ORLANDO, Fla.—Take a trip on the St. Johns River, whether by boat or by wandering its shores on foot, and it’s possible to imagine a time when saber-toothed cats and mastodons wandered the Florida peninsula or the Timucua people inhabited its banks.
Modern-day explorers can find natural serenity and plenty of places for a full immersion in the wilderness along Florida’s longest river, which stretches for 310 miles as it flows north before meeting with the Atlantic Ocean just outside of Jacksonville.
Dive Into Springs
There are 148 known springs along the St. Johns River, leaving many places for swimmers and snorkelers to cool off and splash around. In Central Florida, the most popular of these is Blue Spring State Park, a wintertime haven for manatees and a summertime oasis for tourists and locals alike.Though a little farther from the river itself, DeLeon Springs also flows into the St. Johns and offers opportunities for swimming, diving, boat tours, and eating pancakes at the Old Sugar Mill Pancake House.
Gemini Springs and Green Springs both flow into Sanford’s Lake Monroe, one of the larger lakes along the St. Johns River. Though neither allows swimming, the parks make for great places to have a picnic or take a stroll.
The Wekiva River also flows into the St. Johns, which is fed by Wekiwa Springs and Rock Springs. Both of these offer places to swim (or tube at Kelly Park) and relax during a sunny day outdoors.
Ocala National Forest is chock-full of springs that flow into the St. Johns River, including Alexander, Juniper, Silver Glen, and Salt Springs. Silver Springs also joins the St. Johns by way of the Ocklawaha River.
Parks and Trails
Plenty of parks and trails offer the chance to get up close to the St. Johns without getting wet. Black Bear Wilderness Area, for example, takes hikers on a 7-mile loop with well-maintained boardwalks right along the river’s edge.Nearby, the nearly 5-mile Sanford Riverwalk gives cyclists, runners, and walkers a chance to enjoy views of Lake Monroe. Other outdoor areas that share a connection with the St. Johns River include Mullet 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 the public access to the St. Johns River on land right across from the Black Bear Wilderness Area.
On the Water
From scenic boat tours to kayaking and sailing, there’s no shortage of methods for exploring the St. Johns River by water.The St. Johns Rivership Co. has multiple cruises a week that depart from Sanford, including dinner and lunch excursions and “Rockin’ on the River” every Friday. A St. Johns River Nature Cruise departs from Blue Spring State Park daily.
Airboat tours are available at a number of locations, including Camp Holly in Melbourne, Airboat Rides at Midway in Christmas, the Black Hammock in Oviedo, and Twister Airboat Rides at Lone Cabbage Fish Camp in Cocoa.
Boat rentals are available at venues such as Highland Park Fish Camp and Holly Bluff Marina, both in DeLand.
Prime places for kayaking and paddleboarding include the Wekiva River and Econlockhatchee River, both of which flow into the St. Johns.
Waterfront Dining
For seafood lovers who also enjoy great views, the St. Johns offers many areas for waterfront dining.Adopt River-Friendly Practices
St. Johns Riverkeeper, the primary nonprofit that protects and defends the river, encourages visitors to adopt environmentally friendly practices while visiting and urges people to consider environmental stewardship.Boaters should be mindful of loose items to prevent litter and avoid leaking fluids into the water. People who live within the St. Johns River watershed, which includes the Wekiva River and Econlockhatchee River, are encouraged to create a river-friendly yard by using fertilizer responsibly, avoiding pesticides, using organic mulch, and selecting native plants.
