One of the best things about living in Florida is the access to many beautiful waterways and the green landscapes that thrive around them. Here is a list of some of our incredible rivers that we think deserve your attention.
- St. Johns River
Flickr/Daniel Piraino The St. Johns River is the longest river in Florida, touching 12 counties. It’s one of very few rivers in the country that runs north. The St. Johns River is very popular for commercial and recreational use.
- Hillsborough River
Flickr/Matthew Paulson This river in southwest Florida is home to unique Floridian wildlife. Visitors can camp, fish, canoe, and picnic on the river at one of Florida’s oldest state parks, Hillsborough River State Park.
- Loxahatchee River
Flickr/Kim Seng Along with the Hillsborough, the Loxahatchee River is one of only two designated Wild and Scenic Rivers in the state of Florida. Access the river through Riverbend Park and Jonathan Dickinson State Park for canoeing and kayaking.
- Apalachicola River
Flickr/ebyabe Some of our most prized forests are found along this river in the Panhandle.
- Suwannee River
Flickr/Florida Fish and Wildlife The Suwannee flows from southern Georgia to northern Florida, and it’s the subject of Florida’s State Song, “Old Folks at Home.”
- Rainbow River
Flickr/K. Kendall This 5.7-mile river in Dunnellon has been designated a Registered Natural Landmark and an “Outstanding Florida Waterway.” The popular Rainbow Springs State Park is located at its headwaters.
- St. Marks River
Flickr/Simply Shar<3n The St. Marks River flows 36 miles through Leon and Wakulla counties.
- Myakka River
Flickr/Rick Schwartz This river in southwestern Florida is 68 miles long. 12 miles of the river can be enjoyed at Myakka River State Park.
- Ichetucknee River
Flickr/anoldent This 6-mile-long river in North Florida is crystal clear. It can be accessed through the popular Ichetucknee Springs State Park, where visitors swim, snorkel, and go tubing down the river.
- Withlacoochee River
Flickr/Kolin Toney There are two rivers in Florida with this name, and it’s believed the southern one was named after the northern one that starts in Georgia.
- Crystal River
Flickr/Steven Martin This short river in Citrus County is famous for its clear water and its popularity with manatees.
- Wakulla River
Flickr/Karl Nousiainen This 10-mile-long river in Wakulla County is so crystal-clear it was used for underwater scenes in old movies like Creature from the Black Lagoon.
- Indian River
Flickr/Michael Seeley This brackish lagoon is 121 miles long and is part of the system that makes up the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
- Ocklawaha River
Flickr/shorty76 The Ocklawaha River in Central Florida was a popular route for steamboats in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, canoeing, kayaking and fishing remain popular.
- Santa Fe River
Flickr/anoldent The Santa Fe is located in North Florida. Black bears, manatees, and panthers have been seen in the area.
- Peace River
Julie Fletcher via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor The Peace River is popular for canoeing, camping, and fossil hunting. Arcadia, Wauchula, and Zolfo Springs are the main entry points.
What do you think of this list? Did we miss any of your favorites? What are your favorite things to do along Florida’s rivers? Please share your comments below!
Flickr/Daniel Piraino
The St. Johns River is the longest river in Florida, touching 12 counties. It’s one of very few rivers in the country that runs north. The St. Johns River is very popular for commercial and recreational use.
Flickr/Matthew Paulson
This river in southwest Florida is home to unique Floridian wildlife. Visitors can camp, fish, canoe, and picnic on the river at one of Florida’s oldest state parks, Hillsborough River State Park.
Flickr/Kim Seng
Along with the Hillsborough, the Loxahatchee River is one of only two designated Wild and Scenic Rivers in the state of Florida. Access the river through Riverbend Park and Jonathan Dickinson State Park for canoeing and kayaking.
Flickr/ebyabe
Some of our most prized forests are found along this river in the Panhandle.
Flickr/Florida Fish and Wildlife
The Suwannee flows from southern Georgia to northern Florida, and it’s the subject of Florida’s State Song, “Old Folks at Home.”
Flickr/K. Kendall
This 5.7-mile river in Dunnellon has been designated a Registered Natural Landmark and an “Outstanding Florida Waterway.” The popular Rainbow Springs State Park is located at its headwaters.
Flickr/Simply Shar<3n
The St. Marks River flows 36 miles through Leon and Wakulla counties.
Flickr/Rick Schwartz
This river in southwestern Florida is 68 miles long. 12 miles of the river can be enjoyed at Myakka River State Park.
Flickr/anoldent
This 6-mile-long river in North Florida is crystal clear. It can be accessed through the popular Ichetucknee Springs State Park, where visitors swim, snorkel, and go tubing down the river.
Flickr/Kolin Toney
There are two rivers in Florida with this name, and it’s believed the southern one was named after the northern one that starts in Georgia.
Flickr/Steven Martin
This short river in Citrus County is famous for its clear water and its popularity with manatees.
Flickr/Karl Nousiainen
This 10-mile-long river in Wakulla County is so crystal-clear it was used for underwater scenes in old movies like Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Flickr/Michael Seeley
This brackish lagoon is 121 miles long and is part of the system that makes up the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
Flickr/shorty76
The Ocklawaha River in Central Florida was a popular route for steamboats in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, canoeing, kayaking and fishing remain popular.
The Santa Fe is located in North Florida. Black bears, manatees, and panthers have been seen in the area.
Julie Fletcher via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor
The Peace River is popular for canoeing, camping, and fossil hunting. Arcadia, Wauchula, and Zolfo Springs are the main entry points.
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