Update 2022-11-09: Refuge fee tickets and start a hour earlier.
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 readingFour is enough for a fun Suwannee River paddle and portage around Big Shoals. Thanks to Bobby McKenzie for leading us.
![[Put In, Portage, Big Shoals, Bell Springs Run, Little Shoals, US 41]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2021-05-19--big-shoals-pictures/many.jpg)
Put In, Portage, Big Shoals, Bell Springs Run, Little Shoals, US 41
There are many more pictures on the WWALS website, with copies on facebook.
Dennis Price will lead us through the same stretch on Continue reading
Maybe the most remote section of the Suwannee River, from the GA-FL line to Roline and Turner Bridge: here are pictures of the second day of the WWALS March 5-6, 2022, riverbank camping outing.
![[Decamping, GA-FL line, Roline, Turner Bridge]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-03-06--roline-turner-bridge-suwannee-river/many.jpg)
Decamping, GA-FL line, Roline, Turner Bridge
As usual, expedition leader Shirley Kokidko was worried before we were even on the water. Many thanks for leading this one, Shirley. Continue reading
Update 2022-09-06: Pictures: State Line to Turner Bridge, Suwannee River 2022-03-06.
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division wants evidence of intentional full-immersion swimming to redesignate river segments from Fishing to Recreational for tighter pollution limits. OK, here are some movies. Plus grandmas in a tree.
![[Movie: Full immersion swimming, 16:30:59, 30.6006764, -82.6839565 (161M)]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-03-05--fargo-downstream-suwannee-river/20220305_163101.jpg)
Movie: Full immersion swimming, 16:30:59, (161M)
30.6006764, -82.6839565
Here is a WWALS video playlist.
Intentional swimming, Suwannee River, Echols County, GA 2022-03-05
30.6006764, -82.6839565
Videos by John S. Quarterman for WWALS Watershed Coalition, Inc.
For more swimming, see the still pictures from the same stretch of the river.
For context, see the WWALS map of the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. While the SRWT formally runs from White Springs, Florida, to the Gulf, WWALS maps the entire Suwannee River.
For more WWALS outings, see:
https://wwals.net/outings/
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/
Update 2022-09-01: Videos: Intentional swimming, Suwannee River, Echols County, GA, 2022-03-05.
Swimming, tree climbing, lunching, and paddling on the first day of a Suwannee River camping trip.
Thanks to Shirley Kokidko for organizing, and to the landowners for permission to camp. Continue reading
Update 2022-07-29: Good Water Quality, Withlacoochee, Little, Alapaha Rivers 2022-07-28.
Well, I missed this one. FDEP says it was reported on July 7th, but it wasn’t in their 30-day map last time I looked, so I’m not sure when it showed up.
![[FDEP report, aerial, WWALS map]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-07-07--high-springs-spill/many.jpg)
FDEP report, aerial, WWALS map
At only 500 gallons, 200 of that recovered, it probably didn’t have much effect on the Santa Fe River or its springs.
The address given seems to be a typo. The real address appears to be Continue reading
Update 2022-09-12: The ranger said the launch remains closed until it falls below 62 at White Springs. We are watching that gauge and you can, too.
A brief paddle downstream to the biggest rapids in Florida, portage around, and paddle through the next rapids, with Practicing Geologist Dennis Price.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 3 PM, Saturday, September 17, 2022
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.
![[White water, 14:19:25, 30.3381380, -82.6834810]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2021-05-14--big-shoals-scouting/20210514_141925.jpg)
White water, 14:19:25, 30.3381380, -82.6834810 2021-05-14
A summer saunter on the iconic Suwannee River, with swimming in viewing the connected sinks and springs of Five Holes.
According to the Park, Five Holes is closed for renovation, but we have permission from Park Manager Matt Phifer to swim in view Five Holes on this outing.
There may or may not be swimming through some of the holes if you know what you’re doing.
If the water is low like now, you can see through and it will be a walk through.
But there are no dark spots; the main danger with swimming is banging your head.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 2 PM, Saturday, August 13, 2022
Put In: Gibson Park Ramp, 6844 SW CR 751, Jasper, FL 32052. Right bank, west side of the river. From Jasper, Hamilton County, FL, travel southwest on Right bank. SW CR 249 to SW CR 751; turn left and boat ramp is on the right in Gibson Park.
Take Out: Suwannee River State Park Ramp
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. Mosquitoes can be bad at dusk so come prepared.
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
![[Five Holes, Alapaha River Rise, Suwanacoochee Spring, Suwannee River swing]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-08-13--gibson-park-five-holes-suwannee-river/many.jpg)
Five Holes, Alapaha River Rise, Suwanacoochee Spring, Suwannee River swing
That was a fun cleanup, down at Five Holes, a chain of linked swallets on the Suwannee River. We walked up from Suwannee River Campsites.
Five Holes is in Suwannee River State Park. Back then we needed permission and got it (thanks, Craig Liney). We hear it’s now public access. Update 2022-05-28: Actually, Five Holes is closed for renovation. However, we have permission from the Park Manager for an outing there in August; stay tuned. Continue reading
DB Marsh stayed several days at Peacock Springs River Camp waiting out thunderstorms, then paddled down past Hal W. Adams Bridge, and slept on a picnick table at Yellow Jacket. He has now has made it to the town of Suwannee near the mouth of the Suwannee River.
![[bridge, fungus, hammock, Hart Springs, River]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-03-28--d-b-marsh-peacock-suwannee/many.jpg)
bridge, fungus, Hart Springs, River
Along the way he got enough cell signal to put up some more stories and pictures. Continue reading
![[Gator and kayak]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-11-19--floyds-island-camping-okefenokee/big/676x380.jpg)
![[Paddling, Swimming, Camping]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-03-05--fargo-downstream-suwannee-river/many.jpg)
![[Swallets, Suwannee River]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2018-02-10--five-holes/many.jpg)