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kfp673's avatar
kfp673
Explorer II
Sep 16, 2015

Florida in December ideas to kayak

Hello All,

My wife and I are off during the week+ that the kids have off for Christmas break this year and are considering a trip down to Florida. We originally thought Disney but don't think we want to be there with the massive crowds (and Ft Wilderness is sold out). Although we try to look for sites with hookups, we prefer the "state park" camping type feel vs RV park. We also love to Kayak. My 7 yr daughters have their own kayaks and enjoy paddling. With that said, we have / and we are recreational kayakers. Most of our experience is smaller lakes and rivers. I would certainly try the ocean or gulf but only where it is calm and safe. I have been researching some of the areas to kayak with Manatees during this time which looks incredible. Please share any thoughts on locations we could go for a week anywhere in Florida. Should we head to the keys, stay up near orlando, etc? Maybe we will hit Disney on the way home just for 1 day but really want to focus on outdoor activities (mainly kayaking) Thanks for any feedback.
  • jayco304's avatar
    jayco304
    Explorer
    Sep 16, 2015
    Avoid disney that week. Go to crystal river area or Ocala area. We love juniper springs canoe trail
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer
    Sep 16, 2015
    kfp673 wrote:
    H.... I have been researching some of the areas to kayak with Manatees during this time which looks incredible. Please share any thoughts on locations we could go for a week anywhere in Florida. Should we head to the keys, stay up near orlando, etc? Maybe we will hit Disney on the way home just for 1 day but really want to focus on outdoor activities (mainly kayaking) Thanks for any feedback.


    Kayaking the springs in north central Florida would be your best bet Hands down. This area is Kayakers heaven! Google the several different springs/rivers in and near 'Dunnellon', FL and 'Crystal River', FL.

    Rainbow Springs/River has the most beautiful surreal blue water I have ever seen. You could spend months kayaking the numerous springs/rivers in and around this area. :C

    Rock Crusher RV is often mentioned by forum members as a nice place to use as a base camp as is Dunnellon Rainbow State Parks, Goethe State forest, etc. (IMHO stay way away from the Ocala National Forest)

    https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Rainbow-Springs

    https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Silver-Springs

    https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Crystal-River-Preserve

    This area of Florida is the best kept secret for recreational RV'ing.:W
  • tomman58's avatar
    tomman58
    Explorer
    Sep 16, 2015
    Sorry but Florida truly sucks over the holidays. Every years we watch hordes of people in line for this or that and Disney is a total joke. Heck last year they turned people away that had prepaid tickets. Felt sorry for the kids no fun at all.
  • rocmoc's avatar
    rocmoc
    Explorer
    Sep 16, 2015
    We stayed at http://floridastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/hillsborough-river-sp/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=FL&parkId=281037 Hillsborough River State Park a couple years ago in Dec. Kayaking on the river was great. Only objection we had was the locals that came on the weekends and filled the campground with smoke from their fires.

    Another couple we stayed at were Sebastian Inlet State Park, http://floridastateparks.reserveamerica.com/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=FL&parkId=281972 and Salt Springs Campground http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ocala/null/recarea/?recid=40307&actid=29.

    All three were excellent and WILL require reservations. They do fill up quickly.

    rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Sep 16, 2015
    Rainbow River SP is another good spot as is the Silver River SP in Ocala. There are a lot of kayaking opportunities. If you want to do the Everglades then Collier-Seminole SP down near Ft Myers will put you right in among the gators.
  • C_Ref's avatar
    C_Ref
    Explorer
    Sep 16, 2015
    Santa Fe is a great paddle. Lots of options including shuttling from the Sante Fe Outpost in High Springs. Olena St.Park is the closest, beautiful park but sometimes hard to get in. Juniper Springs has a very nice/remote 7 mile kayak run. Alexander Springs is another nice option to camp/kayak. Tomoka st.park near Ormond beach is great for kayaks too. Many other options, just depends on what area you want and campground openings.
  • Campinghoss's avatar
    Campinghoss
    Explorer II
    Sep 16, 2015
    Not sure of your camper size but Manatee cg is on the Indian River. Manatees are abundant there I hear. We are going over Christmas and New Years as well. As of Monday of this week they did have some openings depending on your camper size.
  • Bears_Den's avatar
    Bears_Den
    Explorer
    Sep 16, 2015
    I just went to ReserveAmerica and it is slim pickens at any of the SP the week between Christmas and New Years. The Keys will be even worse, it is kinda of late in the year to try and get any reservations for that week. With that said you might be relegated to a private campground instead of a SP. the Crystal River area as already stated is a very good pace to see manatees and to kayak. Good luck on your search.

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