More modern facilities such as a campground and camp store have been built and rebuilt but the major elements of the CCC work remain. The work that was done by the CCC remains giving the main swimming area an atmosphere of years gone by. Pets won't be in your cooler, but they aren't allowed either.Improvements at Juniper Springs Recreation Area including a water wheel and mill house that were developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the mid-thirties. You should expect to have your cooler checked. That means no soft drinks, disposable water bottles, or prepackaged snacks like breakfast bars. Check here for more details from the Forest Service.Ĭooler Note: Nothing disposable is allowed on the creek. There is, of course, an admission charge for entering the recreation area. They will rent you a tandem canoe or shuttle drivers who have their own boats. There is a canoe livery operating at Juniper Springs Recreation Area. The mild current keeps the challenges to a minimum, though. There are plenty of trees to limbo under and lots of obstacles in the water to dodge. The Forest Service does a great job of maintaining the creek, but they keep it "wild," not butchered. The creek is also very shallow, so getting stuck, particularly in the first few miles, is not uncommon. The Forest Service rents tandem canoes, and you should not be surprised if you round a bend in the creek to find one guided by hapless paddlers and turned sideways, blocking the whole creek. The creek is so narrow that it may be difficult to pass another boat for long stretches. Take whichever route looks best to you - or take the route less traveled, and you may spot some snoozing wildlife. If you come to a fork in the creek as you paddle your kayak downstream, don't panic, there are several islands. This isn't a real challenge, but it's enough to bring a smile to your face. When you think you've seen all there is to see, Juniper Springs Creek tosses a small Florida rapid into the mix. The trip down the creek varies from heavily canopied to full sun. We have not seen any bears or wild hogs, but they are also in the area.
On our most recent trip here, in addition to alligators, we saw an otter, a raccoon, a pair of deer, and lots of interesting birds. This splendid creek is also loads of fun to paddle, and it provides plenty of opportunities for wildlife sightings. Well, both the palm trees and the alligators give you a hint as to your location. The abundance of palm trees along the creek let you know you are in Florida. The spring water is crystal clear and reveals a white, sandy bottom. There are several beautiful creeks in the Ocala area, but Juniper Springs Creek is my favorite kayaking destination.
0 kommentar(er)
