Kayaking Alexander Springs Run – Ocala National Forest
Alexander Springs Run
Location
Location of launch and take out is -
Alexander Springs Recreation Area
49525 County Rd 445, Altoona, FL 32702
Price
Current price to launch is $7.00 day use fee for weekdays and $10.00 on weekends.
Currently there are no shuttle services nor are there kayak or canoe rentals.
Body of Water Type
Spring Run
Distance to Launch
Approximately 500 feet or a little more
Distance of our trip
Approximately 2 miles to County Rd. 445 Out 1 mile and Back 1 mile
Distance from take out to parking
N/A
Current
I would list the current as easy.
Usage
At the time we were there, low/medium.
Additional Notes
There are no current shuttles and it appears things are changing at the 442 bridge. There were people fishing at the bridge when we were there but there are notes that improvements for parking and such are ongoing and access at 442 is restricted at this time.
We put in at the Alexander Springs Recreation Area. We were camping so there was no charge for us to launch.
The launch was decent with hard landing pad and easy to get started.
This was a nice spring run with mostly underwater grass bottom with some small sandy patches. The shore was in a natural state with no residences. The water was mostly clear all the way to the bridge. The Lilly Pads near the bridge were really thick and would have, no doubt, been beautiful if they were blooming at the time.
The paddle back to the launch was easy and without obstacles. There were no alligators that we saw but they were no doubt there.
Possible future trip all the way to Freak Creek. ***Need to review to see if somewhat navigable this far and the condition of roads for pick up.