Hontoon and Dead River

Last week we paddled around Hontoon Island. Hontoon is located between the St. John’s River and the Dead River in Volusia County off SR 44. It is surrounded by the above mentioned waters and Snake Creek. It was a cool, windy day which made for a strenuous paddle especially on the wider sections of the St. John’s and Dead Rivers but it was worth it because wildlife was out in abundance and the whole area has awoken from winter and is filled with the fresh green emergence of spring.

We launched on the St. Johns at a free of charge boat landing just past the entrance to Blue Springs State Park. To find it, when you approach Blue Springs, instead of turning, continue past the park entrance down the dirt road for about a 1/3 of a mile and you will find an easy sand bottom launch site and free parking.

 

The St. Johns’s River

 

Wildlife on the St. John’s

 

 

Canal connecting St. John’s River to Dead River

 

The Dead River

 

Wildlife on the Dead River

 

Snake Creek

 

Snake Creek narrows as you move towards the St. John’s

 

Wildlife on Snake Creek

 

Back onto the St. John’s

 

Total distance paddled, 8.5 miles. This was a nice trip that I recommend every paddler should do at least once. If you are a bird watcher this is a great place to go. If you have paddled here, let us know in the comments section. If you would like to join us on future trips, contact us.

 

Find your headwaters,

Jaucque and Dave