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Barbours's Map Turtle |
Upper Chipola River WMA consists of
approximately 7,300 acres in Jackson County lying north of
Florida Caverns State Park. The area encompasses the upper
watershed of the Chipola River, including its two main
tributaries, Marshalls Creek and Cowarts Creek, as well as,
portions of the spring-runs of Hayes and Waddell Springs. Access
to this area is almost exclusively by boat and a boat ramp is
located at Christoff Landing. Parking and walk in access is
available along county-maintained roads at Cowarts Creek and
Christoff Landing, as well as near the Hwy. 162 bridge.
Additional hunting and recreation access to the southern portion
of the area is through the State Park via the “Management
Trail.” Subject to water levels, this multi-use trail is
suitable for hiking, horseback riding and off-road biking.
Camping is allowed only at designated sites. A primitive
campsite is located
immediately west of Christoff landing. Squirrel and deer hunting
are good in the floodplain forests that border the creeks and
the river. In the fall, the forests are ablaze with the foliage
of Florida maple and basswood. The area is home to the rare
Barbour’s map turtle as well as to numerous
alligators, egrets,
herons,
ospreys, and songbirds. |
