Portage around Big Shoals, the biggest rapids in Florida, and paddle through Little Shoals on the Suwannee River.

Join us on this beautiful section of the Suwannee River. This paddle is appropriate for anyone who is in reasonable physical condition, agile enough to launch from a rocky edge (see photo above), and can portage your kayak 1/4 mile. The river is low and there are shoals to paddle around and possible low spots to drag through. There will be plenty of time to enjoy the magnificent views.

We will launch from Big Shoals State Park, paddle downstream 1 mile to the start of the portage trail around Big Shoals. Pack light as you will need to portage everything for approximately 1/4 of a mile on a dirt trail. Then we get back in our boats and paddle on through Little Shoals.

When: Gather 8:30 AM, launch 9:30 AM, end 2 PM, Friday, July 5, 2024

Put In: Big Shoals Tract Launch, From White Springs, travel north on CR 135 to SE 94 Street (Godwin Bridge Road); turn right and follow road to Big Shoals, in Hamilton County, Florida.

GPS: 30.3529705, -82.6879375

Portage Big Shoals, Paddle Little Shoals 2024-07-05, Suwannee River, to White Springs, FL

Take Out: Suwannee River Wayside Park Ramp, From White Springs, travel south on US 41 to the river; the ramp is on the south side in the town park, in Hamilton County, Florida.

Bring: the usual personal flotation device, boat, paddles, food, drinking water, warm clothes, and first aid kit.
Also trash pickers and trash bags: every WWALS outing is also a cleanup.
Have at least one tow rope on your boat, bow and stern is even better, a rope is needed to lower your boat back into the water after the portage. Everyone must wear a PFD at all times.

Free: This outing is free to WWALS members, and $10 (ten dollars) for non-members. You can pay the $10 at the outing, or online:
https://wwals.net/outings

We recommend you support the work of WWALS by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations

There is a $4 state park entrance fee per vehicle.

Event: facebook, https://www.meetup.com/withlacoochee-alapaha-suwannee-rivers-wwals-outings/events/301943312/

Duration: 5.5 hours

Paddle: 6 miles, 4.5 hours.

Shuttle: 12 miles, 30 minutes.
This outing includes the traditional WWALS shuttle. Everybody takes their boats to the put-in, most people drive to the take-out, and the drivers pile into one or two vehicles and go back to the put-in.

Host: Shirley Kokidko

Contact: Shirley Kokidko

Backup: in case of high or low water is: Cancel

More: For more WWALS outings and events as they are posted, see the WWALS outings web page, https://wwals.net/outings/. WWALS members also get an upcoming list in the Tannin Times newsletter.

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations

Starting past most of the shoals, 2021-05-19, 11:54:45, 30.3383715, -82.6834722

Dennis Price directing at Big Shoals, 2023-05-20, 11:42:21, 30.3384596, -82.6837801

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