A lot has changed in a year. 1) THE BIG CHANGE: In July 2023, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission created a Springs Protection Zone along the 5.61-mile stretch of the river from the springhead in Weeki Wachee State Park to the Rogers Park Boat Ramp. Along this section of the river beaching, mooring, anchoring and grounding vessels is forbidden. So no more getting out of your boat to swim or wade as is depicted many times in this video. Once you are in your boat, you must stay in your boat. 2) You MUST make a reservation to launch from the State Park, whether you bring your own boat or rent. 3) Launches from the State Park are limited to 280 people per day. For warm weather weekends and holidays you may need to make your launch and/or rental reservations months in advance. 4) If you rent a boat from the state park concessionaire you will NOT be going to Rogers Park. The state park no longer offers a shuttle from Rogers Park. Instead they created a landing at the west end of the state park property where you get out and are shuttled back to the beginning. This is a 2.8 mile trip, or less than 1/4 of the trip mentioned in the video. It's about a 1-hour float trip, especially now that you can't get out of your boats for a break along the way. 5) You can still launch from Rogers Park, paddle upstream then float back down for a 12-mile trip. It helps if you can launch with an incoming tide to give you a bit of a push up the river. However, since relandscaping Rogers Park and adding a playground, restroom, and 3-acre swimming area, there are fewer parking spots. On nice weekends and holidays the parking lot is full before 9 am so get there early which means you can't always plan to paddle with the tidal flow.
@SunshineStateInsider Жыл бұрын
Yep! Big news the other day.
@SeanTolan_illuminated_imaging Жыл бұрын
I lived there off and on for over 10yrs since the 1980's going back and forth from Oregon. My mom lived down there permanently until passing in 2012...so many good memories made on that river. Thank you for the video, and very respectful of the locals in how you present the video...thank you!
@bluewave2536 Жыл бұрын
Subscribed. I like these more realistic reviews rather than those only show you the best part. More like these pls!
@user-sf9pq5ox7w Жыл бұрын
Good video! Excellent info. Liked the comment to pick up after yourself and a bit more, if you see any trash. Keep Florida beautiful. Thanks.
@SunshineStateInsider Жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@Thfeyhvfdetyhbvcd Жыл бұрын
Very Difficult Paddle! I just now completed the 12 mile round trip in a sit-inside recreational kayak. I have been kayaking for 20 years and found this very difficult. The river is very windy (twisty) and the current is strong. Many Others in recreational kayaks were having difficulty, especially many who were very out of shape. The huge flotilla leaving Rogers Park really died out in about a mile. Those who did make it to the end had paddle boards and better kayaks of their own, or were young and fit. It’s a beautiful river with many wild sections before you reach the state park waters. Those with pedal drive made quick work of the river. Those with both hard and inflatable paddle boards went astonishingly quick through the current and turns.
@budjiman1 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing
@janellejudy99782 жыл бұрын
The kayak rental link saved me! I’m visiting on a Monday, so I already had the disappointing news that Buccaneer bay is closed, and then all the canoes through the state park were unavailable. But the kayak shack had my back! And KZfaq! Thank you! 🥰🥰🥰
@Lt.Fireguy2 жыл бұрын
The state park shuttle no longer runs from rogers park. Now it's only 2.5miles down from the park.
@nonyabusiness25102 жыл бұрын
That sucks. Thanks for the update. I won't be patronizing them anymore. They are trying to keep people in the river no longer than 2 hours and they are getting pressure to limit the amount of people they allow on the river. I remember the days when I would go to the Weeki Wachee marina and renting small jon boats and cruising up the river. Nobody Kayaked back then and the river was never mobbed. This was back when they still had the monkeys near the park. Then the park tour boats would always give us the stink eye and rightly so because many people on those small boats would go to fast or get in the way of their larger vessels. And then there were the raccoons. Sadly that river that I knew and loved no longer exists. As the river has become more densely used I do think that motorized vessels should be banned. I've seen nitwits trying to navigate large vessels on the river that leaves little rooms for kayakers.
@libertyforamericanow Жыл бұрын
@@nonyabusiness2510 ive been here 40 years. They should have to give idiot kayakers a paddle lesson before turning them loose. These idiots dont even know how to do a back paddle or drag a paddle to steer so they dont know how to get out of the way of boats.
@zwebslinger3526 Жыл бұрын
Ever think that those nitwits have every right to be there and were likely coming there long before it became overrun by the kayaker? Also many boat owners live on the canals and have for years.
@brandonlee83132 жыл бұрын
The mullet jet ski Panama sold me. I gotta go party there. I’ll keep it in a water bottle
@SunshineStateInsider2 жыл бұрын
It was amazing. Not gonna lie.
