Canoeing and Kayaking on the Ocklawaha River
Canoeing in Florida is like a day in paradise with your family or group (minimum age 5 years old). Plenty of water makes for great fun on your river trip on the Ocklawaha River. Camp overnight or canoe for just a few hours, Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost & Resort will be there to ensure a peaceful and relaxing journey.
"The Ocklawaha is the sweetest water lane in the world, a lane which runs for more than 150 miles of pure delight..." Poet Sidney Lanier
As your day trip begins, you and your gear are loaded into one of our vans or buses and transported about eight miles through scenic backwoods to your put-in point.
We unload the canoes and put them in the water and you are sent off on one of Florida's most scenic and tranquil rivers. As you go downstream traveling with the three to five-knot current, your journey will be one of quiet and relaxing solitude. On your trip, you will be able to swing from a rope swing over the river or sit on your own private part of the river bank away from the noise and confusion of the city.
This trip can be done in a non strenuous 4 hours or you can spend the whole day on the river. When you return, relaxed and refreshed to the outpost, you leave the canoe at our landing and we do all the cleanup.
The most popular overnight canoe trip starts when you arrive at the Outpost. After checking in, you, your camping gear and the canoes are transported to whichever drop point you have chosen. Once on the river, you leave civilization behind. The trip down the river is easy paddling with unrivaled beauty.
The river winds through the old Florida outback. It is wide and deep so there are no portages necessary, even in the times of seasonal high or low water. Camp can be set up anywhere there is high ground on the Ocklawaha River. Take your time, enjoy the scenery!
When you arrive back at the Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost landing, we load up your personal equipment and deliver it to your vehicle.
Day Trips
For half-day and day trips, we provide canoes or kayaks, paddles, life vests, a river map, parking, and transportation. You depart as scheduled and return to the Outpost by 5 PM.
| Trip | Paddling Distance | Paddling Time |
|---|---|---|
| Gore's Landing to Outpost* | 9 miles | 4 – 4.5 hours |
| SR40 to Outpost (8:00 am only as a day trip) | 19 miles | 8 – 9 hours |
The Gore's landing trip is the most popular. It offers unique possibilities for exploratory side trips on the Dead River, Cedar Creek and tributaries (there may be blockages that prevent side trips). Add a minimum of 2 miles distance and 1 hour paddling time if you plan to explore.
Overnight Trips
| Trip | Paddling Distance | Paddling Time |
|---|---|---|
| Moss Bluff to Outpost | 32 miles | 3 days |
| Silver Springs to Outpost | 24 miles | 2-3 days |
| SR40 to Outpost | 19 miles | 2 days |
Overnight trips include the canoe/kayak, paddles, life vests, river map, parking and transportation. The option to extend the number of days on the river is available for an additional fee.
Please note there is a separate fee to launch from Silver Springs (paid at arrival to the launch site)
Firewood is available to purchase for overnight trips for $5 a bundle.
Day Trips on the River
RESERVATIONS BY PHONE ONLY
GORES LANDING: DEPARTS 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM AND NOON
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
CANOE: $52
TANDEM KAYAK: $62
SOLO KAYAK: $42
TRANSPORT ONLY: $25 PER BOAT
PLUS TAX
RAYS WAYSIDE/SR 40 DAY TRIP: DEPARTS 8:00 AM ONLY
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
CANOE: $85
TANDEM KAYAK: $95
SOLO KAYAK: $75
TRANSPORT ONLY: $60 PER BOAT
PLUS TAX
Over Night River Trips
DROP LOCATIONS: RAYS WAYSIDE, SILVER SPRINGS & MOSS BLUFF
DEPARTURE TIME VARIES BASED ON DROP LOCATION
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
PRICING BASED ON DROP POINT, NUMBER OF NIGHTS & TYPE OF BOAT
PLEASE CALL FOR DETAILS
WE CAN CUSTOMIZE A TRIP JUST FOR YOU!
OVERNIGHT GEAR IS LIMITED TO 50 LBS PER PERSON
All prices are subject to change
No call/no show cancelation fees apply to all trips
WE ARE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE LARGE GROUPS FOR ANY OF OUR TRIPS.
ADVANCE RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED
