The Villages Canoe & Kayak Club - The Village Canoe and Kayak ...

The Villages Canoe & Kayak Club
Trip Plan for the
Withlacoochee River
May 27, 2008
River – Withlacoochee River - Nobleton to the Hwy 48 Bridge
River Information – The Withlacoochee River Canoe Trail is officially designated as part of Florida’s
Statewide System of Greenways and Trails. The river flows out of the Green Swamp in west central Florida.
The trail twists and bends through the sand hill area as it moves northwest. Hardwood forests with an
understory of cabbage palm and saw palmetto border the river. Further downstream the hills disappear as you
paddle through lush swampland with cypress, gum and maple adorned with air plants. The overhanging limbs
form a lacy canopy. Wildlife is abundant along the river. Deer, turkey, otter and alligators are common.
Wood duck, wood stork, white ibis and anhinga can also be seen along the trail. Much of the trail flows
through the Withlacoochee State Forest, but there are scattered residential areas along the river.
River Rating - Easy
Scenery Rating – Very good
Trip Length – 9 miles or 3-1/2 to 4 hours downstream.
Skill Level – Beginner (recommended for physically active)
Current – Minimum, offering leisurely paddle with the current and no major obstructions to encounter.
Wind Impact/Issues – Possible in open areas, but much of the trip will have tree cover on both sides of the
river. Last quarter mile is open water, increasing paddling effort if windy conditions exist.
Trip Leader - Gary Brady, 352-750-6966 (H), 352-409-6332 (C)
Outfitter – Nobleton Outpost, 29295 Lake Lindsey Road, CR 476, Nobleton, Fl 34661
Telephone: 352-796-7176
Equipment & Costs: All boats $36
2-Person Canoe - 25 available
1-Person Canoe - 3 available
2-Person Sit-on Kayak - 1 available
2-Person Sit-in Kayak - 2 available
1-Person Sit-on Kayak - 6 available
1-Person Sit-in Kayak - 14 available. (4 suited for lighter individuals, only. Please comment when signing
up whether you can use one for ‘lighter individuals’.)
Private Boat Owner Shuttle/Launch Fees = $12.00 (Optional)
Price for all rental boats include shuttle service back to put-in
PBO fee includes transport of boat and paddler back to put-in
Distance from the Villages – 40 miles or approximately 50-60 minutes.
Departure Location and Time – Departure will be from the Southern Trace Shopping Center, in front of
Bealls Outlet, at 8:00 AM sharp. Please arrive by 7:45 for check-in with the trip leader.
Travel Directions – Drive south on I-75 (20 miles). Take Exit 309. Turn right on 476-B. At stop sign, turn
left on 476. After you cross over the bridge the Nobleton Outpost is on right.

PBO's take same route but keep driving on 476 about 1/2 mile past Outpost to small park on right. This is the
put-in. The park has a boat ramp and parking area. No restrooms or water. We will shuttle after you unload
your boats and gear. To drive to 48 Bridge take-out, turn left out of park onto 476. At 575 turn left and drive
to stop sign. Turn left on to 48. Just before bridge turn into the parking lot for the small store/ RV Park/ Boat
Ramp. Everyone needs to pay a parking/ramp fee. The fee is $5.00 per car payable in store, or drop box if no
one is in store. The store has clean rest rooms and cold drinks. A few drivers will need to transport paddlers
back to the put-in. After boats and gear are loaded we will rejoin the rest of our party for lunch at the
Nobleton Outpost.
Put-in & Take-out – We will put in at the Nobleton Outpost where we pick up boats. Take out is at the Hwy
48 Bridge, where we will be transported back to the Outpost for lunch and to retrieve vehicles.
PBO put in & Take Out – Put in at the Nobleton Park Boat Ramp (short distance past Nobleton Outpost).
Take out will be at the Hwy 48 Bridge near Convenience Store.
After Trip Lunch Stop – We will have lunch at the Nobleton Outpost at the conclusion of the paddle. They
will have soups, salads and sandwiches available, as well as your favorite libations. There is inside and
outside seating overlooking the river.
Member Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel after you sign-up, there will be a 10% charge applied. There is a
minimum of 48 hr cancellation notice required to ensure full refund of your rental fees. Should an outfitter have a
cancellation policy that requires more than 48 hours notice that policy will take precedence.
Late Cancellation/No Show Policy: Each trip plan defines a Departure Point and Departure Time. The trip leader will
check in all members of the trip at the Departure Point. If you plan to skip the Departure Point check in, contact the trip
leader so that he or she is aware and does not assume you have canceled. If, at the last minute, you decide not to
make the trip please contact the Trip Leader. Efforts will be made to offer your boat to another club member on the
wait list. A Late Cancellation/ No Show has several negative impacts on the trip. First, a wait listed club member may
been cleared to join the trip. Second, the outfitter who has loaded a boat for you may not have the opportunity to
secure the boat which could mean the empty boat will have to be towed by someone on the trip. A no show also
causes a delay because the trip leader may try to confirm that you have decided not to join the trip. Please be
considerate of your fellow club members and notify the trip leader.
Recommended Items to Bring:
Water (minimum - 2 quarts of water per person)
Hat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Personal Flotation Device - Required by Coast Guard - (outfitters provide with rentals)
Whistle (required by coast guard)
Rescue rope (minimum 10 ft)
Bailer and sponge
Clothing suggestions: Water shoes, long-sleeve shirt for sun protection, quick-dry clothes
Miscellaneous: Paddle gloves, first aid kit, camera and cell phone (in a waterproof container), binoculars
Dry clothes and towell: Leave in the car
Paddle safely and have fun!
PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE AND EMAIL JUST PRIOR TO THE TRIP
FOR ANY CHANGES, AND TO PRINT A COPY FOR YOUR NEEDS/DIRECTIONS