Cypress Forest Paddle: Scenic 8-Mile River Journey

Embark on an unforgettable kayak tour of the Econlockhatchee River, exploring the enchanting cypress forest and enjoying a picnic lunch along the way.

Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Little Big Econ Canoe Launch - Meet and greet at the Little Big Econ canoe launch, load up, and start paddling. Instruction will be given for those new to the sport. We stop for rests every hour or when the need arises.
What's Included
  • Bottled water
  • Lunch
  • Professional Guide
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Venture into the untouched realm of the Little-Big Econ State Forest, paddling for 8-miles through its enigmatic, moss-cloaked cypress wilderness. Miraculously untouched by the rampant development found in Orange and Seminole Counties, the river’s initial narrow, winding course gradually gives way to an expansive, serene waterway. The towering sand…

Location
3801 Willingham Rd
Willingham Road
Park in the small parking lot and look for your guide.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(42 Ratings)
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Jonathanbillings2
Aug 12, 2024
Kayaking with Alligators! - It was great to kayak among actual wild alligators and real natural beauty just a few miles from urban Orlando and the theme parks. Even with the post-storm higher waters, Saw and photographed multiple gators and herons and bald eagles and more. Great guide - accommodating, knowledgeable, skilled, and engaging. The Econlockhatchee River is winding and sheltered, with anticipation around every corner. Well worth it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Petrasilie2017
Aug 6, 2024
Amazing wildlife experience with excellent guides - The Kayak trip: amazing wildlife tour with view of alligators and lots of birds. The material: high quality equipment, very safe The guides: Very professional, friendly and you can ask them a lot of questions they will know to answer. Very helpful and adaptive to the kayaking skills of the visitor Highlights: Despite the fact that it was only the two of us, they did not cancel the tour but gave us the experience with two guides. A snack was offered that included amazing chocolate cookies handmade by the owner of the business. An overall absolutely recommendable tour, we chose it as an alternative to an airboat tour and it turned out to be the absolute highlight of our Florida Trip. Thank you very much for giving us this experience!
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Krankl1
Oct 21, 2023
The real Florida! - I cannot praise Bill and Geena enough. A great day out seeing the real Florida. From the comms before the trip, the great local knowledge, the food, and the spectacular river, every aspect was excellent. Lots of wildlife photo opportunities too.
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I4452gwiano
Jul 12, 2023
Great family fun! Very informative. - Amazing trip! Our guide Greg was extremely knowledgeable about the wild life and their area! I plan on booking a family trip next month.
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Kurt
Apr 19, 2022
Awesome kayaking - Gina was an awesome tour guide, very knowledgeable, friendly and experienced. We very much so enjoyed this river run and defiantly recommend it, we are doing this tour again soon!
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Joe
Jan 1, 2022
Econ painless shuttle - Simply great guys. We decided to do a spontaneous trip on the Econ, talked to Greg on the phone and he set it up for us. Bill was there on time helped to load and carry the kayaks and shared a great lunch spot!
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Bil
Dec 13, 2021
Slow Floating the Econ River - My son & I had a great day paddling kayaks down the Econ River, enjoying the beautiful scenery of Central Florida and catching a few bass in the process. I've rented from Greg before, and he always has good quality boats and makes it easy to launch and retrieve.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Barbarainithaca
Dec 12, 2021
Kayaks, gators, and more on the Econlockhatchee! - We did the Econlockhatchee paddle from the Little Big Econ Canoe Launch to Snow Hill Road. We parked at Snow Hill, and the Adventures in Florida van driver picked us up there, right on time, then drove through the back roads to get to the upstream canoe launch area. Along the way, he told us about the history of the area (e.g., celery farms, hurricane Hugo). At the launch, it was a short carry of the kayaks down to the river. The kayaks were excellent -- well-maintained, comfortable seat backs, good paddles, and life vests appropriately sized and in good shape. The first part of the paddle was in narrower waterways, and required a bit of maneuvering in some areas to get through downed trees. Only once did we need to get out and pull the kayaks across a bit of sand bar. Our driver had provided guidance to watch the sand bank areas in the sun for gators, and to bear toward the outside of the turns to go around the sandy shallower areas where gators might be sunning or hanging out. We saw quite a few gators along the route -- often slinking into the water as we approached, or flopping in with a big splash. A few stayed on the bank as we went by, and we gave them our respect and a wide berth! Saw lots of bird life as well. Lovely float, very quiet except for bird and other nature sounds. And at the end, our driver arrived to pick up the kayaks just as we got to the Snow Hill pull out, and handed us some freshly-baked ginger cookies! Marvelous day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kjj23
Dec 11, 2021
Everything I had hoped for in a kayak rental trip - My wife and I rented kayaks and did the Little Big Econ Canoe Launch to Snow Hill Road float. It was the best part of our week long trip to the Orlando, FL, area. The river is beautiful and wild. Once away from the launch site, you don't hear any traffic or human-generated noise, just the sound of your paddle cutting through the water, birds in the trees, and an occasional splash from an alligator plunging off the bank upon your approach. Some of the alligators were quite large, but our van driver told us ahead of time if we steer wide around the river bends and give the gators some room they won't be an issue. We also saw herons, cormorants, anhingas, a red-shouldered hawk, pileated woodpeckers, and some very large turtles. The white sand beaches and the large overhanging live oaks were particularly picturesque. Our shuttle driver was on time at both ends of the trip, was friendly and knowledgeable about the river and surrounding area, and even gave us fresh-baked cookies at the end of our trip. I highly recommend this trip and Adventures in Florida.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kayjazz
Nov 9, 2021
Amazing Experience and Guide! - We wanted a kayak tour that had a bit of adventure and WOW, did we hit the jackpot! GINA, guide extraordinar was the best ever. She was so accommodating to make sure the right tour fit our request. Gina got all the kayak equipment ready and gave us instructions on land before pushing off. She even had sunscreen & bug spray if wanted, nice touch. Gina is well versed in kayaking, birds & wildlife and an all around great person. We navigated the Econ River with her great guidance. We saw a fair amount of alligators and at first we were... speechless and then we just got use to them. Mid way through our adventure we pulled on shore and had a nice break, snack a bit of yoga stretches to make we stayed limber. We all had fun, made memories and now have great stories to tell. Just do it! Thanks Gina from your TX & NJ MINI friends.
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up to 14 guests
1 Adult
December 2024
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