Section 4, FPTA

Deal Tower campsite

Deal Tower campsite - Deal Tower campsite

Indian Pass Campground

Indian Pass Campground - Indian Pass Campground

Dead River

Dead River - Dead River

Sugar Hill Campsite

Sugar Hill Campsite - Sugar Hill Campsite

Gap Point Campsite

Gap Point Campsite - Gap Point Campsite

West Pass Primitive Campsite

West Pass Primitive Campsite - West Pass Primitive Campsite

Stump's Hole Kayak Launch

Stump's Hole Kayak Launch - Stump's Hole Kayak Launch

Live Oak Island

Live Oak Island - Live Oak Island

Money Bayou Future Campsite

Money Bayou Future Campsite - Money Bayou Future Campsite

Pattys Island

Pattys Island - Pattys Island

Money Bayou

Money Bayou - Money Bayou

Kayak Launch Site

Kayak Launch Site - Kayak Launch Site

Segment 4 Crooked River/Ochlockonee Bay

Download a Printer-Friendly Guide (PDF 26 kb) Emergency contact information: 911 Gulf County Sheriff’s Department: 850-227-1115 Franklin County Sheriff’s Department: 850-670-8500 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 24-hour wildlife emergency/boating under the influence hotline: 1-888-404-3922 Begin: St. Joseph Peninsula State Park primitive camping area End: Gap Point Campsite, Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park Distance: 57 miles Duration: 5 days Special Considerations: Be wary of strong winds in open water sections (which is most of the route). Currents moving through all three passes can be strong, depending upon tidal fluctuations. After Stump’s Hole, you’ll need to paddle along the Gulf for several miles, where the surf can pose a challenge. A portable portage carrier is advised for the Stump’s Hole land crossing. Introduction Vast segments of unspoiled public lands and islands are featured in this segment, from the high dunes of St. Joseph Peninsula State Park to the wild palm-lined shores of St. Vincent Island to the old-growth coastal slash pine forests of Cape St. George State Reserve. Paddlers will also enjoy the St. Joseph and Apalachicola bays, among the most productive waters in the state in terms of marine life. In addition, Apalachicola Bay provides the majority of the state’s oyster harvest, and paddlers will likely see flotillas of characteristically shaped oyster boats with their small cabins. Oystermen pull up the rock-hard oysters by hand using long tongs, a practice that has changed little in more than a century. These two bays are encompassed by the St. Joseph Bay Aquatic Preserve, http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/stjoseph/ and the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/apalachicola/info.htm , respectively. The Apalachicola reserve is one of only 25 sites designated as a research reserve by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, designed to coordinate efforts to manage and protect the nation’s most productive waters. State lands include St. Joseph Peninsula and Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island state parks ( www.floridastateparks.org ), Cape St. George State Reserve and St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve ( http://www.floridadep.com/coastal/sites/apalachicola/stjoseph_buffer.htm ). These undeveloped lands help to protect either St. Joe or Apalachicola Bay while providing valuable wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation opportunities. In addition, the trail traverses the massive 12,495-acre St. Vincent Island National Wildlife Refuge ( http://www.fws.gov/saintvincent/ ). Named St. Vincent by Franciscan friars in the 1600s, the island is one of the few sites where endangered red wolves are propagated and trained to live in the wild. Most of these wolves are eventually captured and released at either the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Also, given the island’s history as a private hunting retreat stocked with exotic animals, large sambar deer, native to southeast Asia, still roam the island and can occasionally be spotted. They may weigh several hundred pounds each. Many of the primitive campsites in this segment are part of the Apalachicola Bay Aquatic and Buffer Preserve Kayak and Canoe Trail, developed by staff with the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve in coordination with other government entities. These sites are “pack-it-in, pack-it-out” only, with campers following Leave No Trace principles www.lnt.org All sites are on a first-come, first-serve policy with the exception of sites within state parks, whereupon reservations must be made through the individual parks. 