You will also travel to the St. John’s River, wandering the coast on foot by boat. It is possible to imagine a time when Saber’s teethed cat and Mastodon wandered the Florida Peninsula, and Timkua people lived in banks.
Modern explorers can find natural tranquility and plenty of places to immerse themselves in the wilderness along the long rivers of Florida. This extends 310 miles northward before meeting the Atlantic Ocean just outside Jacksonville.
Parts of Central Florida in “Lake River” leave much experience for adventurers to gush out – from springs to waterfront restaurants and scenic boat tours.
I’ll jump into the spring
Along the St. John’s River there are 148 known springs, leaving plenty of places for swimmers and snorkelers to cool and splash. In Central Florida, the most popular of these is Blue Spring State Park, a winter shelter for manatees and a summer oasis for tourists and locals.
Though a little further from the river itself, DeLeon Springs also flows into St. John’s, offering the opportunity to swim, dive, boat tours and pancake eating at the Old Sugar Mill Pancake House.
Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel
The calm and clear water adds to the views of Deverly’s Gemini Springs Park. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Gemini Springs and Green Springs flow into Lake Monroe in Sanford, one of the larger lakes along the St. John’s River. Neither allow swimming, but the park creates a great place to picnic or take a walk.
The Wekiva River also flows into St. John’s, which is supplied by Wekiva Springs and Rock Springs. Both of these offer a swimming spot (or tube at Kelly Park) and relax outdoors on sunny days.
The Ocala National Forest is full of springs that flow into the St. John’s River, including Alexander, Juniper, Silverglen and Salt Springs. Silver Springs also joins St. John’s via the Oklawaha River.
Parks and trails
Lots of parks and trails offer the opportunity to get close to St. John’s without getting wet. For example, the Black Bear Wilderness area takes hikers along the edge of the river into a seven-mile loop with well-maintained boardwalks.
Nearby five miles of Sanfor River Walk gives cyclists, runners and walkers the opportunity to enjoy the views of Lake Monroe. Other outdoor areas that share connections with the St. John’s River include Mallet Lake Park, Little Big Econ State Forest, Hontoon Island State Park, and Lake Beresford Park.
In the future, Debary’s 170-acre Alexander Island will allow public access to the St. John’s River on land, across from the Blackbear wilderness area.
On the water
From scenic boat tours to kayaking and sailing, there’s no shortage of ways to explore the St. John’s River by water.
St. John’s River Sinship Co. has multiple cruises per week departing from Sanford, including dinner and lunch excursions and “Rockin.” St. John’s River Nature Cruise departs daily from Blue Spring State Park.
Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel
Rock Springsrun kayaks create views of the Florida wilderness of Apopka. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Airboat tours are available in many locations, including Camp Holly in Melbourne, Midway at Christmas, Black Hammock in Oviedo, and Twister Airboat Ride at Cocoa’s Lawn Cabbage Fish Camp.
Boat rentals are available at venues such as Highland Park Fish Camp and Holly Brah Marina.
The main locations for kayaks and paddleboards are the Wekiba River and the Econlock Hatchee River, both flowing into St. John’s.
Joshua C. Crewey, Orlando Sentinel
Geneva’s Jolly Gator Fish Camp Restaurant is one of the venues for a waterfront dining along the St. John’s River. (Orlando Sentinel file)
Waterfront Dining
For seafood lovers who enjoy the spectacular views, St. John’s offers many areas for waterfront meals.
Venues include Jolly Gator Fish Camp Bar & Grill in Geneva, Gator Riverside Grill in Sanford, St. John’s River Steak, Seafood in Sanford, Swamp House Riverfront Grill in Deverly, and Drifter’s Waterfront in Aster.
Adopt river-friendly practices
St. John’s Riverkeeper, a leading nonprofit organization that protects and advocates the river, encourages visitors to adopt green practices during their visits and urges people to consider environmental management.
310 miles, 8 days on the St. John’s River: a spectacular kayak odyssey from source to sea
Seafarers should keep in mind loose items to prevent trash and prevent liquid from leaking into the water. People living within the St. John’s River Basin, including the Wekiva and Econlock Hatchee Rivers, are advised to use refertilizer to create river-friendly gardens.
The St. John’s River Keeper website has many tips for those who want to give them many places to explore along the longest rivers in Florida. For more information, visit stjohnsriverkeeper.org or explorethestjohns.com.
Find @pconnpie on Instagram or send an email at pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.
