miles to US 90. Turn left on US 90 and continue 12 miles to Cooper Lane, just inside the Holt city limits. Turn left and proceed .1 mile to John Road. Turn left and continue 2.5 miles to the put in on the right, just before Bryant Bridge over the Blackwater River.
Baker, Blackwater River, Cotton Bridge, 4 miles west of Baker on SR 4.

Blue Springs State Park:

Camping Areas:
Blue Springs State Park Boat Launches:
Blue Springs State Park

Crystal River:

Notes: Lots of bike routes in the area

Camping Areas:
Crystal River, Lake Rousseau Campground $18
See Homosassa Spring too
Boat Launches:
SR 44 at end. Crystal River - all marsh. Not attractive.

Falling Waters State Recreation Area:

Notes: Access to Holmes Creek and Ecofina Creek canoe trails

Camping Areas:
Chipley, Falling Waters State Recreation Area
Rating: Camping Areas: Fair, Noise: Poor, No privacy, Generator noise, Dogs barking throughout night, Train noises in morning.
Chipley, Northwest Florida Campground $15
Ponce de Leon, Vortex Spring Diving Resort $13
Bonifay, Kokapelli South Campground $17 Modem

Boat Launches:
Holmes Creek, From SR79 north in Vernon, cross bridge and take dirt road east .25 miles to Vernon Wayside Park
Holmes Creek, Take CR 278 west 3 miles from Vernon; take dirt road 1 mile south to Brunson Landing
Holmes Creek, Take SR 79 south from Vernon 4 miles to Hightower Springs Road. Go north .5 miles to Hightower Springs Landing.
Holmes Creek, From New Hope, take CR 284 west 1.5 miles to second dirt road. Take dirt road north about 1 mile to Live Oak Landing.
Ecofina Creek, From US 231 4 miles north of Fountain, take Scott's Road 4 miles west to Scott's Bridge.
Ecofina Creek, From SR 20 turn north on Strickland Road which becomes Porter Pond Road. There is a fence line on the right side of the road. Follow the fence line and make 2 right turns where the fence turns. Take Walsingham Bridge Road to the Walsingham Bridge.
Ecofina Creek, One mile north of SR 20 on Strickland Road to Ecofina Canoe Livery.
Ecofina Creek, SR 20 bridge
Ecofina Creek, SR 388 bridge
Choctawhatchee River, Take 79 north out of Vernon. On the other side of the Holmes Creek bridge turn left on CR 279 (not CR 278). Turn left on CR 170 in about 1.5 miles and follow it 12.1 miles to the end. Turn left on CR 280 and follow it .6 miles to CR 284. Cross CR 284 and follow dirt road 1.8 miles to Hinson Crossroads boat ramp.

Gulf Islands National Seashore:

Gulf Breeze
Fort Pickens Campground
Gulf Islands National Seashore
From I-10, take I-110S to Pensacola. Take US Hwy 98S / FL Hwy 30 over Pensacola Bay to Gulf Breeze. Follow 98 through Gulf Breeze, turn RIGHT onto FL Hwy 399 to Pensacola Beach. $1 per vehicle toll booth entering Pensacola Beach, then turn RIGHT @ the traffic light onto Ft. Pickens Road. It is about 3 miles to the Park Entrance Station, then 4 miles to CG Registration Office. $20, 180 sites w/hookups, drinking water, flush toilets, dump, boat ramps, all year. more info.

Gulf Island National Seashore, 2 campgrounds with water & hookups

Gulf Island National Seashore, Eastship Island Campground (Primitive)

Gulf Island National Seashore, Horn Island Campground (Primitive)

Gulf Island National Seashore, Petit Bois Island Campground (Primitive)

Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Davis Bayou Campground
Gulf Island National Seashore
S of US90 E of downtown Ocean Springs, Mississippi. $16, 51 sites w/water &and electric, 45ft RV limit, restrooms, hot showers. 14 day limit more info.

Homosassa Springs:

Notes: Lots of bike routes in the area. Homosassa Springs is a tourist trap. Chassahowitzka River is a gem.

Camping Areas:
Homosassa Springs, Turtle Creek Campground $16
Homosassa Springs, Nature's Resort & Marina $20 (modem)
Chassahowitzka, Chassahowitzka (City Park) River Campground, $12
Rating: Camping Areas, Excellent, Noise: Fair, Airplane noise (see Crystal River too)

Boat Launches:
Chassahowitzka (City Park) River Campground
SR 494 at end. Homosassa Springs - all marsh. Not attractive.
SR 550 at end. Weeki Wachee - all marsh. Not attractive.

Lake Seminole:

Camping Areas:
Sneads, Three Rivers State Recreation Area $8/night $55.20/week
Rating: Camping Areas:Fair, Noise: Fair, No privacy, Distant train noises all night long, Barking dogs in distant, Morning doves. Motor boats till late at night and early in morning.
Bristol, Torreya State Park
Marianna, Florida Caverns State Park

Boat Launches:
Lake Seminole, Three Rivers State Recreation Area
Chipola River, Florida Caverns State Park
Chipola River, SR 167 bridge
Chipola River, SR 280 Magnolia Road bridge
Chipola River, SR 278 Peacock Bridge Road bridge
Chipola River, SR 274 bridge
Chipola River, SR 20 bridge
Chipola River, SR 71 bridge

Manatee Springs State Park:

Camping Areas:
Boat Launches:

Myakka River State Park:

