Directions to Launch Sites
On this page you will find directions from Ocala to a number of launch sites used by the Aquaholics. All launch sites are listed alphabetically. Some are known by more than one name. In those cases, the directions will say "see (other name)". If you notice a particular launch site is not included, send an e-mail with the launch site's name and directions from Ocala to Dave at editor@mcaquaholics.com. I will add it as soon as I can.
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Alexander Springs
Take hwy 40 east from Ocala about 35 miles to Astor Park. From the junction of
State Road (SR) 40 and SR 445A in Astor Park, drive southwest on SR 445A for
0.5 mile, then turn south on SR 445 for 5.9 miles. Turn north onto the road at the
entrance to Alexander Springs Recreation Area.
Bear Creek
Take Hwy 40 east about 4 miles to Hwy 315. Turn left (north) on Hwy 315 for about 11miles to Hwy316. Turn right (east) on 316 Hwy for about 10 miles to Hwy 19. Turn left (north) about 6 miles to the boat ramp on the right (south east) side of the bridge over the river.
Bennet's Creek
40 West out of Dunnellon through Inglis, 17 to 18 miles to sandy beach
on left just before boat ramp.
Caladesi Island
Take I-75 South to Hwy 54
west on Hwy 54 across Suncoast Hwy to Gunn Hwy (Hwy 587)
Left (south) on Gunn Hwy to Tarpon Springs Road (Hwy 582)
Right (west) on Tarpon Springs Road to US 19
Left (south) on US 19 to Curlew Rd (Hwy 586)
Right (west) on Curlew Rd to the launch
area on the causeway
Crystal River (Hunter Park)
Take Hwy 40 west about 20 miles to US41.
Turn left (south) on US 41 and go about 4 miles
through Dunnellon and over the Withlacoochee River Bridge
to the traffic light at Hwy 488. Turn right (west) on Hwy 488. Go about
6 miles to the traffic light at Hwy 495. Turn left (south) on Hwy 495.
Follow Hwy 495 about 7 miles into Crystal River to US 19.
Cross US 19 and contuinue straight into park.
Crystal River (Fort Island Trail)
Take Hwy 40 west about 20 miles to US41.
Turn left (south) on US 41 and go about 4 miles
through Dunnellon and over the Withlacoochee River Bridge
to the traffic light at Hwy 488. Turn right (west) on Hwy 488. Go about
6 miles to the traffic light at Hwy 495. Turn left (south) on Hwy 495.
Follow Hwy 495 about 7 miles into Crystal River to US 19. Turn left
(south) on US 19. Go about 2 miles to Ft Island Trail Road. Turn right (west) on Ft Island Trail Road. The Launch site is about 8 miles at the end of the road. Cedar Key
Take I-75 to Hwy326 (Exit 358) Go west on Hwy 326 until it meets Hwy 55/ 19/98 Go north (right) on Hwy 55/19/98 to Hwy 24 Go south (left) on Hwy 24 to Cedar Key Dunnellon Public Boat Ramp
Turn left (south) on US 41 and go about 3 miles
through Dunnellon. The boat ramp ramp will be before the withlacoochee bridge on your right (north west corner).
Gore's Landing
Take Hwy 40 eastabout 4 miles to Hwy 315.
Turn left (north) on Hwy 315 for about 6 miles to 105th Street.
Turn right (east) on 105th St for about 2 miles until the road ends at a 3 way
intersection.
Turn right at the three way intersection and follow the road to the end.
There should be signs directing you to Gore's Landing from Hwy 315 near 105th Street.
Hillsborough River (put-in)
John B. Sargeant, Sr. Memorial Park - 3.5 miles north of Fowler Avenue on US 301.
Take I-75 south from Ocala about 85 - 90 miles to exit 265. Go east on Hwy 582 to
Hwy. 301. Go north on Hwy 301 to the park which will be on your left.
Hillsborough River (take-out)
Trout Creek Park - .05(1/2) mile east of I-75 (Exit 266, Fletcher Avernue) on Morris
Bridge Road. From I-75, go east on Morris Bridge Road to park.
