Econlockhatchee River - CR 419 to Little Big Econ
Central Florida & Springs · Seminole County · Econlockhatchee River
An 8-mile point-to-point on the wild Econlockhatchee from the CR 419 bridge to the Little Big Econ State Forest headquarters, through sandy-bluff blackwater river scenery near Orlando.
Launch location
A close map of the verified put-in, and a link to open it in your maps app for directions.
- Open launch map — CR 419 Bridge launch28.65520, -81.16840
- Open launch map — Little Big Econ State Forest Headquarters launch28.67790, -81.11400
Why paddle here
- A surprisingly wild blackwater run close to Orlando: the Econlockhatchee winds 8 miles from the CR 419 bridge to the Little Big Econ State Forest, past sandy bluffs, cypress and frequent wildlife.
Launches, parking and access
Where you actually put the boat in, how far you carry it and over what. This is the part official sources are worst at, so it is the part we say most plainly — including where we do not know yet.
CR 419 Bridge launch
Main launch- Launch type
- Bridge put-in, short carry
- Access
- Public access
- Put-in
- 28.65520, -81.16840· open in Maps
- Fees
None
High confidence- Parking
- High confidence
- Carry to the water
- Carry not yet measured
- Short carry of about 100 m from parking to the water.
Nobody has checked this yet.Report the carry — How far did you carry your boat from the parking area to the water?
- How hard that carry is
- Not yet assessed
Nobody has checked this yet.Rate the carry — How hard was that carry with a loaded boat?
- Ground you cross
- Not yet recorded
Nobody has checked this yet.Describe the ground — What did you cross on the way — pavement, sand, stairs, loose trail?
- Boat cart
- Not yet assessed
Nobody has checked this yet.Report cart use — Could you use a boat cart the whole way, or did you have to carry?
- Unloading
- Not yet assessed
Nobody has checked this yet.Report unloading — Could you unload beside the water before parking, or carry the whole way?
- Restrooms and rinse
- Not yet measured from the launch
Nobody has checked this yet.Report facilities — How close are the restrooms and showers to this launch?
The put-in at the CR 419 bridge, a short carry to the Econlockhatchee.
Little Big Econ State Forest Headquarters launch
- Launch type
- State forest river access
- Access
- Public access
- Put-in
- 28.67790, -81.11400· open in Maps
- Fees
State forest day-use fee
High confidence- Parking
- High confidence
- Carry to the water
- Carry not yet measured
- Carry of about 660 feet uphill from the water to the parking area; a cart helps.
Nobody has checked this yet.Report the carry — How far did you carry your boat from the parking area to the water?
- How hard that carry is
- Not yet assessed
Nobody has checked this yet.Rate the carry — How hard was that carry with a loaded boat?
- Ground you cross
- Not yet recorded
Nobody has checked this yet.Describe the ground — What did you cross on the way — pavement, sand, stairs, loose trail?
- Boat cart
- Not yet assessed
Nobody has checked this yet.Report cart use — Could you use a boat cart the whole way, or did you have to carry?
- Unloading
- Not yet assessed
Nobody has checked this yet.Report unloading — Could you unload beside the water before parking, or carry the whole way?
- Restrooms and rinse
- Not yet measured from the launch
Nobody has checked this yet.Report facilities — How close are the restrooms and showers to this launch?
The take-out at the Little Big Econ State Forest headquarters; expect a carry of roughly 660 feet up to the parking area, and a forest use fee and gate.
Routes
Difficulty belongs to the route, not the location. One place can offer a beginner loop and an advanced crossing.
CR 419 to Little Big Econ
Not yet ratedOne way (shuttle)· 8 mi· Shuttle requiredPut in at CR 419 Bridge launch, take out at Little Big Econ State Forest Headquarters launch.
An 8-mile one-way run from the CR 419 bridge to the Little Big Econ State Forest headquarters. The river needs enough water to run and often has downed trees; the take-out carry is about 660 feet uphill.
Help verify this route
Have you paddled CR 419 to Little Big Econ (8 mi)?
- How long did it take you, and at what pace?Report the time — How long did it take you, and at what pace?
- How difficult did this route actually feel?Rate the difficulty — How difficult did this route actually feel?
What conditions do here
How much each factor typically governs a trip at this location.
These are not live conditions. This describes how much each factor typically governs a trip here. Always check the current forecast, tide table and river level before you launch.
- Wind
- Minor factor
- Current
- Not yet assessed
- Tide
- Minor factor
- Boat traffic
- Minor factor
Planning
- Exposure
- Sheltered blackwater river
- Seasonal
- Runs best with adequate water; low water makes it a drag and high water speeds it up. Downed trees are common; summer heat, storms and insects.
- Best time of day
- Morning
- Reservations & permits
- Little Big Econ State Forest day-use fee; gate hours; shuttle required
Hazards
Deadfall and strainers
Downed trees and strainers
Other
water-level dependence
Other
long uphill take-out carry
Other
forest gate hours
Heat and sun exposure
heat and insects.
The Econlockhatchee needs adequate water to be passable and often has downed trees to climb over or around. Check recent water levels, allow time, and note the forest use fee and gate hours; the take-out carry is roughly 660 feet uphill.
Amenities and craft
Craft suited to this water
Bringing your own boat: Yes
Amenities
- Restrooms — not recorded
- Showers — not recorded
- Picnic area — not recorded
- Food nearby — not recorded
- Drinking water — not recorded
What you will see
Rentals and outfitters
No outfitter recorded here. Bring your own boat, or check nearby locations.
PaddlePin tips
Put in at the CR 419 bridge - a short carry to the water - and take out at the Little Big Econ headquarters, where it is a longer carry of about 660 feet up to the lot; a cart helps. There is a forest use fee and a gate, and the river needs enough water to run, so check levels and expect to climb over downed trees.
High confidenceBest Time of Day: Morning
High confidenceSafety Notes: The Econlockhatchee needs adequate water to be passable and often has downed trees to climb over or around. Check recent water levels, allow time, and note the forest use fee and gate hours; the take-out carry is roughly 660 feet uphill.
High confidence
Been here? Help keep it accurate
PaddlePin is researched from official sources. Paddlers who have actually been are how it stays true.
Contributions are reviewed before anything on this page changes. PaddlePin stays the researched directory — your report is evidence we check, not an edit to it.
Sources
Where this information came from, and when we last read it.
- Primary source — floridadep.gov, read
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