Sandhill & Black Bear Chapters - Florida Trail Association

Description: Let’s Float, Swim or Paddle board. It’s a clear, cool ~72 degrees spring fed river. Bring water and picnic lunch/snacks of your preference for after our float. Hat, water shoes, snorkel/mask, rope to tie your equipment to your float, mesh bag, sunglasses, gloves and or flippers and sunscreen advised. BRING your Tube or Rent at the park concession prior to our meeting time. Check out the pricing on tube rental and cost to have our personal tube inflated online prior to our meeting time!
We will be walking ~1/2 mile to the float launch location at 10:30 AM sharp.
Afterwards-We will be WALKING back ~1.5 miles on a sandy park trail from the last river exit to our cars in the South entrance parking lot.
General Information: General admission $6 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people/vehicle. $4 Single Occupant Vehicle. OR your FL State Park Pass. South exit remains closed to private boats.
Bathrooms: Yes, at South entrance and at river exit location.
Dogs allowed: No
Restricted to 15 FTA members over 18 years of age. Experienced swimmers with strong swimming skills. Be able to get back on your float/paddle board if you flip.
“ Building More Than Trails.” Go to membership@floridatrail.org to join. Phone: 352-378-8823

Date: Friday, October 2, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM, Arrive by 8:45 to sign in
Location: Shangri-La Trailhead and Campground, 12788 S.W. 69th Court, Ocala
Leader: Suzie Lehman and Marsha Jordan

Description: Join the Sandhill Chapter of the Florida Trail Association for a 3.4 mile hike, rated moderate
in difficulty. This route is located on the Shangri-La tract and is a loop hike through a forested area.
Moderate trails often feature gradual climbs or obstacles like rocks or roots. If you like to use sticks, I
would recommend that you bring them.

Fees: None
General Information: Bring a hat, water, sunscreen, proper footwear, and snack if you like. Bug spray is
always a good idea. Please have an emergency medical card (info) in your pack.
Bathrooms: Yes
Dogs allowed: Well behaved dogs on leash are welcome
RSVP via Meet-Up

Directions: From FL-200 west of Walmart Supercenter, turn left on SW Hwy 484, 3 miles turn left on
Marion Oaks Trail, 1 mile turn left on SW 69 th Ct.
From I-75, take exit 341 and go West (you will be on 484). About 4 miles, tun right on Marion Oaks
Pass, .5 miles turn left on Marion Oaks Trail, .7 miles turn right on SW 69 th Ct.
We will park in the grassy lot on the right before entering the campground.

Florida Trail Association (FTA) Inc. is a volunteer membership organization with the primary purpose of
developing, maintaining, promoting, and protecting the Florida Trail. Join FTA, just $40 per year -
https://florida-trail-association.givecloud.co/join

Location: 13201 San Felasco Parkway, south of Alachua, FL. off US 441, (behind Progress Park),
DO NOT go to the South location, off Millhopper Road.
Fees: ($4.00/vehicle; $2 pedestrian, bicyclist , extra passenger) at gate or FL state park pass.

Description: ~2.5 - 4.0-mile hike, depending on group choice. Plan for 2.5-3.5 hours. Dress to your comfort level. Explore one of the Finest and Largest Remaining Mature Hardwood Forests in Florida.
Directions: To address above. Drive through Progress Park, off US 441
General Information: Bring a hat, water, and a snack. Bug spray is always a good idea.
Other items of interest about area/activity: Web search San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park at Progress Park, Hiking/Biking & Equestrian trails.
Bathrooms: Yes, near the entrance gate and pavilion
Dogs allowed: No

FTA Santa Fe River Paddle from Hwy 27 Boat Ramp to Hwy 47 Boat Ramp

Meet at: 10:00 AM at Hwy 27 public boat ramp parking lot to sign in and discuss shuttle plan to Hwy 47 boat ramp. May take 30-45 minutes to shuttle before and after our paddle. It’s ~3-4 hours to paddle down to Hwy 47 boat ramp depending on our stops and speed of paddling. Plan on at least most of the day for this activity.
Launch will be from: Hwy 27 Boat Ramp: public boat ramp parking lot is ~3 miles north of High Springs on SR 27, on the right immediately after crossing the Santa Fe River 27004 FL-20, High Springs, FL
Take out will be Hwy 47 boat ramp (22161 FL-47, Fort White, FL 32038) located in Gilchrist County Santa Fe River Park.
Leader: Maria Fiedler
Description: Let’s paddle, kayak, canoe or paddle board down from Hwy 27 to Hwy 47 boat ramp. It’s a tannic water, cool 70’s degree with many springs along SF River. The distance is 9.4 miles, but it may be much longer if we stop at springs that are along this gorgeous river! We will paddle down past Poe Springs, Lily Springs, Little Blue, Ginnie Springs and others. Little Awesome Preserve is also along the way. About ½ way, we will stop at Rum Island Springs County Park for a lunch/snack break.

A life jacket is required for each participant. I highly advise placing all your valuables in a secure waterproof container/wet bag. Not unusual for even experienced paddlers to flip and must surrender items to the river. Hat, paddle gloves, and sunscreen are advised.

General Information: This activity is for seasoned paddlers and strong swimmers only. One can rent a kayak, canoe or paddle board from various outfitters ( Rum 138 or Anderson’s Outdoor Adventures) near High Springs prior to our activity meet time. Please have your boat there by 10:00 AM at the latest. No fees at Hwy 27 Boat Launch and no fees at Hwy 47 Boat Launch on weekdays.
Option to take out at RUM Island ($5.00 fee for parking). Individuals opting to do this need to make their own shuttle to/from this location.
Bathrooms: No facilities at Hwy 27 launch parking lot. Facilities are available at Hwy 47 boat ramp and Rum Island Springs County Park.
Dogs allowed: No
Restricted to: Adults over 18. FTA current membership to 25 participants. Go to floridatrail.org/join or phone 877-HIKE-FLA to join membership.