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LIVERIES
Holmes Creek Holmes Creek off Highway 79 in Vernon is one of the most diverse paddles in the Northwest Florida Panhandle area. As part of Florida’s statewide system of Greenways and Trails, it flows through a variety of diverse habitats. Much of the trail is through low-lying swamplands, but the upper and lower portions pass high sandy banks. This lovely creek is shallow and teeming with turtles and birds, including blue, green and white herons, warblers and woodpeckers. You may even spy an ibis. Bring your snorkeling gear to enjoy several crystal-clear springs, including Cypress Springs, Becton Springs and at the Brunson landing, where you can take a short walk along a wooded trail to find a small spring approximately 35 feet in diameter.
Milton Black Water Canoe Rental Blackwatercanoe.com (850) 623-0235 Adventures Unlimited AdventuresUnlimited.com (850) 623-6197 Bob’s Canoes Facebook.com/Bobs-Canoes (850) 623-5457 Crestview Trail Side Outfitter Trailsideoutfitter.com (850) 398-8514
econfina
Holmes Snaggy Bend Outfitters, LLC SnaggyBendOutfitters.com (850) 535-2004
Part of Florida’s Greenways and Trails, Econfina Creek, spanning 26 miles between Marianna and Panama City, is a favorite among paddlers. Pack a lunch, bring your snorkel and take your time exploring its many gin-clear, refreshing springs along a popular 7-mile stretch served by a livery. Cabbage palms drape over the water’s edge along with blooming wildflowers scattering the banks with color during your journey in the spring and summer months. Steep, fern-covered limestone walls prevail along the second half of the paddle, where the creek slices into the ancient limestone of the Floridan Aquifer.
Holmes Creek Livery (850) 210-7001
Old Cypress Canoe Rentals (850) 388-2072 Panama City Canoe Econfina Creek Canoeeconfinacreek.net (850) 722-9032 Eglin Air Force Base Permits Obtain a permit by visiting the Jackson Guard Natural Resources Facility Monday through Saturday at 107 Highway 85 just north of Highway 20 or purchase a permit online at eglin.isportsman.net. Check eglinguideonline.com for any closings in Eglin Reservation recreation areas scheduled for the day you are paddling.
TO LEARN MORE … For more tips and information, check out the following resources: • Walton County Outdoors, waltoncountyoutdoors.com • West Florida Canoe & Kayak Club, wfckc.com • Florida Panhandle Canoe & Kayak Connection, floridakayak.org • Florida State Parks, Floridastateparks.org
WHAT TO PACK BEFORE YOU PADDLE Be sure to hydrate before you go and bring along water, snacks, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, a waterproof watch, cash and insect repellent.
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