Weeki Wachee River in Florida

Trip Overview

A beautiful day in this crystal clear river with a myriad of birds including pelicans, great blue herons, egrets, wood storks. We also paddled near a small manatee for a short while. Our group included renters and those with boats. No single kayaks were available so we rented 2 tandem boats. Those paddlers got out after a wonderful 2 hour stretch. The normal takeout is Rogers Park 1 mile beyond the rental takeout. However, we continued into the Mud River and then to the boat launch near the Gulf of Mexico seeing interesting housing, then palms and finally marsh grass where the water turns brackish. This only extended the run about 45 minutes at a leisurely pace.

Weekdays are preferable do to heavy boat traffic on weekends.

Accommodations:

Private launch $5 fee is only access at top of stream has bathroom facilities. Rogers Park has a kayak ramp, swim area and restrooms. There are state parks en-route but they require a $3 fee if used.

Fees:

Launch fee Weeki Wachee Canoe $5. Rogers Park $2 if used for short run.

Directions:

Take Route 19 to SR50 to the Weeki Wachee attraction. The launch is to the rear of the parking lot. For the far take out go north to the light and turn left (west) at route 50 following to the end about 8 miles.