Camping Areas:
Sarasota, Myakka River State Park $11 + tax, Camping Areas: Excellent, Campsites: Poor, Noise: Fair, Generators kicking in during the night. Beautiful, beautiful park, lousy, lousy campsites stacked on top of each other.
Boat Launches:
Sarasota, Upper Myakka Lake, Myakka River State Park State Park
Arcadia, Peace River, Desoto County Park at east end of FL 70 bridge over Peace River in Arcadia

Ochlockonee River:

Camping Areas:
Panacea, Panacea RV Park $16
Sochoppy, Ochlockonee River State Park $14/night $76.30/week, Rating: Camping Areas: Good, Noise: Excellent

Boat Launches:
Ochlockonee River, Ochlockonee River State Park
Ochlockonee River, SR 267 bridge over Ochlockonee River
Ochlockonee River, From Sopchoppy, take CR 375 10-12 miles north to FR 336 (Mack Lake Road), follow to end
Ochlockonee River, From Sopchoppy, take CR 375 22 miles north to FR 335 (Pine Creek Road), follow to end
Sochoppy River, Ochlockonee River State Park
Sochoppy River, SR 319 bridge over Sochoppy River,

Rainbow River:

Camping Areas:
Dunnellon, Rainbow River State Park $13.12 (includes tax), Campground: Fair, Campsite: Fair, Noise: Good, Campsites in my area were fair. Down by the river tents were jammed so close together you wouldn't be able to walk between them.

Boat Launches:
Dunnellon, Rainbow River, Rainbow River State Park

Sanibel Island:

Camping Areas:
Estero, Koreshan State Historic Site
St. James City, KOA-Fort Myers Pine Island RFV Park $23 (modem)
Naples, Collier-Seminole State Park

St. George's Island:

Camping Areas:
St. George Island, St. George Island State Park

St. Joseph Peninsula:

Camping Areas:
Port St. Joe, Cape San Blas Resort $12
Port St. Joe, Presnell's Bayside Mariana & RV Resort $12
St. Joseph Peninsula, St. Joseph Peninsula State Park

St. Vincent's National Wildlife Refuge:

See St. George Island

Suwannee River:

Notes:
230 miles long. Some class 5 rapids. Sturgeon appear June through August.

Camping Areas:
Live Oak, Suwannee River State Park $10, Rating: Camping Areas: Good, Noise: Poor, Trains going by 3-5 times a night just outside the park. 11+ miles of hiking trails.
Mayo, Jim Hollis' Suwannee River Rendezvous $5/person

Boat Launches:
Suwannee River State Campground
SR 249 Bridge over Suwannee River
SR 51 bridge over Suwannee River
Jim Hollis' Suwannee River Rendezvous

Tampa Bay Area:

Camping Areas:
Bradenton, Lake Manatee State Recreation Area $11, Rating: Camping Areas: Good, Noise: Fair, I mistook this campground for Little Manatee State Recreation Area 20 miles away. Sites separated from neighbors with small oaks and palmettos. Front is wide open to road though. Nearby racetrack can generate noise till 10pm.
Palmetto, Frog Creek Campground $13 - Modem (wall jack available 9am-11am, no electrical outlet) Rating: Camping Areas: Good, Noise: Fair. Pretty, Live Oaks & Spanish moss. Frog Creek it really pretty.
Bradenton, Arbor Terrace RV Park $20
Tampa, Happy Traveler RV Park $18 (modem)
Tampa, Spanish Main RV Resort $19
St. Petersburg, Robert's Mobile Home & RV Resort $17

Boat Launches:
Little Manatee River: SR 301 bridge over the river just past Little Manatee State Recreation Area heading west. Little Manatee State Recreation Area.
Upper Manatee River: Boat ramp on Rye Road, just past Rye Wilderness Area off of SR 675, 5-6 miles past SR 64 junction. Other boat ramps at 2 canoe rental places on Upper Manatee Road.

Wakulla Springs:

Camping Areas:

Boat Launches:
Wakulla River, US 98 bridge over Wakulla River (Canoe Rental Place)
Wakulla River, SR 365 bridge over Wakulla River

Western Coastal Area:

Lakeland
Saddle Creek Campground
Polk County Parks
8 miles E of Lakeland on US92, N on Fish Hatchery Road, follow signs. 40 sites, $7?, primitive sites, $10? sites w/electric & water, flush toilets, drinking water, showers, dump, 14 day limit, all year.

Brookesville
Canoe Camp
Withlacoochee State Forest
4 miles E of Brookesville off Rital-Croom Road. Free?, primitive tent sites (no vechicles), no facilities, canoeing.

Sumner
Shellmound Park
Levy County Parks
4 miles SW of Sumner on SR24, 1 miles N on CR347, 3 miles W on CR326 on Gulf of Mexico near Hog Island. 15 sites, $3.50? primiitve sites, $5?, sites w/electric, 7 day limit, flush toilets, drinking water, boatiing, all year.

Withlacoochee River:

Camping Areas:
Madison, River Campground $12 Camping Areas: Fair; Campsite: Fair Noise: Poor Campground right next to I75 so I got all that wonderful highway noise. It's not like I don't know any better.
Madison, Frontier Territory RV Campground & Water Park $15
Valdosta (GA), River Park, $14
Valdosta (GA), Valdosta Oaks RV Park & Campground $14

Boat Launches:
Pinetta, Withlaocoochee River, on the Georgia side of the FL 145/GA 31 bridge over the Withlacoochee River. Might be some camping here if you like lots of trash.

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