1. St. Joseph Park primitive camping area to Tower primitive campsite, 12.5 miles The St. Joseph State Park’s wilderness preserve, one of only six in the state park system, encompasses the northern 7.5 miles of the peninsula (over 1,750 acres). This is an unspoiled landscape of large dunes and coastal scrub and grasslands. The preserve is accessible by foot or by boat, and circumnavigational paddlers can primitive camp in the preserve with advance reservations. Call 850-227-1327 to reserve or pay by credit card ($4.00 per person per night). Camping is allowed along the bay side but not at the tip of the peninsula past the northernmost trees. No campfires are allowed and you must practice “Leave No Trace” principles where possible. You need to arrive at least an hour before sunset and check out with park personnel. From the wilderness preserve, paddle through the clear waters of the St. Joseph Bay Aquatic Preserve. The shallow bay waters are homes and nurseries for numerous fish and sea animals such as sea urchins, scallops and snails. Seagrass beds are lush and abundant. Fishing and summer scalloping are popular recreational activities. Nearing the halfway point, water and restrooms are available at the southern end of the state park at the picnic area and boat ramp (see map). Outdoor cold showers are at the beach restrooms, across the road from the park’s boat ramp along the bay. The park also offers canoe and kayak rentals. A small grocery store can be found just outside the park boundary along 30E. The Tower primitive campsite is located near a dock and abandoned fire tower. The campsite is a bare patch of sand near the tower fence. Mud may inhibit landing at low tide. 2. Tower primitive campsite to Indian Pass Campground, 11 miles From the campsite, paddle a short distance to the Stump Hole canoe and kayak launch. Here, you’ll have a challenging portage to the Gulf side. A portable portage cart will make this much easier. The safest route is to travel a couple of hundred yards west along the highway to where the rock jetty ends and the Gulf is easily accessible. From here, you’ll paddle along the shore to Indian Pass. A welcome rest stop is the county-owned Salinas Park, where water, restrooms and picnic tables are available (see map). The Indian Pass Campground is privately owned and has water, showers, restrooms, a swimming pool, and a small store. Fortunately, the tent camping area is easily accessible by water, enabling you to beach your kayak within easy view of your campsite. Land at the Indian Pass boat ramp and walk a short distance to the circular campground office to register before landing at the campground. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. Call 850-227-7203 or log onto www.indianpasscamp.com The Indian Pass Trading Post is a couple of miles up the road, where you can sample area oysters (closed on Mondays). 3. Indian Pass Campground to Government Dock Primitive Campsite, 15 miles Paddling along St. Vincent Island on the bay side, you’ll have many opportunities to land on a wild shoreline lined with cabbage palms, live oaks and slash pine. Indian pottery and oyster shells litter the shore as Native Americans utilized the island for thousands of years. Paddling along or standing on the shore, it is easy to envision the lifestyles and foods of these early inhabitants. Bear in mind that it is unlawful to remove artifacts. A highlight of the island shoreline is the northwestern corner known as St.Vincent Point, a scenic area where a thick grove of cabbage palm trees line the water. Evidence of sea level rise and heavy erosion is evident as many trees are being inundated. From here, you can make a beeline across open water to the Government Dock primitive campsite on Cape St. George Island. The campsite is located just inland from the second dock. As an alternative, you can paddle south along St. Vincent Island to the West Pass primitive campsite on Cape St. George. Along this route, you can explore some of St. Vincent’s large lakes accessible from the bay side, although some lakes may be closed if bald eagles are actively nesting. If taking this route, it is 13.5 miles from Indian Pass to the West Pass campsite. Or, if you paddle the Gulf route along St. Vincent Island to West Pass, it is a little over 9 miles, although this route is less interesting. Alternate route: If you wish to explore more of the area’s fishing culture, and to avoid unfavorable north winds, you can hug the northern shore after leaving Indian Pass and paddle to Battery Park in the town of Apalachicola, about 15.5 miles. From there, you can walk to any number of motels, restaurants or gift shops. Apalachicola is an historic fishing village where many residents still actively make their living from the sea, especially with regards to harvesting shrimp and oysters. From Apalachicola, you can paddle across the bay six or seven miles to a number of campsites on either Cape St. George or St. George Island. If you remain on the north side of the bay, the primitive campsite near Carrabelle is about 20 miles from Apalachicola (see segment 5). You can take a rest break at Eastpoint and purchase smoked mullet near the public boat ramp (see map). 