Saint John River Poker Run

Among Alligators and the Ghosts of Mad Men on the Mighty St. Johns.The Betty Jane pushes up the St. Johns to ports unknown, at least to a lifetime Yankee like me.Late last summer an email from Editor-in-Chief Richard Thiel pinged into my inbox—“I have something up my sleeve for you”—it read. John Rivers is a foil to Edward Rochester. Whereas Rochester is passionate, St. John is austere and ambitious. Jane often describes Rochester’s eyes as flashing and flaming, whereas she constantly associates St. John with rock, ice, and snow.

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Latest update: April 2012

Kayaking with Manatees

Blue Spring, at Blue Spring State Park near Deland, Florida, feeds Blue Spring Run to the St. Johns River. The spring run is a designated manatee refuge and is closed to paddlers during the winter months. During extreme cold weather, over 300 manatee have been counted in the short run. The river on either side of the run is designated as a 'No Wake Zone,' making the area great for kayaking and canoeing. (Detailed map and photos below.)

Blue Spring Area Paddling Map
St. Johns River, FL

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Distance: Varies. The spring run itself is less than a half mile; 3.5 miles to Hontoon Island. Oxbow and Snake Creek are options.
Location: Volusia County (Orange City)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Tidal: No
Launch points: French Avenue boat ramp, Blue Spring State Park (admission fee). (See map)
Nearby points of interest: City of Deland, Stetson University

Rentals/Outfitters/Tours:

Blue Spring Adventures (rentals, Tours)

Support and Advocacy:

The river is popular for fishing, paddling, and boating. Several oxbows and creeks off the river are a respite from the motorboat traffic on the river.

From Blue Spring Park, paddle the St. Johns to Hontoon Island (3.5 miles), then up Snake Creek and return to Blue Spring for a 10-mile round-trip. Hontoon Island is accessible by boat or ferry only, activities include camping, boating, bicycling, and picnicking.

St. Johns River - French Avenue Launch to Blue Spring Run

On the St. Johns, many motorboats but 'No Wake Zone' here makes for good paddling. French Avenue launch has parking, a boat ramp, and kayak/canoe launch area.

Blue Spring Run

The spring run is a short (less than a half mile) paddle, but a must-visit for the manatees and other wildlife, as well as for its beauty. The Run is closed to all vessels during the winter manatee season, November 15 - March 1. When the run is open, the section past the swimming area to the springhead can be paddled before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m. The springhead area is popular for snorkeling, swimming, tubing. Swimming or diving near manatees is prohibited.

St. Johns River - Blue Spring Run Area

Rentals and a river cruise are located at the park entrance. The Lagoon is a quiet paddling area just past the dock area. Continuing downriver, turn off at the oxbow to avoid the busy motorboat traffic on the river.

Oxbow off the River

This 'oxbow' is about 1/4 mile south of Blue Spring Run. Two side creeks run off this area, one is a manmade canal, the other is Snake Creek that winds up to Hontoon Island.

Wildlife on the St. Johns and Blue Spring Run

The Run is like a giant aquarium, easy to see everything in the crystal clear water. Fishing isn't allowed on the Run. During the winter season, visit the State Park and view manatees from the Boardwalk.

Blue Spring State Park

Blue Spring State Park has a concession plus camping, cabins, picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, boardwalk, hiking, fishing, boating, and of course paddling. River boat tours are available. The Thursby House dates from 1872, built by Louis Thursby who constructed one of the first steamboat landings on the upper St. Johns River here. The family lived here until 1910, the property was acquired by the State in 1972.

Related Resources:

Florida State Parks - Blue Spring State Park
Florida State Parks - Hontoon Island State Park

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It’s BIG

Saint John River Poker Run 2020

The St. Johns River is the longest river in Florida at a whopping 310 miles long. It flows through 12 counties, moving from northeast Florida to the Atlantic Ocean. At its largest point, the St. John’s River is almost 3 miles wide.

It is also separated into three river basins and two watersheds. The Upper Basin of the St. Johns engulfs approximately 2,000 square miles, and the largest basin is the Lower Basin covering 2,600 square miles. Thanks to its massive size, the river transports about 16,000,000 tons of freight through the ports in Jacksonville, Fla. per year.

It Flows North

The vast majority of rivers in the world flow from north to south. This is usually due to the river’s source, mostly mountains, is to the north of the mouth causing the water to flow downward. However, it is said that fewer than 30 rivers in the United States are the exception to the rule and flow northward, including the St. John’s River.

The reasoning behind the unusual flow is the slight slope in the river itself. Beginning in the Saint John’s Marsh, the rivers course slowly lowers about 30 feet to the mouth meeting the Atlantic Ocean. This extremely gentle slope causes a very lazy river; it’s actually one of the slowest in the world.

It’s VERY Connected

Saint John River Poker Runner

About 3.5 million people live within the various watersheds that feed into the St. Johns River. It’s the main water body in the St. Johns River Water Management District that covers about 21 percent of Florida or about 7.8 million acres.

It has a Salty Side

The St. Johns River begins as a network of marshes, consolidating into a blackwater stream. This means that due to its groundwater and marsh beginnings, the River is predominately fresh water.

It’s not until the River hits the Jacksonville area that the water becomes brackish. This is due to the sides pushing seawater into the mouth of the St. Johns River, creating a estuarine ecosystem in the area. This means animals usually seen out to sea such as dolphins and sharks are sometimes found thriving here.

Saint John River Poker Run Results

It has…monkeys?

Where the St. Johns River meets the Wekiva River, troops of Rhesus Monkeys can be found monkeying around. Known for their adept swimming abilities, the origins of the Rhesus Monkeys transports remain unknown. However, several theories exist. Many believe they were brought in during the 1930’s filming of Tarzan. Whatever the case, they have adapted well to their new Florida home off the St.Johns River.

It’s Fun

There is never a shortage of fun in the sun on the St. Johns River, known as the most significant recreational river in Florida, and for good reason.

Known as the Bass Fishing Capital of the World, the St. Johns River is rich in fisheries including ample crappie, bluegills, catfish and other varieties freshwater fish. During the spring and summer months, visitors can enjoy clear waters for swimming, boating, and scuba diving along the river’s connected watersheds.

Ashore, the St. Johns River Water Management District maintains approximately 700,000 acres of land for hiking, camping, hunting, biking and equestrian riding.

Blue Springs State Park

The St. Johns River is also linked to 14 lakes and numerous Florida Springs including Blue Spring State Park, a protected Manatee Refuge. During the winter season, hundreds of manatees inhabit the surface of the spring for onlookers to enjoy.

Boat Rentals on the St. Johns River

At Castaways on the River, we offer boat rentals at our Volusia County location in Astor, FL. Looking to stay awhile? Rent a cool cottage or a motel room today at Castaways on the River, which is right on the St. Johns River.

Share your Favorite Spot

Do you have any favorite spots along the river? Leave a comment, below. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Don’t forget to tag us! We’d love to hear from you.

About Castaways on the River

Castaways on the River offers boat rentals and lodging accommodations in beautiful Astor, Florida. Come experience the natural beauty of Central Florida's fresh waters. http://www.castawaysontheriver.com

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