Ocklawaha River

The Ocklawaha River flows north from the Harris chain of lakes for 74 miles to the St. Johns River. This river has been an integral part of the history of Florida, from the first people living along it’s shores to the many riverboat landings; from the wanderings of Bartram to the tourist destination of Silver Springs; and from the beginnings of the long-anticipated Cross Florida Barge Canal and the damming of the river to the end of that canal that left the controversial dam in place. The Ocklawaha River holds many secrets: geologic secrets in the twenty springs that are hidden under waters held back by the dam, archeological records left by those that first hunted along its banks to the eventual displacement of the Seminoles, and historic secrets from before the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation.

Outdoor recreational activities include hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking, horseback riding, and paddling, although there are few established trails.