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Trip report: March 2013

Pellicer Creek Paddling Trail...

Kayaking in Northeast Florida

Pellicer Creek, south of St. Augustine, flows about 6 miles from west of I-95 to the Matanzas River. The designated paddling trail runs 3.5 miles between Faver-Dykes State Park and Princess Place Preserve. The Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve with its undisturbed salt marsh is one of the most pristine estuarine/riverine systems along Florida's east coast. Upstream (west) from Faver-Dykes offers miles of additional paddling. (Detailed map and photos below.)

Paddling Map
Pellicer Creek

Distance: 3.5 miles paddling trail, 6 miles total
Location: Flagler County (St. Augustine)
Difficulty: Easy
Tidal: Yes
Launch points: Faver-Dykes State Park, Princess Place Preserve (See map)
Nearby points of interest: St. Augustine, Florida Agricultural Museum, Marineland, Fort Matanzas

Rentals/Outfitters/Tours:

Faver-Dykes State Park  (Rentals available, State Park brochure states by advanced reservation.)
Princess Place Preserve  (Rentals available, suggest calling ahead.)
Tropical Kayaks  (rentals, tours)

Support and Advocacy:

Florida State Parks Foundation

 Page Summary:

1. Paddling at Pellicer Creek
   - Faver-Dykes State Park
   - Princess Place Preserve
2. More Information and Resources

Paddling at Pellicer Creek... Comments and Photos

The creek presents a mostly easy paddle; wind and tide can offer challenges at times. Along the paddling trail between Faver-Dykes State Park and Princess Place Preserve the creek is fairly wide, lined with marsh grass - no shade here!

Wildlife include alligators, deer, bobcats, otter, birds (more than 100 species can be seen during migration season), and fish (fishing is popular especially on the flats to the east); manatee and dolphin are also seen.

Faver-Dykes State Park

The State Park is located about 15 miles south of St. Augustine. Camping, biking, hiking, bird watching, fishing, picnic facilities, playground, restrooms. Compact boat ramp, easy on-off for kayaks and canoes. Entrance fee. Rentals are available (Park brochure states with reservation).

Upstream from the launch at Faver-Dykes State Park, Pellicer Creek gradually becomes more narrow with more trees and freshwater plants. Just west of US Hwy 1, Pellicer Creek angles to the left and Cracker Creek enters from the right. Both can be paddled a short distance.On windy days, paddling upstream provides some shelter as the waterway narrows and gains more twists and turns.

Princess Place Preserve

Princess Place Preserve is a Flagler County park. Camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking, Environmental Education Center. Kayak/canoe launch. Rentals available. The property has some historical buildings dating from the 1880's Cutting estate including the Lodge, the oldest intact structure in Flagler County.

East of the Preserve, the creek flows onto open flats popular for fishing and into Matanzas Bay.

More Information and Resources

Nearby Paddling:

Bulow Creek
See FL North Region for more paddling

Nearby Biking:

Biking at Historic St. Augustine

Related Resources:

Florida Office of Greenways and Trails-Pellicer Creek Paddling Trail (.pdf)
Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection - Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve
Florida State Parks - Faver-Dykes States Park
Flagler County - Princess Place Preserve