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RIVERS... Waterways in Southwest Florida!
DESTINATION - SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Southwest Florida is truly a cultural destination
and has the most to offer in Family Fun and Educational Activities.
If you have an interest in exploring some of the cleanest rivers in southwest Florida,
then read the following Blog regarding the Upper Manatee River in Bradenton by Dean Gordon...
"The river flows from the Gulf of Mexico to the Lake Manatee Dam and then on
towards the center of Florida. We have been kayaking many times at the wide part of the river but not where we
went today.
We dropped in at the Rye Wilderness State Park Canoe Drop-in. There is no fee. At the drop-in you can find many
people fishing and playing in the river. Here the river is only about 30-40 feet wide. You can go East or West.
Towards the East you can cross under a bridge (Rye Road) and head a couple of miles to the Lake Manatee Dam. If you
head west, the way we went, you can go all the way to the Gulf.
We dropped in and went West. The river stays about 30-40 feet wide most of the way. You can see manatees, fish,
alligators, and lots of birds. There are a few creeks off the river that you can go into. We went about .8 miles
(I think) to the West on the river. From there the river splits. Here you can go left or right. If you go left
(used to be the river), you will go past Camp Flying Eagle. CFE is a Boy Scout Camp. You can see some activity
going on some days. This part of the river circles around back to where the river split. If you go to the right, a
cut the river made through, you can continue west. Here at the river split, there is a place like a small beach
that you can pull up on the East side.
We went from the Rye Wilderness Drop-in, around the river split and back in about an hour and a half. Very nice
river. Not many boats, lots of canoes and some kayaks. I recommend it to any one."
Little Manatee River
Originating in eastern Hillsborough and western
Polk counties the river travels 40 miles to empty into Tampa Bay at Bahia Beach. The upper 28 miles is mostly
wilderness, narrow and winding, making for great paddling with new scenery around each turn. Manatees are
sometimes seen in the lower parts of the river.
Canoe Outpost - Wimauma 941-634-2228
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Manatee County Blueway
Inspired by local public servants and with
assistance from the National Park Service, Manatee County was ahead of the curve on blueways, establishing trails
in early 2002. Seventy-five miles of trails provide non strenuous paddling in normal conditions.
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Upper Manatee River
The Upper Manatee River Canoe Trail is officially
designated as part of Florida’s Statewide System of Greenways and Trails. This trail makes an ideal half-day trip.
Only a few miles from Bradenton, the Upper Manatee River is easily accessible and you can paddle both ways so you
don’t have to arrange for pick-up. The river’s gentle curves and slow-moving current make the trip a peaceful and
leisurely paddle. Wading birds search for food along banks lined with subtropical vegetation, while osprey fly
overhead.
Pete Kelley Guide Service 941-744-9596
Rays Canoe Hideaway 941-747-3909
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Braden River
A 4 to 5 mile peaceful paddle between Linger
Lodge and Jiggs Landing. This paddle requires you to bring your own canoe or kayak; you'll also need a friend
who can park a car at the take-out at Jiggs Landing.
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Myakka River
While canoes can be rented in Myakka River State
Park east of Sarasota on State Road 72, you cannot take these canoes out of the park. Thus, traveling the river
usually depends outfitters and guide services that lead regularly scheduled trips. The Myakka offers perhaps the
largest -- and certainly the most prolific -- alligators in the area. While it's not a river for the gator-phobic,
paddling groups do safely make the trip each year and are treated to incredible natural sights.
Myakka Outpost 941-923-1120
Economy Tackle 941-922-9671
Snook Haven 941-747-3909
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Charlotte County Blueway
Fifty-three separate trails totaling 212 miles
are incorporated within the county's Blueway system. This astonishing length is longer than a drive from Sarasota
to Ocala or Tampa to Lake City. Obviously, this many miles of trails will take any individual a long time to
explore, and given the different seasons and weather conditions, could in itself include many paddles of a
lifetime. A brochure has been issued by Charlotte County with a great deal of information, including launches,
trail names, trail lengths, difficulty rating, descriptions and rating of scenery. This Free brochure can be
obtained from Charlotte County Parks & Recreation, by Calling 941-625-7529.
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Peace River – Wachula
Along its 67 miles, the pale, tea-colored river
is true to its name. It is a serene, slow-moving river with few signs of civilization. Whether you paddle for a
day or a week, the quiet isolation lets you leave big city worries behind. You’ll see turtles, otters, deer and
turkey while an occasional black bear may wander to the river’s edge. Wading birds and gators frequent the water’s
edge. Sandy beaches and sloping banks provide excellent resting points.
Canoe Outpost - Arcadia 800-268-0083
Peace River Canoes - Arcadia 863-773-6370
Canoe Safari - Arcadia 863-494-7865
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Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Englewood,
and their fabulous Islands of
Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key,
Lido Key, Siesta Key, Venice & Manasota Key
are the perfect
home base from which to explore other Florida points of interest! |
Click the Links below for our Recommended Accommodations
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A visit to SW Florida can lead to many return
visits & Eventual Relocation |
Real Estate Information
Recommended Restaurants
A Dozen Good Reasons to make the move to SW Florida...
TOP 12 LIST
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