Stir crazy from staying in due to Hurricane Idalia and want to go to a state park?
Many of them are open, but some remain closed, in the Suwannee River Basin in Georgia and Florida.
Or come to the WWALS Banks Lake Morning Paddle 2023-09-04.
![[Georgia and Florida State Parks Closed 2023-09-02]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-09-02--park-closures/many.jpg)
Georgia and Florida State Parks Closed 2023-09-02
According to Georgia State Parks Weather Alerts – Hurricane Idalia:
Continue reading
Update 2023-11-18: Pictures: Arriving Floyd’s Island, Okefenokee Swamp 2023-11-04.
Update 2023-09-06:
The park limits reservations on Floyd’s Island to 20 people.
To reserve your spot, RSVP on the meetup:
https://www.meetup.com/withlacoochee-alapaha-suwannee-rivers-wwals-outings/events/295388408/
You will also need to pay for your 20th of the reservation fee through the eventbrite ticket you will find on the meetup.
Update 2023-09-05: Floyd’s Island is reserved for WWALS for this outing.
Update 2023-08-14: SCFSP campsite is closed for renovations from November 1, 2023, until January 2025. But you can still pre-camp at Griffis Fish Camp if you reserve early.
Join us (pending a reservation for the island) to paddle 9 miles upstream in the Okefenokee for primitive camping on Floyd’s Island, which is the most remote place in Georgia: the farthest from any road, with very dark sky.
This primitive campout is a remote wilderness experience in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, appropriate for any level but be sure that you’re comfortable paddling your loaded kayak 9 miles against a current to get to the island. There is only one rest stop on the trail, Minnie’s Lake Platform at the 4 mile mark.
Coming back on Sunday the current will be with us all the way, making for an easy trip out on the most scenic trail in the swamp with plenty of wildlife viewing.
There is a portapotty at Minnie’s Lake and another at Floyd’s Island. No potable water, bring everything you need for two days. There is plenty of room for any type tent or hammock. The historic Floyd’s Cabin is also open.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, Saturday, November 4, 2023, overnight and return Sunday
Put In:
Stephen C. Foster State Park Ramp (SCFSP), 17515 GA-177, Fargo, GA 31631. From Fargo, travel south on US 441 to CR 177; turn left and travel to Stephen C. Foster State Park in Charlton County.
Plan accordingly to arrive on time, phone service is mostly nonexistent once you leave Fargo, Ga. and drive the 17 miles to Stephen C. Foster State Park.
![[Ready at SCFSP John S. Quarterman 2022-11-19, at Floyd's Island --Gretchen Quarterman 2022-11-06]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-11-04--floyds-island-camping-okefenokee/many.jpg)
Ready at SCFSP John S. Quarterman 2022-11-19, at Floyd’s Island –Gretchen Quarterman 2022-11-06
We saw the lally columns of Old Godwin Bridge, Bell Springs Run, Robinson Creek, Falling Creek, and we portaged around Big Shoals and paddled through Little Shoals, on the Suwannee River to White Springs Wayside Park Ramp, in a WWALS outing, Saturday, May 20, 2023.
![[Launch, Big Shoals, Little Shoals, Falling Creek, Wayside Park, Suwannee River 2023-05-20]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-05-20--big-shoals-suwannee-river-pictures/many.jpg)
Launch, Big Shoals, Little Shoals, Falling Creek, Wayside Park, Suwannee River 2023-05-20
Everyone had a good time in the balmy, breezy, partly-cloudy weather. The White Springs Gauge read 51.5 feet, which was perfect.
Plus a few small alligators.
Thanks to Dennis James Price for leading this one, and for pointing out the excellent lunch spot just below Big Shoals. Continue reading
Update 2023-05-30: Pictures: Portage Big Shoals, Paddle Little Shoals, Suwannee River 2023-05-20.
Join us as we portage around Big Shoals, the biggest rapids in Florida, and paddle through Little Shoals on the Suwannee River.
