F L O R I DA / A L A B A M A L I N E

Deerland

O K A L O O S AO K A L O O S A

S A N T A R O S AS A N T A R O S A

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Oak GroveOkaloo

Garden City

Silver Springs

Clear Springs

Peaden

Nubbin Ridge

Galliver

Escambia Farms

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Kellys MillFloridale

Beaver Creek

Fidelis

McLellanSellersville

Spring Hill

Roeville

MiltonÂ

Broxson

Eglin Village

Shalimar

Postil

Niceville

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Holt

Baker

Harold

Auburn

Munson

Wright

Campton

Milligan

Blackman

Crestview

Berrydale

Valparaiso

Cannon Town

Laurel Hill

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0 5 102.5 Miles

WetlandsWaterDesignated Paddling Trail Index

Designated Paddling Trail

M a p 1M a p 1

M a p 2M a p 2

M a p 3M a p 3

M a p 4M a p 4

M a p 5M a p 5

F l o r i d a D e s i g n a t e d F l o r i d a D e s i g n a t e d P a d d l i n g T r a i l sP a d d l i n g T r a i l s

Y e l l o w R i v e rY e l l o w R i v e r

O K A L O O S AO K A L O O S A

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r Man

agem

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rea

Blackwater River State Forest

Blackwater River State Forest

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BILL LUNDY RD

OLD RIVE

R RD

YELLOWRIVE

R BAPTI ST CHU

RCH RD

OL D EBENEZERRD

PEACOCKRD

LG RUSSELL RD

LEE COOK RD

S HOCKLEY S P RING

S RD

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BILL LUNDY RD

SENTERFITTRD

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Clear Springs

Peaden

BlackmanÂOak Grove

State

Hwy

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0 0.95 1.90.475 Miles

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Access #1: CR 2 BridgeN: 30.9253 W: -86.5591

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Y e l l o w R i v e r P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 1Y e l l o w R i v e r P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 1

Canoe/Kayak Launch!|Florida Conservation LandsWetlands

Yellow River Paddling Trail

Access #2: Reedy LandingN: 30.8697° W: -86.-86.5917°

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CHESNUT AVE

BRACKIN ST

LLOYD ST

NORTH AVE

OLD BETHEL RD

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ANTIO CH RD

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OLD RIVER RD

LAKE SILVER RD

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r Wate

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Yello

w Riv

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ter M

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t Area

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r Wate

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ELLIS RD

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SIOUX C IR

BakerÂ

GalliverÂ

Milligan

Crestview

0 1 20.5 Miles

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Access #3: Milligan Park N: 30.7484 W: -86.6253

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Canoe/Kayak Launch!|Florida Conservation LandsWetlands

Yellow River Paddling Trail

Y e l l o w R i v e r P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 2Y e l l o w R i v e r P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 2

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Eglin AFB

Blackwater River State Forest

Yellow River Water Management Area

Yellow River Water Management Area

O K A L O O S AO K A L O O S A

GALL

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BONE C REEK

RD

POPLAR HEAD CHURCH RDLOG LAKE RD

BROXSON RD

TRAWICK CREEK RD

WILKE RSON B LUFF RD

CANOE LAKE RD

Milligan Á

Holt

0 1 20.5 Miles

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Access #4: Rivers Edge RV Park N: 30.6742 W: -86.7469

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Y e l l o w R i v e r P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 3Y e l l o w R i v e r P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 3

Florida Conservation LandsWetlands

I* RestroomsÞ Potable Water

Canoe/Kayak Launch!|

Yellow River Paddling Trail

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LOG LAKE RD

CANOE LAKE RD

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BLUE BARNES RD

O K A L O O S AO K A L O O S AS A N T A R O S AS A N T A R O S A

Blackwater River State Forest

Blackwater River State Forest

Eglin AFB

Yellow River Water Management Area

Eglin AFB

CANOE LAKERD

DOVE R

UN R

D

FISHER OLD MILL RD

FISHER O LD MILL RD

LOG LAKE RD

YELLO W RIVER LO G LAKE R D

GARNE

R LANDI

NG R

D

Holt ¿

Floridale

Parkerville

0 1 20.5 Miles

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Access #5: Guest Lake Ramp N: 30.6603 W: -86.7651

Y e l l o w R i v e r P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 4Y e l l o w R i v e r P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 4

Access #6: Log Lake Ramp N: 30.6198 W: -86.8334

DEER LAKE RD

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Canoe/Kayak Launch!|Florida Conservation LandsWetlands

Yellow River Paddling Trail

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Guest Lake Entrance:N: 30.6602 W: -86.7635

Log Lake Ramp East Entrance:N: 30.6240 W: -86.8240

Log Lake Ramp West Entrance:N: 30.6166 W: -86.8423

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Eglin AFB

Santa Rosa OutlyingLanding Field

Yellow River Water Management Area

Yellow RiverWater Management Area

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NICHOLS LAKE RD

DEER LAKE RD

MILLER BLUFF RD

FISHER OLD MILL RD

S A N T A R O S AS A N T A R O S A

Harold ¿

Parkerville

Broxson

0 1 20.5 Miles

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Access #7: SR 87 Bridge N: 30.5713 W: -86.9244