4. Government Dock Primitive Campsite to Boy Scout Camp, 8 miles The first half of this day is very scenic with slash pines that stand right up against the bay. Look for the angular cuts or “cat-faced” scars on older trees made by early workers to collect sap for making turpentine. The industry died out in the 1940s. Also, scan the skies and treetops for bald eagles that frequent the area in cooler months and sometimes nest along the bay in large pines. Give nesting trees a wide berth. Government Cut or Sike’s Cut marks the halfway point. This is an artificial pass dredged between the bay and Gulf in 1954 that separates Cape St. George from St. George Island. As with any pass, be wary of strong currents. Just past the cut, you will pass an exclusive subdivision where docking or landing is prohibited. Proceed along the island to Nick’s Hole, a wild cove, where a lone dock marks the Boy Scout camp. Land on the small beach just past the dock. This campsite has full amenities—water, bathrooms, picnic tables, sink, fire rings. Please be respectful and keep the site clean so it remains open for trail users. 5. Boy Scout Camp to Gap Point Campsite, 10.5 miles A welcome rest stop is a sand landing near the St. George Island bridge. Here, you can easily access stores and restaurants. A small grocery store is just east of the main road. One option for camping is the Unit 4 campsite just east of the bridge along the bay. Primitive camping here is free and on a first-come, first-serve basis since it is outside the state park. This segment ends at the scenic Gap Point primitive campsite across the small bay from the state park’s first boat ramp (rental sit-on-top kayaks can be obtained here after making arrangements at entrance station). The Gap Point campsite also marks the terminus of the park’s two-mile nature trail that traverses a striking rolling terrain of old-growth slash pine and large bell-shaped rosemary plants. In hiking the trail, look for “cat faces” on the trees from early turpentine operations. Historically, the island was also used for cattle grazing. Also, like most barrier islands and shorelines in the region, evidence of Native American occupation predates European contact by thousands of years. There is one more primitive campsite along the bay in the park (see map). Call the park headquarters at 850 927-2111 if you plan to utilize either of these two campsites. A small fee is required. - Download a Printer-Friendly Guide (PDF 26 kb) Emergency contact information: 911 Gulf County Sheriff’s Department: 850-227-1115 Franklin County Sheriff’s Department: 850-670-8500 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 24-hour wildlife emergency/boating under the influence hotline: 1-888-404-3922 Begin: St. Joseph Peninsula State Park primitive camping area End: Gap Point Campsite, Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park Distance: 57 miles Duration: 5 days Special Considerations: Be wary of strong winds in open water sections (which is most of the route). Currents moving through all three passes can be strong, depending upon tidal fluctuations. After Stump’s Hole, you’ll need to paddle along the Gulf for several miles, where the surf can pose a challenge. A portable portage carrier is advised for the Stump’s Hole land crossing. Introduction Vast segments of unspoiled public lands and islands are featured in this segment, from the high dunes of St. Joseph Peninsula State Park to the wild palm-lined shores of St. Vincent Island to the old-growth coastal slash pine forests of Cape St. George State Reserve. Paddlers will also enjoy the St. Joseph and Apalachicola bays, among the most productive waters in the state in terms of marine life. In addition, Apalachicola Bay provides the majority of the state’s oyster harvest, and paddlers will likely see flotillas of characteristically shaped oyster boats with their small cabins. Oystermen pull up the rock-hard oysters by hand using long tongs, a practice that has changed little in more than a century. These two bays are encompassed by the St. Joseph Bay Aquatic Preserve, http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/stjoseph/ and the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/apalachicola/info.htm , respectively. The Apalachicola reserve is one of only 25 sites designated as a research reserve by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, designed to coordinate efforts to manage and protect the nation’s most