Practicing Geologist Dennis J. Price of Hamilton County will lead us past the lally columns of Old Godwin Bridge. Two thirds of a mile later, we will take out just before Big Shoals, and portage a quarter mile through the woods. Paddlers in good health should be able to do this. We do not recommend it for small children. We will be portaging: if you want to paddle through Big Shoals, do it on a different trip.
Then we’ll paddle past several creeks, including Bell Springs Run and Falling Creek.
About 3.5 miles downstream from Big Shoals, we’ll paddle through Little Shoals, which can get up to Class II rapids. Plus there’s another little rapid just before the railroad bridge and the US 41 bridge.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 2 PM, Saturday, May 20, 2023
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.
![[Big Shoals pictures from 2021-05-19]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-05-20--big-shoals-suwannee/many.jpg)
Big Shoals pictures from 2021-05-19
GA DNR keeps passing the buck about the proposal to strip mine for titanium within three miles of the Okefenokee Swamp, by miners from Alabama, Twin Pines Minerals, LLC. The Swamp is the headwaters of the Suwannee and St. Marys Rivers and it interchanges surface water with groundwater all the way down to the Floridan Aquifer, from which we all drink.
Please go ahead and send in your comment on the Mining Land Use Plan.
And ask your Georgia House Representative to sign on to HB 71, the Okefenokee Protection Act. That bill will not stop this permit application, but it would stop further expansion of that mine and any other mines on the east side of the Swamp.
![[Trail Ridge Land LLC]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-07-12--tpm-usace/big/trail-ridge-land.jpg)
Trail Ridge Land LLC
Land the Charlton County Tax Assessors show owned by Trail Ridge Land LLC.
The northwest corner buts right up against the Swamp.
Floridians, you can comment. And you can ask your Georgia friends and relatives to ask their statehouse members to sign on to HB 71.
Back in September, Georgia DNR Board Chair Bill Jones said Continue reading
Update 2023-01-31: Phosphate and titanium mining, water withdrawals, and trash @ NCFRPC 2023-01-26.
The guest speaker Thursday evening at the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council (NCFRPC) was Troy Roberts, Communications and Outreach Manager for the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD).
![[Permitting and Recreation --SRWMD @ NCFRPC 2023-01-26]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-01-26--ncfrpc-pictures/many.jpg)
Permitting and Recreation –SRWMD @ NCFRPC 2023-01-26
While I’m sure he’d be willing to come speak to your organization, I’d like to mention a few things he talked about, namely permitting and recreation.
On the SRWMD website, Continue reading
Update 2023-03-14: Again rescheduled: Suwannee River Chainsaw Cleanup 2023-06-10.
Update 2023-02-15: Rescheduled: Suwannee River Chainsaw Cleanup 2023-03-19.
Update 2023-01-27: Rescheduled: Suwannee River Chainsaw Cleanup 2023-02-19.
You do not have to use a saw to join us as we clear three or four more deadfalls on the last five Suwannee River miles down to Fargo.
![[Chainsaw in canoe --Shirley Kokidko 2022-12-29]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-01-28--suwannee-chainsaw/IMG_0968.jpg)
Chainsaw in canoe –Shirley Kokidko 2022-12-29
Thanks to Adam Schock of the Conservation Fund for permission to use Three Steps Landing. That will make this one a lot easier than last time.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 4 PM, Saturday, January 28, 2023 Continue reading
Update 2022-11-08:
Tickets for the Refuge fee:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/okefenokee-paddle-and-floyds-island-camping-tickets-464297485277?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Because of the time change from DST to EST, the sun will set at 5:30 PM,
so Shirley has moved the gather and launch times an hour earlier,
to “give everyone time to get to Floyd’s and set up camp before it gets dark.
Saturday we will be on the water by 9 a.m. so come early enough (8 AM) to have your boat loaded. Remember to have a bow line on your kayak to tie off at Minnie’s Shelter, the only rest stop. It may also come in handy if we have to get out and drag through low spots. If we want a campfire, it helps to carry firewood. I’ll bring some that we can divide up and everyone can carry a piece or two.
