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Peace
River Canoe Trail
The
Peace River Canoe Trail is officially designated as part
of Florida’s Statewide System of Greenways and Trails.
The Spanish, on a map as early as 1544, called it “Rio
de la Paz” — river of peace. Seminole’s called
it Tallackchopo (cow peas) because the river’s banks
were covered with wild peas. The Peace River, true to its
name, is a serene, slow-moving river with few signs of civilization.
Whether you paddle for a day or a week, the Peace River’s
quiet isolation lets you leave big city worries behind.
The scars of 19th century phosphate mining of the river
banks and bed have been absorbed by the river and lush vegetation.
Red-shouldered
hawk soar high above moss-draped cypress trees. Turtles
slide into the water as a paddler drifts by. Deer and turkey
feed in the palmetto thickets. A black bear may wander to
the river’s edge. Wading birds walk along the bank
looking for food while keeping an eye on a nearby alligator.
Otter play among the willows. Horizontal cabbage palm dip
their trunks in the water before curving straight up so
the tops clear the surface.
Along
its 67 miles, the pale, tea-colored river shows many different
faces. Sometimes the river is narrow, passing swiftly between
high banks. Around a gentle curve, the river may widen and
the current become slow-moving. Past another of the S curves,
the river becomes a quiet shallow pond before narrowing
again. The Peace River is split by tiny islands and joined
by numerous creeks. Sandy beaches and sloping banks provide
excellent camping spots.
Click
here
for printer-friendly map
and description (PDF 333 kb).
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Major
Activities |
Counties:
Desoto, Hardee, Polk
Mileage:
67
Skill
Level: Beginner
Difficulty:
Easy (except in high water)
Usual
Current: Slow (0-1 mph)
Notes
and Precautions
Observe the No Trespassing signs. There is no camping allowed
on the east side of the river from Zolfo Springs to Brownville.
Also, do not camp on the west side of the river between Gardner
and Brownville Bridge. Not many camping sites available below
Brownville. Paynes Creek State Historic Site is located .5
mile east of Bowling Green, off SR 664A. An interpretive center,
picnicking and nature trails are available. Paddlers may continue
downstream. Check maps for additional access points.
—description
continued below—
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Access
- US
98 Bridge – At Ft. Meade Recreational Park, one mile east
of US 17 off of US 98.
- CR
657 Bridge – From US 17, two miles south of Ft. Meade, take
CR 657 (Mt. Pisgah Road) southeast one mile to bridge. (3 miles)
- CR
664 Bridge – From US 17, .5 mile north of Bowling Green,
go one mile on County Line Road to bridge (Paynes Creek Historical
Site). (7 miles)
- CR
664-A Bridge – From US 17 in Bowling Green, take SR 664-A
(Lake Branch Road) east two miles to bridge. (2 miles)
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Lower CR 664-A Bridge – In North Wauchula, go south 1.5 miles
on US 17 to Rea Road. Turn right (east) and follow Rea Road to
intersection with CR 664-A. Turn left (north) on 664-A and go
.5 mile to bridge. (4 miles)
- Crews
Park Boat Ramp – At Wauchula, take SR 64A east to boat ramp.
(2 miles)
- CR
652 Bridge – At Wauchula, take SR 64-A .5 mile east to CR
652. Turn south on SR 652 and continue to bridge. (1 mile)
- Pioneer
Park / Boat Ramp – From Wauchula, head south on US 17 to
SR 64 in Zolfo Springs. Turn right (west) on SR 64 and look for
park and boat ramp. (1 mile)
- Gardner
Boat Ramp – Take US 17 thirteen miles south of Zolfo Springs.
Turn right on River Road, go 1.5 miles to boat ramp. (23 miles)
- Brownville
Park -- From Arcadia, take US 17 north approximately four miles
to Brownville Street. Take a left (west) and proceed 1.5 miles
to entrance. (6 miles)
- SR
70 Bridge – From US 17 in Arcadia, head west on SR 70 1.5
miles to bridge. (18 miles)
There
may be access points (both public and private) in addition to those
listed here. Please remember that some sites require a fee for launching
and/or parking.
All
camping should be limited to the west bank along the stretch from
Zolfo Springs to Gardner. Camping is prohibited on the east bank
per the Peace River Ranch.
Related
Outfitters
Canoe Outpost - Peace River
2816 NW County Rd. 661
Arcadia, Florida 34266 USA
(863) 494-1215, (800) 268-0083 (863) 494-4391 fax
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