Santa Fe Springs Celebration!
November 2-8, 2026 - Our 100th Trip!
We have added an extra day to this season's trip!
Start: Ichetucknee Springs Campground
End: Bowman’s Landing
Total Distance:
35 miles, plus an optional 6 miles(3 miles upstream from Outpost & back to River Rise)
Full Trip Fees:
Includes camping, meals, and shuttle (does not include Optional Cabin Rentals)
$700/Adults
$675/Seniors (65+) and college students
Registration Deadline: August 4, 2026, or when trip capacity of 40 paddlers is reached.
Bowman's Landing has optional cabins for rent at your own expense for Nov 6 & 7. Please click the link to learn more. Home | Bowman's Landing
KAYAK RENTALS & ALL OTHER INQUIRIES – please call Doug at Rum 138 at 386 454 4247 for kayak rentals Rum 138 - Kayak Rental, Canoes and Kayaks, Paddle Board Rental. We prefer longer kayaks (12-14 feet) to accommodate the longer paddles.
You will receive a confirmation email message 7 days before the event with all the latest details on the trip and a link to the online waiver.
On the form, it will prefill with your info. You need to type over that info and you will get a green notice at the top of the form and it will then enable you to register. All the fields must be white to show that you have typed over the prefilled information., be sure to complete the “how you heard of Paddle Florida” option.
This is a security feature.
Paddling Itinerary:
The Santa Fe River is one of Florida’s prettiest, called “Holy Faith” by the Spanish, lives up to its name with its quiet beauty. The Santa Fe boasts dozens of significant springs, including the celebrated paddleable Santa Fe tributary the Ichetucknee River.
| Day | Lunch Stop | Lunch Miles | Campsite | Daily Miles |
| 1 | N/A | N/A | Ichetucknee Springs Campground | 0 |
| 2 | Ichetucknee Springs Day! | 3 | Ichetucknee Springs Campground | 6 |
| 3 | Ichetucknee Springs Day! | 5 | Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park | 12 |
| 4 | At Camp | 7 or 13 | Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park | 7 to 13 |
| 5 | At Camp | 10 | Bowman's Landing | 10 |
| 6 | At Camp | 0-6 | Bowman's Landing | 0-6 |
| 7 | Leave after breakfast | |||
| Total Miles | 35-41 |
Evening Programs
Evening programs will include presentations from authors, historians, environmental experts, and one night of live music.
Shuttle Details
Paddlers will have a post-trip shuttle and will leave their vehicles at Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park. Drivers will be shuttled back there at the trip’s end to retrieve their cars for the short drive to Bowman’s Landing to load their car for the trip home!
Refund Policy
Due to the financial outlay and costs incurred by Paddle Florida during event planning, any force majeure, which includes but is not limited to water levels, inclement weather, and any other Acts of God not mentioned herein, shall not result in the refund of any fees paid to Paddle Florida. All payments are non-refundable .To protect your investment against unforeseen circumstances, we strongly recommend purchasing travel cancellation insurance."
Policy Breakdown
Recommendation: You are strongly encouraged to purchase trip cancellation insurance to ensure reimbursement if you cannot attend.
Reasoning: High volumes of early sign-ups and sold-out trips have prompted Paddle Florida to prioritize safety and trip planning rather than managing manual refund requests.
Provider Information: Paddle Florida does not provide the insurance itself; you must use an external company.
Boat & Gear Recommendations
For this trip, we recommend sit-in kayaks, sit-on-top kayaks or paddleboards of at least 12 feet in length. This trip is for beginner paddlers, you should also be in moderately good physical condition and know how to swim. If you have any questions about the kind of environment you will encounter on this trip, please contact Janice Hindson at janice@paddleflorida.org
Paddle Florida Policies
All paddlers must attend the trip overview and orientation on the first evening. Paddlers must adhere to the safety guidelines presented.
Every Paddle Florida participant must wear a Coast Guard-approved NON-INFLATABLE personal flotation device while on the river (no ifs, and, or buts).
Every kayak and canoe should have a bow line, 8-10 feet in length, secured in such a way that it is readily accessible, but cannot come loose accidentally. Loose ropes increase the risk of entanglement in the event of a capsize.