Sunday will be a leisurely launch time.”
This is primitive, wilderness camping and paddling at its best.
To come on this outing be sure that you are comfortable paddling your loaded boat for 9 miles against a moderate current with only 1 stopping point to get out for a break. Minnie’s Lake platform is the 4 mile lunch stop, then 5 more miles to Floyd’s Island.
Yes, there will be alligators in the heart of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.
Continue readingJoin us for 2 nights of rustic camping and cooking at Griffis Fish Camp on the Suwannee River downstream from the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refugee. Camping cost is $5.00 per person per night. There is also a $2.00 launch fee for each person. We have the Red Top shelter reserved so you can pitch your tent anywhere in the area. If you need hookup for a camper, you’ll need to reserve your own spot. Bring some firewood if you can. It gets dark early & chilly in December and we’ll enjoy a campfire both nights.
When: Gather 4 PM, launch none, sunset 5:29 PM, end all day, Friday, December 2, 2022
Gather 8:45 AM, launch 9:30 AM, end allday, Saturday, December 3, 2022
Wake up 8 AM, launch whenever you like, end go home, Sunday, December 4, 2022
Put In Friday: Griffis Fish Camp, 10333 Ga Highway 177 Fargo, Georgia 31631. From Fargo, travel south on US 441 to CR 177; turn left and travel 10 miles northeast; Griffis Fish Camp is on left, in Clinch County.
GPS: 30.78246, -82.443594
Take Out Friday: camping
Put In Saturday: Stephen C. Foster State Park Ramp, 17515 GA-177, Fargo, GA 31631. From Fargo, travel south on US 441 to CR 177; turn left and travel to Stephen C. Foster State Park, in Charlton County.
Saturday we’ll launch from Stephen Foster State Park at 9:30 and paddle 7 miles back to Griffis, with a lunch stop at the Sill where we will probably have to portage over. If the water level continues to be low, be prepared to portage your kayak over low spots and deadfall. If you don’t have a Ga. State Park pass or a National Park Pass, there is a fee for parking at SFSP. Ga. State Park passes are also free to borrow from any public library.
Take Out Saturday: Griffis Fish Camp
Back at camp we’ll get the fires going and start cooking. Show us what you can do with your old cast iron! There is no menu, absolutely anything goes. Bring your own plates/bowls/utensils to help reduce waste.
Put In Sunday: Griffis Fish Camp
GPS: 30.78246, -82.443594
Sunday morning will be a leisurely packing up. There is no check out time. If there is interest (and clean pots) maybe we can cook breakfast too. Everyone is free to go back to explore the Okefenokee further before heading home.
Take Out Sunday: Go home
![[Cast Iron Cookout, Suwannee River Sill, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Griffis Fish Camp Beach]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-12-02--camp-paddle-griffis/many.jpg)
Cast Iron Cookout, Suwannee River Sill, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Griffis Fish Camp Beach
Nobody said anything new about the titanium strip mine proposed near the Okefenokee Swamp, when the Board of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources met at the Stephen C. Foster State Park Eco-Lodge, just outside the Okefenokee Swamp, in Fargo, Georgia.
But you can tell Georgia legislators and candidates in the election
that
a majority of Georgians say the state should immediately protect the Swamp from mining, according to a recent poll.
www.protectgeorgia.org/okefenokee
![[DNR Board and Twin Pines dragline]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-09-27--ga-dnr-okefenokee/many.jpg)
DNR Board and Twin Pines dragline
Citizens were not allowed to speak to the Board.
But you can send them a message:
https://wwals.net/issues/titanium-mining/#howtocomment
Floridians, you can write to GA-DNR, too, telling them part of the Okefenokee Swamp is in Florida, and anything that affects it will affect the Suwannee River of the Florida State Song.
TwinPines.Comment@dnr.ga.gov
Former Valdosta City Council member John Eunice, now Assistand Director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, basically recited Continue reading
![[Gator and kayak]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-11-19--floyds-island-camping-okefenokee/big/676x380.jpg)