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Canoe/Kayak Launch!|Florida Conservation LandsWetlands

Yellow River Paddling Trail

Y e l l o w R i v e r P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 5Y e l l o w R i v e r P a d d l i n g T r a i l M a p 5

Yellow River Paddling Trail Guide

The Waterway Located in the western Panhandle, the upper Yellow River drains the state’s highest elevation. As a result, the current is faster than most north Florida rivers. The upper Yellow River takes paddlers along limestone banks that give way to sand and gravel banks downstream. Hardwood forests frame the shallow, golden water. Farther downstream, the river deepens and slows as it passes through cypress and gum swamps. The river is joined by the Shoal River, another designated paddling trail, near Crestview. Fishing is excellent and wildlife abundant as the river winds through miles of public conservation lands. The Paddling Experience The degree of difficulty of this 54-mile trail depends entirely on water levels which can fluctuate dramatically in a short period of time. Water levels are best when the USGS gauge is at least 1 to 2 feet near Milligan. It is possible to extend the length of your paddling adventure and begin paddling in Alabama at a number of access points. It is also possible to paddle farther downstream past the trails designated endpoint at SR 87 into the Yellow River Marsh Aquatic Preserve, but it can be a confusing area for those unfamiliar with the waterway. The 18-mile section between SR 2 and US 90 is the best section for paddlers with a number of significant sandbars offering comfortable overnight camping. Public access points below US 90 and the Ellis Road boat ramp are limited and paddlers are much more likely to encounter powerboat traffic. Camping is also allowed on the Yellow River Wildlife Management Area. Pay attention to posted boundaries to avoid camping on private land. There are access sites on the Yellow River in addition to the ones listed below that are on Eglin Air Force Base property and require special permit to use. Access Points

#1, Start of the Trail, CR 2 Bridge (Oak Grove) From Crestview, take US 90 west 4.5 miles across the Yellow River to Milligan. Go right (north) 3.7 miles on SR 4 and merge with SR 189. Continue straight (north) on SR 189 10.5 miles to CR 2. Take CR 2 right (east) 5 miles to the bridge over the Yellow River.

#2, Mile 6, Reedy Landing, A small single-lane gravel launch. This segment of the Yellow River may be very shallow and suitable for small boats only. From SR 2 go south on Old River Rd. about 4 miles, turn left (east) on dirt road, stay straight when road forks, road ends at ramp.

#3, Mile 18, Milligan Park From Crestview, take US 90 west 4.0 miles across the Yellow River to Milligan. Take the first clay road on the left past the bridge (Ellis Road). A small boat ramp sign on US 90 may be seen pointing towards Ellis Road.

Yellow River Paddling Trail Guide

Follow the clay road curving left near the railroad tracks to a small park with improved boat ramp and a small sandy beach. #4, Mile 35, Rivers Edge RV Park RV and tent camping is available at the Rivers Edge RV Park. From Crestview, take US 90 west 12 miles (or west on I-10 and take Exit 45). Turn south onto Log Lake Road and follow pavement 2.5 miles to RV Park on left. Enter park, pay fee and enter gate for ramp.

#5, Mile 37, Guest Lake River access to and from the Guest Lake gravel boat ramp can be difficult. It is challenging to identify the location of the creek leading up to Guest Lake from the main river channel. (See map). From Crestview, take US 90 west 12 miles (or west on I-10 and take Exit 45). Turn south onto Log Lake Road and follow pavement 2.5 miles until it ends at RV park on left. Continue following unpaved portion of road another 1.3 miles until it ends at Guest Lake ramp. #6, Mile 44.5, Log Lake Travel east on US 90 for 10 miles and turn right onto Miller Bluff Road (paved). Follow south 2.6 miles and turn left at Fisher Old Mill Road (turns into hard-packed unpaved road). Follow 1.2 miles and turn right onto Log Lake Road. Follow .5 mile to ramp on right. The ramp is on a side stream about .8 mile from the main channel.

#7, Mile 54, End of the Trail, SR 87 Bridge This launch site is suitable for hand-launching of small boats only as the short canal leading to the Yellow River is shallow and narrow. This parking lot is also a trailhead for the Florida National Scenic Trail. The end of the designated portion of the river trail is on the northern boundary of the Eglin Air Force Base Reservation. Below US 90, much of the land on the south side of the river is part of Eglin Air Force Base. Eglin AFB maintains several primitive launches and recreation areas along the river that are open to the public (with permit). Obtain a base recreation permit if you plan to enter the reservation (this includes stopping for lunch). Information about permits and Eglin area maps can be obtained by calling (850) 882-4164 or writing Eglin Natural Resources, 107 Highway 85, Niceville, FL 32578. Online resources includes a guide to Yellow River and Eglin access points. From Milton, take US 90 east 4.5 miles to SR 87. Follow SR 87 south 5 miles to the bridge. Outfitters and Shuttle Service Blackwater Canoe Rental, 850-623-0235

Photo: FWC Photo: Beverly Hill