productive waters. State lands include St. Joseph Peninsula and Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island state parks ( www.floridastateparks.org ), Cape St. George State Reserve and St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve ( http://www.floridadep.com/coastal/sites/apalachicola/stjoseph_buffer.htm ). These undeveloped lands help to protect either St. Joe or Apalachicola Bay while providing valuable wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation opportunities. In addition, the trail traverses the massive 12,495-acre St. Vincent Island National Wildlife Refuge ( http://www.fws.gov/saintvincent/ ). Named St. Vincent by Franciscan friars in the 1600s, the island is one of the few sites where endangered red wolves are propagated and trained to live in the wild. Most of these wolves are eventually captured and released at either the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Also, given the island’s history as a private hunting retreat stocked with exotic animals, large sambar deer, native to southeast Asia, still roam the island and can occasionally be spotted. They may weigh several hundred pounds each. Many of the primitive campsites in this segment are part of the Apalachicola Bay Aquatic and Buffer Preserve Kayak and Canoe Trail, developed by staff with the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve in coordination with other government entities. These sites are “pack-it-in, pack-it-out” only, with campers following Leave No Trace principles www.lnt.org All sites are on a first-come, first-serve policy with the exception of sites within state parks, whereupon reservations must be made through the individual parks. 1. St. Joseph Park primitive camping area to Tower primitive campsite, 12.5 miles The St. Joseph State Park’s wilderness preserve, one of only six in the state park system, encompasses the northern 7.5 miles of the peninsula (over 1,750 acres). This is an unspoiled landscape of large dunes and coastal scrub and grasslands. The preserve is accessible by foot or by boat, and circumnavigational paddlers can primitive camp in the preserve with advance reservations. Call 850-227-1327 to reserve or pay by credit card ($4.00 per person per night). Camping is allowed along the bay side but not at the tip of the peninsula past the northernmost trees. No campfires are allowed and you must practice “Leave No Trace” principles where possible. You need to arrive at least an hour before sunset and check out with park personnel. From the wilderness preserve, paddle through the clear waters of the St. Joseph Bay Aquatic Preserve. The shallow bay waters are homes and nurseries for numerous fish and sea animals such as sea urchins, scallops and snails. Seagrass beds are lush and abundant. Fishing and summer scalloping are popular recreational activities. Nearing the halfway point, water and restrooms are available at the southern end of the state park at the picnic area and boat ramp (see map). Outdoor cold showers are at the beach restrooms, across the road from the park’s boat ramp along the bay. The park also offers canoe and kayak rentals. A small grocery store can be found just outside the park boundary along 30E. The Tower primitive campsite is located near a dock and abandoned fire tower. The campsite is a bare patch of sand near the tower fence. Mud may inhibit landing at low tide. 2. Tower primitive campsite to Indian Pass Campground, 11 miles From the campsite, paddle a short distance to the Stump Hole canoe and kayak launch. Here, you’ll have a challenging portage to the Gulf side. A portable portage cart will make this much easier. The safest route is to travel a couple of hundred yards west along the highway to where the rock jetty ends and the Gulf is easily accessible. From here, you’ll paddle along the shore to Indian Pass. A welcome rest stop is the county-owned Salinas Park, where water, restrooms and picnic tables are available (see map). The Indian Pass Campground is privately owned and has water, showers, restrooms, a swimming pool, and a small store. Fortunately, the tent camping area is easily accessible by water, enabling you to beach your kayak within easy view of your campsite. Land at the Indian Pass boat ramp and walk a short distance to the circular campground office to register before landing at the campground. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. Call 850-227-7203 or log onto www.indianpasscamp.com The Indian Pass Trading Post is a couple of miles up the road, where you can sample area oysters (closed on Mondays). 