@jordan_who2 жыл бұрын
Ton of valuable information! Just moved here. Really appreciate the expectation vs reality part
@SunshineStateInsider2 жыл бұрын
Thanks! I thought it was important because you see a lot of of the "official" tourism photos, and then you get here and it be crowded!
@ryang84252 жыл бұрын
How do you like it? I plan on moving to springhill in the next few months from Boston
@jbirdtristar1 Жыл бұрын
Hey man this was an awesome video!!! It was tonthe point, filled with humor and lots of us3ful info that I absolutely needed to know!!! Again thank u so much for this, as me and my gf are planning a trip there!!! U r awesome sir!!!!
@SunshineStateInsider Жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it!!
@susanschmitz5871 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for your honest video!!! We will still go, but hey it helps to know what to expect, and you did NOT come off negative at all, just realistic, that was refreshing!😊😊😊
@SunshineStateInsider Жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@marshallcollins8634 Жыл бұрын
I love when someone is actually honest & realistic, and some crybaby says they are NEGATIVE. I think it is because Mommy&Baddy never say NO and tell Their children the truth. I am thankful for the realistic view. Good job ,new subscriber.
@williamkiely95232 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this video. Seriously, I learned everything I needed to know. Rainbow River is my next destination.
@joelimo449 Жыл бұрын
Great and Informative BUT , as of 4 years ago they DO NOT pick you up at Rogers park anymore. You paddle with your kayak 2.8 miles from Launch point and at 2.8 miles from there , you bring your kayak to the shore and they pick you up and take you back to your car. To preserve what remains of the beautyiful waters You CAN NOT get out of your kayak while your traversing those almost 3 miles , from the state park to pick up point.
@floridamenabroad2 жыл бұрын
Some of the tips make it seem like you haven’t been recently or at all. The state park shuttle is only about half of the river. There are houses along the river after the one mile point
@sheribailey8022 жыл бұрын
Thank you SO much for a completely informative and honest video on this attraction!! You answered every single question we could possibly have, seriously! We understand going in September, it'll probably be a little different, but your pointers and information are invaluable. Being 80's kids, my husband & I probably wouldn't mind seeing mullet man blasting Panama...but you can't have it all, right? :)
@GannKari Жыл бұрын
LOL... want honest... hope you like reggaeton blasting!
@janellejudy99782 жыл бұрын
If you want more of the peaceful and pristine I highly recommend rainbow river another hour north! If you camp you can get directly on the river without having to get in your vehicle 🥰🥰🥰
@SunshineStateInsider2 жыл бұрын
Hope to make it to Rainbow River soon and post another review and video on that!
@nonyabusiness25102 жыл бұрын
Very similar and much larger. I did a drift dive there once and it was amazing.
@mischamichele2314 Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for this ♥️
@ellen1539 Жыл бұрын
This is so Beautiful! Where are the mermaids? When I was a child 70 years ago, my Mom and grandparents took me to see Mermaids, and I loved them and the boat ride. Do you still have the Mermaids Show? I would love to come and see all again. Thank you, June
@mischamichele2314 Жыл бұрын
Yes they do ❤I take my family often and the kids love it!
@WysteriaGuitar2 жыл бұрын
If they let some gators and snakes loose once a week they could solve the crowd problem easily...
@nonyabusiness25102 жыл бұрын
They are already there. Just not in abundance. Even better just get a kayak in the shape of a gator.
@kaceyle4706 Жыл бұрын
Not all of us comes over there and creating problem , blame the newbie idiots that doesn’t respect the nature even though there’s rules already set for them . I was there, and I saw a one alligator as long as you don’t mess the gator 🐊 leave it alone, and it will be fine. It’s pretty fun if you follow by the rules and enjoy the beauty of this nature.
@arianeporciuncula5169 Жыл бұрын
Excellent!!!!! Informative and honest view !!! Thanks
@libertyforamericanow Жыл бұрын
6:30 is no longer true. If you rent a kayak from the state park you only get two miles before your pick up spot.
@aprilegunn6818 Жыл бұрын
@riverdaddy where you at??!!
@matthewrossilini58082 жыл бұрын
Good honest review
@stellak-m7746 Жыл бұрын
What about alligators?
@Midnight_Immortal Жыл бұрын
They stay in the murky areas off the beaten path and don't bother you
@Tinygelatin2 жыл бұрын
unfortunately, boaters kind of ruined my experience here recently. a boat was in the middle of the river and sent me into bushes!
