Florida spring

Steinhatchee River Rise

Steinhatchee River Rise is known for its tannic, 72-degree water and a flow of about 350 million gallons per day. Set where the Steinhatchee River resurfaces after a 0.6-mile underground section, its broad basin—up to 20 feet deep—offers a unique spot for kayaking, surrounded by floodplain forests and limestone. Accessible by boat from Shaw’s Landing off SR 51 (1.5 miles downstream), it’s in the Steinhatchee Springs WMA. Summer weekends draw paddlers—arrive early for calm. For quiet, visit weekdays in spring (April-May) or fall (September-October), mornings ideal. Water clarity is typically brown due to river tannins but improves in dry periods. Check —stable, low levels around 5-6 feet enhance visibility, clearest from late fall to early spring.