where can i put a small boat in and camp along the rivers in central florida i am in orlando?

Question

we are looking to do a couple of days on a river and do some primitive camping

Answer 1

You might want to try the Welaka area along the St.Johns River. From there you cross the St. Johns and motor up the Ocklawaha River towards Silver Springs. You would have locks to manage at Rodman Dam. This is a fun trip, we did it many times when I was a kid in the early '50's.

There are several boat ramps along the river, one on SR-19, South of Palatka and another on SR 316 near Eureka. The later you would not have to negotiate the locks.

Another fun trip along the same river, coming from the other end would start at Haines Creek on SR 44, near Eustis. You would motor North/west on Haines Creek to Lake Griffin to Moss Bluff. Here you would pass through a set of locks to the Ocklawaha River. From there you would travel all the way to the St. Johs River if you wish, with a stop off at Silver Springs. As a Boy Scout, I made this trip by Canoe, more than once. Camping along the river would be primitive.

Additional thoughts: As a sampler, start your trip in the middle. At the base of the bridge over the Ocklawaha River on SR 40, East of Ocala, there's a boat launch area. Park your toe vehicle there, motor down the canal to the Silver River, turn right to Silver Springs. After you visit the springs area return down the river to the junction of the Silver and Ocklawaha Rivers. Now you could turn right and head to Eustis or turn left and head towards the St. Johns River. Going left, you will pass by several camping areas. To your left will be private land and to your right will be the Ocala National Forest.

After you go under the bridge at Eureka, you will be entering Lake Ocklawaha. On your right will be several areas for camping.

Another great trip we took when I was a kid is to put your boat in Lake Tohopekaliga, Kissimmee. Head South to the locks at the Southern end of the lake. Through these locks and the canal is Cypress Lake, another canal to Lake Hatchineha, one more canel and you're in Lake Kissimmee. From here you continue South to the Kissimmee River at the Southern end of the lake. Down the Kissimmee River until you get to Lake Okeechobee. Cross this lake to the East and through the St. Lucie Canel to the Intercoastal Waterway. From here we would continue North to Jacksonville,take the St. Johns River South to Lake Monroe at Sanford. This would require someone to transport your tow vehicle from Kissimmee to Sanford, a distance of 50 miles and your boat trip was over 550 miles.

Answer 2

o.k., try these, and use google maps for directions:

east lake fish camp
kissimmee
[phone]
located off of 3705 big bass road

or

joe overstreet boat ramp
4900 overstreet road
kenansville, fl
[phone]

or

st. cloud fishing pier and marina
1104 lakeshore blvd., lakefront park
st. cloud
[phone]

all of there were from the lakes, public boat ramps and marinas section of www.floridakiss.com

Answer 3

Do I hear banjo music?