Wakulla River Lower Bridge Ramp
Tucked under Highway 98, the lower bridge ramp is paved. Be careful to steer clear of manatees who frequent this portion of the river.
Wakulla River Paddling Trail
This river is a beautiful, clear 10-mile river fed by the world-famous Wakulla Springs. Abundant wildlife can usually be seen with increased activity in the early morning or just before dusk. Anhinga, cormorant, limpkin, osprey and purple gallinule, turtles and otters all live on or in the river. Visiting manatees can be spotted in the summer months, but resident manatees may be seen all through the year. Paddlers can choose between a three or six-mile trip below Wakulla Springs State Park. The current is usually mild enough to paddle up and back for any distance desired. Easy difficulty level.
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
Home of the movie The Creature from the Black Lagoon, Wakulla Springs State Park is a stunning natural destination offering a variety of outdoor adventures. Visitors can take a guided boat tour to learn about the park’s famous crystal-clear springs and the diverse wildlife that calls them home, including manatees, alligators, and a wide variety of birds. The park’s trails provide excellent opportunities for hiking, biking, and wildlife watching, winding through lush forests and along scenic riverbanks.
For those looking to relax or get active on the water, swimming in the designated spring area ( a brisk 70 degrees) and paddling along the Wakulla River are popular options. The park also offers picnic areas, guided nature programs, and ranger-led tours to help guests connect with the park’s unique ecosystems and history. From observing wildlife to exploring trails and waterways, Wakulla Springs State Park is a full-day destination for nature lovers of all ages.
The historic lodge has a restaurant, welcoming lobby with can’t-miss ceiling art, a soda fountain and gift shop and plenty of guest rooms should you want to stay a little longer or host an event!
The Lodge at Wakulla Springs State Park
In 1937, financier Edward Ball took his idea of quiet elegance and placed it gently in the most serene place he’d found on his international travels, Wakulla Springs. He imported marble and tile, hired artisans in iron and stone, and introduced to the world a most unique retreat.
Today, the Lodge offers guests a variety of guest rooms, a restaurant and old fashioned soda fountain on site, bike rentals to explore the State Park, and a jungle cruise to spot wildlife. Positioned on the shores of the Springs’ beach, with miles of trails stretching from its parking lot – the Lodge is the perfect homebase to explore Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park.
Come for a few minutes or a week – you’ll leave smiling.
TNT Hideaway, Inc.
We offer two or three person canoes, single kayaks, tandem kayaks, stand up paddle boards and bikes for rent. American Canoe Association Quick Start and Essentials instruction classes in kayaking and canoeing are available by certified instructors. Eco-tours are guided by professional guides to many other rivers, creeks, and coastal areas along Florida’s big bend. Fresh and saltwater guided kayak fishing trips are also available by professional fishing guides.
T~n~T Hide-a-Way is open year round and offers scenery that is never tiring. Every month offers a different foliage of numerous aquatic plants, Magnolias, and Cypress trees. The river is home to Turtles, Heron and Duck families, Ospreys, Eagles, as well as otters, alligators and manatees.
Located 20 miles south of Tallahassee, FL, the Wakulla River is fed by an underground spring that emerges at Wakulla Springs State Park and flows out to the Gulf of Mexico. The slow moving river is perfect for the beginner or entire family. You launch at our location so there is no shuttling.
Wakulla Beach
Explore Wakulla Beach – home to fiddler crabs, wild hogs, and coastal birds. This is not a traditional sandy beach, but maybe something closer to a grassy wetland area. Recreational and commercial anglers use this beach as a launch pad to Goose Creek Bay and the Gulf.
If you choose to launch a vessel from the beach, be mindful of tides.
Shell Point Beach Park
Shell Point Beach is a sun-soaked escape along Florida’s Gulf Coast, perfect for beachcombing, swimming, and soaking in the coastal scenery. Visitors can stroll along soft sandy shores searching for seashells, watch shorebirds and wading birds in the tidal flats, or simply relax with a picnic while listening to the waves. The calm, shallow waters make it ideal for families and paddlers alike, with kayaks or small boats easily launched from the beach.
Beyond the sand, the surrounding natural areas offer trails for hiking and wildlife watching, giving visitors a chance to spot egrets, herons, and other coastal birds. Whether you’re looking for a day of sun, a peaceful paddle, or a quiet spot to connect with nature, Shell Point Beach is a perfect blend of relaxation and outdoor adventure.
The beach is equipped with a mobi-mat bringing accessibility to the water to wheelchair and walker users. Don’t miss the playground or picnic pavilion – perfect for families.
Sopchoppy River Paddling Trail
Boats of all types share the lower river, but the Sopchoppy “long twisting river” narrows impassibly to motorboats further upstream. Those who push on in kayaks and canoes are richly rewarded with a true wilderness experience on this 15-mile paddling trail. Small trickling streams seep from the deep earthen banks of the river as it winds underneath a dense canopy of trees. The Bradwell Bay area borders the upper Sopchoppy River and provides the tannins that gives the river its characteristic dark tea color. It is possible to park and shuttle from the Sopchoppy City Park for a shorter 10-mile trip. Easy to moderate difficulty level.
St. Marks River
Feeding into the Apalachee Bay, the St. Marks River originates east of Tallahassee and heads south through Wakulla. The river is a hub of wildlife activity and is accessible through the St. Marks River City Park Ramp and the Newport Boat Ramp.
St. Marks River City Park
This city park offers a boat ramp, picnic areas, bird and wildlife watching. Enjoy views of the St. Marks River and a different perspective of the San Marcos de Apalache Historic Park.