Rocky Bayou State Park began as a bombing range for the Air Force. After WWII, development in the area precluded continued use of land as a bombing range. Colonel Frank Gannon, Director of Civil Engineering at Eglin AFB, was the driving force behind converting a tool of warfare into a state park, state recreation area and an aquatic preserve. When completed, the park became part of the Florida parks system.
Rocky Bayou State Park sits on the shore of Choctawhatchee Bay, which is 27 miles long, with a surface area of approximately 129 square miles. They bayou varies from one to six miles wide. The bay is an estuary, a semi-enclosed body of water where freshwater and saltwater mix. Estuaries function as nurseries for fish and invertebrates. Wetlands, oyster bars, mud flats and sea grasses provide a diverse environment that shelters and feeds the nursery residents.
Rocky Bayou State Park spreads over 357 acres. The park has 42 campsites, complete with water, 30 or 50 amp electrical service, picnic table and ground fire grills. Most sites have shade and there are several ADA sites with concrete pads and sidewalks to the bathhouses.
There are three hiking/biking trails: Sand Pine Trail, Rocky Bayou Trail, and Red Cedar Trail. Sand Pine Trail is the longest and roughest trail. It follows the shoreline of Puddin Head Lake (I am not kidding), Rocky Bayou Trail is well marked and easy to walk, and Red Cedar trail is a short loop to and from the playground.
There is also an exercise trail, with exercise bars, workout benches and stair stations. In the same area is a large playground, picnic tables, a pavilion, boat ramp and a kayak/canoe rental kiosk.
When you stay at Rocky Bayou State Park, you also receive day use of Henderson State Park on the Gulf of Mexico for free. At Henderson State Park, you may sunbathe, swim, fish, hike, picnic or just enjoy the beautiful water of the Emerald Coast. If you visit Henderson SP, check out the camping area, accessed by the boardwalks through the dunes.
Before we left Crystal River, we were given use of a pontoon by the Crystal Isle Resort. We explored Kings Bay, St. Michael’s Marsh and the Crystal River. Michael and I took turns driving the boat and we had an excellent afternoon.
What attracted us to Ginnie Springs were the seven springs and spring runs that empty into the Santa Fe River. Although the weather during our stay was rainy and cold, Ginnie Springs is one of our favorite spots in Florida. Each group of springs has entry/exit stairs with handrails, a pavilion, a bathhouse, a volleyball court, campsites and plenty of parking. The springs have limestone bottoms and each spring was a unique shade of blue.
The water in the Santa Fe River is colored brown by tannin; where the spring water faded into the river water was an eerie sight. The springs are 72 degrees year round, so swimming and snorkeling in them was not a problem. The last day we were there, we aired up the Sea Eagle, our two-person kayak, and set off from the first river entry. Luckily, we were wearing wet suits because the river was about 50 degrees!
While kayaking, we found three unnamed springs on the other side of the river. We would spot bubbles on the surface and paddle close to see the springs. The paddle down to the river take out was about 3-1/2 to 4 hours and the river was high from all the rain this season. During the summer, you would tube, canoe or kayak the Santa Fe, emerging from the river at different springs or just drifting to the tube take out.
The dive shop/office/store sells or rents all types of diving equipment and has instructors available for cave-diving or basic snorkel or scuba lessons. We camped at Ginnie Springs for four nights and five days. We were the only RVers, so we had our choice of camping sites with electricity and water. For tent camping, there are some gorgeous sites along the banks of the Santa Fe. Each tent site came with water, BBQ grill and picnic table.
Ginnie Springs, Otter Springs, Poe Springs, Hart Springs and Blue Springs (one of five in Florida) are located in Gilchrist County, an area with the highest concentration of freshwater springs on Earth. We did not see all the springs in northern Florida, but we tried.
We have many pictures to share when we are able to find a solution for a slide show. Stay tuned.