Kayaks should have grab-loops at both bow and stern.
Paddlers under age 18 are the responsibility of and must be accompanied by, a parent or guardian. No more than two children under the age of 12 per adult guardian.
Sorry, no pets allowed.
All paddlers must provide emergency contact information and sign a Waiver of Claims and Release of Liability form. Parents must sign for their children under the age of 18.
People-powered watercraft only.
Paddle Florida adheres to all rules put forth by the public parks we stay in, including the ban on alcoholic beverages.
All paddlers must respect private property along waterways.
All paddlers must have basic paddling and swimming skills
Violations of any of these policies can result in the paddler being removed from the event without a refund.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1/Monday, November 2:
Ichetucknee Springs Campground, Paddling Miles: 0
Our trip begins at Ichetucknee Springs Campground, where we’ll camp the first (and second) nights. Paddlers can check-in between 1 - 5 PM and set up tents prior to the kick-off dinner and orientation for the paddling adventure to come.
Throughout the week, dinner will be served at 6 PM each night, followed by an evening program at 7 PM. Nightly entertainment ranges from one of our favorite musicians to educational speakers who will provide insights regarding the flora, fauna, history, and ecology of the region we’re paddling through. We’ll eat breakfast at 7:30 each morning and launch boats from 8:30 - 9:00 AM
Be sure to bring a camera to capture and preserve beautiful river scenes, wildlife sightings, and campfire memories.
Day 2/Tuesday, November 3:
Ichetucknee Spring Run Day! Up and back paddle on the famous Ichetucknee River, Paddling Miles: 6
Paddlers will drive their vehicles with kayaks loaded to the North entrance of Ichetucknee Springs State Park and paddle 6 miles as we explore the Ichetucknee River. We will have an up & back paddle to the restaurant at Dampiers Landing.
We’ll leave the kayaks overnight and drive personal vehicles back to Ichetucknee Springs Campground for dinner and our evening program!
Day 3/Wednesday, November 4 :
Ichetucknee, Paddling Miles: 12
Today we will strike camp as we will be paddling 12 miles to the take out at Lemons Memorial Park. Paddlers will drive to Ichetucknee Springs State Park - North Entrance to put in or be shuttled & leave cars at Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park.
We’ll paddle from Ichetucknee North to Lemons Memorial Park take out and be shuttled (boats & people) back to Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park to set up camp and have dinner.
Paddling this area is an experience you will not forget. Tranquil, turquoise waters surround you as you observe turtle antics and see hawks, ibis, osprey and herons soaring above. Anhingas and cormorants dive for fish, breaking the surface waters below you.
Day 4/Thursday, November 5:
High Springs Boat Ramp up to River Rise, then down to Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, Paddling Miles: 7-13
We will take a quick shuttle to the High Springs boat ramp on the Santa Fe River. We will paddle to River Rise, then back down to our camp at Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park for dinner and our evening program!
Bring your camera! The Santa Fe River has an astounding number of turtle species.
Day 5/Friday, November 6:
Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park to Bowman’s Landing, Paddling Miles: 10
Today we will paddle the Santa Fe from Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park to Bowman’s Landing, where we’ll have the entire campground to ourselves.
Day 6/Saturday, November 7:
Bowman’s Landing, Paddling Miles: 0-6
Today we will have a layover day at Bowman’s Landing.
Day 7/Sunday, November 8:
Breakfast at Bowman’s Landing, Paddling Miles: 0
Today, after breakfast, drivers will be shuttled to Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park to get their cars and return to Bowman’s Landing to load their kayaks and gear.
Mission Statement
PADDLE FLORIDA is a non-profit corporation that promotes water conservation, wildlife preservation, springs restoration, and waterways protection via fun and educational multi-day paddling trips in Florida’s most spectacular river and coastal environments. The vehicle for carrying out this mission is the staging of the multi-day paddling/camping trips in each of Florida’s five water management districts from October to April each year. Paddle Florida also seeks to promote Florida as an international destination for nature-based tourism in general, and paddling in particular.
Ranging from three to six days, trips are open to all paddling skill levels and designed to maximize enjoyment of Florida’s natural environments while engaging and empowering citizens so that they may become involved in the protection and restoration of our waterways.
