Juniper Run Take-Out

Central Florida nature at its finest can be found kayaking on Juniper Springs.

This 6 mile paddling adventure has beautiful palms and Cypress trees around every turn. The cool, fresh water carries you along and demands that you stay alert as you get buffeted by the current.

After a bit over halfway, you'll have an exciting rapid to run through, and then the tree canopy disappears with vistas of tall marshland grasses.

Turtles will be found showing off their painted faces and legs, before belly-flopping into the water as you approach. The gators are hidden (mostly), but there's lots of birds and the every so often butterfly.

Enjoy a beautiful step back in time.

The water temperature is perfect, clear an so calm, a good place to relax with nature!

The traditional takeout point for those floating down from Juniper Springs. You can arrange pickup by the kayak/canoe vendor at the park or park a vehicle here and take another to the park for diy. You can also launch here and go up or downstream, either returning for takeout or going all the way to Lake George and picking a takeout spot along the shore; there are a few to choose from. There is a composting toilet, here, as well as bear proof trash containers. Parking is limited, so arrive early during peak seasons, especially on weekends. The paddle down from the springs can be done in a few hours, or it can take all day if you choose to stop along the way several times to fish or just soak up nature. Naturally, the first paddlers will see the most wildlife, especially if they're quiet. You may see various birds, deer, raccoons, otters and gators along the way. This stream flows faster than most and is narrower, on average, due to the higher banks of the uplands it flows through much of the way. Take your time, accept the challenges and be kind to each other; even more experienced paddlers will rake through a little stream side brush and bounce off some midstream obstacles. If you launch here and go upstream, you will get a little workout due to the stronger than average current.You will eventually arrive at a limestone shelf which causes a brief strengthening of the flow and is shallow enough to stop upstream progress without an inconvenient portage, unless you want to get into the water and pull your boat through (be careful). There is a convenient sandy beach just downstream of the shelf. Forest Service rules do not allow disposable drink containers on the stream and require that you bring out everything you take in. Take your time, drink it all in, enjoy!

Fantastic canoe/kayak run. Must must do!!
My favorite run in the whole state and I’ve run a bunch! Great wildlife most trips. The staff is very helpful. Reminder NO disposable plastic metal on trail . Only reusable containers like Tupperware.

Nine of put our kayaks in here then paddled down to Lake George. Some shallow spots but very enjoyable. We then went out into Lake George and paddled up to Silver Glen Springs to the take out. About 8 miles in all.