Homosassa River Public Ramp
Take Hwy 40 west about 20 miles to US41.
Turn left (south) on US 41 and go about 4 miles
through Dunnellon and over the Withlacoochee River Bridge
to the traffic light at Hwy 488. Turn right (west) on Hwy 488. Go about
6 miles to the traffic light at Hwy 495. Turn left (south) on Hwy 495.
Follow Hwy 495 about 7 miles into Crystal River to US 19.
Turn left on US 19 and go roughly 8 miles into Homosassa Springs to Hall's River Road. This road will be at a traffic light with a Hardee's on the right and a Walgreen's on the far left. Turn right and go about 1/2 mile to Fishbowl Drive. Go left on Fishbowl Drive about 2 miles until it runs into Yulee Drive. Turn right on Yulee Drive. Follow Yulee Drive until it ends. Launch on the right at Riversport Kayaks. Large parking lot.
Ichetucknee Springs
Take I-75 north past Gainesville to exit 399 (US 441/Alachua).
Follow US 441 North (right hand turn from the interstate off-ramp) into High Springs.
As you come into High Springs look for the signs directing you to US 27/Ft White. There will be a left hand turn lane where you make the turn.
Stay on US 27 into Ft White.
Turn right (north) onto Hwy 47 until you come to hwy 238.
Turn left (west) onto 238 until you come to the north entrance.
It is approximately 30 minutes from I-75 to the park entrance according to the park ranger I talked to. I would estimate it is another 45 minutes from Ocala to the Exit 399 on I-75 for a total of about an hour and 15 minutes to an hour and a half drive from Ocala, depending on where you get on the interstate and your driving speeds.
Juniper Springs Recreation Area.
Take Hwy 40 East approximately 15 miles out of Ocala. You will go several miles past the traffic signal at Hwy 40 and Hwy 314A in the area known as Forest Corners. The entrance will be on the left (north) side of the road.
K.P. Hole
Take Hwy 40 west about 20 miles to US41.
Turn left (south) on US 41 and go about 3 miles After the Winn-Dixie shopping center on the left, turn left and travel for 2 miles until you reach the railroad tracks. Immediately past the tracks take a left onto the frontage road and travel half a mile to KP Hole County Park. The entrance and boat ramp/launch area will be on the right.
Lake Panasofkee (Outlet River Access)
See directions for Outlet river.
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Ocala Outdoor Adventure Camp
Take Hwy 40 east about 5 and 1/2 miles (over the bridge) to the traffic light at Hwy314.
Turn left (north) on Hwy 314 about 6 or 7 miles past Fore Lake and just beyond the intersection of Hwy 314 and Hwy314A.
Stay on Hwy 314, then turn right on the 1st paved road on the right
(about 1/2 mile) after that intersection.
There should also be a permanent sign saying "youth camp".
The address is 7325 NE 170th Ave.
Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost
Take Hwy 40 east about 4 miles to Hwy 315. Turn left (north) on Hwy 315 for about 11miles to Hwy316.
Turn right (east) on 316 Hwy to Ocklawaha Canoe Outpost sign just before
the bridge.
Turn left (north) at the sign to the Canoe Outpost
Outlet River
From Ocala, take I-75 South about 22 miles to Hwy 44.
Turn west (right) onto Hwy 44 and go about 5 and one half miles to
CR470 (If you cross the bridge over the Withlacoochee, you went too far).
Turn south (left) on to CR470 and goroughly 5 miles to the county
park and boat ramp. It will be on your right.
Peace River (Pioneer Park)
From Ocala, take I-75 south towards Tampa about 90 miles to
Exit 257 (Adamo Dr E/ SR60E)Turn left (east) on to SR60 E and
go about 35 miles to the intersection of SR-60 E and US-17S/US-98E
in Bartow, Fl.Turn right (south) at US-17S/US-98E and follow US-17S
for about 29 miles to the intersection of US-17S and
Florida Cracker Trail/SR-64 in Zolfo Springs, FLTurn right (west)
on to Florida Cracker Trail/SR-64 to the entrance of Pioneer Park on your right.