If you wish to be pampered by professional guides, this isn’t the trip for you. But, if you want to experience a real community brought together under a common goal and by the thrill of adventure, Paddle Florida is the trip for you
The Meal Plan
Your Paddle Florida trip fee covers the meal plan, which provides hearty catered breakfasts and dinners, plus daily lunch snacks of assorted fruits, sandwich items, snacks, and drinks.
General Guidelines
Baggage:
Each paddler is limited to two bags and a total of 40-pounds of luggage. You have to haul your baggage and place it in the gear truck each morning, and haul it back to your campsite each evening of the trip. After paddling all day (about 8,000 paddle strokes per day), a 40-pound bag is really heavy. We recommend you pack as lightly and tightly as possible. This saves your back and the backs of your fellow paddlers. Everyone is expected to assist with the loading and unloading of the truck during the week.
Items we would rather not see in your luggage include bulky chaise lounge chairs, framed bedding/cots, and boxes without tops. Your gear should be packed so that it will not get wet. In the afternoon, your baggage may be removed and placed outside the gear truck where it will be exposed to the elements. Overnight rains may result in gear being packed up wet. A wet tent on top of your clothes bag will result in wet clothes. Plan on inclement weather and make sure you have a bag that will protect important gear in the event of rain.
Please place a label on your luggage with your name on it and make sure your bags are secure.
Suggested Packing Lists
For Water: [Note: Unless you’re wearing it, every item you bring should be secured to your boat. Carabiners and bungee cords can be handy devices for this purpose.]
Boat and paddle. Need to rent? Please see details on the 1st page.
PFD. Every Paddle Florida participant must wear a Coast Guard-approved NON-INFLATABLE personal flotation device while on the river (no ifs, and, or buts).
Every kayak and canoe should have a bowline 8-10 feet in length, secured in such a way that it is readily accessible, but cannot come loose accidentally. Loose ropes increase the risk of entanglement in the event of a capsize. Kayaks should have grab-loops at both bow and stern.
An extra throw rope in case of emergencies should be stored safely in each boat.
Attach a whistle to your PFD or body to signal for help in case of emergency.
A knife.
Waterproof matches or another fire source in a waterproof covering.
First aid kit—each vessel should bring a first aid kit stored inside a waterproof covering.
Repair kit—each vessel should be able to make its own repairs (i.e., duct tape, sealant, waterproof tape).
Rain gear—be prepared to get wet and potentially cold. Every participant should have access to a lightweight jacket or fleece, rain jacket, and rain pants or kayak skirt.
Dry change of clothes—be prepared to take an unexpected swim. Every participant should have access to a dry change of clothes kept in a waterproof covering.
Appropriate close-toed footwear that will protect your feet from unseen underwater hazards and permit you to walk comfortably on slippery and jagged limestone when launching and taking out. Flip flops do not meet these criteria.
Sun protection—sunburn might be the trip’s biggest hazard. Bring ample sunscreen and wear a protective hat and sunglasses.
Mask and snorkel? You’ll be paddling by springs on this trip. Explore them!
Water—drinking water will be readily available along the Paddle Florida route. Bring sufficient water bottles for the day’s paddle for everyone in your boat.
Food—there is little access to restaurants or grocery stores along the Paddle Florida route. Lunch snacks each day are provided to registered participants. You may also want to bring along your own snacks.
Dry Bag or Ziploc—bring a waterproof bag to protect additional items you don’t want to get wet, like your camera or cell phone.
GPS unit? We’ll give you a map, but a GPS unit might also be handy to note the locations of campsites and springs.
For Land:
Tent
Sleeping bag, pad, and pillow
Camp chair
Clothes to keep you comfortable in temperatures generally ranging from 50-85 degrees. Think layers. You’ll likely be wearing more during potentially chilly mornings, then peeling off layers as the day progresses. Remember dry shoes for when you’re in camp and keep in mind there are often hiking trails available at the parks we camp in.
Bathing suit, plus maybe a mask, snorkel, and/or fins.
Headlamp and/or flashlight.
Toiletries and medications.
Other tent items: reading materials, iPod, earplugs…?
A camera to record the awesome memories you’ll be making!