ECONFINA CREEK RECREATION
What does Econfina mean?
Econfina Creek Water Management Area gives the most mind-boggling and diverse recreation opportunities in northwest Florida. It rejuvenates your creative mind and reproduces your considerations of paddling along a creek fixed with rocks made of limestone.
plunging yourself in a cool spring, hiking along a path bluff spotted with wild azaleas, Or, camping with your loved ones under the stars and It offers significantly more which incorporates paddling, horseback riding, swimming, fishing, chasing, hiking, camping, and wildlife seeing all inside 41,363 acres of unprecedented scenic excellence.
It was named Econfina because of the scene and ecological credits and it implies a hearty bridge that directs the waterway in the Natural Well Branch tract.
How long is Econfina Creek
The Econfina Creek Water is administered by Northwest Florida Water Management and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
It has a length of 42 km and it is found north of State Road 20 in Washington and Bay regions somewhere in the range of SR77 and SR231 in Florida. The terrain brags an alternate climate xeric sandhill uplands with many shallow, clear sand-lined lakes, and the famous Econfina creek.
ECONFINA CREEK PADDLING
You are going to encounter a truly incredible Paddle. Why not prepare a lunch and bring your snorkel, as you investigate the creek and its numerous completely clear springs along the Econfina Creek?
One of the most loved vacations of a paddler along the Florida beg is the spring-took care of creek and part of Florida’s Greenways and Trails, which gives the paddler energizing chances of exploring the spring.
The Econfina Creek is the steepest inclination of any delegated canoe course in Florida. The creek streams beneath the Forest coverings through Jackson, Washington, and Bay counties and it winds through limited channels and passes immersing waterfalls.
Econfina Creek cuts into the antiquated limestone of the Floridan Aquifer as it advances toward State Road 20, canvassed in plants and exists along with the second 50% of the paddle, and assembles abundant waves from numerous springs.
The banks are fixed with blossoming wildflowers and cabbage palms wrap over the water’s edge sparkling with a lively tone along your Journey throughout the spring and mid-year months. During the hot and sticky atmosphere, the cool water meets the hot air and the creek takes on an ethereal climate as the cloud layer hangs freely noticeable all around.
With numerous logjams and shallow water, the northern parts of the creek is hard to explore. Kayaks and canoes accessible for lease along Highway 20 situated off of Strickland Road and they likewise attire. Numerous paddlers select in for the livery as it offers the alternative of getting and returns at the take out at SR 388 bridge.
There are a couple of passageways accessible on the creek. The dispatches are situated at Scotts Road (upper creek), Walsingham Bridge (center creek), and Highway 20 (lower creek). The upper segment of the creek is very strenuous and should just be attempted via trained and able paddlers.
Water level conditions are a factor and you may experience numerous portages in the upper segments over the Econfina Creek Canoe Livery. 11 springs or spring bunches containing 39 individual vents have been recognized by the district and the vast majority of them are inside a mile of State Road 20.
ECONFINA CREEK HIKING
The Point Washington State Forest gives an alternate geological area to a hiker or biker whenever of the year to explore our zone’s characteristic excellence. The greater part of the woodland’s zone comprises a sandhill, bowl swamps/titi channels, wet Flatwoods, wet grassland, and cypress swamps.
The Florida National Scenic Trail runs corner to corner through the Econfina Creek Water Management Area. A path of more than 27 miles runs along the creek, and sandhill uplands, wetlands, and beautiful feigns. A piece of the Trail which runs along the creek is around 18 miles. You will discover a waterfall, sinkholes, lakes, suspension bridges, and climb in camping regions up and down the path.
Mountain shrub and rhododendron blossom alongside dynamic Florida anise in springtime. The trees along the obscure creek part of the path change throughout the fall and the assortment of hardwoods along the creek give unpretentious shading changes of red and orange tones.
ECONFINA CREEK SPRING RECREATION PARKS
Econfina Creek gives a couple of alternatives if you are keen on plunging into a cool 68-degree completely clear spring without a paddle. These recreation areas offer an ideal family experience and the parks can be gotten to by vehicle
PITT AND SYLVAN SPRINGS:
Pitt Spring and Sylvan Spring is one of the mainstream recreation territories along the Econfina Creek. The 11-foot-profound spring vent rises up out of under a lowered limestone line into a 40-foot width pool and afterward moves through a 50-foot rush to the creek.
The 10-section of land recreation zone incorporates a broad path and promenade framework. The Pitt Spring and Sylvan Spring territory are associated by one path and a promenade framework and incorporate a neglect and a tubing put-in dock. At the intersection of Pitt Spring run and Econfina Creek a tubing take out dock has been built. Swimmers can get to the water by a flight of stairs.
An improved canoe dock on Econfina Creek was added, alongside brilliant interpretive signs to instruct sweethearts on their inclination walk. These dock zones are interesting to access by canoe or kayak contingent upon the water levels. Bathrooms and a private picnic structure are accessible for those that need a separate zone. The recreation center is open from sunrise to dusk. There are no lifeguards on the job and just assistance dogs are permitted.
BLUE SPRING:
Blue Spring is situated off of SR20 on North Blue Springs Road, Youngstown. The spring gives a disconnected territory to those hoping to swim in a gin-clear water along Econfina creek.
