Northern Florida -
Walks, Parks and Birds of St
Johns River Valley (November - April)
Scheduled trips: Please contact us to set up a custom trip!
Trip Cost: $1,400 -
(7 Days & 6 Nights).
There is a $400 single supplement charge
- Come savor the hidden natural "gems" of northern Florida in the 60-mile swath of surprisingly diverse landscapes and parklands west of Gainesville right to the Gulf of Mexico at Steinhatchee (still a sleepy fishing town bordered by pristine marshlands). In our many walks, we will take in sights such as rivers that go underground (into the limerock); limestone sinkholes; clear, spring-fed streams like the Ichetucknee; gorgeous hardwood hammock forests; tidal marshlands within sight of the Gulf. And, of course, we will explore the incredible, tea-colored Suwannee River of Stephen Foster song fame -
the lower stretch being a national wildlife refuge known for its birds and pristine wildlife habitat.
Based the first three nights in High Springs town, near Gainesville,
we will walk the Alachua Sink trail in Paynes Prairie State Preserve -
where alligators, wild horses, bison, and sandhill cranes reign supreme. We will also tour the nearby historic home of author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (The Yearling, Sojourner, and more) at sleepy Cross Creek village as well as history-steeped Micanopy village with some fun shops to peruse. We also find ourselves walking the great trails in O'Leno State Park, to where the Santa Fe River goes underground in its slow whirlpool "sink", and will also check out the the amazing sinkhole called the Devils
Millhopper, set in lovely woodlands.
Then it is on to the Gulf-fronted town of Steinhatchee for our last three nights, staying at a small condo with airy rooms and amazing sunsets over the marshlands. We will walk to the surprising limestone-ledged rapids on the Steinhatchee River, walk the unforgettable Dixie Mainline tram route through the moss-clad hammock forest of the Suwannee refuge lands, and explore the piney woodlands and marshlands of Dallus Creek Park. Fresh seafood is truly fresh in Steinhatchee and you can sample it to your heart's content everynight.
- Jacksonville airport is used for pickups/dropoffs.
This is a special, exclusive trip run by Brett Poirier for Wonder Walks.