3. Indian Pass Campground to Government Dock Primitive Campsite, 15 miles Paddling along St. Vincent Island on the bay side, you’ll have many opportunities to land on a wild shoreline lined with cabbage palms, live oaks and slash pine. Indian pottery and oyster shells litter the shore as Native Americans utilized the island for thousands of years. Paddling along or standing on the shore, it is easy to envision the lifestyles and foods of these early inhabitants. Bear in mind that it is unlawful to remove artifacts. A highlight of the island shoreline is the northwestern corner known as St.Vincent Point, a scenic area where a thick grove of cabbage palm trees line the water. Evidence of sea level rise and heavy erosion is evident as many trees are being inundated. From here, you can make a beeline across open water to the Government Dock primitive campsite on Cape St. George Island. The campsite is located just inland from the second dock. As an alternative, you can paddle south along St. Vincent Island to the West Pass primitive campsite on Cape St. George. Along this route, you can explore some of St. Vincent’s large lakes accessible from the bay side, although some lakes may be closed if bald eagles are actively nesting. If taking this route, it is 13.5 miles from Indian Pass to the West Pass campsite. Or, if you paddle the Gulf route along St. Vincent Island to West Pass, it is a little over 9 miles, although this route is less interesting. Alternate route: If you wish to explore more of the area’s fishing culture, and to avoid unfavorable north winds, you can hug the northern shore after leaving Indian Pass and paddle to Battery Park in the town of Apalachicola, about 15.5 miles. From there, you can walk to any number of motels, restaurants or gift shops. Apalachicola is an historic fishing village where many residents still actively make their living from the sea, especially with regards to harvesting shrimp and oysters. From Apalachicola, you can paddle across the bay six or seven miles to a number of campsites on either Cape St. George or St. George Island. If you remain on the north side of the bay, the primitive campsite near Carrabelle is about 20 miles from Apalachicola (see segment 5). You can take a rest break at Eastpoint and purchase smoked mullet near the public boat ramp (see map). 4. Government Dock Primitive Campsite to Boy Scout Camp, 8 miles The first half of this day is very scenic with slash pines that stand right up against the bay. Look for the angular cuts or “cat-faced” scars on older trees made by early workers to collect sap for making turpentine. The industry died out in the 1940s. Also, scan the skies and treetops for bald eagles that frequent the area in cooler months and sometimes nest along the bay in large pines. Give nesting trees a wide berth. Government Cut or Sike’s Cut marks the halfway point. This is an artificial pass dredged between the bay and Gulf in 1954 that separates Cape St. George from St. George Island. As with any pass, be wary of strong currents. Just past the cut, you will pass an exclusive subdivision where docking or landing is prohibited. Proceed along the island to Nick’s Hole, a wild cove, where a lone dock marks the Boy Scout camp. Land on the small beach just past the dock. This campsite has full amenities—water, bathrooms, picnic tables, sink, fire rings. Please be respectful and keep the site clean so it remains open for trail users. 5. Boy Scout Camp to Gap Point Campsite, 10.5 miles A welcome rest stop is a sand landing near the St. George Island bridge. Here, you can easily access stores and restaurants. A small grocery store is just east of the main road. One option for camping is the Unit 4 campsite just east of the bridge along the bay. Primitive camping here is free and on a first-come, first-serve basis since it is outside the state park. This segment ends at the scenic Gap Point primitive campsite across the small bay from the state park’s first boat ramp (rental sit-on-top kayaks can be obtained here after making arrangements at entrance station). The Gap Point campsite also marks the terminus of the park’s two-mile nature trail that traverses a striking rolling terrain of old-growth slash pine and large bell-shaped rosemary plants. In hiking the trail, look for “cat faces” on the trees from early turpentine operations. Historically, the island was also used for cattle grazing. Also, like most barrier islands and shorelines in the region, evidence of Native American occupation predates European contact by thousands of years. There is one more primitive campsite along the bay in the park (see map). Call the park headquarters at 850 927-2111 if you plan to utilize either of these two campsites. A small fee is required.

East Pass

East Pass - East Pass

Millender Park

Millender Park - Millender Park

Salinas Park Rest Area

Salinas Park Rest Area - Salinas Park Rest Area