Secrets of the Econfina

Join CPI President Ryan Means exploring the wild Econfina River. If wild is your thing, then this one will deliver. Starting at the U.S. HWY 98 bridge, we will go with the flow for 8 miles, all the way to the Econfina River State Park boat ramp.

Experience a blackwater river corridor that few people ever see. All the while, we'll be embedded within an ancient riverine swamp ecosystem teeming with towering trees and replete with remarkable plants and animals. We WILL experience every living thing we can paddle close to, or capture, or observe. We will learn about the past and present of this region. This is one of our region’s remotest locations. Ryan knows a little something about remote areas, and he is very eager to share with you his natural history knowledge of the area.

There will be downed trees to have to portage. Ryan will do most of the heavy lifting. Waters are cooling down now, so bring warm clothes, and raincoat. Bring bathing suit and/or neoprene wetsuit items if you have them. We are in climatological transition from warm to cold river waters. We will have to all get wet. Plan on having your lower half wet. This trip is not for the faint of heart.

Price includes guide, shuttle service, canoe/kayak and safety gear. We will supply complimentary extra water and drinks. Please pack your own lunch and personal belongings. We will meet at 8:30 am at the boat ramp in Econfina State Park. Please keep in mind that there is a $5.00 per vehicle fee that attendees must pay in order to enter and park within the state park. We will leave our cars parked, then pile into our CPI van. You will be shuttled to our starting point at the US 98 boat ramp. We will then launch our boats, paddle most of the day, all the way down to where our cars will be waiting for us. We will try to have you to your car by 3 pm, because we have to tell you something! In the wilderness, things can happen, but you will be in the best of hands with Ryan.

We ask that you bring a dry bag to place your personal items inside of such that they can't get wet. We will bring some extras just in case. This trip requires that attendees have good paddling experience.

Please do not attend if you are feeling poorly or have any possible COVID symptoms. We will put those that have registered, but cannot attend, on a waiting list. Trip may be cancelled if weather looks really bad, or if minimum number is not reached. If we fill up, please still contact Ryan, and he will put you on a waiting list for the next trip!

Ryan has scouted the river since Hurricane Idalia. There are numerous trees down over the river. Depending on water level, we will have many or fewer downed trees to negotiate our boats over/under/around.

Guarantee: excitement, comradery, and connection to our wild corner of Florida.

All ticket proceeds go towards our efforts to preserve the incredible biodiversity of the southeastern Coastal Plain. Extra donations for this paddle trip will go towards the Apalachicola Riverkeeper's RiverTrek in support of preserving the amazing Apalachicola River!

Please contact Ryan with any questions: ryan@coastalplains.org (850-544-5661)