@libertyforamericanow Жыл бұрын
Learn how to steer your kayak before kayaking
@Midnight_Immortal Жыл бұрын
I always have to paddle a good hour upstream before you can get away from the crowd
@katjones2781 Жыл бұрын
Well obviously you're not allowed to do this anymore. I grew up on this River and always very respectful and cleaned up people's garbage. I've seen a lot of things people have done mostly tourists and Northerners. They have ruined it all, what's next on their list?
@MongoBongo271 Жыл бұрын
Another thing to consider in this river is pay attention to the tide if you can hit the tide when it's going up stream you can go with the current to the state park and back but if you hit it wrong you could fight it both ways haha
@SunshineStateInsider Жыл бұрын
Great tip!!!
@IamGrimFPV Жыл бұрын
I don't wanna come off rude but the water never flows tords the state park from Roger's park. When the tide is high the flow isn't as strong and when the tide is low the water current is higher but direction doesn't change
@MongoBongo271 Жыл бұрын
@@IamGrimFPV weird maybe I'm thinking of a different river but pretty sure it was the it was this one weather the tide makes it to the state park but i do remember the river switching directions and getting higher and lower as the day went on
@MongoBongo271 Жыл бұрын
@@IamGrimFPV I looked it up and it says that the current is tidal. I also stayed right on the river in an Airbnb for like 3 days. The first time I went I was fighting the current, the second time I went early in the morning the current would slowly pull me towards the state park, then a couple hours later it would switch back and push me the other way.
@IamGrimFPV Жыл бұрын
@@MongoBongo271 it does go up and down with the tides but as a worker on the river I can safely say I've never seen it switch directions lol. I could be wrong. I've just never seen it flow up stream🤷♂️
@MrBlueeyes1112 жыл бұрын
Excellent information thank you
@bmc13942 жыл бұрын
Great information! Thanks.
@RoxanneJeffreysLilibeanPhoto Жыл бұрын
Can we go down the river in an inflatable tube?
@Thfeyhvfdetyhbvcd Жыл бұрын
Of course, riding the current back to Rogers Park was almost effortless.
@freddiebowers1125 Жыл бұрын
You nailed it
@noahbrooks8939 Жыл бұрын
Come to Loxahatchee Refuge!
@SunshineStateInsider Жыл бұрын
I'd love to!
@Diogenes30 Жыл бұрын
Very true
@SilverHonda0767 Жыл бұрын
What kind of kayak do you have? The back support.
@simplysarah0310 Жыл бұрын
Aren’t there alligators in this water?
@metallica1fan1 Жыл бұрын
There's always gators in the water.
@metallica1fan1 Жыл бұрын
If there is water in Florida, there are gators in it. Not kidding either.
@simplysarah0310 Жыл бұрын
@@metallica1fan1 I get that. But just wondering why people do these sports then. Has there ever been any gator attacks here? I wanna go but I’m scared of that lol
@LemonThyme1933 Жыл бұрын
@@simplysarah0310 Don't go at feeding time.
@metallica1fan1 Жыл бұрын
@@simplysarah0310 , Gators usually tend to avoid humans, especially if there is a large group of them. And if it's in the heat of the day they are either sunbathing or hiding because it's to hot. Gators are opportunist and reactionary feeders. Meaning they're low risk, wait a long time for the perfect catch type hunters, or if there is slashing in the water like an animal is in distress. The only time gators are aggressive is during mating season and when you're near their nest and young.
@OffShoreSniper Жыл бұрын
Most importantly, if you put in at rogers park, don’t use the BOAT RAMP for kayaks and paddle boards!
@MikeJordanUnCamplicated Жыл бұрын
Once you go Vibe Hero seat... you can't go back 😁
@SunshineStateInsider Жыл бұрын
You really can't. I'm spoiled by them!
@nunyabiz87082 жыл бұрын
Heads up.. you are wrong about people cleaning up the river.. if it wasn't for the weeki watcher river rangers cleaning up after people by pulling four dumpsters full of garbage.. so put a special thanks to them on your video..
@bradjames2642 жыл бұрын
A slice of heaven would be if this and the other 3 rivers just to the north would be like it was when I was a kid growing up here. I notice even the water is not as clear as it once was,....
@nonyabusiness25102 жыл бұрын
Water quality hasn't changed because the aquifiers that feed the rivers are hundreds of feet below the surface and untouched. However I agree the river is not as much fun as it was 40 years ago when I first started going there.
@BG-su6gx2 жыл бұрын
@@nonyabusiness2510 I see a difference in clarity...same with Homosassa
@nonyabusiness25102 жыл бұрын
@@BG-su6gx that's fine. We are all free to believe what we want but the water is the same as it was and there is no difference. Can't account for what you see.