It’s an ideal spot for anybody to cool off on a blistering summer day with simple access and shallow waters.
Aside from the unmistakable water, the enormous oak trees, picnic tables, structure, compact bathroom, fire rings, and flame broils are a portion of the significant attractions of blue spring.
Stopping is restricted except if you reserve camping spot through Northwest Florida Water Management.
WILLIFORD SPRING:
Williford Spring is situated in the Econfina Creek Water Management Area between SR 77 and U.S. 231 off of Herman Strickland/Porter Pond Road. It has a round spring pool discouraged in a tapered offer whose sand base has been undulated by spring flows over the long haul. Williford Spring goes through a quickly streaming spring run that movements south for around 443 ft. into Econfina Creek
The pool is 57 ft. in breadth. It has a vent at its focal point estimated 10 ft profound. There is a huge bubble over the vent, and the water is light blue-green in shading. aquatic vegetation isn’t found in the pool, and just a meager layer of green growth covers not exactly 50% of the limestone and sand substrates.
Numerous other more modest springs run into Williford Spring which quickly goes downstream. A portion of these springs are little streams from limestone openings uncovered along the banks of the run.
The high ground ascends to around 15 feet over the water surface toward the North and west of Williford spring. A swamp timberland of hardwoods, cypress, and palms embrace the spring and its run. The encompassing moving sandhills terrain underpins a combination of hardwood and pine uplands.
DEVIL’S HOLE
Ensuring this region is significant for making sure about groundwater assets. Fallen angel’s Hole is a 40-foot swallet sinkhole that interfaces with the Floridan Aquifer. just toward the west of Devil’s Hole, you can discover The Florida National Scenic Trail and Econfina Creek.
The Devil’s Hole Recreation Area offers a day-use territory with picnic tables and a compact latrine. A solitary campground outfitted with a picnic table, fire ring, and a flame broil is accessible by reservation. Day use is permitted from first light to dusk in the assigned Day Use territory.
LONGLEAF
A unique campground is situated on Econfina Creek and gives a picnic table and a fire ring. The closest compact latrine is situated at the Walsingham Bridge park.
Shell
Seashell, which is straightforwardly south of Devil’s Hole Spring is situated on Econfina Creek. This campground gave a picnic table and a fire ring. The closest portable latrine is situated at the Walsingham Bridge campground. The dirt layer of limestone found at the edge of the creek has noticeable ancient shell stores which brought forth the name “Shell”. Eliminating these shells is restricted.
TOM JOHNS LANDING
Judging by stone point pieces recuperated close by, Tom Johns is a centuries-old chasing headquarters and it is a wonderful area for a retreat. Tom John’s boat arrival is situated at the north end of Porter Lake.
The District has regular vegetation that was replanted and ensured an aquatic environment with assigned boat arrivals and rail fencing. It gives great fishing, a structure, picnic tables, fire rings, platform barbecues, and a portable latrine.
Four campgrounds are accessible by reservation; two are “tent just” camping, and two can be used for tents, travel trailers, and RV’s. Day Use is allowed from first light to dusk in the assigned Day Use region.
WALSINGHAM:
The Bridge interfaces the campground to Walsingham Park which Is situated on the west side of the creek, north of the Walsingham Bridge.
WALSINGHAM PARK:
Walsingham Park has a Water Management District canoe/little boat dispatch. If you want to experience mid-creek with various vegetation why not head on to Walsingham park along the Econfina creek? It is an ideal spot for camping and picnic.
Walsingham Park gives a picnic structure, platform barbecue, fire ring, and tent camping. A versatile latrine is situated at this site for use by campers at Seashell, Longleaf, and Devil’s Hole.
WHITE OAK BOAT LANDING:
One of the Oldest century campgrounds situated on the south finish of Porter Lake along Econfina Creek. The shorelines were resigned by replanting corrupted territories and building an assigned boat slope to improve the aquatic territory.
It gives a structure, picnic tables, platform flame broils, fire rings, a versatile latrine, and three camping locales. Day Use is allowed from sunrise to dusk in the assigned Day Use regions.
WHITEWATER LAKE:
This is an extraordinary family area for camping and it will hold a limit of 10 individuals. Whitewater Lake has uncommon steephead natural surroundings found close by. This campground has a screened structure, a picnic table, fire rings, platform barbecues, a dock, and a portable Toilet.
EQUESTRIAN TRAILS
Head out to the miles and miles of equestrian path along the Econfina recreation area. By the day’s end, you and your horse can stay outdoors under the stars at the Pine Ridge Recreation region.
PINE RIDGE
The Pine Ridge Equestrian Trail was established by the Northwest Florida Water Management District, volunteers of the Southern Trail Riders Association, and other nearby seat clubs to assign around 45 miles of trails in the Econfina Water Management Area.
Guests can stop at Pine Ridge Campground (off Greenhead Road) and ride along Rolling Pines Connector, across State Road 20 to Wolf Pond Equestrian Trail.
This camping area gives eight campgrounds, picnic tables, fire rings, platform flame broils, a portable latrine, and space for your ponies and trailers.
To ensure water assets, equestrians must remain on relegated trails or be dependent upon a fine. Day Use is permitted with indicated parking outside the campground regions. A booking is needed to camp.
