Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail

Purchase a Paddling Guide — Camping Sites and Trip Options
New! Apply for Permits On-Line — Trail Updates  — Frequently Asked Questions
  Paddling and Camping Tips — Contact Information

• The trail is open from September 1^st through June 30^th.
• Overnight trips require a camping permit.
• Four overnight trip options are available.

Sea kayakers have long known of the multi-day expedition possibilities along Florida’s Big Bend Gulf Coast. The area boasts one of the longest and wildest publicly-owned coastal wetlands in the United States, and a striking array of bird and marine life. Flocks of white pelicans often zoom past in winter and great egrets dot marshy expanses, white as snowflakes. Bald eagles and ospreys entertain with their aerial maneuvers, and in the often clear waters, one can spot crabs, fishes, sea turtles, manatees, cannonball jellyfish and small sharks and rays.

A 40-page guide to the 105-mile trail includes detailed maps, and information on the rich natural and cultural history of this region. Seven designated primitive campsites exclusively for trail users are spaced 10 to 14 miles apart and require permits.