Peace River trip everyone needs to allow a minimum 3 to 3 1/2 hours
travel time from Ocala for this trip.
Princess Place Estates
From Ocala, take SR40 east about 50 miles to SR 11.
Turn left (north) on SR11.
Proceed on SR 11 about 20 miles to Bunnell, Fl to US Hwy 1.
Turn left (north) on US Hwy 1.
Proceed about 12 miles on US1 to Old Kings Road (recently paved).
Turn right (east) on Old Kings Road.
On Old Kings Road, go 1.5 miles to Princess Place Road (dirt road).
Turn left on Princess Place Road .
Proceed about 2.5 miles on Princess Place Road to estate house at end of road.
Rainbow River
See directions to either K.P. Hole or Dunnellon Public boat ramp
Ray Wayside County Park
Take Hwy 40 East approximately 5 miles out of Ocala.
You will go past the traffic signal at the intersection of Hwy 40 and Hwy 326.
You will also also go past the caution signal at Hwy 40 and Hwy 315.
The entrance to the park is on the right (south) side just before the
bridge over the Ocklawaha River.
This park is the access point for parts of the Ocklawaha River, the Silver River, and Silver Springs.
Rodman Dam
Take Hwy 40 east about 4 miles to Hwy 315. Turn left (north) on Hwy 315 for about 11miles to Hwy316.
Turn right (east) on 316 Hwy for about 10 miles to Hwy 19.
Turn left (north) about 10 miles to last road on the left before the bridge over the canal. Turn left, go about 1 1/2 miles.
Boat Ramp and parking lot are on the left (south east) side of the dam.
Salt Springs
Take Hwy 40 east about 4 miles to Hwy 315.
Turn left (north) on Hwy 315 for about 11miles to Hwy316.
Turn right (east) on 316 Hwy for about 10 miles to Hwy 19.
Turn right (south) on Hwy 19 approx 1 mile to sign for Salt Springs Marina.
Turn left (east) on dirt road to marina boat ramp.
Santa Fe River (at Hwy 27)
Take I-75 north past Gainesville to exit 399 (US 441/Alachua).
Follow US441 North (right hand turn from the interstate off-ramp) into High Springs.
As you come into High Springs look for the signs directing you to US 27/Ft White. There will be a left hand turn lane where you make the turn.
Stay on US27 through High Springs to the bridge and boat ramp.
It takes about an hour or so from Ocala, depending on where you get on the interstate
and how fast you drive.
Shell Island
See Crystal River (Fort Island Trail) directions
Shired Island
From Ocala take Hwy 27 north to Williston. In Williston get on Alt 27 north and take it to Cheifland. In Cheifland Alt 27 will meet Hwys 19 and 98. Continue north on19/98/Alt27 to Cross City. At Cross City take a left on Road 351 (called Horseshoe Road) until it crosses Road 357. Make a left on Road 357. Follow Road 357 to the county park and boat ramp on the right (about 11 miles from the intersection with Road 351).
note: Rd 357, when last checked, was paved but in poor condition with lots of potholes and such. It is passable but be careful. The entire trip from Ocala is about 100 miles one way and I suggest you allow a minimum of 2 and 1/2 hours driving time to arrive at the launch point. If you Google map Shired Island Florida you will see a pretty good map of the area.
Silver River
See directions for Ray Wayside County Park
Silver Springs
See directions for Ray Wayside County Park
Steinhatchee Falls
From Steinhatchee go North on State Road 51 for approximately 8 miles turn right on the Steinhatchee Falls Road, stop at the river.
From Hwy 19-27 turn left at the cross roads of SR 51 and Hwy 19-27 onto State Road 51 then go 1 mile and turn left on the Steinhatchee Falls Road.
Withlacoochee River (Outlet River to Hwy 44)
See directions for Outlet River
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