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Goose Pasture Recreation Area - Wacissa River

Panhandle · Jefferson County · Wacissa River

RiverNot yet rated

A hand-launch river access and primitive campground at mile 10 of the Wacissa River Paddling Trail, run by the Suwannee River Water Management District: the downstream take-out for trips from Wacissa Springs and the start of the Slave Canal run to Nutall Rise.

Medium confidenceReviewed and approved

Last checked . What this means

Launch location

A close map of the verified put-in, and a link to open it in your maps app for directions.

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Why paddle here

  • It splits the Wacissa into manageable pieces: the 10-mile run down from Wacissa Springs ends here, and the 5-mile Slave Canal section to Nutall Rise starts here.

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.

Goose Pasture soft launch

Main launch
High confidence
Launch type
Soft launch area in front of the campground, for hand-launching boats only (DEP)
Access
Public access
Put-in
30.20310, -83.96920· open in Maps
Parking
Medium confidence
Carry to the water
Carry not yet measured

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?

Hand launch for kayaks and canoes at the Goose Pasture campground, mile 10 of the Wacissa River Paddling Trail.

Wacissa Springs County Park launch

High confidence
Launch type
Spring-run put-in at the headsprings
Access
Public access
Put-in
30.34020, -83.99110· open in Maps
Fees

None

Medium confidence
Parking
Medium confidence
Carry to the water
Carry not yet measured

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 headsprings put-in at Wacissa Springs County Park, 10 river miles above Goose Pasture.

Nutall Rise Landing

High confidence
Launch type
Terminal take-out on the Aucilla
Access
Public access
Put-in
30.14750, -83.96890· open in Maps
Fees

None

Medium confidence
Parking
Medium confidence
Carry to the water
Carry not yet measured

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 terminal take-out on the Aucilla River, 5 miles below Goose Pasture.

Routes

Difficulty belongs to the route, not the location. One place can offer a beginner loop and an advanced crossing.

  • Wacissa Springs down to Goose Pasture

    Not yet rated
    One way (shuttle)· 10 mi· Shuttle required

    Put in at Wacissa Springs County Park launch, take out at Goose Pasture soft launch.

    The upper Wacissa from the headsprings to Goose Pasture, 10 miles one way on the state paddling trail. Leave a vehicle or arrange a pickup at Goose Pasture before you start.

    Help verify this route

    Have you paddled Wacissa Springs down to Goose Pasture (10 mi)?

  • Goose Pasture to Nutall Rise via the Slave Canal

    Not yet rated
    One way (shuttle)· 5 mi· Shuttle required

    Put in at Goose Pasture soft launch, take out at Nutall Rise Landing.

    The lower trail from Goose Pasture through the narrow, braided Slave Canal to Nutall Rise Landing on the Aucilla, 5 miles one way. Navigation is demanding: carry a map, GPS and compass and start early.

    Help verify this route

    Have you paddled Goose Pasture to Nutall Rise via the Slave Canal (5 mi)?

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
Not yet assessed
Current
Not yet assessed
Tide
Not yet assessed
Boat traffic
Not yet assessed

Planning

Seasonal
Camping is not allowed during general gun season, and hunting is allowed in permitted areas of the Aucilla Wildlife Management Area. Check FWC hunt dates before you go.
Reservations & permits
Primitive camping is first come, first served with a self-issued special use authorization from the kiosk, with a 10-day limit (SRWMD). Groups of six or more can call SRWMD at 386-362-1001.

Hazards

  • Limited cell service

    Remote access with limited services

  • Wildlife

    Hunting in permitted areas of the wildlife management area during hunt seasons

Goose Pasture is remote. Below it the Slave Canal is narrow, braided and easy to lose, so carry a map, GPS and compass and tell someone your plan. This is a wildlife management area where hunting is allowed in permitted areas; check FWC hunt dates.

Amenities and craft

Craft suited to this water

KayakCanoe

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

wacissagoose pastureslave canalaucilla wmaprimitive campinghand launch

Rentals and outfitters

No outfitter recorded here. Bring your own boat, or check nearby locations.

PaddlePin tips

  • Plan your cars first: Goose Pasture is 10 river miles below Wacissa Springs, so a one-way trip from the headsprings needs a vehicle or a pickup waiting here. It is a soft launch for hand-carried boats, not a trailer ramp. Camping is free and first come, first served with a 10-day limit, but closed during general gun season.

    Medium confidence

  • Safety Notes: Goose Pasture is remote. Below it the Slave Canal is narrow, braided and easy to lose, so carry a map, GPS and compass and tell someone your plan. This is a wildlife management area where hunting is allowed in permitted areas; check FWC hunt dates.

    Medium confidence

Been here? Help keep it accurate

PaddlePin is researched from official sources. Paddlers who have actually been are how it stays true.

I paddled hereShare what it was actually like and help the next paddler.Help verify this PaddlePinConfirm or correct launch, parking, conditions, difficulty, rentals, or other details.

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.

  1. Primary source — floridadep.gov, read
  2. Secondary source — map.mysuwanneeriver.com, read

Nearby paddling

Wacissa River - Wacissa Springs to Nutall Rise

Panhandle · Jefferson County · Wacissa River / Aucilla River

The full 15-mile Wacissa River paddling trail from crystal Wacissa Springs down through Goose Pasture and the wild Slave Canal to Nutall Rise on the Aucilla - a remote, navigation-heavy Big Bend classic.

Not yet ratedDifficulty: Not yet rated
2 routes1–15 miSpring run, River
High confidence

Wakulla River - Upper Bridge to Lower Bridge

Beginner route

Panhandle · Wakulla County · Wakulla River

A clear, spring-fed wildlife paddle below Wakulla Springs with gentle current, two public launch choices and an easy 4-mile designated trail between Upper and Lower Bridge.

BeginnerDifficulty: Beginner
3 routes4 miSpring run, River
High confidence

Ochlockonee River State Park

Panhandle · Wakulla County · Ochlockonee River

Two defined loops of about seven and a half miles each, the Dead River and Sopchoppy loop and the Bear Creek loop, through a tidal creek and estuary environment.

Not yet ratedDifficulty: Not yet rated
2 routes7.5 miEstuary, River, Creek
Medium confidence
I paddled here — Share what it was actually like and help the next paddler.Help verify this PaddlePin — Confirm or correct launch, parking, conditions, difficulty, rentals, or other details.