What we're doing
<p><strong>Event Leader: Jason</strong></p> <p></p> <p><strong>Weather-Dependent Event!</strong></p> <p></p> <p>Named one of the top 25 kayak and canoe runs in America by ReserveAmerica and typically a high point of a visit to Florida, Juniper Run is a narrow, winding waterway set under a dense canopy of old-growth forest and few places solid enough to get out of your kayak or canoe. </p> <p></p> <p>The seven-mile journey starts just below the springs and follows the spring run through the heart of the Juniper Prairie Wilderness to a take-out off SR 19, well before the run empties into the St. Johns River at Lake George.</p> <p></p> <p><strong>Meeting spot and unloading instructions:</strong> We are meeting at the kayak unloading/parking within Juniper Springs Recreational Area at 8:30am. You will pay the ranger station to get in the park, head left once in the park and follow it to the unloading area. From there, you walk into the pavilion to pay for the shuttle service, walk back to unload your gear, then park your vehicle. Walk back to the unloading spot where you will find park-provided kayak caddies to walk it down to the launch ramp.</p> <p></p> <p><u>VERY IMPORTANT: YOU MUST COMPLETE A WAIVER TO BE ALLOWED TO KAYAK ON THIS TRIP.</u> <a rel="noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/ft5pqfegvvgyhq82tcth8f/web/">Link to the waiver document to fill out ahead of time</a></p> <p></p> <p><strong>Additional Park Info:</strong></p> <ul><li>Cost to get into the park:<strong> </strong>$12 per <strong>PERSON</strong>, not per carload</li><li>Cost to use the shuttle service: $12 per <strong>PERSON</strong></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/florida/recarea/?recid=83676">Park Info</a></li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Juniper+Run+Take-Out/@29.2130733,-81.655568,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88e65250533293ab:0x83eacc25ea73db24!8m2!3d29.2130733!4d-81.655568!16s%2Fg%2F11bv1ctbr4?entry=ttu">Take out Location</a></li></ul> <p></p> <p><strong>Paddle Overview:</strong></p> <p>The paddle is roughly 7 miles long with current, and has a small area of rapids towards the end. It is not treacherous, but also not recommened for first timers who have never kayaked before. At the end of the run there will be a take out point, where the park shuttle will pick us up (it runs every 30 minutes) and bring us back to the recreational area where we can swim and snorkel at the spring afterwards!</p> <p></p> <p><a rel="noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1mpyHE6um6Olp_DIu2EJSdESPl78&ll=29.190136575169696%2C-81.69581722559577&z=15"><strong>FULL ROUTE MAP</strong></a></p> <p></p> <p><strong>Necessary Gear for this Trip</strong></p> <ul><li>Kayak</li><li>Paddle</li><li>PFD (Required)</li><li>Emergency Whistle (Required)</li><li>Dry bag</li><li>First aid kit</li><li>Non-disposable water bottle (must be metal or plastic - park rules)</li><li>Snacks (Must be in non disposable container and unwrapped - park rules)</li><li>Goggles or snorkel mask (for swimming later at the spring)</li></ul> <p></p> <p>By RSVPing, you are also agreeing to our <a rel="noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.outdoorenergyadventures.org/terms-and-conditions">Terms and Conditions</a></p>