@Dr.I.C.Spots247 Жыл бұрын
@@nonyabusiness2510 it's not the pure water coming out that has changed. It's the higher amount of traffic on the river stirring up sediments in the surface water.
@AlThePal783 ай бұрын
I have never seen the warden on a JetSki
@AlThePal783 ай бұрын
no parking lol
@soflovixen2 жыл бұрын
Are paddleboards permitted?
@SunshineStateInsider2 жыл бұрын
Yep, lots of paddle boards out there!
@davidhuifang2 жыл бұрын
Yes
@tndeere2 жыл бұрын
How late is to late in the year to float (Oct.Nov.?) Thanks Good info
@SunshineStateInsider2 жыл бұрын
You can pretty much go all year round just as long as it's warm outside enough for you. The water is spring fed, so it stays around 72ish degrees all year. I'm not sure I'd go on one of the chillier winter days, but the water is nice and refreshing when it's hot out!
@tndeere2 жыл бұрын
@@SunshineStateInsider sounds good Thanks
@ESPNsPeacockbassProfessor Жыл бұрын
ice cream man def sells weed😂
@jtr823697 ай бұрын
Of course, people buy/built a house next to a river and get mad about people using it lol It's like the idiots who build a house next to a race track and them fight to close it down (just happened in Cali). Better idea, don't buy/build next to something you find annoying.
@jrossnjax7 Жыл бұрын
First 3 min I was checked out from going to this place! No thanks! Its sad they allow a place like this to become so busy and party like. No one wants that atmosphere when going outdoors with family. Thanks for sharing because we'll skip this one! 👍
@SunshineStateInsider Жыл бұрын
It’s most crazy on summer weekends, but it if you can get out there on a weekday it’s not nearly as bad. I know the locals have been trying to get involved in limiting access a bit too.
@libertyforamericanow Жыл бұрын
Butch the hot dog guy is cool
@russelldavis841511 ай бұрын
Florida=gators and snakes??? Wherever a body of water exists pretty sure some gator will find it, along with the odd snake or two.
@michelleisaacson2197 Жыл бұрын
Rent from SUP Weeki for vessels and launch privileges!
@jerrynapp Жыл бұрын
Thanks for this kind review ! Jerry and Pam Supweeki
@michelelouisellc6 ай бұрын
This is outdated. Details are wrong. The state park ends its paddle at the end of the park
@sravanakkapelly6662 Жыл бұрын
Do they allow any inflatable small boats like Intex mariner with a trolling motor?
@KungPowEnterFist Жыл бұрын
Yes, boats are allowed. However, you cannot access the headspring area. It is roped off.
@jac6996 Жыл бұрын
Are their gators on the river?
@IamGrimFPV Жыл бұрын
Yes. Most likely would see them on side canals though. I'm on the river quite a bit for work and have seen at least one gator but never saw one on the main portion.
@COOKIE-2u5 ай бұрын
@IamGrimFPV what kind of work do u perform on the river? Just curious
@CeeDeeLight Жыл бұрын
Will I meet any gators on this river?
@SunshineStateInsider Жыл бұрын
It's technically possible, but from what I understand gators are really rare here. The water is pretty chilly, and it's so busy with boats and swimmers that they pretty much avoid this area.
@Laissez_Faire9 ай бұрын
There’s nothing worst than a kayak with no back support 🤦🏻♂️ I’ve been there and it’s not fun
@libertyforamericanow Жыл бұрын
11:46 the hot dog guy is not in that exact spot anymore. The assholes who bought that property right there bitched and moaned till he said fuck it and moved up river a few turns.
@StevenYoungcaptual Жыл бұрын
Too many people, rules and noise for us. Nice review and thanks, but we pass on this tourist trap.
@FirexHive Жыл бұрын
all depends on when you go
@TheSmatlock2 жыл бұрын
All you need to know is that it is packed everyday and dirty because of people leaving their trash everywhere!!!! I avoid it and prefer 7 sisters springs
@kimielove8179 Жыл бұрын
This is all about complaining what an annoying video I go to this park all the time always have a good time go stay home
@Jules-zg1ip Жыл бұрын
Looks pretty....pretty crowded. Nope.
@gregthornton4209 Жыл бұрын
1. Why am I in Florida? 2. How do I get the f*ck out of Florida?
@JQUICK21 Жыл бұрын
LOL he mentioned turquoise water….he is definitely color blind!
@alloverdaplace20432 жыл бұрын
This is one of the Best informational videos I have seen. Great job!